A survey on the best weedeater ever!

[Cutter1]

I have six shindaiwa T270's. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Just curious as to what everyone has liked in the past. My personal favorite of all time, the shindaiwa T-20. Pound for pound this little weedeater screamed and never had any problems!!

[pottstim]

I've got a Shindaiwa 22T and love the thing! Light, fast, and relaible.

Tim

[Keith]

I like the T230

[stick9]

I'm definitely a T270 man .. the power .. the comfort (after some slight modifications - removal of the newer handle and using the vintage Green Machine handle, removing that rinky-dink little head and putting on a Green Machine style self-tapping head, and of COURSE, removal of the debris guard) ... these combined, create the most powerful tool ever used by a landscaper to date.

Sorry .. didn't mean to get carried away ... it's just a rocking weed whip.


StICK-nine

[Eric ELM]

We like the Shindaiwa T27's and the T270's.

[Sammy]

Sheep.

[sunrise]

homelite ST-100 had the motor on the bottom of the shaft.
Many years ago

[Shack]

I use to be a Redmax man, until I tried the new Husky. It is the lightest, most powerful trimmer around.
David

[Richard Martin]

Undoubtably the T-230.

[Wheeless]

Echo 2601 with a Stihl head.

[geogunn]

it has to be the much maligned HOMELITE ST-275!:)

GEO

[Strawbridge Lawn]

Can anyone add any good/bad comment regarding the echo
PAS 2400 or 2601 with interchangeable (edger) attachments?

[grassyfras]

I have an echo 2100 doesnt seem to have as much power as I would like. I feel like I trim forever with the thing.

[Mowman]

BOUGHT A HUSKY 322L THIS YEAR AND WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING. 22.5CC STRAIGHT SHAFT (SOLID) AND WEIGHS ONLY
8.4 LBS. GREAT TRIMMER. COST OF UNIT WAS $279.00. USED IT HARD ALL SEASON WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. YES, I WILL BUY ANOTHER HUSKY.

[moonarrow]

I like the t-230's

[Twotoros]

grassfras , next time try the 2601 echo. I've had a couple now(first one was ripped off). I also like the shindaiwa's.

[awm]

for fast trimmingaround house the best
is featherlite.3yrs stihl oil 93 octane
never a problem.

[bob]

I have Shindaiwa T-27's and T-270's.

[cleancut]

We use Shindaiwa T-25's and T-230's...25's are pretty heavy but will cut down a tree..As some of you know, they outlawed them...Clean-Cut

[1MajorTom]

We've noticed that a good majority of people posting to this thread are saying Shindaiwa, and we're curious as to
why this is.

All our small equipment are Stihl. We've never thought about switching to another brand because they all have good performance and power.

I guess my question is this: To those that are stating Shindaiwa, is it because you have tried all the other brands like Stihl, RedMax, Echo, Husky... OR is it because Shindaiwa is the brand you have only used and since it has never gave you any problems you have decided not to buy anything else?

Our dealer sells both, and recommended Stihl.

And one other question: Does the Shindaiwa have the dual air filter?


M and J

[RYAN]

You guys have to admit the craftsman XL400 is a beast. My grandparents swear by it. Just kidding I use an echo 2100 and it is a real piece of $h!+. I am looking at shind 230 for my next trimmer.

[Keith]

Originally posted by 1MajorTom

We've noticed that a good majority of people posting to this thread are saying Shindaiwa, and we're curious as to
why this is.

All our small equipment are Stihl. We've never thought about switching to another brand because they all have good performance and power.

I guess my question is this: To those that are stating Shindaiwa, is it because you have tried all the other brands like Stihl, RedMax, Echo, Husky... OR is it because Shindaiwa is the brand you have only used and since it has never gave you any problems you have decided not to buy anything else?

Our dealer sells both, and recommended Stihl.

And one other question: Does the Shindaiwa have the dual air filter?


M and J


We have used many, many different brands of two cycle equipment. I guess there is nothing wrong with Stihl ( had 4 or 5 blowers, a couple trimmers and edgers), we just prefer Shindaiwa. Since using Shindaiwa we haven't bought much else, with the exception of a Maruyama hedge trimmers and tree trimmer. Oh, we did buy another Stihl BR400 a year and a half ago. But that was before we found the EB630. As for the dealer recommending one over the other, maybe they have an interest in selling one over the other. Maybe there is more mark up in the Stihl, maybe parts cost more. Who knows.

