String trimmer recommendation

[vezult]

I've got a property with a ton of multiflora rose, honeysuckle, wild rose, blackberry, etc. I've mowed what I can with the tractor (1970's Wheel horse!), but there's a lot I can't really get
either due to rocks or grade etc. Within the range of my collection of extension cords, I've used my cheapo corded B&D electric string trimmer, but that really doesn't handle anything too
big, and the cords are a pain in the behind. Anyway, it just died. Anything outside of those areas, I've just put off dealing with...and I really can't continue that.

I've not personally owned a gas powered trimmer, but experience from my youth is that they are fickle, prone to (engine) failure, hard to maintain, and heavy. Perhaps that was just because we
always bought the cheapest thing we could buy.


Anyway, so I'm interested in your thoughts and experience:

* Does anything other than the old "bump feed" mechanism work? Various "auto feed" things I've seen just seem to waste string, or just don't work reliably.
* On electric (battery powered) trimmers: Are they really cost effective, or workable, with the expensive batteries, and limited battery duration? Power?
* Am I all wrong about gas trimmers? Are they so much better now, or does spending $300 vs $80 make all the difference?

And recommendations: Brands/models, best bang for buck, etc. What do you all use?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I hate all 2 stroke engines.
Over 10 years ago I bought a 4 stroke string trimmer with a honda engine.

It's not cheap, it's not light weight, it's very easy to start and very powerful. Never had a problem with it. Would buy it again if it ever dies. I think it may out live me.

I wouldn't want the best 2 stroke as a gift.
4 stroke string trimmer.

 

[Jiles]

[b:97fc2a7a81]"does spending $300 vs $80 make all the difference?"[/b:97fc2a7a81]
Yes it does.
The one thing you need to look for is where the starter cord is located.
With most of the higher quality trimmers and blowers, starter recoil is located on outside end of engine. Cheaper trimmers have the recoil located in front of engine, between engine and shaft.
This is important because design of engine determines where recoil can be located.
Cheaper engines have crankshaft bearings on one end of crank and recoil can't be installed on the other end.
Hope this is not too confusing, someone else may be able to explain better.

 

[Jiles]

(quoted from post at 23:41:50 04/30/17) [b:fd58870449]"does spending $300 vs $80 make all the difference?"[/b:fd58870449]
Yes it does.
The one thing you need to look for is where the starter cord is located.
With most of the higher quality trimmers and blowers, starter recoil is located on outside end of engine. Cheaper trimmers have the recoil located in front of engine, between engine and shaft.
This is important because design of engine determines where recoil can be located.
Cheaper engines have crankshaft bearings on one end of crank and recoil can't be installed on the other end.
Hope this is not too confusing, someone else may be able to explain better.

The problem most people have with two stroke engines is they run on straight gas and ruin the engine. In some cases, they don't run the motor fast enough and they clog up with carbon, especially with cheaper oils.
I have two strokes that have been running close to thirty years with no major problems.
Bump feed works fine if it is serviced and cleaned when necessary.

 

[504]

I bought an Echo straight shaft(around $125.00)four years ago. It has the dual feed line and I have not even put a plug in it yet. It takes about 6 or 7 pulls start it cold, and two if it is hot. I buy ethanol free gas, and use Echo brand oil(more warranty) I hate to trim but it has been a good trimmer,I think my next chain saw will be an Echo just because of this trimmer.

 

[grandpa Love]

Every year we buy a cheap weed eater. Homelite , craftsman,ect. 80-100 bucks .This year we spent $250 for an Echo with bump feed string and brush blade. Awesome. Powerful​. And 3 year warranty. My wife uses a DeWalt 20 volt battery string trimmer around the house. Well worth the money. Get 2 batteries and good to go. Side note do not buy it from a "big box store" find an independent hardware store that is a DeWalt dealer. May pay a few bucks more but the product is better. I spend 1000's of dollars a year on tools and the few bucks saved at box stores is not worth it in the long run.

 

[D beatty]

Spend the money and get Stihl FS 460 or FS 560 straight shaft And use a blade like one in picture. These are designed for brush.

