best split shaft gas trimmer

[overlandsea]

Hi, I'm looking for a new split shaft/split boom trimmer. I had a ryobi with some of the attachments and found it very useful, but it just died. I would really like to get one that I can use my current attachments with, but reading around on the internet it seems like almost all of the consumer brands are pretty bad. The only thing that sounds like it might be good and last is a Toro. I was wondering if there is anything else I should be looking at that would be compatible with the Expand It, craftsman, troy-built type attachments. Don't really have the $$$ to go get a new Stihl Kombi with all new attachments but I could pay a bit more for a good trimmer that would work with my current ones.

Thanks in advance!

[cgaengineer]

If you search around a fellow on here is using his Ryobi stuff with a Kombi head...
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[overlandsea]

sweet that might work.

that was really what i was getting at...

are there any other commercial/high quality brands that will work with the ryobi/universal attachments?

[cgaengineer]

Originally Posted by overlandsea

sweet that might work.

that was really what i was getting at...

are there any other commercial/high quality brands that will work with the ryobi/universal attachments?

Not sure, but I can tell you this...after owning a Stihl you will end up replacing the Ryobi stuff one at a time and end up junking the Ryobi stuff.
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[stan the man]

echo i have had my for 5 years now still runs great

[overlandsea]

anyone know if the hitachi/tanaka split shaft will accept the universal attachments? the 7 yr warranty sounds pretty nice at this point.

[RGM]

The Toro is the best that works with your attachments. I have had one for about 7 years use it with the hedge trimmer and the edger attachments only still works good enough for me on small jobs. I also have an old echo 2400 split I use with hedge trimmer and pruner attachments its 11 years old and still works good.

[dboyd351]

Originally Posted by overlandsea

The only thing that sounds like it might be good and last is a Toro.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this statement. I've done the same research on "inexpensive" split shaft machines and came to the same conclusion.

I was in the same boat as you, having string trimmer and articulating hedge trimmer heads for a Troy-bilt that died. I tried buying a Ryobi where you can just buy the powerhead for $80, but it wouldn't start at all - right out of the box I returned that immediately.
I ended up getting a Stihl 90 string trimmer with the articulating hedge trimmer add-on, but it set me back about 3 times what the Toro would have cost. Hopefully, it will make up the difference in longevity and reliability.
If you can determine the Stihl Kombi head will work with your attachments, I'd say that's your best bet, then replace the attachments with Stihl ones when your current ones break.
As far as a less expensive powerhead, with some decent expectation of reliability, I think the Toro is your best bet.

[dboyd351]

Originally Posted by RGM

The Toro is the best that works with your attachments. I have had one for about 7 years use it with the hedge trimmer and the edger attachments only still works good enough for me on small jobs. I also have an old echo 2400 split I use with hedge trimmer and pruner attachments its 11 years old and still works good.

RGM, Which model Toro do you have? I know there is at least one straight shaft and one curved shaft trimmer, but I'm not positive if they use the same motors.

[RGM]

the straight and curved come with the same power head and the home depots in Maryland are closing them out for the season