[moonarrow]

I have used other equip. like the Echoe a few years ago it was good but since they started mass producing to keep up with sale at home depot they have turned to crap, nothing wrong with stil it just seem heavier, I like the shindiawa's light weight and power , and it is kind of like the battery bunny it just keeps going and going and going

[grassyfras]

I dont think shindiwias are availible where I am. Is there anyway to get them like having them delivered. Would that cost a lot more?

[Strawbridge Lawn]

Try this site:
http://www.alamia.com/products/

[Cutter1]

I have either bought or tried every 2 cycle out there. Shindaiwa, in my opinion, is the best. Easy to use, easy to maintain. THey run excellent and stand the test of time. I would not run anything else.

[Likestomow]

Hey Cutter1 --

What is your opinion of the Husqvarna 325XL?

[Cutter1]

I used the husky's before they put all that plastic crap on them!! Now I'm not a big fan of there weedeaters. I do have one of there chainsaws and I love it. I have tried one of their new weedeaters, I don't remember which one it was, but I wasn't too impressed with it. I use to love husky's back in the day!!

[Keith]

One other thing about Shindaiwa, this is going to sound goofy as hell :) They freakin sound good. They have this cracking sound that says "give me some throttle damnit!" They sound so crisp. I like that :)

[jeffex]

I have a shindiawa T-230 it was recomended to
me by a friend in the lawn business. It starts
easy, plenty of power,and fairly light. The
head leaves something to be desired though. I
put a cheap aftermarket head on that does very
well. They are available from K-MART of all places.
You can go to http://www.suffix.com and order new line
spools instead of replacing the whole head. The
price is cheap enough that I keep several in
the truck. I have a kawasaki trimmer also that is
very light and great for those with a bad back but
it doesn't start and perform as well as the T-230
I will buy another shindiawa!!!

[Cutter1]

I use the universal bump heads on all my weedeaters. That way I can interchange the spolls on all of them, plus these heads stand the test of time pretty good.

[jeffex]

I keep 2 extra spools srtung and ready to keep
production moving. I paid $18 for the universal
head and about $6 for the extra spools. They are
dual line and only rarely jam

[Paradise Yard Service]

Right On Keith! (Wait until you take out the spark arrester!)

Owned a T-25, T-18, T-230, T-27, and now a T-270. I could not kill anyone of these if I tried. Also, I ran over my friends T-25 in 1986 (nothing happened as it ran over the shaft) and he still uses it in his lawn biz in Oregon. Shindaiwa rips.

Aloha, Kevin

[HOMER]

I have run Stihl since I started in 96'. I have had 3 trimmers and 2 edgers, I also run 1 Tanaka. Two of the Stihls in that time period have siezed on me, the motors have just gave up. I do like them, however I think the life span should be a little longer. They are much more powerful than my Tanaka that I'm using as a back-up now but I'm considering trying a different brand next time I need one. Shindawa might be the direction I go.

[SMB]

Would a Shindaiwa C270 brushcutter trim very well? I would like the "both hands" handles and we definately need a brushcutter.

[yardmonkey]

I started out with an Echo 2100. It took me awhile to get used to it but it was very reliable. I decided to get a backup so I got a Shindaiwa T-230. Also extremely reliable.

When I first got the T-230, I was amazed at some of the bad design features on the bump-feed head. First of all, it isn't always easy to press in the little tab and twist the cover to remove it or reinstall it when restringing. And then when you remove the cover, the bumper thing falls out and the loose spring falls out. I was very disappointed at first. Of course you can get used to this stuff, though. I bent the spring a slight bit so it holds in tight and can't fall out. And I just open it carefully so the other loose part doesn't fall out.

I read pretty often here in posts about trimmers that people think a particular head has problems but nobody ever says what the problems are.

Cutter1 and jeffx - you say you are using universal heads. What do mean by that? What heads are they, who makes them?

