Anybody else seriously looked at Tanaka?

[KERRTURF]

I just recieved a catalog from Mark withTanaka products. I am wondering if anybody has any experience with the hedge trimmers, or Line trimmers? I don't want to turn this into another brand bashing thread, just curious how many people actually have had any experience with them, and what they thought about Tanaka compared to other more "industry standard" brand handhelds. I plan on checking out the line for myself, but I do not know anybody with first hand experience.

[Turflover]

I just bought the THT-210S hedge trimmer to do lawn service on the side. It looks well built and I can't wait to put it through it's paces. The local dealer said that he knew of one service that used all Tanaka and now swears by them. Just a thought.

Chuck DeWitt

[Tanaka]

Great to hear! The THT-210S marketing campaign, "Less Weight, Feel Great," kicks off this month in Lawn & Landscape - Here's a sneak peak at the ad...

-MW

[specialtylc]

I think that the Tanaka Hedge trimmers are the best. Except for the models with the pure-fire engines. The string trimmers are pretty good too. I just bought 2 THT 2120 hedgers and 2 TBC 230 string trimmers. We have had Tanaka stuff for 8 years. I have also bought Stihl,Echo, Redmax,Shindiawa and Little Womder products.

[KERRTURF]

I think that the Tanaka Hedge trimmers are the best. Except for the models with the pure-fire engines. The string trimmers are pretty good too. I just bought 2 THT 2120 hedgers and 2 TBC 230 string trimmers. We have had Tanaka stuff for 8 years. I have also bought Stihl,Echo, Redmax,Shindiawa and Little Womder products.

What is it about the pure fire engines that you don't like, and since there are so many good trimmers out there why did you get the TBC 230? Was it price, dealer support, warranty, or special features?

[specialtylc]

The Pure-Fire engines just dont run as well as the normal engines. My expierence has been that they have less power and dont rev as high. I bought the TBC230s because of a special price and they seem to perform well and are very lite. I have owned the larger models with the Pure Fire engines in the past.
I wish Tanaka still made the 30inch hedge trimmer with the regular engine. :realmad:

[Weedburner]

I have had Tanaka equipment for years. It is light and has good power. My daughters like the fact that it is easy to start. I currently have 2 trimmers and an edger. The only problem I have is no close dealer for support. The gas caps on the trimmers could be improved also. if I had a good dealer I would have no second thoughts on buying Tanaka again.

[barnard]

I already have the210 trimmer . Its a dandy.

[Mr. Burns]

I too am looking for a serious trimmer and edger combo unit. I am tired of the big box store junk they sell at Home depot and Lowes. Of course Stihl is made right down the road in VA Beach, and parts and Stihl products are everywhere around here!

I would like a strong/ quiet/ reliable unit that acutally lasts. I almost bought a Stihl, but then I found this site and would like to try the Tanaka products. I have not seen them in person yet, but from what I have read, they seem pretty to be a good product!

Does Tanaka offer a fairly quiet and strong unit that can edge as well as trim, and allow me to bolt on a nylon grass gator instead of trimmer string??

I hate dealing with that damb winder and rolls of trimmer string, but I also do alot of trimming around fence lines and unless I use the stronger 3 nylon blades, i constantly have to add trimmer line.

I like the idea of a reliable easy to use product that does scream in my ear all day, but yet can do the job year in and year out. I adverage about 2 hours of trimming and edgeing combined a week during the summer.

Tanaka, can you help me without breaking the bank???? I might be willing to spend about $350 for the right set up. Is that about right?? How much do these things cost??

[Tanaka]

Thanks for the post. It is very encouraging to know that people are interested in finding the best product out there even though it might be more convenient to settle for less.

O.k., that's enough commentary - let's get to your questions.

1. Does Tanaka offer a split boom trimmer and edger attachment?
Yes, we are offer two solutions for the trimmer, the TBC-230SF (21cc) and TBC-250SF (24cc). Both units feature Tanaka commercial grade engines and come standard with 5" semi-automatic heads.

2. Can I bolt on my grass gator?
Yes, with the correct hardware. However, you might want to try the Tanaka No Brainer quick load head.

3. How much do these things cost?
The TBC-230SF split boom trimmer is $299.99 (sugg retail)

The TSF-PE edger attachment is $99 (sugg retail)

Let me know if you would like me to set up a demo. Below is a photo of the TSF-PE in use.

-MW

[Mr. Burns]

Thanks for the quick response!!

Hey these Tanakas are less than I thought they would be. How much is the 250SF model? I like the idea of a strong motor. Are other attachments available? Is this trimmer a solid strait shaft unit??

Thanks again for the info!

[Tanaka]

Hi,

1. The TBC-250SF goes for $379.99

2. Yes, pole saw, pole hedge trimmer, cultivator, power sweeper. Check them all out at http://www.tanaka-usa.com/index.php?b=smartfit

3. All trimmers and attachments (except for edger attachment) have solid steel drive shafts with LIFETIME WARRANTIES.

-MW

[Mr. Burns]

Thanks for the info. It looks like I need to try one of these out. It sounds as if Tanaka will meet my needs. I would like to pull start one of the 250SF just to make sure it is easy to start within 2 or 3 pulls.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions. Too me customer service is one of the most important parts of doing business....and one of the reasons I didn't buy one of your competitors.

