I have the 2620T, I trim in various conditions, light thin areas, overgrown heavy dense grass and weeds, etc. Most of my trimming is in the heavy overgrown vegetation.

Never had a problem with exhaust heat burning arm. When I first purchased it I thought the vibration was slightly more than my previous 30 yr. old ECHO SRM 2200. But now I don’t seem to notice any vibration at all.

I can’t advise you on which model would be best for you, but if I were to buy another it would be the T model.

There area many threads on this forum addressing your question. Do a search for Echo 2620 verses 2620 T.

 

From what I've read, you would only need the "T" if you where doing heavy vegetation alot, otherwise the normal 2620 is fine. Some of known experts will be along.

 

Thanks JLH52. I did search and read most of the threads. Most talk about the gear ratios & head speeds. I went from a Ryobi something to the 261T and the latter was night & day difference but heavier. Weight on the 2620 & 2620T are the same by specs. There is a dealer not far from me but I don't know if he has either in stock.

 

NewVision

That's what I've read also but hate to make the wrong purchase. I'm also looking at getting the PAS-2620 and adding the "T" version of the trimmer head. It'll be more expensive but I have needed hedge trimmers & pole saws before - but went with the curved saw blade on a stick and hedge shears instead of dedicated gas equipment. So now I'm thinking the PAS option may be better this time around.

 

I'm going with one 2620 and one PAS 2620 and be done. One for trimming and line edging and the PAS to be universal / backup. I'm solo though.

 

One of these will be my next trimmer. I can't wait for my 94r to take a ****.

 

Speaking of it, I need to order my 2 slot Defender Rack!

 

I purchased mine online from Home Depot in 2019. At that time they had a special deal, plus I got a military discount. I actually got it cheaper than my local dealer said he pays for them.

I recently called Home Depot to ask if they had any discounts on trimmers at this time and the answer was NO. Also no military discount available.

 

I always get my military discount when I purchase from Lowes or HD. I always walk in an purchase though and show my ID. Both stores are next to each other in a military town!

 

Been running 280t... the big bad one they used to make about 5years. One went bad, our lawn mower guy said he wanted to try the 2620 not ‘t’. Have yet to run it, he’s still doing aerations! His opinion was for how he runs it he wants the faster string...

 

Been running 280t... the big bad one they used to make about 5years. One went bad, our lawn mower guy said he wanted to try the 2620 not 't'. Have yet to run it, he's still doing aerations! His opinion was for how he runs it he wants the faster string...

So how much faster is the string (17" length) on the non 'T"? What are the actual rpms each for 17" string?

 

The T designation just mean it has a little bit higher gear ratio in the gear box, so it spins slower but has more torque.
I've run a shindaiwa 262 trimmer and three other pieces of equipment with the same engine (same as echo 2620, just red plastic) for several years now with no issues aside from ignition coils malfunctioning prematurely, just replaced one today in fact, would randomly not shut off with the switch and I had another do the same thing a year or so ago, and one that just died outright, no spark.

Unless your cutting a lot of overgrown stuff all the time Id'e stick with the non T version.....the extra rpm's is more beneficial imo. And I run with no guard and the string out 10 inches on both sides all the time and it handles it fine.

 

The Darwin's Grip says to mount it 22.5 inches from the bottom of the trimmer. I've looked for the specs for the PAS-2620T and the "T" version of the head and can not find any mention of lengths to determine if one can be mounted appropriately. i.e. Is the connector at that location?

 

If running a brush blade, then I'd want the T model.

IIRC, the difference between a T and non-T is in the ~25-30% range of head speed reduction.

I can't recall ever wishing my trimmer head was spinning slower at a given RPM (but I don't ever put a brush blade on either).

 

Well, it doesn't say 22.5 inches. It says to mount it so that the trimmer balances at the DG's grip.

 

It seems that the consensus is to get the regular trimmer head if not doing a lot of large paths of grown up grass/weeds and get the "T" version if otherwise.

More info on what I trim. I flip the trimmer to edge a sidewalk & a patio. I trim around the house, the edge of a 200' driveway, around a 1/2 acre pond and both sides of a 125 yard long creek (about an 18 - 24 inch path). The creek is trimmed about twice a season. I do have a section about 20' X 100' that is sometimes too wet to mow and I trim it maybe 2 times a season when its 12 - 18 inches tall. Is this considered a large path of overgrown grass weeds? Is this enough to justify the "T"? Should I just get the "T" because I've had a "T" version for the last 14 years? It seemed fine but if a faster spinning string will let me walk faster or work better for normal trimming maybe that is the way to go. Seems prices are $90 and $110 for the attachments so difference in price is not an issue. I just don't want to make a $90 mistake.