I've also been dealing with some RSI problems which I think may be due to vibration from using trimmers. I'm hoping that some 4-cycle trimmers may come along which may be better for me. Right now I think they may be too heavy and too expensive. Any info on trimmers that don't vibrate too much would be appreciated.

[Keith]

Man. I haven't had any problems with the bump head, one's three years old :) Sure, initially they can be a little tricky, but I have no complaints. I had to replace an eyelet and the center bump cap on the oldest one, but thats it.

Yardmonkey, check out Veri trimmer heads http://www.hev.com/veri/heads.html

[jeffex]

The universal heads I use are at K-MART for $18
they are made by a company called SUFFIX. They
come with a kit to mount any trimmer. It has a
dual line feed that is seperated in the center of
the spool to prevent jamming or crossing lines.
"They are bump feed and you can check them out at
http://www.suffix.com I ordered 4 extra spools because
the tip of the spool wears out on the bump button
I e-mailed the company and asked if they made a
heavy duty with a thicker button but they said no
I guess they have to make money too! about $6 for
a new spool is cheap though!!

[yardmonkey]

Thanks for the info. I may try one.
The link is actually http://www.sufix.com

[bob]

Here's some more trimmer products, http://www.hev.com/

[KirbysLawn]

I have a Shindawia & Stihl trimmer. I do not like the head on the Shindawia, so I like the Stihl 85 better. Will look at a replacement head this spring.

Ray

[PIONEER]

I have an echo that works well, but it is just to powerful and heavy. carry that thing around all day and it will ware you out. Craftsman sells a weed eater made by weed eater that is a feather light 17 inch cut strate shaft and catch it on sale for $89 if it breaks throw it away and get another one. I can buy 4 to one echo.

[ACE]

I bought a T27 from a pawn shop for 25.00 looked like it had been on fire. Replaced fuel tank and used it for 2 years. Doesn't want to idle but other wise ok. Great investment for under 50 bucks.

[Cutter1]

ace...there is an idle adjustment on the t27. I don't know if you tried that, but I thought I would let you know.

[FastEddie]

The Echo 2100 is closer to a Homeowner model than for serious landscapers. The Echo 2501 in the minimum size for me! I only wish I could scoot around on my velke while I do my trimmin. Maybe i'll try a set of rollerblades! lol
(I'm not lazy, just fast - and rich because of it)

[Toroguy]

I posted this on another thread during the summer. I had researched my next trimmer and came to the conclusion thet LawnSite members were happiest with FS-85 or T-230,s I bought a T-230 because it was $5 cheaper. After removing the spark arrestor as many had predicted would be a negative, I have been very happy with it.

[JimLewis]

Well, most of the high end commercial equipment will work well and last a long time. They engines are all designed simularly. But for my money, I love Shindaiwas. We have 4 or 5 T230s and several of the stick edgers (E230??).

[awm]

pioneer Your right about the featherlite. very little
wt.no problems either and mines 2yrs old.
again high octane and stihl or amsoil
Except for learning how to use amsoil
i havnt spent any time fixing 2cycles since i
went this rout.

[jay]

Has anyone tried out the Honda ones I tried one last year to demo it and man that things heavy.

[G & S LANDSCAPING SERVICE]

I HAVE USED TWO HONDA TRIMMERS FOR ONE YEAR NOW ,THAY HAVE NEVER FAILED ME,EASY TO START EASY TO USE,AND VERY QUIET,I WILL ADMIT THAY ARE A LITTLE HEAVY BUT ,I DO NOT TRIM UNLESS IT IS NEEDED.I DID RIGHT AWAY REPLACE THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRIMMER HEADS WITH THE PRO TAP HEAD ,AND THAY WORK GREAT FOR ME ,VERY EASY TO CHANGE THE OIL . I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW THAY HOLD UP IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

[Mueller Landscape Inc]

We use the Stihl weedeaters. On our trucks, we have the weedeater and the hedger. The parts are interchangable. So in effect you have 2 weedeaters on the truck instead of one.

[Lawnworks]

I like the head on my Robin trimmer. It is not bulky and is only two pieces. I hate the head that is came on my Stihl fs88. That thing is bulky, and I think it takes away some of its power.