String trimmer help

[Dugan lawncare]

First time here and love it already, had no idea that we were part of something this big. The first question is, I have owned many string trimmers. Most recently had Green machines. Can't find them and as always in spring have lost 2 trimmers. With sooo many manufacturers I was wondering what is your favorite. Thanks for any input you can give me. Brian

[Dennis E.]

String trimmers,huh?
You may get a few replies....:eek:
As for me in 14 yrs., I've used Tanaka(pretty decent),Green Machine (gave it to my Dad),Stihl (times 2,wore em' both out in a year or so,yes they were HD commercial),Echo(wore it out quick)
The best luck I've had to date is with Shindaiwa. Stick edger(new in 95 and still screams),Shindaiwa LT that I picked up last year is awesome.
It's your decision,so take it all in before you decide. Red Max and Maryuama are pretty tough machines,I'd pick either of those for HD commercial use anytime.
Take your time and get what fills your needs.
Welcome and enjoy!:D ;)

[SCAPEASAURUSREX]

Red Max here..... Proven to be very reliable and Strong to me...

[digger1]

prefer echo srm-2400. lots of previous posts on what everyone prefers. most important is the availability of parts from your local dealer. downtime will kill you if the dealer does not carry a good parts inventory and you have to wait for parts.

saw this sign in the window of a business years ago: "the sweetness of low price is soon forgotten but the bitterness of poor quality lasts a lifetime". basically, you get what you pay for.

:D

[maple city]

Echo.

[Krimick]

I own all echo trimmers right now and I haven't had 1 problem with them in 4 seasons of use.

I also love the Husqvarna trimmers!

[khouse]

pay 325 to 375$ and get any trimmer that is red in color.

[odin]

stihl

[Brickman]

REDMAX

I bought one new, this is the fifth season, it still runs great. I use it exclusively. When I have employees I make them use the other one that is newer. I just like the older one that good.

[joeypotts]

Just bought a Shindaiwa T2500 yesterday (they are just hitting the market) for $380 and I am not real pleased with it. See my thread. I would reccomend a T260 for $360 or the T270 for $400. Prices may vary, but quality does not.

[EJK2352]

joeypotts,
Is that T2500 the new 4-stroke that uses 50:1 pre-mix?? Why don't you like it???:) ;) :) ED

[ilovethisgame]

I'd go w/ shindiawa. I bought a T270 five years ago and it still starts first or second pull like clockwork. Plus it has power to spare.

[coonman]

Just a different perspective here. I have a friend thats been in the business for 4 years....he does about 10-12 lawns a day. He will go to Sears and by the 70 dollar Craftsman. He likes it because it is very light weight....uses it until it burns up and will go buy another. He says he will go through 2 a season. I don't know what the expected life of the commercial trimmers are...but he thinks this an easier and cheaper option. I myself have a Snapper, Echo and one of the Craftsman.

Steve

[Brickman]

coonman

Lets see here, Redmax BC2600 new ran me about $350 5 years ago. If my math is right this guys purchases of Crapsmans in the same amount of time would be $700. It still starts on the first or second pull.
This guy could buy a new Redmax every 2.5 years, trade in his old Redmax and STILL be money ahead. He should be able to get about $125 or so out of his used one after 2.5 years. Leaving $225 to pay on a new one.
I would say he needs to sit down and do his math again.

[coonman]

I agree with if you if you can get 5 years out of one trimmer. I hope my Echo lasts that long. But you my be lucky. Some of the other posts were saying they wore Stihl's and Echo's out in less than a year. That could get very expensive at 250-350 a pop.

Steve

[Wayward]

I like Shindaiwa products and I use their T 270 trimmers. They sell for $340 at my dealer.

[We do 4 U]

Sthil. I have a fs 85 trimmer and beat the dog ---- out of ti and it runs like a champ. If Sthil makes it and I need it I own it. I love their products.

[Brickman]

Coonman I don't think that I am just lucky with my Redmaxes. They do have a great life expectancy, (you can't let employees put straight gas in them and expect them to last long). 5 to 10 years I would think is doable with mine. I already have the 5 and it runs like new. So if it croakes on me now, it is paid for any way.

Today at a job I was working on the homeowner next door was trying to start his Stihl. I heard him pulling and pulling and pulling and pulling and ............. you get the pic. After much effort he says loud enough for me to hear in the next yard, "what a piece of ****". I had to laugh at him and his trimmer.

[coonman]

Brickman

Those Redmax sound very good. I will check them out when my Echo and Snapper bite the dust. (hopefully way down the road)

[HOMER]

Stihls are strong.............but man they are finicky!