 

[da.bees]

Go to Lowes to buy a Husqvarna for $179(warrantied 2 years) buy 3 cans of Husquvarna pre-mix @$8 each to double warranty to 4 years. Be sure to register the warranty online. While you are at Lowes,pay $25 for a 2 year protection plan that start's when 4 year factory ends. That give's you 6 years of coverage(last 2 years they give you a new trimmer rather than repair the old one).You can check all this out on line before driving to store.

 

[pete black]

Size and money does matter; however, i purchased a cheapie one from lowes for 65 dollars, salesman said it was a 3 years strimmer which was ok with me. Lightweight with bump and go line. I run good oil with e85 fuel which i run to empty at end of season. Cranks good as long as correct size line is used. Starting my fifth season, cranks good, runs good only drawback is muffler is a little too loud.

 

[OliverGuy]

We have tons of 2 stroke equipment. I've never understood the problems people have. We run fuel with ethanol and just valvoline 2 stroke oil. Maybe it's because we use everything daily. All my trimmers are red max or echo, pay a little extra for a commercial one.

 

[OliLt]

I have had good experience with Husqvarna, Echo, and Stihl. Currently have a Stihl FS130R. Replaced them when they totally wore out from 8-10 years of heavy use. They were all purchased from servicing dealers, and were upgrades from residential models. They received regular maintenance-airfilter, fuel filter, plug and the occasional carb rebuild. I use non-ethonal gas, and manufacturer 2-cycle oil for all my outdoor power equipment. I use to empty the tank and run them dry before storing them. I now run them on synthetic "canned fuel" at the end of the season and leave it in the tank/carb during storage. Regular maintenance, good fuel, and proper storage will eliminate a lot of problems with gas powered equipment.

I gave up on bump head trimmer heads. I use manual feed trimmer heads. Advance the trimmer line manually before start-up and go. I have found that it is not really necessary to constantly advance the line for most work.

For what you are trying to cut, you might benefit from a blade instead of trimmer line. There are many configurations depending on what you are trying to cut. Blades make fast work of cutting brush and saplings.

 

[GarryinNC]

If you get a good gas trimmer, be sure and get a genuine 'SpeedFeed' head for it. They are the best design ever. They do not have to come apart to reload the string and they have a reliable 'bump and feed' design. They are about $30, if your trimmer does not have one on it from the factory. You can reload the string in about a minute.

As others have stated, when cutting what you described, you will need a brush blade. Brush blades only work with straight shaft trimmers with a solid drive shaft.

 

[WGM]

Many people who complain about ethanol fuels don't know what they're talking about.

 

[Jim in rush co]

Like oliverguy says, Go commercial! 2 Stihls orange one bought last year 4 cycle and old 2 cycle gray one bought in 1990 and it starts every spring on old gas and in 3-4 pulls it cost $350 27 yrs ago which comes out to $13.00 per year. I have cut a many saplings over 1" in diameter and I always worried about gear box but not a problem using the metal tri blade. I do not use string at all either poly cut or tri blade.

 

[MarkB_MI]

My Stihl FS85 is over twenty years old now and has been trouble-free. You get what you pay for.

Look at what the commercial landscapers use: Stihl, RedMax, Shindaiwa.

I don't have any problems with my bump-to-feed head. But for brush I use a three-blade brush knife.

 

[Dean]

Some of us do, WGM.

Dean

 

[2x4]

work better in thick, tall grass than anything else I've used.

 

[D beatty]

With you wanting to use it to cut multiflora rose,honeysuckle,wild rose,and blackberry you don't want a string trimmer because it won't do the job. You want a straight shaft drive and metal blade commercial grade trimmer.

 

[BushogPapa]

Either of the 2 New Largest Gasw trimmers from Stihl WILL do the job...IF you can purchase the Steel Blade..

I got my 14" blade from Glen's in Shelby Oh, have used it for years and wore the old Stihl out (25 yrs) .

Those New ones have a really nice compression release and start as easy as a little bitty gas trimmer..

I dont think I had to pull the rope more than once all last summer..!!

I have good service from the smaller Ryobe straight shaft, with Pole saw...nice in fence rowa, or using a steel blade on it..

