Looking for ideas on a good gas powered weed eater.
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I'm a fan of strait shaft Stihl or Red Max. Taking care of the farm I abused my RedMax for 15+ years. I've only had to replace trimmer line, worn out 10" table saw blades (used 90% of the time) and a rubber grommet.
Echo, Sthil, Husky. Youll have to step beyond everything at the big box stores to reach the HD level but its absolutely worth it. I have and Echo trimmer still going strong after 12 years and a Sthil magnum blower running just the same time.
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Stihl is the only brand I buy.
This. Unfortunately Lowe's is the closest store near me (other than Walmart). Cutting grass on the side, I started with Troybilt weedeaters from Lowes. Junk. Moved to Husqvarna. Better than Troybilt but not by much so still junk. I've been through 2 Troybilts and I'm on my 3rd Husqvarna. There will not be a 4th. About a month ago I was discussing weedeaters with someone who does lawn maintenance year around and was telling him about Lowes weedeaters being junk. He recommended Stihl first. Echo second.
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Over here by the lake. Its Echo commercial.
I work on so many commercial stihl trimmers its ridiculous. For some reason the commercial stihl trimmers carbs are horrible. I go through stihl for parts . The replacement carb, from stihl, is totally different than the ones from the factory
I work on so many commercial stihl trimmers its ridiculous. For some reason the commercial stihl trimmers carbs are horrible. I go through stihl for parts . The replacement carb, from stihl, is totally different than the ones from the factory
And just had my carb replaced under warranty (Stihl). Wish I had known this a couple years ago. My Echo lasted me something like 17 years and the coil went bad, decided to buy new..... probably a mistake.
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I got the “big boy” Husqvarna that my Lowes had in stock the other day. Weak sauce! I do like the coated braided wire that came with it though.
We’ve got an old school convertible Husqvarna that I just can’t keep running. I need to have it serviced again and stick with strictly no corn gas on it. When it runs it’s a high revving powerful beast.
CHRIS
We’ve got an old school convertible Husqvarna that I just can’t keep running. I need to have it serviced again and stick with strictly no corn gas on it. When it runs it’s a high revving powerful beast.
CHRIS
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Shindawa. It will be loud but it will last and run like a scalded dog. I had one that was used in a commercial lawn care business for 4 years prior to me getting it and I used it for 10 years until my asthma and allergies got so bad I could not mow my own grass anymore. I gave it to a friend several years ago to replace a newer stihl he could not keep running. He still uses it weekly 7-8 months of the year to take care of his 2+ acre yard.
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Bought mine when we moved from the lake bought our current place 5 years ago. I’m way less motivated to keep our 2 acres here tidy than I was 1/4 acre that was mostly house/driveway. I did just buy a new Stihl FarmBoss chainsaw over the weekend so we’ll see how that goes carb-wise.
Hammer12b
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I used to sell Stihl, and they were good products, especially the FS 90. I recently bought a new FS 91 and they suck! No power, I’ve had it back in the shop 3 times this year. The service guys said they really have a lot of trouble out of the new models from the the 91s up! I’ve had my old 90 rebuilt and it runs great! No comparison!
That may have been about the time they changed generations. FS 90 to 91, for example.
I picked up a KM 130 four years ago. It's been golden.
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Yep! The 90s-130s are great trimmers! All of the professional mowing services used them and wore them out. But the new ones have been nothing but problems! All the the mowers in our area have went to Echos.
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I think what you’ll get is a 91 if you buy new. They quit making the 90s last year or the year before. I’m going to run my 90 until lit wears out!
I'll be odd, bought a Husqvarna 525LS this spring, so far so good. Starts great, has good power.
Have a 5 year old saw, and three year old blower by them, not an issue yet. I don't use them commercially but they probably see more use than a typical homeowners.
Have a 5 year old saw, and three year old blower by them, not an issue yet. I don't use them commercially but they probably see more use than a typical homeowners.
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12 years or so ago i bought a high end consumer stihl because the jump up to low end professional model was too much to spring for.
At the time i thought, "i'll never need to put a circular saw blade on it, so that would be overkill"
I'd like that option now... but the tri-blade poly head does okay for a lot of things.
still using the thing, btw, starts up pretty quick.
At the time i thought, "i'll never need to put a circular saw blade on it, so that would be overkill"
I'd like that option now... but the tri-blade poly head does okay for a lot of things.
still using the thing, btw, starts up pretty quick.
