New string trimmer, decisions decisions.......

[chrisexv6]

In the market for a new string trimmer. I really just want to buy one good one that I can keep for a very long time, instead of getting frustrated by cheap ones every year.

I know I want a straight shaft model, easy enough. But I dont know if I want a "pro-homeowner" type, or a "commercial" type. Im looking at the following:

Echo SRM210
Stihl FS55
RedMax 200DL
Shindaiwa 22T

Shindaiwa 230*
RedMax 225DL
Husky 323L
Kawasaki ktr27a

Ive separated them into the "pro-homeowner" and "commercial" categories. Price is not an issue, as it seems all of the prices are relatively close. * by the Shiny means that I cant actually find the 230, and I have heard the 231 isnt nearly as nice, so the Shiny is just about written off (unless someone can point me where to get one on the net).

Any suggestions would be really helpful. Ive searched these forums for all of these models, and it always seems to come out as 50/50 (I love it/I hate it), so I figured Id ask one more time before trying to make a decision.

If it means anything, Im really leaning towards the Husky, because its so light and powerful, but for the same price I could end up with a RedMax (or even a Shiny 230), so I didnt want to jump the gun just yet.

Thanks!!!
-Chris

[The C Man]

Got my Kawasaki KTR27A off eBay delivered to my door for $209. Plenty powerful for my needs.

[BigDave]

My dad has the Husqvarna 326, which was rated #1 by Consumer Reports, and he couldn't be happier with it. I have a Stihl (the straight-shaft attachment to the Kombi system), and it's also great, but is a bit heavier than Dad's.

[chrisexv6]

Originally posted by The C Man
Got my Kawasaki KTR27A off eBay delivered to my door for $209. Plenty powerful for my needs.

I was reading of a lot of people complaining about the cutting swath size being too small on the Kawa. Is this your experience as well?

Only person I see on Ebay that has one wants 245 shipped. That matches the price I can get from a dealer here in CT.

-Chris

[dvmcmrhp52]

Stihl fs80.
You won't be sorry.
$270

[jsmonroeCT]

Originally posted by dvmcmrhp52
Stihl fs80.
You won't be sorry.
$270
Thats what I have and it rocks. I was thinking about the 110 but since I'm just a homeowner (with a lot to trim) I figured it was best to save the money. I think I paid $249 or $259 for mine at Bahner Lawn and Forest in Shelton, CT.

[The C Man]

$245 shipped isn't anything special, I'd go to the dealer for that price since it retails for $250. No problem with my cutting swath, but I took the guard off and use an Edgit on it.

[chrisexv6]

Thanks for the replies!!! Looks like Im going to spend tomorrow checking out the possibilities.

I wasnt leaning towards Stihl, but I have a feeling thats what Ill end up with. I want power but I dont want weight. unfortunately I think the Red Max's might be too heavy, as will the T231 Shindy (I still cant find the better T230 around here). So it looks like it will either be Stihl, Kawa, Husky, or Echo (leaning away from Echo, after reading these forums). Husky seems to have good power to weight ratio, but the only dealer nearby seems to like to sell everything at retail, and I really dont want to buy one from Lowes.

EDIT: one more question........any idea if the interchangeable cutting attachments fit the FS80? I notice Stihl only lists the 83,85, and 110 as compatible, but I cant find any info on their site about the 83/85 models, wondering if the 80 replaces them?

-Chris

[jsmonroeCT]

I dont think the FS80 has changeable attachments. Check with a stihl dealer. I also wasnt leaning towards a stihl but leaning toward a Husqvarna. However, once I picked up the stihl (and its the same dealer where I bought my tractor from) I never looked back. So much power.

[chrisexv6]

Thanks for the info!!! Ive learned that the 80 will not take the attachments, BUT you can swap in the 85 solid driveshaft without any other mods, and then you can use the attachments.

However, Ive seen the prices of the attachments, and dont think I would be buying them anytime soon :) Nice to know though that Im only about 30 bux away from being able to use them if I ever want.

