I need to get a 40" hedge trimmer. A dealer told me the issue is the gearbox. So, what brands make quality gears? Please state what you base your opinion on.
Btw, I am reading about many of the new models from all of the top names as having problems with the increased use of alcohol in the gasoline and the new emissions standards. What year did these changes take place and what previous years/model hedge trimmers should I consider? I think this is the key issue and what I should look for. For example, I keep reading about the Stihl FS80 Trimmer, the RedMax 8001 blower.
I would like to get something by one of the following mfrs: Echo, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, Maruyama, RedMax, Shindaiwa, Stihl. However, Makita, Mantis/Little Wonder, and Tanaka do not currently make the 40" size. I'm not brand loyal, but I do need something reliable and durable. Price doesnt matter, but those longer 5 year warranties sure are tempting, and in that sense Echo and Kawasaki are sucking in the profits. How can they offer that if they are making junk? (Seems silly for Shindaiwa and RedMax not to follow suit). Of course no mfr can guarantee 100% quality control, and no mfr has the classic model of everything, some models are just destined to be lemons. I also believe that the markup has a great deal to do with what brands a dealer will push. Reviews are worthless, cause for every good thing said about a brand, there is always someone knocking it, usually without any real hard data -- they got the lemon model. I also think that some brands are more common than others are in certain regions, but that proves little. In Pa most of the landscapers like RedMax Blowers; String Trimmers seems divided by RedMax and Echo. Stihl rules the Chainsaws. Husq and Maruyama have been around a long time, but I dont know what they do well. Husq seesm to have a very diverse product line. I cannot find any Maruyama dealers anywhere, but they will order it in ... kinda afraid to take a chance, even with a 5 year "commercial" warranty.
As for other brands like "Royal Red Emperor" from Harbor Freight, or K-Mart's buy one get one free deals, sorry, I'm not interested in having troubles. These are the brands that really give you a headache.
I would love to have them all lined up and try them all out but such things are never possible.
Thank you all in advance,
diyer
Btw, I am reading about many of the new models from all of the top names as having problems with the increased use of alcohol in the gasoline and the new emissions standards. What year did these changes take place and what previous years/model hedge trimmers should I consider? I think this is the key issue and what I should look for. For example, I keep reading about the Stihl FS80 Trimmer, the RedMax 8001 blower.
I would like to get something by one of the following mfrs: Echo, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, Maruyama, RedMax, Shindaiwa, Stihl. However, Makita, Mantis/Little Wonder, and Tanaka do not currently make the 40" size. I'm not brand loyal, but I do need something reliable and durable. Price doesnt matter, but those longer 5 year warranties sure are tempting, and in that sense Echo and Kawasaki are sucking in the profits. How can they offer that if they are making junk? (Seems silly for Shindaiwa and RedMax not to follow suit). Of course no mfr can guarantee 100% quality control, and no mfr has the classic model of everything, some models are just destined to be lemons. I also believe that the markup has a great deal to do with what brands a dealer will push. Reviews are worthless, cause for every good thing said about a brand, there is always someone knocking it, usually without any real hard data -- they got the lemon model. I also think that some brands are more common than others are in certain regions, but that proves little. In Pa most of the landscapers like RedMax Blowers; String Trimmers seems divided by RedMax and Echo. Stihl rules the Chainsaws. Husq and Maruyama have been around a long time, but I dont know what they do well. Husq seesm to have a very diverse product line. I cannot find any Maruyama dealers anywhere, but they will order it in ... kinda afraid to take a chance, even with a 5 year "commercial" warranty.
As for other brands like "Royal Red Emperor" from Harbor Freight, or K-Mart's buy one get one free deals, sorry, I'm not interested in having troubles. These are the brands that really give you a headache.
I would love to have them all lined up and try them all out but such things are never possible.
Thank you all in advance,
diyer