Is having a " turbo" or " maxtoque" gearbox head on a trimmer worth spending the extra couple of bucks? For example: I was looking at the Maruyama B27L series trimmer. The Turbo model ( B27L Turbo) which is 1:9 gearbox on it is only a few dollars more. Being a 25cc motor, is it worth the extra few dollars? Considering too that I mainly do light edging and brush cutting ( farm-work and 3 accounts)
Is gear reduction on a string trimmer/brushcutter worth it
Redmaxmann01
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Is having a " turbo" or " maxtoque" gearbox head on a trimmer worth spending the extra couple of bucks? For example: I was looking at the Maruyama B27L series trimmer. The Turbo model ( B27L Turbo) which is 1:9 gearbox on it is only a few dollars more. Being a 25cc motor, is it worth the extra few dollars? Considering too that I mainly do light edging and brush cutting ( farm-work and 3 accounts)
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Unless you're cutting a lot of heavy growth it probably isn't worth the added money when you buy. The extra torque models all run at around 1k less rpm's at the head due to steeper gearing in the box, so while they will still cut nicely, they may not cut as cleanly as you want or need. It just depends on a persons particular situation and needs.
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My wife bought a echo 280t this year and hated it due to the slower speed. She only liked it for doing super thick tall weeds in a drainage ditch and says it breezed through that easily. For everyday weed eating it's just too slow and you have to rev the motor higher to get it to cut decently . I switched out the torque head for a reg head that I had off a decommissioned unit and installed it onto the 280 and she liked that much better. So IMHO for everyday cutting stick with a reg head if your doing more heavy weed eating opt for the torque head.
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Agreed. ^^^^^
I always buy the std head. I have an FS250 for the really tough stuff. I will say this- if you want to cover all your bases, get a Stihl 90 or 110. The torque they put out makes them more than equal to the max torque heads, and they still cut at high speed like the std heads. My FS90 will easily cut stuff that my equally powerful (hp rating wise) 2 stroke struggles with. I prefer the 2 strokes for trimming regular stuff, but for no more than what you are doing, and for the type of stuff you mentioned, they'd be my first choice.
I always buy the std head. I have an FS250 for the really tough stuff. I will say this- if you want to cover all your bases, get a Stihl 90 or 110. The torque they put out makes them more than equal to the max torque heads, and they still cut at high speed like the std heads. My FS90 will easily cut stuff that my equally powerful (hp rating wise) 2 stroke struggles with. I prefer the 2 strokes for trimming regular stuff, but for no more than what you are doing, and for the type of stuff you mentioned, they'd be my first choice.
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Thank you everyone for you input. Sounds to me like I will opt for a standard trimmer head. Currently I run two machines. On the farm I run the Echo SRM 2100. It's a good machine but has many many hours on it. Believe my boss purchased it back in 1998 and we've used it at least once a week since. Replaced the usual stuff ( fuel lines, filters, plugs and about 3 carbs so far) but most other stuff is stock.
For the user above who mentioned Stihl. That's my second trimmer I own. However it's the Stihl 55S. I do like the weight balance ratio on it. Granted it's what I use at my own home and it is borderline consumer grade/commercial grade and just want to step up from there.
I have a Maruyama hedge trimmer so that's why I am partial to that brand. Also have a Redmax Ebz 7500 blower. Maybe it's just Japanese made equipment I am partial too
For the user above who mentioned Stihl. That's my second trimmer I own. However it's the Stihl 55S. I do like the weight balance ratio on it. Granted it's what I use at my own home and it is borderline consumer grade/commercial grade and just want to step up from there.
I have a Maruyama hedge trimmer so that's why I am partial to that brand. Also have a Redmax Ebz 7500 blower. Maybe it's just Japanese made equipment I am partial too
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The FS55 is a good HO machine, but not even in the same ball park as the 90 or 110, not to mention the 130. O own a 90 and my neighbor runs a 55. When his is pegged, my 90 is just playing. This isn't a brand loyalty thing for me either as I run most brands right now- Husky, RM, Stihl, Shindy. All are used daily.
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Oh okay. Yeah I know their not in the same
Ball park. I only ever use the FS55 for single yard (1/4 acre well maintained) stuff. However I will definitely be in the market for a commercial grade job. Hence why I started the thread on trimmer heads. Never used a gear reduction one only standards and wanted opinions. I also know I'm partial to Maruyama. I know dealer support where I am is non existent but I can change carbs myself and such. I'll just buy spare parts online for future breakdowns if any.
What I am torn about now is whether to go with the B27L ( 25 cc motor) or the B30L (30.2 cc motor). I will be cutting on occasion grass that's 2 feet tall here and there with it. Though I will edge and light trim mostly.
Not to change the thread but for my means and use does the extra " 5CC's" really make a world of difference? Non-gear reduction models of course
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If you do 2' tall grass, yes, you'll definitely appreciate the added cc's. Think of it like this- that's an extra 20% more engine added on to what the 25cc has, which is a lot in an engine that size.
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Ah yes that is very true. Hmm decisions decisions.
Again than you and everyone else for your input much appreciated
So what's wrong with running at higher RPM's beside fuel usage, which is immaterial in the overall scheme of things. If it has more torque at full throttle and cuts clean at full throttle is their another downside here?
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And if they're really good customers do you fertilize back there for them?:laugh:
Well fuel consumption is important to me but it's more about user comfort as with the reg head there is very little throttle needed to make the 280 cut effortlessly through normal weekly growth where with the torque head there was a lot more throttle input to get the unit cutting the way we like. The extra throttle input leads to more operator fatigue because the 280 has a heavy throttle spring in the trigger . Another issue for me is noise fatigue I would rather hear the motor noise of a just off idle motor opposed to a screaming top rpm motor any day of the week. I'm stating from my opinion and yours may be different and that's ok . Different strokes for different folks . Like I stated if I was whacking thicket all day I would run the torque head but 99% of what I cut are maintained lawns and the reg head works better for me .
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