OT Question

RajunCajun · August 11

Which weedeater brand is the most reliable with the best/easiest bump head?

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DoubleEgger · August 11

Stihl or Echo.

You can always get parts for either brand. Not so much with other brands.

TechsasJim · August 11

DoubleEgger said:

Stihl or Echo.

You can always get parts for either brand. Not so much with other brands.

Agree with this. I’m more of a Stihl guy but that’s splitting hairs.

Botch · August 11

I got a new E-Go late last summer, the self-loading feature was neat but the bump-head started balking on me the second time I used it. Not very happy. (note: that's one data point so don't hang your decision on this).

JohnnyTarheel · August 12

Stihl

DoubleEgger · August 12

Also, I’m a huge fan of the power head and attachment setup. It’s really handy to have an edger, pole trimmer, saw etc. My Echo is still going strong after 24 years.

ColbyLang · August 12

Echo PAS system. Straight shaft string trimmer. Optional attachments are 4’ extension, pole saw, edger, hedge trimmer and blower

kl8ton · August 12

I will throw RedMax into the mix. Awesome stuff.

shtgunal3 · August 12

Stihl

ColtsFan · August 12

Stihl! Make sure you run ethanol free fuel in whatever you go with.

bubbajack · August 12

Just bought an Echo 2620, very satisfied!

zaphod · August 12

Stihl.

I had a variety of brands over the years - green ones, red ones, black ones, straight shaft, curved shaft, and all - without exception - were a failure. Classic "oh, we don't service that level of consumer line trimmer" - well, you sure seemed fine with selling it to me a year ago!

then I got a Stihl FS 55R. I never found out if it was hard to repair because I have never had an issue with it. After about 14 or 15 years old it ran like day I got it when I sold it. Great machine. The only reason I replaced it was I went to electric for both my lawnmower and line trimmer and got Stihl AK series for both (RMA460 and FSA60) which have both proven themselves to be great machines.

I like the auto cut head a bit more on the FSA60 than the old FS 55R. The old one had you disassemble the head, cut two pieces of line wind up one, clip it, wind up the other, clip it and then reassemble the head. With the newer head you cut one piece of line line to length, feed it *through* the head and then wind it up. Quick, simple and no dissassembly.

Both auto feed heads worked well if you remembered to "bump". Edge trimming with the trimmer flipped is a race between finishing the edge and having the line run out because you are not bumping. But I'd have that with all trimmers, part of my nature I suppose.

The old disassemble-windup-reassemble head on the FS 55R would jam if I would too tight as the line could stick to itself. Can't do that on Stihl's newer heads.

One thing that helps is to keep your line soaked in water. It's a thing and it works. I now keep the next line refill in a jar of water. When I load that, I cut a new length and stiff it into the jar for the next time. Added bonus - I marked on the lid how many times around the jar is the correct length to make measuring a snap.

On a side note, the battery mower and line trimmer are a pleasure to use. No battery "range issues", extremely quiet and powerful. Afterwards all I smell is fresh cut grass, no need to change into work clothes or wash off the gas smell.

alaskanassasin · August 12

I have a Stihl commercial electric weed eater, I bought a hedge trimmer head, pole saw head and blade (hat I haven’t used). The bump head is easy to re spool, just align the arrows, thread it through and twist to load.
It’s expensive up front but after using gas small tools for decades electric seems to be the way to go. Messing with mixing gas and pulling the rope to start, ear plugs, rebuilding carbs that have been sitting, forget about it. I have a electric Stihl saw that uses the same battery and it cuts 90% of the wood I encounter

fishlessman · August 13

my dr pro trimmer walk behind is about 20 years now.i can cut back beach roses for hours with the thicker string before changing it out. no need to bump it. the thing is a beast but it now needs some new carb gaskets. todays gas sucks

poster · August 13

zaphod said:

Stihl.

I had a variety of brands over the years - green ones, red ones, black ones, straight shaft, curved shaft, and all - without exception - were a failure. Classic "oh, we don't service that level of consumer line trimmer" - well, you sure seemed fine with selling it to me a year ago!

then I got a Stihl FS 55R. I never found out if it was hard to repair because I have never had an issue with it. After about 14 or 15 years old it ran like day I got it when I sold it. Great machine. The only reason I replaced it was I went to electric for both my lawnmower and line trimmer and got Stihl AK series for both (RMA460 and FSA60) which have both proven themselves to be great machines.

I like the auto cut head a bit more on the FSA60 than the old FS 55R. The old one had you disassemble the head, cut two pieces of line wind up one, clip it, wind up the other, clip it and then reassemble the head. With the newer head you cut one piece of line line to length, feed it *through* the head and then wind it up. Quick, simple and no dissassembly.

Both auto feed heads worked well if you remembered to "bump". Edge trimming with the trimmer flipped is a race between finishing the edge and having the line run out because you are not bumping. But I'd have that with all trimmers, part of my nature I suppose.

The old disassemble-windup-reassemble head on the FS 55R would jam if I would too tight as the line could stick to itself. Can't do that on Stihl's newer heads.

One thing that helps is to keep your line soaked in water. It's a thing and it works. I now keep the next line refill in a jar of water. When I load that, I cut a new length and stiff it into the jar for the next time. Added bonus - I marked on the lid how many times around the jar is the correct length to make measuring a snap.

On a side note, the battery mower and line trimmer are a pleasure to use. No battery "range issues", extremely quiet and powerful. Afterwards all I smell is fresh cut grass, no need to change into work clothes or wash off the gas smell.

Exact experience here, except i haven't tried the new head. the 25-2 head on the 55R always worked great for me. I finally wore it right through last season and got a replacement for under $40. Stihl X-Line works well in these. Stay away from any curved shaft models

wps456 · August 13

Every landscaping company around here uses Stihl...so do I.

xfire_ATX · August 13

Botch said:

I got a new E-Go late last summer, the self-loading feature was neat but the bump-head started balking on me the second time I used it. Not very happy. (note: that's one data point so don't hang your decision on this).

I have an ego trimmer and it works great.

However the Ego like the other 5-7 string trimmers Ive owned never self or bump feed worth a &^%$. They work best when its completely full of string, less so the closer to the end. I now consider it normal to have to manually pull string out, at least with battery no fuel spill or auto shut off.

CTMike · August 14

I have a Stihl electric weed eater and their electric chain saw on an extendable pole. I’ll never go back to gas for these types of tools.

xavier233 · August 19

I'd go with Ryobi or Echo. Both are solid brands with great reputations. Ryobi's 40V cordless trimmer is a popular choice, and Echo's eForce is another great option. Can't go wrong with either!

RajunCajun · August 20

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

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