Echo string trimmer question (burning arms)

[nobagger]

I've run Echo string trimmers for years now but one of my srm 230's is burning every ones right arm just below the elbow. Any one else have this problem? My other Echo's dont bother us at all just this one 230, which is only 2 season's old. Thanks in advance.

[LBLC_LCO]

I have the same problem with the 225. Have to watch where you put your arm/elbow or it will burn.

[nobagger]

I have the same problem with the 225. Have to watch where you put your arm/elbow or it will burn.

Well what I'm saying is it never used to do that until this year. Although I rarely used the trimmer for the past few years. Must be an Echo thing. The others are srm 210's and the engine cover is a bit different.

[LBLC_LCO]

Ah ok I gotcha. That's weird that it just started doing it. No ideas why though.

[ed2hess]

Could it be the way you are holding it......we got some of their heat shields free but never put them on.

[traman]

all my echos burn me. i bought a rubber support band ,and just slip it over my forearm while trimming. its a summer thing, doesn't happen in the winter

[Jason Rose]

I have long arms, so my right arm hits on the muffler guard on the trimmers instead of the bumper over the spark plug where it should. I'm quite accustomed to getting burned! I know the newer trimmers run a lot hotter than they used too, because of how lean they run now. Your fuel you use, or the oil could make a difference. Some mufflers have a catilitic convertor of sorts in them and they get a lot hotter than a standard muffler.

[ram69]

maybe you got an exhaust gasket leaking and shooting some exhaust up towrds your arm.

[mowerdude777]

I never had this issue with my old 210

[nobagger]

I never had this issue with my old 210

My 210's dont do it just the one 230. I dont know, I'll just buy more band aids,lol.

[Two Seasons]

Try this.

Take an old cotton sock and cut the toe area off. Then slide it up over your hand and over the area of your arm that you and your operators are being burned.

Yeah it can really burn you. The way I hold our Stihl FS110R does the same to me. My wife is really creative and came up with this solution.

[Albery's Lawn & Tractor]

A cheap wrist sweat band from walmart is what we use. Just go to the tennis section, I think they'r either $1 or $2. Much better looking the a sock.

[z71tiger]

My srm230's do the same thing to me. Was thinking about switching to red max
Posted via Mobile Device

[ed2hess]

My srm230's do the same thing to me. Was thinking about switching to red max
Posted via Mobile Device

I will try to be more clear.......Echo makes a heat shield device that
can be installed on the older units... Don't know if they fit the orange models.

[Allens LawnCare]

I have a nice little mark, looks like a bruise but I'm sure it's just damaged skin in the meat of my forearm and I run 210's. The other thin I noticed about echo is ich you hit the plug cover with flesh you get a nice little zing!

[grass_cuttin_fool]

Try this.

Take an old cotton sock and cut the toe area off. Then slide it up over your hand and over the area of your arm that you and your operators are being burned.

Yeah it can really burn you. The way I hold our Stihl FS110R does the same to me. My wife is really creative and came up with this solution.

we do the same thing here

[Coop714]

My echo's have burned my arm since the day I got them. I use a childs soccer shin guard on my forearm to protect it

[Big Bad Bob]

I've run Echo string trimmers for years now but one of my srm 230's is burning every ones right arm just below the elbow. Any one else have this problem? My other Echo's dont bother us at all just this one 230, which is only 2 season's old. Thanks in advance.

My SRM 210 has the t-handle just above the spark plug broken off. Ever since, if I get my elbow in the wrong position, I get shocked by the plug wire. I don't know. Maybe I am getting burned in the same way as you guys but it just seems like getting shocked by the plug wire.

[cutting md]

my srm230' all do it kinda hurts after a 12 hour day ... And then the skin kinda just starts falling off.... LOL

[mowerdude777]

My 210's dont do it just the one 230. I dont know, I'll just buy more band aids,lol.

oh okay

[mowerdude777]

I am getting a free echo string trimmer tonight from a friend, hopefulyy I will not get burnt at all

[topsites]

Yeah tell them to stop being lazy and don't rest their dang arm on the engine, that's the easy way,
just because other trimmers will let the operator rest an arm there doesn't mean it's the right way.