I actually ordered an FS80 yesterday (none of the dealers had them in stock, I think that says something). Went up to Knights in Orange. I was still undecided between Echo, Stihl, Shindy, and Husky. After talking to the guys there, it was evident that the "big store" brands are declining in quality. They showed me the Echo, but it sounded like the equivalent Stihl is even better. Then I went from the FS55 to the FS80, just because they felt the same weight, and the 80 is just so much more powerful (the rubberized grips are cool too :) ). When they were putting together an 85 (same as 80, minus driveshaft) in the shop, I was looking around and noted the 6 Echo string trimmers they had tagged for repair. That made up my mind right there.

-Chris

[qualitylandscaping]

I have the a few Kawi 27's, Echo 210's, and Stihl FS 85 extremes..

The kawi is good.. Very good price and light weight. Doesn't always want to start quickly though.. $240

Echo is garbage.. Broken fuel lines, spools falling off, etc.. Overall not happy with the purchases.. $209

Stihl is my new happy spot.. Although they cost more, they are worth EVERY penny.. I bought one a month ago and just got another.. VERY happy with the quality and weight of them.. $329

[chrisexv6]

I was at first leary of buying from the dealer, because I thought they were selling everything at list price. Then I saw list price on the FS80, FS85, etc. I paid 269 for the FS80 which lists at 359!! I didnt mind at that point

I plan on getting the solid shaft for the 80 and swapping it in, which would make it pretty much an FS85, but then I paid 269 + price of the shaft.

Like you said though, its worth every penny. I looked at all the brands they had there (even Shindy!!!) and the Stihl felt better to me.

I have an HS45 hedge trimmer that I did not take good care of at all over its first winter (left the gas in it, didnt oil the blades). Started on the 4th pull. So I went into the store a little biased, but such is life :)

-Chris

[The C Man]

You sure the FS80 lists for $359? They sell the 4-Mix FS110's here for $329 and the 85's for $319. According to the Stihl catalog the FS80 is cable drive.... are you sure you can swap out the cable for a solid shaft? Just hope everything works out for you and you weren't given bad info by the dealer. My Stihl dealer is seriously lacking in product knowledge.

[chrisexv6]

Well, they put 359 list on my receipt. I couldnt quite see the prices in their catalog when they opened it up.

As far as the shaft swap, I got that info from threads here. I agree with the lack of product knowledge, they (incorrectly, according to Stihl) told me that the FS85RX can take the cutting attachments. They even told me "why it could" (solid shaft, thats hollowed out for weight savings). I took any product info I was getting with a grain of salt, Ive done enough research to know the features, I just needed to get the feel of each.

I probably wont order the shaft from them, they would probably wonder what the heck Im doing. On the other hand, I could help them out and explain the RX cant take the attachments, and you can convert an 80 to an 85.

-Chris

[Tvov]

You probably already picked up your trimmer, but... Don't get one of the newer Echos (sounds like you didn't).

I run Echos, but myself and my guys are very unhappy with the newest ones. My large split-shaft one (forget the model) has no carb adjustments, supposedly for emissions reasons. It is a pain to start if you don't know the exact procedure, which takes a while to learn. It basically doesn't have a mid- speed, it either idles or goes full throttle. We are just unhappy with the new ones in general. Our newest Echo backpack blower is very powerfull, but it too can be cranky.

Our old Echos, trimmers and blowers, work great.

My next trimmer/blower purchases will probably not be Echo.

[chrisexv6]

Yeah, I was looking at that aspect as well. I knew the Echos were "preset" and couldnt be changed. The dealer even said "Stihl is stopping this powerhead fairly soon, for emissions reasons", and Ive wanted to avoid the new emissions-safer models. Not because I hate the environment, but because I dont want to have to pay 100.00 for a "catalytic muffler" to be replaced.

So I did order the Stihl. I compared the Echo 210 to the Stihl FS80, just for weight reasons, and didnt notice much of a difference, considering the FS80 is a whole bunch more powerful, I was surprised.

-Chris

[dvmcmrhp52]

The fs80 will serve you well.
The only difference between the fs80 and fs85 is the drive shaft as you mentioned and you are correct about the fs85rx not being able to run the attatchments because of the hollow drive shaft.
Truth is you will be able to run the attatchments with any of the 3 drives(cable,hollow shaft or solid shaft) But the only drive that will last is going to be the solid drive. That's why they do not have any other models other than solid drive shaft units listed for use with attatchments.

By the way the fs85 has already been discontinued............only dealer stock on hand.................

Enjoy your new toy!