 

It seems that the consensus is to get the regular trimmer head if not doing a lot of large paths of grown up grass/weeds and get the "T" version if otherwise.

More info on what I trim. I flip the trimmer to edge a sidewalk & a patio. I trim around the house, the edge of a 200' driveway, around a 1/2 acre pond and both sides of a 125 yard long creek (about an 18 - 24 inch path). The creek is trimmed about twice a season. I do have a section about 20' X 100' that is sometimes too wet to mow and I trim it maybe 2 times a season when its 12 - 18 inches tall. Is this considered a large path of overgrown grass weeds? Is this enough to justify the "T"? Should I just get the "T" because I've had a "T" version for the last 14 years? It seemed fine but if a faster spinning string will let me walk faster or work better for normal trimming maybe that is the way to go. Seems prices are $90 and $110 for the attachments so difference in price is not an issue. I just don't want to make a $90 mistake.

I've only used the 2620T so I cannot personally say you would notice actual difference when at work with either model.

When it comes to the difference in gear ratio 1.62:1 verses 2:1, that difference is on paper. In all practically the only way to tell the real difference in performance in the real world would be to use both in exact same condition by same person.

Then you have another variable, to one person the T model feels stronger, to another the non T model.

I cut some serious overgrown thick dense tough grass and my 2620T never bogs. With that being said, I also use common sense and don't try to overload the head without allowing time for it to cut. You can overload anything.

Like I've stated in a previous reply, if I were to buy another Echo of any kind, I would get the T model if available.

 

I'm almost settled on the PAS 2620 and was reviewing the regular trimmer attachment that they call the Speed Feed Trimmer attachment and the Pro-Torque Trimmer attachment. The latter would be the "T" equivalent. It does not come with a Speed Feed head. It has an "Echomatic" head. Would a SpeedFeed 400 still work on this? Not sure why it wouldn't come with one.

 

I don't have a clue.

 

Speedfeed heads work on anything, just need the right adapter.

 

Boy those 2620's are light compared to the KM110 Kombi I use. My mowing guy always reaches for the 2620 and leaves the KM on the trailer.

 

2620 FTW:weightlifter:

 

Well, today ended well. I tried to find the PAS-2620 and the Pro-Torque trimmer attachment online. Several sites said they were sold out. A few didn't say that online so I called to make sure they had them in inventory before I ordered. I didn't want to wait until they get some in as I was hoping to get one soon. No one had any. I even asked about the Speed feed attachment. Then I checked locally. All dealers - not HD. One had ONE 2620 but no trimmer attachment at all. Not even the Speed Feed one.

Finally I found a dealer that said he had them in stock. It was an hour drive. I got there and he had the PAS-2620 but the trimmer attachment was neither the Pro-Torque nor the speed feed. It had one piece of line about 18" long threaded straight through the head. He had the box. I looked and while it listed a PAS-225 (Old model ??) and some others it did not list the 2620 (or the old 266). I said well, this apparently doesn't go with the 2620. He had a couple pole saws laying on a long bottom shelf and said well, there is one there mixed in with the saws - no box. I pulled it out and it was the pro-torque. I checked the model # on the internet and it had the Echomatic head. We had been taking about the speed feed head because of the first trimmer attachment we saw with the short single string. He then said, that's no big deal, I'll swap out the head for a speed feed. He also said there wasn't too many people that bought the trimmer head with the 2620 because they buy the hedge trimmers and the pole saw for it.

He took the 2620 and the attachment out to the shop, swapped the head to the Speed Feed, fueled it up and started it to be sure it started and ran well. He then came back and wrote up the paperwork. Total price ended up being $399.99 + tax. (MSRP on the 2620 is $319.99 and the Pro-torque attachment is $109.99 ~ $430). So, I got a great deal. I picked up the trimmer and headed toward the door. He stopped me and said, here's a bottle of Echo oil to go with it. I don't buy much stuff but you can be sure that I will go back should I need something and will recommend this dealer to everyone. It was Kalb Equipment in Memphis, TN. BTW, I got his last PAS-2620 and trimmer head.