So tell them to hold the trimmer like they're supposed to and don't get near that powerhead and it's no problem,
now for those hard of learning the Echo line of products has included in all of their products this
little self-teaching tool called pain which, it works real good.

That or replace the whole lot but if it were me I would keep those Echos, they sure are fine, fun trimmers,
almost every time a new guy comes along and picks one up a chuckle is almost guaranteed, more so if you're
anything like me and you've been through this school a few times over.

Speaking of which, when they were applying for the job, per chance did any of those fellows
tell you they had like umpteen years experience?
Yeah so now they're not the ones getting the burns, right?
Right, right, that's what I thought.

....
On another note, I wonder where one might get the material for that handle,
the soft stuff the grip is made out of... I'd like to see if I can buy some of that
by the foot, several feet worth, so as to replace it when it gets brittle and dry.

[Jeffrey Vogt]

I have several srm 210's and have no issue's, i got a new srm 225 and used it one day, noticed a large scab near my elbow, had to return the 225 (started cutting off after a few minutes of use), used the 210's for the rest of the week with no issue. Pick another 225 up and same issue, large scab next to elbow, my helper used it the nextday and same issue, burn near elbow.

Contacted Echo customer service dept, they stated no one has reported problems to them about this issue and that I should were a long sleeve shirt, not a good answer, (I reported that this forum had lots of people who are having the same type of issue.) he would forward info to another dept, still no answers or fix. They called and said try to adjust the loop handle and throttle handle to allow for a different holding position, and they would send a shoulder harness. Neither of these options have solved the issue.

I have filed a complaint with the Consumer Product Safety Commisions at
https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

I urge others to take a few minutes and fill out the report, takes less than 5 minutes and can lead to solving this issue....

[mictrik]

Well, i just used my SRM-230 (older grey model) for about 45 minutes today. Started second pull, worked perfectly and no burns. I was actually thinking that the SRM-230 had better throttle control than my Stihl FS90R. The SRM-230 is easier to run at speeds other than wide open which makes it a better choice for edging and day to day trimming.

[weve]

Back in 2006 there was a thread here about the same arm burning problem with the Echo 260/261 trimmers. Echo developed an "arm rest kit" that they sent free of charge to those who requested it. I still have mine on my 260 which solved my arm burning problem.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=151235&highlight=Echo

[LouisianaLawnboy]

My M242 shindy gets hot too.
Posted via Mobile Device

[LouisianaLawnboy]

Yeah tell them to stop being lazy and don't rest their dang arm on the engine, that's the easy way,
just because other trimmers will let the operator rest an arm there doesn't mean it's the right way.

So tell them to hold the trimmer like they're supposed to and don't get near that powerhead and it's no problem,
now for those hard of learning the Echo line of products has included in all of their products this
little self-teaching tool called pain which, it works real good.

That or replace the whole lot but if it were me I would keep those Echos, they sure are fine, fun trimmers,
almost every time a new guy comes along and picks one up a chuckle is almost guaranteed, more so if you're
anything like me and you've been through this school a few times over.

Speaking of which, when they were applying for the job, per chance did any of those fellows
tell you they had like umpteen years experience?
Yeah so now they're not the ones getting the burns, right?
Right, right, that's what I thought.

....
On another note, I wonder where one might get the material for that handle,
the soft stuff the grip is made out of... I'd like to see if I can buy some of that
by the foot, several feet worth, so as to replace it when it gets brittle and dry.


Did you take your meds this morning? LOL

Your a riot.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jkilov]

Tape/bodge some insulating foam on there.

[buckhigh]

my 230 gets really hot compared to my 210. doesnt bother me too much.

my 230 is brand new and makes a loud metal rattling noise. was told by the dealer it will go away after 5-10 hrs. he claims its the clutch and will replace it if it doesnt stop making the noise. anyone else experience this?

[DaughtryLC]

My 210 will burn the sh*t out of you!

[borwicks]

all trimmers i have, redmax, green machine, john deere. they all do it if you hold them just right. I wear a tennis elbow brace just below my elbow to protect it from the heat.

[huttoncut1]

I agree all trimmers get hot enough to burn your arm. I use to use a cut off sock or sports band. What works better for me is cut a piece of leather out of a glove and glue to the Hot area on the trimmer with weather stripping adhesive. Been working for me.