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Echo power head and be done! String trimmer, dedicated brush saw (trimmer shaft w/ saw blade), hedge trimmer, blower. There are more and the power head I have (PAS series) is a beastie!
I am also a Husvqarna fan and user. It works for me. Always starts and in my 6 years of ownership the only thing I have had to replace is the spool attachment. I have found the secret is to use no ethanol gas. If you have a source for that I recommend mixing your own. If you don't buying the premixed stuff from Lowes or other hardware store saves you a lot of headaches. It is expensive but it is still cheaper than getting them serviced or replacing them. IMHO
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I'm with @Beef15 and @wvsig in the Husqvarna camp.
I have two trimmers (128LD and 525LS) and two saws (455 Rancher with 20" bar and 435 with 16" bar) The 128LD and the 435 are about 7 years old and the other two are a couple of years old. Never a issue with any of them.
If you are buying one off the shelf at the box stores understand that they are not "tuned" as they would be if you bought it from a dealer.
I believe this is why most of the trimmers and saws from the box stores die.
Take 20 minutes and tune the carb, use a tachometer and not your ear. I bought a kit of carb adjustment tools off Amazon along with a tach, take 20 minutes when you buy it and once or twice a year to tune it up. While you're doing that, take off the muffler and remove the little screen better it and you'll find better performance.
I only run premixed non-ethanol fuel as well, more expensive but easier in my mind.
The 128LD gets the most use and rides around on the tractor for little trim jobs around the house. The 525 I use once a month or so to trim along a fence row, it's longer than the 128 and I don't have to walk hunched over for 528' of fence line.
I have a Stihl 90FS that is 12 years old, has has the carb rebuilt twice and the throttle trigger replaced once that keeps a trip blade on it for heavy work. I have no complaints with it either but likely would not buy another Sthil based on all the complaints about the new carbs.
I've used Sthil, Husky, and Echo saws in the fire service as well and seen them all perform well and die....
Buy whichever you prefer, buy it from a dealer that is close to you if you go that route and maintain it.
I have two trimmers (128LD and 525LS) and two saws (455 Rancher with 20" bar and 435 with 16" bar) The 128LD and the 435 are about 7 years old and the other two are a couple of years old. Never a issue with any of them.
If you are buying one off the shelf at the box stores understand that they are not "tuned" as they would be if you bought it from a dealer.
I believe this is why most of the trimmers and saws from the box stores die.
Take 20 minutes and tune the carb, use a tachometer and not your ear. I bought a kit of carb adjustment tools off Amazon along with a tach, take 20 minutes when you buy it and once or twice a year to tune it up. While you're doing that, take off the muffler and remove the little screen better it and you'll find better performance.
I only run premixed non-ethanol fuel as well, more expensive but easier in my mind.
The 128LD gets the most use and rides around on the tractor for little trim jobs around the house. The 525 I use once a month or so to trim along a fence row, it's longer than the 128 and I don't have to walk hunched over for 528' of fence line.
I have a Stihl 90FS that is 12 years old, has has the carb rebuilt twice and the throttle trigger replaced once that keeps a trip blade on it for heavy work. I have no complaints with it either but likely would not buy another Sthil based on all the complaints about the new carbs.
I've used Sthil, Husky, and Echo saws in the fire service as well and seen them all perform well and die....
Buy whichever you prefer, buy it from a dealer that is close to you if you go that route and maintain it.
Sums it up nicely.
I am a Stihl fan, but not because I think they are the absolute best (maybe they are, maybe they aren't, does it even matter?)
... Rather, plenty of independent shops sell and service them, parts are readily available, and most of their equipment is made in the US. That works for me.
Plus, it is nice when there is some commonality between your different tools, and they all take the same fuel mix.
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The Stihl commercial trimmer FS model numbers and Kombi KM model numbers that end in 0 are no longer produced. FS90R, 110, 130. KM90, 110, 130
Those model numbers were updated three years ago.
FS91R, 111, 131. KM91, 111, 131
I work in the industry and do not see the carb issues stated above in this thread. Im not claiming there are zero issues from above posters, but fuel quality causes the vast majority of issues.
Those model numbers were updated three years ago.
FS91R, 111, 131. KM91, 111, 131
I work in the industry and do not see the carb issues stated above in this thread. Im not claiming there are zero issues from above posters, but fuel quality causes the vast majority of issues.
Are the 94's worth anything? The Stihl catalog markets them as lightweight, professional grade. I've used one before and it was noticeably lighter, plus the controls are different.
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