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Posted: 5/28/2016 3:41:25 PM EDT
I need a trimmer, my yard isn't that big, about 5000 sqft, but it has a full fence and detailed garage, so lots of places to cut around, but I don't need a pro model by any means.
Are the electric stuff up to snuff these days, or should I go with gas? Hit the pawn shop or the big box store? |
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when I bought my stihl it was 199 for the motor section and 99 for the trimmer section if I recall. then later you can add attachments if you want
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I bought this Electric from Harbor Freight $24 with coupon and it works fine so far.
13 in. Electric String Trimmer |
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Stihl or Shindiawa. I have an older Stihl gas that just keeps going and going and going although I did have it rebuilt when I first got it used about ten years ago. If you can find one for a decent price in a pawn shop, that would be my choice. Electric cords are ALWAYS a foot short.
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I've had a Stihl since I bought my house in 2004. Did a tuneup at a mechanic's shop three years ago, $75. $300 to purchase back then, so exclusive of gas, oil and string, around $32 a year to own. I expect I'll have it when my mortgage is paid off in 14 years, too.
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How good are the attachments, I wouldn't mind a little tiller head for the garden boxes View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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when I bought my stihl it was 199 for the motor section and 99 for the trimmer section if I recall. then later you can add attachments if you want How good are the attachments, I wouldn't mind a little tiller head for the garden boxes I only have the weed whacker, if the dirt isn't packed like clay I think it would work ok. you may be able to find some reviews for it |
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How good are the attachments, I wouldn't mind a little tiller head for the garden boxes View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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when I bought my stihl it was 199 for the motor section and 99 for the trimmer section if I recall. then later you can add attachments if you want How good are the attachments, I wouldn't mind a little tiller head for the garden boxes They are good and solid. |
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View Quote pound for pound the best |
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I got a Ryobi 40v string trimmer. It holds enough charge to trim and blow my 1/4 acre city lot at least 4 times and does a great job. $150 w/ battery and charger.
The big reason I got it was so I could also get the blower that uses the same battery. Pulling out the long cord for that every week was getting to be a pain. I had a middle of the road gas trimmer (hard to beat a gas motor) but as it got on in years it seems like the ethanol in the gas here was eating up parts. |
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Quoted: I need a trimmer, my yard isn't that big, about 5000 sqft, but it has a full fence and detailed garage, so lots of places to cut around, but I don't need a pro model by any means. Are the electric stuff up to snuff these days, or should I go with gas? Hit the pawn shop or the big box store? View Quote |
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I bought an echo at a big box store but I don't think you need that for your size yard.
I'd go with something light and less hot. Electric or a even a cordless. They're cheap and if it doesn't last go buy another brand. One thing about the echo gas job (or my Husq chainsaws) the vibration bothers my nerves in my hands. My hands go numb after an hour or so. I despise weed wacking. |
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Define budget. View Quote I would prefer to stay under $150, but I would rather shell out more to get long term quality and reparability. For new I have Lowe's and Homedepot near by Or I have a bunch of pawnshops if I want to get a used pro style. ( I know one of em has a bunch of still stuff) |
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Walk into a HD, walk out with the smallest straight shaft echo trimmer they sell.
You either do this and get a trimmer that will last a decade or two, or buy a new $150 one every two-three years. |
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View Quote 1. I live in the city, and the codes say no hoofed animals. 2. I wouldn't trust them around my garden. |
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Best bet is a used stihl.
I bought two identical FS81s last summer at the fleamarket one for $40 And one for $5. Fresh gas and refilling the trimmer line is all they needed. Hell, the one I paid five bucks for runs better than the one I bought for fourty. |
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And they taste good |
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http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-2-Cycle-21-2cc-Straight-Shaft-Gas-Trimmer-SRM-225/100675439
I have been abusing the hell out of mine for a year now. I got some of the Rhino brush blades they sell for it and did some minor forestry |
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If there's a Menards near you, they have Featherlite gas ones on sale until June 4 for $59. I bought one this morning, just fired it up, works great. .080 string model.
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Just called the pawn shop down the street, they said they had a still fs90 trimmer for $120, they described it as "dirty"
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Just called the pawn shop down the street, they said they had a still fs90 trimmer for $120, they described it as "dirty" If it runs, buy it. They said it has gas in it, and will start it before I pay |
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They said it has gas in it, and will start it before I pay View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Just called the pawn shop down the street, they said they had a still fs90 trimmer for $120, they described it as "dirty" If it runs, buy it. They said it has gas in it, and will start it before I pay Run corn free 93 octane and HP Ultra oil. |
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View Quote |
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Buy some Roundup and spray around your house, fence, and flower bed edging. My weedeating time is about 7 minutes now. All I have to do is edge the sidewalk, by the curb, and driveway. Fuck electric weedeaters. Go to walmart and get whatever cheap chinese shit they got on sale this year.
