Trimmer (weed eater)

[joeypotts]

I am looking to buy a new commercial trimmer and each dealer claims theirs is the best. (Of course) So I thought I would ask the other pros out there what is your favorite trimmer. I was looking at a Shindaiwa T260, but Kawasaki and Makita make some nice ones too. Thanks for any recommendations.

[musselman]

I use both the makita and Echo. I think the echo is more durable and easier to get parts for in this area, but the Makita is very powerful and light. I do sevral large accounts where I need to use a trimmer for 1-2 hours and its all about the weight. Most of the major brands are well made and most have light models....If I was you I would ask your repairman for some suggestions Good Luck

[digger1]

prefer Echo brand myself (SRM2400). More important though is your accessability to parts. purchase trimmer that 2 or more dealers in your area stock that same brand. if you need parts and one doesn't have it, perhaps the other will.
downtime waiting for parts is $$$$$ you are missing out on.

[65hoss]

Of your choices, shindaiwa is the superior machine.

[Scotlawncare]

Joey,
the general concenses on here is a three way tie between, shin, echo, and stihl. All three are good trimmers. i use Stihl. the biggest deciding factor for you should be what does the closest dealer carry and how good of service does that dealer give you. 65Hoss and i are both in the memphis area and each have a stihl dealers about 2 miles from our houses. This was one of the deciding factors why I chose stihl. Then came quality of the machine. My dealer is great at keeping parts in stock for LCO's.

Like Hoss said, of the three you listed Shin is the better in my opinion. But I'm a STIHL man myself.

Sorry to get long winded.

Scot

[Dennis E.]

I bought one this last year and I love it.(T260)
I've got an older Shindaiwa stick edger that is run extremely hard 6 days a week during the busy season here. Still runs like new. The only thing I've had to replace on it is the plug and foam air filter (when needed). I bought it in 1995!! Hows that for durability?
I've tried Tanaka,Stihl,etc.,weed-eaters. They just don't seem to hold up.

[deason]

Just depends on whos at the shop and what day. We all have favorites. All of your major brands are very good. Personally I run an Echo srm 2400 and I am very happy with it. But like I said, They all have good points and bad points. Have fun! :D

[klite]

I started with Echo and like them. Most dealers have parts for them, and if in a pinch on the weekend Home Depot and Lowes stock parts for them.

[wesLESCO48]

I heard alot of good things about shindaiwa but i have
no experience with them because the nearest dealer is 50
miles away. I had been running echo's but just bought
a stihl fs85 and i love it compared to the echo's.
If i had a shindaiwa dealer close by i'd definitely give them
a try.

[HLC]

Wes,
50 miles in which direction? If south, that would put them about...Clanton? I would be willing to drive that far. I would like to try Shin. We actually have a dealer here in Prattville. It's the local feed,seed, plumbing repair, and fish bait shop. I went in there to check out the Shin's. All that they had in stock were homeowner models covered in two inches of dust. I asked if they could get a T230 or T260 and just got a dumb look followed by...."I don't think they make a 230 or 260"

[wesLESCO48]

HLC, i actually live in between alabaster and montevallo and
the only place i know of that sells shindaiwa is a place
called rent one located north of birmingham in gardendale
which is about 40 some odd miles from my house.
A guy i worked with said the drive shouldn't be a problem for
me considering he's never needed anything for his in the
3 years he's owned it. Unfortunately i never seem to have this
kind of luck with anything so i bought what my local dealers carry.

[Hookset]

If I run a trimmer all day it will be an echo. I own both sthil and echo. If I'm cuting 3 foot high grass I'll grab a sthil. Echo has never failed and the 2601 or 260 will cut most anythiing you want to cut.

[Pro-Cut Lawns]

I use an old Stihl FS80 and it just keeps going. It has, between me and the guy I bought it from, about 5 years of hard commercial use and it won't quit. I went to my dealer the other day to buy a new FS85, and he ticked me off (another story in itself). I decided to keep the FS80 going and buy a back up. I bought a Cub Cadet 3000 commercial trimmer. Its 25cc straight shaft and runs .105 line. It certainly isn't Stihl quality, but it's a good lightweight trimmer. The throttle trigger is cheap made but other wise it does a good job. That being said, I use the FS80 for the heavy stuff and the Cub Cadet takes some hours off the FS80 for normal trimming. I bought my Cub Cadet at Lowe's. They carry replacement spools and parts for it also. Once my FS80 dies, I'll definetly get a new Stihl.

[Mykster]

I have two FS80's, I love them too much to switch.

[AltaLawnCare]

My old Stihl FS 80 looked wore out when I bought it used. The only thing thats happened to it wsa one of the clutch springs broke - I replaced it for about a dollar and took about 15 minutes. :cool:

On what ever you choose, I would stick to one brand for all 2 stroke equipment. ;)

[Doh!]

if you're considering the t-260, you should go ahead and get the t-270 for a few extra bucks. I had both until the 260 was stolen out of my truck. the 260 is nice if all you are doing is trimming manicured lawns, but for all purpose you can't beat the 270.

Also, if you are looking for light duty check out the m-230(or something) it's a straight shaft that you can interchange with an articulated hedgetrimmer, tiller, chainsaw, power broom, and chainsaw. And no, I don't work for shindaiwa.