I found a dealer in Norfolk that isn't too far to drive and I might give them a call and swing by after work.

Thanks again!
Steve

[Tanaka]

You can count on excellent customer service from us. Also, if the dealer you call does not have the unit in stock, we will ensure our Master Distributor ships it to the dealer.

-MW

[Keith]

One of the very first truly commercial pieces I ever bought was a Tanaka single-sided hedge trimmer. I believe it was a THT-262. I first bought a lesser light-duty Echo and proceeded to bend a blade in just a few minutes. I took it back and they suggested the Tanaka. Though a little loud, it never let me down. I finally bought a THT-2100 just last summer and have been pleased with it as well. Nice and light but still powerful enough.

[Turflover]

I just put my THT-210S to use for the first time Saturday. I just wanted to say I am thus far satisfied in every way. I will definitely replace my current string trimmer with a Tanaka. Thanks for a quality product.

[Spirit Lanwcare]

Never really considered Tanaka as their dealers in my area have disappeared due to a lack of parts support over the years.

There is virtually no Tanaka in my area anymore.

[SOMM]

We've owned or rented: Sthil, Bosch, REDMAX, and Echo hedge trimmers for the past nearly-16 years, trim 2.5 acres of hedges 6 times each year and Tanaka hedge trimmers ARE The Best Hedge Trimmer on planet earth, bar none. From ease of start/restart during operation , ergonomics (because they're lighter than most hedge trimmers out there), fuel consumption, torque, while operating in the rain, upside down, you couldn't dream of a better hedge trimmer.

Tanaka is the ONLY hedge trimmer we've owned since 1999.
We've NEVER sharpened the blades since we've purchased ours 7 years back, and the rpms keep sculpting shrubs and hedges as lightly/"gingerly" or as severely/ sheared as we need to (through 1.5" or less like butter, and with a light pressure when encountering 2" thick "volunteers"). Whether you're trimming bamboo, plumegrasses, holly, junipers, burning bush, yews, roses, globe locust, spirea or boxwood - you will trim faster than anything on the market, that's a given.

If it's green, get you a Tanaka and cut it!

[Tanaka]

A great testimonial and a photo! Nice work - thanks for taking the time to post.

-MW

[Diamond_Jim]

My own personal experience with Tanaka has absolutely nothing to do with lawn care. I have a gas powered scooter equipped with a 40cc Tanaka engine. It has well over 100 hours of use on it, and I have done nothing except clean the air filter and remove carbon from the exhaust port.

Most of those hours have been cruising hours, with the engine running at top RPM. (about 7500 RPM) I regularly run the engine for 45 minutes straight at full throttle, and the engine has never done anything but pull, pull, pull.

Considering the abuse I have given my Tanaka engine, I'm positive that you couldn't go wrong with a Tanaka product in a commercial application.

Any thoughts, Mark?

[Tanaka]

You are right - the same 40 cc engine on your powerboard is used on the Tanaka TBC-420PF and TBC-430PF brush cutters. In fact, those were the first two engines to certify to the C.A.R.B. Tier II emissions regulations back in 1998.

-MW

[DLCS]

Yes, I have seriously looked at Tananka's hedge trimmers. I just bought the t-210s, the ones I demoed in this link. I love mine. :) http://lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=104535

[Tanaka]

Wow - over 1,000 views on this thread! I must say I'm impressed with lawnsite.com members and the site in general.

Thanks for everyone's participation.

-MW

[jtm45]

i have a TBC230 and love its lite weight plus and easy starting! The steels i had were too heavy-hard starting with those two operator doomkoff switches

[stoney]

I'm just a homeowner with 1.75 acres with fences, trees and some wooded areas and I had been looking for a good reliable trimmer. Tired of buying the disposable trimmers.

I went to the local OPE dealer in White House Tennessee looking for advise. Even though they had a bigger display of another well known brand, they highly recommend the Tanaka.

After my visit to the dealer and researching the web, I decided that the Tonaka TBC-230SF was for me. The light weight, solid shaft and the optional multitask attachments were enough to convince me.

This thing is awesome. I'm betting that I will never have to buy another trimmer in my lifetime.

[Scraper]

I have been running Tanaka handheld equipment solely for the past 10 years and have no complaints whatsoever! Reliability is great!

[KERRTURF]

Okay, I have decided that tommorow I will head out to buy a THT210S Hedge trimmer, even though the nearest dealer is a little far away. I wanted to thank each of you who responded. Over 25 responses 24 positive, and 1 negative (only about the pure-fire engine) makes me comfortable in making this purchase of a brand that I had no experience with. Your participation is what makes this site an incredible resource for novice, homeowner, and professional alike. Thanks again.

[Tanaka]

Hi,
Thanks to everyone who provided positive feedback on this thread. It's great to see the word getting out about Tanaka.

-MW