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http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-2-Cycle-21-2cc-Straight-Shaft-Gas-Trimmer-SRM-225/100675439 I have been abusing the hell out of mine for a year now. I got some of the Rhino brush blades they sell for it and did some minor forestry View Quote Matter of fact, just bought that exact one this AM. It is a replacement for a Stylh I think is almost 20 years old. I have an Echo chainsaw that runs like a champ, so giving this a go. |
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Yeah define budget.
I assume $100 or less...of course everyone on arfcom is a millionaire and only pro shit will do so you're going to hear: Stihl, Husq, Shindy, Echo, Redmax.....same shit that's talked about in 20 other weed trimmer threads on this site. Budget /$100 trimmers work...just be diligent with your fuel. I just handed off a Crafstman ($99) to my daughter that I've used a lot since 1999. It was getting a little tired but still worked. It was one you could throw on the attachments...had the blower mechanism for it. 17 seasons....for a $100 trimmer isn't bad. I upgraded to a Husq 525xl; $329. |
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Yeah define budget. I assume $100 or less...of course everyone on arfcom is a millionaire and only pro shit will do so you're going to hear: Stihl, Husq, Shindy, Echo, Redmax.....same shit that's talked about in 20 other weed trimmer threads on this site. Budget /$100 trimmers work...just be diligent with your fuel. I just handed off a Crafstman ($99) to my daughter that I've used a lot since 1999. It was getting a little tired but still worked. It was one you could throw on the attachments...had the blower mechanism for it. 17 seasons....for a $100 trimmer isn't bad. I upgraded to a Husq 525xl; $329. View Quote You don't have to be a millionaire to afford a $150 trimmer. If you want to go super cheap get a Homelite |
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I snagged a 30cc Homelite my neighbor was throwing out. $8 tuneup kit and it runs like new.
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I've been using using my stihl that I got at a pawn shop for $75 for 8 years. Replaced the priming bulb year 2 and that's about it.
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Bought a no-start Echo 2201 for $15 of craigslist last winter.
took it home found out the primer ball was cracked, Duh...... put a new one in, it started on the second pull. |
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Go to Home Depot and buy the best Echo you can afford. The SpeedFeed head is best head.
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The $120 pawn shop special still works pretty good.
It wants to stumble on idle a little, but I would guess that is either a fuel or a dirty carb issue. A good clean and some good gas ought to clear that up. |
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Weed eaters are most definitely "you get what you pay for."
A "budget model" just means you will be replacing it every year. Three-four years of this and you might as well have bought a quality weed eater to begin with. Either Roundup the hell out of your yard or buy a quality weed eater. The alternative is having a yearly "What budget Weed eater should I buy THIS year?" The best budget weed eater is the $300.00 Echo you buy now and use for the next 20+ years. |
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Straight-shaft Echo and use the canned pre-mix fuel from Home Depot.
Eta: I don't buy "jack of all trades" tools, like trimmers with multiple attachments. Buy the correct tool for the job and they will do it better and last longer than a weedeater add on part. |
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OP I have a cheap corded one that I dont use and a high dollar heavy gas powered one that I hate to use and a cordless one from
green works that is light and easy to use and is always ready to go. |
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Quoted: Run corn free 93 octane and HP Ultra oil. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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poulan pro. I have two http://www.maxtool.com/media/catalog/product/cache/16/image/400x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/P/P/PP28PDT__1.jpg View Quote It works, but the head is far too heavy. |
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when I bought my stihl it was 199 for the motor section and 99 for the trimmer section if I recall. then later you can add attachments if you want View Quote I have a similar set plus I bought the blower attachment. I'm thinking of buying the hedge trimmer next. Well worth the money. At work we have mostly Stihl and 2 Echos which don't get used often. This time of year we weed abate all of the undeveloped land for the home developer we work for. Those Stihl's run 6/7 hours a day for 3 months with no problems other than the guys running them. |
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As numerous people have commented, Stihl is the answer. If I had bought one years ago I'd probably be about $500 ahead right now. It's seriously the best trimmer i've ever owned and the only problem is like brd you will soon own more. I've got a trimmer and backpack blower and will be adding a chainsaw to the stable soon.
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I thought about going cheap on a weedeater when I bought my place, but I wanted one that would last and take good attachments, so I got a Stihl FS90 model and with the cutting blades does a great job.
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View Quote Came here to post that. Tacos de Cabra in the fall too.
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Quoted: Matter of fact, just bought that exact one this AM. It is a replacement for a Stylh I think is almost 20 years old. I have an Echo chainsaw that runs like a champ, so giving this a go. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-2-Cycle-21-2cc-Straight-Shaft-Gas-Trimmer-SRM-225/100675439 I have been abusing the hell out of mine for a year now. I got some of the Rhino brush blades they sell for it and did some minor forestry Matter of fact, just bought that exact one this AM. It is a replacement for a Stylh I think is almost 20 years old. I have an Echo chainsaw that runs like a champ, so giving this a go. |
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Just bought a 25cc Remington RM2510.(Its made by MDT) Was on sale at my local Fleet Farm for $64.95. Will work just fine for what I need and last me year.. cause I take care of my stuff...and don't use gas with ethanol and do use Stabilizer in my fuel.
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