 

[D beatty]

I have a Stihl FS 90 straight shaft 4-Mix string trimmer and like it. I only cut weeds and grass with mine but could put steel blade on it if I need to cut heavier stuff.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

I bought my Echo straight shaft brush cutter in 1985 , still going strong . I have worn out three string heads on it , now I almost always use a blade . The worst thing that has ever happened is that the unusual left handed nut flew off once , it was hard to get a replacement easily . Make sure to grease the gear box regularly .

 

[Texasmark1]

+1. I just went through the fuel system on a neighbor's Trail Wagon...like a cheap JD Gator. Guarantee you it can be a problem.

 

[Texasmark1]

I just bought the XX 50 C-E, forget the prefix letters PS, LS or something so I used XX. It has a long shaft and I chose the curved shaft as compared to the straight shaft with the gearbox on the bottom. I had the gearbox on my McCullough 35 and this time I was looking for easy starts (the E is for easy start system), long shaft (the 50 did that) and light weight; eliminating the gear box helped that. Last year I bought the Stihl easy start 16" chain saw and liked it very much; my second Stihl chain saw (first wasn't easy start but a super cutter) so now I have a 3rd Stihl product. A mean little cutter and more than enough power as I seldom run it at WOT.

 

[Russ from MN]

Beg to differ with you! 80% of users can't be wrong! Head of the service department at our local L&M says most small engine problems are ethanol fuel related.

 

[rustyfarmall]

I pretty much despise ANY string trimmer, but I can tolerate the cordless electric variety. If I can't mow it, or can't use the string trimmer, I use some sort of liquid vegetation control.

 

[JMOR]

My recommendation is to get a man with a trimmer! Your back & lungs will thank you!

 

[sms]

I bought our oldest son a power head then each Christmas bought an attachment. When he moved to the desert he gave it all back. Handiest thing going. I have sting trimmer, brush blade, angle head hedge trimmer, pole saw, and rototiller. Also a 3 foot shaft extension to increase the reach for the pole saw and hedge trimmer. It's an Echo and no complaints.

 

[Mike M]

Maybe get some goats ?

 

[Motorcraftman]

that's what it is, You use them Everyday... Makes a Difference... Gas doesn't Sit in them... Larry

 

[Two Dogs]

Roundup in a garden sprayer will be a lot better on your ulcer than any aggravating weed eater. TDF

 

[CenTex Farmall]

I have a Stihl FS 130, very much like what "Jim in Rush CO" posted a photo of. The bump feed string head works very well and I also have the three blade knife as seen in the photo. That knife will cut through the viny stuff you're describing like butter. I also have a saw blade head that will take out a quarter sized tree in a blink. It has a shoulder harness that you wear that carries almost all the weight. The "bicycle" style handle gives a lot of leverages for using the blades tirelessly. Your wrists and elbows are not all twisted up.

The dollars *do* make a difference on trimmers. The newer four stroke have a lot more torque and behave differently than the older 2 stroke motors. They still use the fuel/oil mix.

When you're done using it for the fall, run all the old fuel out. Don't leave fuel to sit in it. Use 93 octane (my stihl manuals call for at least 89) and/or ethanol free and use a dedicated 1 gallon can for fuel. That way you can use it up before it goes bad. The ethanol won't automatically ruin things but does tend to pick up moisture after a couple of months.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 11:45:44 05/01/17) Roundup in a garden sprayer will be a lot better on your ulcer than any aggravating weed eater. TDF

100% correct!!

 

[M-MAN]

I have two Husqvarna commercials and they work well. My son just bought a new Milwaukee 18v Fuel that Home Depo has on sale along with a hedge trimmer and 9.0 battery power. That thing is sweet! No engine vibration makes a world of difference on your arms, back and shoulders, and it has power to spare. 5 year warranty on the tool and three years on the battery. When one of these Huskvarna's bites the dust I'll be buying one of the Milwaukee's.

 

[mozark]

This is the correct answer is a blade to cut the items you mentioned, do not waste your time with string. The only alternative is goats. Most of these items could sprayed and killed with 2,4D except the honeysuckle which requires roundup.