Especially that BR-400

Never used anything other than a Tanaka. I liked it but didn't like the head (auto feed).....ya right. It was light and when it did work it was great........it stays in the barn. Maybe I'll try and find another head for it. Never wore out a Stihl anything in one year. Three years is about all the good I've got out of them.

We fianlly got a Redmax dealer in town...might have to give that blower a try.

[Albemarle Lawn]

Have 2, both going on 7 years old.

Strong, light, and smooth.

Zenoah engines on redmax...these are the engines of choice for model R/C aircraft for their power and reliability.

Never a hiccup and one even fell off my truck at 65mph six years ago and it is still going strong.

Ken

[cigar6]

String Trimmers?

For what it is worth, I have an Echo , and a shindaiwa.

The biggest differnce is the weight of the trimmer.

The Echo is much lighter and easier to swing around if you cut larger properties or have a lot of edging to do.

The Shindaiwa is a better made product, without a doubt, but carry one around for a while.

Good luck!

[GLS]

Stihl FS 85 - $270.

[MikeLT1Z28]

i run all stihl stuff, trimmer, blower, edger, hedge trimmer. the br-420 runs like a champ as do the hedge trimmers, the edger needs a little tweaking in the carb, runs fine but sounds like it needs a little more high speed mix and the trimmer runs good but has a pick carb.

[Hawkeye5]

Stihl FS 85. I've mentioned before that last year I worked at the National Cemetery in Nashville. Our crew used year old Stihl 85 trimmers that belonged to the Cemetery. 65 acres of headstones, stone walls, buildings and curbs, not to mention one long steep bank that the mowers couldn't do. These trimmers ran 8 hours a day 5 days a week except for rain days. Never a problem, but pull the spark arrester. If you wear out a 85 in a year there is something very wrong! The only damage to these trimmers came from one guy that beat the trimmer on the ground to advance line too hard repeatedly and bent the shaft. JD

[scottishmaximus]

I like husqvarna trimmers. i have a 322l and absolutely love it. you can buy it at lowes and for only around $250. great power and lighter than any commercial trimmer i have used. no exposed wires to snap and little vibration. dealer support is not as great as stihl but who needs to buy parts for a good piece of equipment HUSQVARNA all the way

[GrassMaster84]

Go with the big orange a STIHL... u wont be dissapointed

[scottishmaximus]

that husky orange is nice isn't it

[Scag48]

Stihl FS 85R/ FS 85T. Hard to beat. Fairly light and lots of power. Get the 85T to put the attachments on it. That's what I did and I'm glad I did. Go Stihl and you won't regret it!

[horseman201]

Alot of commercial guys here are using the Shindaiwa HomePro trimmer. It is lighter than the rest and works great on residential yards. This unit works great as long as you don't have any grass that is high. If the grass is high get the bigger Shindaiwa trimmers.

[scottb]

Echo has Been very very good too me!

[Turf Dancer]

I switched to the Honda 4 stroke trimmers 3 years ago and at first I thought they were way too heavy but after a day it was no problem I was used to it. Besides there is never any fuel to mix with those, sure I still have to mix fuel for the blowers and hedge trimmers, but not as much or as often. The Hondas are a Great Machine I would not switch for anything. If I were to go to a 2 stroke I would say Shindiawa because I have heard good things about them, Stihls because I always have used them in the past and I would look at Red Max because they are liked by alot of people so I would consider them.

My opinion and the next trimmer I buy will be a Honda UMK431 They are great machines and No Fumes to deal with.

[joed]

I agree with the post above. I bought a Honda 4 stroke trimmer last year (UMK422) and love it. Yes it's heavy but you get used to it and it's only 3 lbs heavier than most commericial units. This trimmer is the best I've ever used. It is well balanced, plenty powerful especially with consistent torque in heavy grass and fuel efficient. I would reccomend it highly. If you wanted to stay with 2 stroke motors, Shindaiwa and Stihl are good brands. However, any commercial grade trimmer from known manufacturers are great. It is just a matter of personal opinion.

[turfman33]

I use a John deere.

Steve

[Cutter1]

I have 6 Shindaiwa t270's. Love them!!!! HAD a redmax, not enough power for me. :)

[gorrell]

You might give the Kawasaki KBL-23a a look see. I've got a ton of trimmers including shindaiwa t-230's, redmax 225's, husqvarna 322's, 225's, 122's, Maruyama's bc2300's and bc2600's. The Kawasaki has 15% more power than the t-230 and is as light or lighter. I can buy these new for $195.00 all day..........Lynn

[Farmboy]

gorrel
where can you buy a kawasaki for $195 ?