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Looking at getting a new string trimmer for residential use , always had 2 cycle trimmers now I thinking about getting a 4 cycle trimmer
From what I read about 4 cycle trimmer are quite compare to 2 cycle , less fumes on 4 cycle and no more mixing oil and gas :thumbsup: but look like they cost more. I would like to be in the price range around $200
I have an old 18 volt B&D but not happy with the power and battery life
One more question some trimmers have a curve shaft other have straight shaft which is the better way to go ?
Any one that used both 2 and 4 cycle give me the pros and cons


Thanks

I have enough 2 cycle engines (2 trimmers, 1 blower, 3 chainsaws) that mixing gas is not a major hassle. With 2 engines the same size, the 2 cycle will have more power than the 4 cycle. As for curved vs straight shaft, your smaller trimmers are usually curved. Straight trimmers will have larger engines and more power, and can accept different cutting heads - string, blades and saws. I would get a 2 cycle trimmer with a straight shaft, preferably with the ability to accept different attachments like a small tiller, brush cutter, chain saw etc. I have a Craftsman 31cc trimmer with attachments, and it is very useful!

The last Stihl 4-cycle trimmer that I used, new 8 years ago, required mixed gas.

Not only do 2 cycle engines have more power they are also lighter. I'd buy a 2 cycle .

Another point to consider not previously mentioned.

Curved shaft wackers will always rotate the string Clock wise.

Straight shaft will always spin it Counter clock wise.

Just an FYI, since I have both, but prefer the straight shaft 2 cycle. Straight shaft also allows me to stand up straight, like God intended man to do.

Mine has the Speed Feed 400 head on it. String replacement can be done in under 60 seconds. :thumbsup:

One thing about 4 cycle trimmers is you can not run them sideways for edging, Oil must stay at bottom of engine,

If this isn't going to be used a lot and you really don't want to mix fuel you can buy pro fuel.

BoylermanCT said:

I would get a 2 cycle trimmer with a straight shaft, preferably with the ability to accept different attachments like a small tiller, brush cutter, chain saw etc. I have a Craftsman 31cc trimmer with attachments, and it is very useful!

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X2
I use a Stihl km55, handy swapping out attachments.

7394 said:

Another point to consider not previously mentioned.

Curved shaft wackers will always rotate the string Clock wise.
Straight shaft will always spin it Counter clock wise.
:thumbsup:

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Not correct.
Curved shafts come in both directions.
I can buy left hand drive shafts and right hand drive shafts
Because strait shaft trimmers usually have a solid shaft they can take a lot heavier load on the head.
Curved shafts use a twisted cable so can not be used with high load heads

bertsmobile1 said:

Not correct.
Curved shafts come in both directions.
I can buy left hand drive shafts and right hand drive shafts
Because strait shaft trimmers usually have a solid shaft they can take a lot heavier load on the head.
Curved shafts use a twisted cable so can not be used with high load heads

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Curious on that one. For a curved shaft trimmer to operate a different direction that would mean that the motor has to run one direction or the other since every one I ever saw ran the way that the motor rotated.

The reason a straight shaft trimmer runs opposite is that it has two gears in the shaft at the bottom.......

I would highly recommend an Echo 225 trimmer. It is light weight enough for a home owner to operate and is very powerful. I have two of them. Both of the units we have are PAS models meaning they will accept other attachments. They are hard to beat. One of mine was bought in March of 2014 and it has been run brutally.

jekjr said:

Curious on that one. For a curved shaft trimmer to operate a different direction that would mean that the motor has to run one direction or the other since every one I ever saw ran the way that the motor rotated.

The reason a straight shaft trimmer runs opposite is that it has two gears in the shaft at the bottom.......

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That's right the engines spin the other way and some have off set engines with a gear .

Never seen that. But I've only owned 3 brands of trimmers so I'm no expert.

On most 4 strokes you have to keep up with the valve lash. ( adjust the valves )
Check oil level and change oil. To much work for me.

4 strokes are heavy, have less power, have to change oil and adjust valves... Mixing gas/oil doesn't sound like a big deal now. 4 strokes have a LOT more moving parts and a lot more things to go wrong especially since trimmers like to be revved up high. 2 strokes are powerful, lightweight, low/no maintenance and they love to rev. The EPA is trying to force 4 strokes down our throats.

Without getting too political, it is all about "appearing to be doing something" while actually making the problems worse.
So every year politicians and their minions come up with tighter emission regulations to "reduce air pollution"
However every trimmer in the USA running all day long will not generate as much pollution as 1 single jumbo jet taking off.
If you add the embedded pollution in the manufacture of both a 2 stroke & 4 stroke 160cc mower engine to the emmissions coming from those engines, they have to run for 300 hours for the 4 stroke to catch up to the 2 stroke
However most 4 strokes are only certifiably cleaner than a 2 stroke for 50 to 100 hours.
It takes almost the same energy and generates the same pollution to make a throw away piece of junk as it does to make a quality piece of kit that will run for 20 years.
So if politicians really wanted to save the planet they would legislate for longer service lives and enforce existing quality standards.
Applies to both our countries equally.
Sleeze bag pliticians seem to be universal across all borders & all cultures.

Smoke and mirrors.

I have a Honda four-stroke trimmer but never use it because it is too heavy for me to use. It cuts great and all that but I prefer the light weight trimmers. Have a Stihl FS-90 trimmer also and it is nearly too heavy for me. My fav trimmer is the $89 Weedeater from Wally World. Light and can use it with one hand. I don't use them commercially anymore and can get two - three years out of the Weedeaters before the primer and diaphrams go south.

I have the same $89 Weedeater brand trimmer, and it always starts on the second pull, no matter how long it has been sitting. I can use it with one hand it is so light. I bought a $89 Weedeater leaf blower with the same engine on it, and it always starts on the 2nd pull, even after sitting for a year. These were cheapies but goodies! I have 6 years on both of them, and used them both this week. Maybe its the ethanol treatment I put in all my gas that is keeping them alive!

bertsmobile1 said:

That's right the engines spin the other way and some have off set engines with a gear .

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Bert- I've never seen that, even my Echo Dealer has never heard of those either.

Maybe cause you are 'down under' ?

I have pretty much switched from gas to battery for most trimming on my property. Makita's 36v (2-18v batteries) trims grass and weeds just as well as my gas models and is much quieter (no hearing protection needed), is lighter and requires no maintenance except for the occasional string replacement. The Makita is so much easier to use that the only time the gas models get fired up anymore is for heavy brush cutting (I'm on 5 acres).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X75GBPI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would have to carry 20 batteries to finish a days work. No thank you. That is right around $2000.00 every 300 days. Charge cycle is some where around that.

I wouldn't have one if you payed me to take it.

deck~dragger said:

The last Stihl 4-cycle trimmer that I used, new 8 years ago, required mixed gas.

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Mine Too.