So, in the end, the decision was made for me as the Pro-torque is all I could find. I can't wait to use it.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

 

Congratulations on your new toy!!

 

Thanks. Any idea as to the value of the engine & shaft of the SRM-261T? It ran well before the trimmer head locked up. I assume it is one the gears. The engine will simply bog down but still run. Thinking someone may want it for the engine, shaft and the old speed feed head. I also have the old Echomatic head for it.

 

Thought I'd give an update. Guess what i found?? Someone was selling a PAS-230 with the speed feed trimmer head attachment and the pole saw attachment for $40. They said when the engine got hot it died and wouldn't start. Their mechanic said it had low compression and needed rebuilding. Guy decided to sell as is.

I didn't even try to negotiate the price. When I went to pick it up he began telling me everything he had stated in the ad. I told him the bad engine was OK with me because I had an engine I could put on it. It took a few days before I could start the project but I took the engine off the 230, pulled the cable out, wiped it off good, re-greased and reinstalled. Then I put the 261 engine on it. I pulled the cable out of the trimmer head, wiped it off good, re-greased and reinstalled. So now I have the 2 good power heads, 2 trimmer heads and a pole saw. I wish that ad had come up sooner so that I didn't need to buy the 2620 but that's life. I have a backup if needed. BTW, I swapped the handles with the engines so I didn't have to change the kill wiring (one had one wire the other had 2) or remove the throttle cables. Easy swap.

I put the 230 engine on my old 261T shaft, put it on craigslist stating that the engine needed to be rebuilt because it died when hot and wouldn't start till cool and that there was an issue with the gear case at the trimmer head because it was grinding. Sold it within 24 hours and got some of my money back. The guy said he could rebuild the engine and determine why the gear case was grinding. He said he had another gear case he could put on it if needed. I assume he had many parts and was fixing these to sell.

Now I'm trying to find a good deal on the Echo articulating hedge trimmer attachment. Are there ever any sales on this attachment? I won't need it this year as I've already trimmed all of the shrubs using the Big Jack 4 in 1 unit that I bought years ago because it was inexpensive and came with attachments. (Big Jack Post). BTW, I sold that complete unit last week because I now have an Echo that will take attachments. It might have had a dozen or so hours on it and looked new. Buyer was extremely happy with it. He didn't try to negotiate the price either. He got a good deal.

 

The high torque gear heads are great if you run the trimmer without a guard or if you're using a Speed Feed 450 with .130 line for brush. If you're not doing either of those things, you're fine with the standard 2620.

I would go with a PAS 2620 though. It's nice to be able to add an attachment if you ever want to.

 

I agree if it's going to be used in heavier overgrowth frequently but on the other hand I have been running a non T version trimmer with 450 size heads and no guard for 4 years now for mostly regularly trimmed yards and occasionally overgrown stuff and never had any issues.....for me the higher possible final speed is preferable to a little extra torque but slower speed, and the engine and clutch have had no problem with the extra load and I seldom feel the need for more power....more rpm makes up for the lower torque in most cases.

 

I agree if it's going to be used in heavier overgrowth frequently but on the other hand I have been running a non T version trimmer with 450 size heads and no guard for 4 years now for mostly regularly trimmed yards and occasionally overgrown stuff and never had any issues.....for me the higher possible final speed is preferable to a little extra torque but slower speed, and the engine and clutch have had no problem with the extra load and I seldom feel the need for more power....more rpm makes up for the lower torque in most cases.

I have a couple Shindaiwa PAS power heads that I use Echo high torque trimmer attachments on. They're essentially an Echo 2620T when set up that way. I also have a standard gearing attachment. All have no guard and are loaded with .105 line. When running a large swath to clear a bank or something, there really is no comparison. There's a massive difference in power with the high torque heads having far higher RPMs with the added resistance of the longer line.

 

Agreed if a lot of what you intend to use it for is going to be heavy brush cutting basically then the torque head is definitely the way to go, but I only get into heavy stuff like that maybe 5% of the time with my trimmer and for just regular weekly or bi-weekly or even monthly trimming the higher RPM is of more of benefit for me... And my main point was that the engine and clutch handle it fine in that use case.
Also the string I run is technically a .105 but compared to other 105 strings I've had it looks more like a .95 so I'll defer to you on how it runs with the heavier string.