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Best Trimmer Head and least expensive repairs?
#1
F
Fisherman74
F
Fisherman74
I am looking to get a new string trimmer and I know stihl and echo are among the best and shindaiwa, redmax and Husqvarna are typically in the mix.
My question is more along the lines, which one has the smoothest operating or most reliable trimmer head and which one is simplest to get parts for and generally cheapest to maintain/repair? Also, does one generally honor the warranty better than the other, granted I expect that in large part is more about the dealer and if they push it with the company?
I am leaning toward the stihl fs56 or 70, or the echo 225 or 230, though I will not rule out others. It is just echo and stihl seem to be the most available around the area. While I like echo, I can't get over the fact we are talking a 21/22cc engine on the echos and a 27cc on the stihl, which is about thirty percent larger, yet the weight is about the same or a touch less with the stihl.
I am not in the business, I am homeowner on less than an acre that appreciates good equipment.
My question is more along the lines, which one has the smoothest operating or most reliable trimmer head and which one is simplest to get parts for and generally cheapest to maintain/repair? Also, does one generally honor the warranty better than the other, granted I expect that in large part is more about the dealer and if they push it with the company?
I am leaning toward the stihl fs56 or 70, or the echo 225 or 230, though I will not rule out others. It is just echo and stihl seem to be the most available around the area. While I like echo, I can't get over the fact we are talking a 21/22cc engine on the echos and a 27cc on the stihl, which is about thirty percent larger, yet the weight is about the same or a touch less with the stihl.
I am not in the business, I am homeowner on less than an acre that appreciates good equipment.
#2
T
Tundra5.7
T
Tundra5.7
I have been running an Echo SRM-2100 for 15 years now. It has gotten very hard to start in the last month or so. I'm actually surprised it's still running but I've always run ethanol free gas in it and have kept fresh plugs and air filters in it. It has been a very good trimmer and I can't complain one bit.
My father in law has a Stihl FS-56 straight shaft trimmer that he uses. In side by side tests, we both agree the Echo seems to cut through heavy weeds and grass a little better than the Stihl. Having said that, I will likely step up to a Stihl FS-70 due to having two excellent dealers within 20 miles of me.
My father in law has a Stihl FS-56 straight shaft trimmer that he uses. In side by side tests, we both agree the Echo seems to cut through heavy weeds and grass a little better than the Stihl. Having said that, I will likely step up to a Stihl FS-70 due to having two excellent dealers within 20 miles of me.
#3
Grassbandit
Grassbandit
My vote is for the Stihl. I've had mine for years through rentals and never had any issues. FS55R and FS80, just keep them clean and mix the fuel properly and you'll be fine.
Don't forget to grease the gearhead too....The main point is to care for whatever you buy and it will last you a long time.
Don't forget to grease the gearhead too....The main point is to care for whatever you buy and it will last you a long time.
#4
S
SnapperRiley
S
SnapperRiley
Ya buy the stihl you'll need it when you buy a echo srm230 or shindaiwa , you will stick the stihl in the ground and beat it with a hammer stihl couldn't make a good power tool to save their lives these days RIP. The 21-24cc echo or shindy will spank that stihl all over your yard
#5
Nwatson99
Fisherman74 get the Stihl, you will not go wrong with a Stihl.
Nwatson99
:laughing: Now that was funny.Ya buy the stihl you'll need it when you buy a echo srm230 or shindaiwa , you will stick the stihl in the ground and beat it with a hammer stihl couldn't make a good power tool to save their lives these days RIP. The 21-24cc echo or shindy will spank that stihl all over your yard
Fisherman74 get the Stihl, you will not go wrong with a Stihl.
#6
S
SnapperRiley
S
SnapperRiley
Just saying, my closest dealer is a stihl dealer that was all I ever bought until I tried a Shindaiwa it was just amazing I bought mine same day I tried my buddies now all my stihls sit in the garage, fs55 , 2x fs90s . they just weren't even close to the t242 IMO
#7
Fish
Fish
Shindaiwa has always made great quality equipment, but their parts/dealer support was always poor. Since they were absorbed by Echo, that has probably improved a bit.
#8
Ric
Out of the ones you mentioned the FS 70 would be the way to go IMO. It's a commercial grade trimmer and would provide a homeowner years of service. The Echo 230 cost like 289.95 the 70 is like 279.99 so you'd save a little but IMO if you want the most trimmer for your money I'd spend another $40 and buy the Stihl FS 90R for $329.99. I've been using the 90 and 110 daily for the last eight going on nine years without any issues.
Ric
I am looking to get a new string trimmer and I know stihl and echo are among the best and shindaiwa, redmax and Husqvarna are typically in the mix.
My question is more along the lines, which one has the smoothest operating or most reliable trimmer head and which one is simplest to get parts for and generally cheapest to maintain/repair? Also, does one generally honor the warranty better than the other, granted I expect that in large part is more about the dealer and if they push it with the company?
I am leaning toward the stihl fs56 or 70, or the echo 225 or 230, though I will not rule out others. It is just echo and stihl seem to be the most available around the area. While I like echo, I can't get over the fact we are talking a 21/22cc engine on the echos and a 27cc on the stihl, which is about thirty percent larger, yet the weight is about the same or a touch less with the stihl.
I am not in the business, I am homeowner on less than an acre that appreciates good equipment.
Out of the ones you mentioned the FS 70 would be the way to go IMO. It's a commercial grade trimmer and would provide a homeowner years of service. The Echo 230 cost like 289.95 the 70 is like 279.99 so you'd save a little but IMO if you want the most trimmer for your money I'd spend another $40 and buy the Stihl FS 90R for $329.99. I've been using the 90 and 110 daily for the last eight going on nine years without any issues.
#9
Ric
Actually Echo doesn't own Shindiawa. Both them and Kioritz are owned by Yamabiko Group. They are basically the same trimmer, made in the same factory I believe, just different color packaging.
Ric
Shindaiwa has always made great quality equipment, but their parts/dealer support was always poor. Since they were absorbed by Echo, that has probably improved a bit.
Actually Echo doesn't own Shindiawa. Both them and Kioritz are owned by Yamabiko Group. They are basically the same trimmer, made in the same factory I believe, just different color packaging.
#10
Fish
Fish
Yeah, I never really focused on the sordid little details, and really haven't compared the trimmers lately, but they dropped Shindaiwa's chainsaws, so I assumed that the Shin group didn't have a lot of pull in the decision arena... I didn't realized that they had morphed the trimmer line, I'll go by and check it out at the Expo this fall.....
#11
Wildcat
Yes Echo trimmers are great. They have what Echo calls speed feed heads and you can not believe how it improves your trimming time. It takes me about 20-30 seconds to load a pre-cut 20ft piece of line. Here is the youtube link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqO3kKZttWc
I don't know much about Stihl's trimmers other than hear say. But from that, they are on par with Echo. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
Wildcat
I am looking to get a new string trimmer and I know stihl and echo are among the best and shindaiwa, redmax and Husqvarna are typically in the mix.
My question is more along the lines, which one has the smoothest operating or most reliable trimmer head and which one is simplest to get parts for and generally cheapest to maintain/repair? Also, does one generally honor the warranty better than the other, granted I expect that in large part is more about the dealer and if they push it with the company?
I am leaning toward the stihl fs56 or 70, or the echo 225 or 230, though I will not rule out others. It is just echo and stihl seem to be the most available around the area. While I like echo, I can't get over the fact we are talking a 21/22cc engine on the echos and a 27cc on the stihl, which is about thirty percent larger, yet the weight is about the same or a touch less with the stihl.
I am not in the business, I am homeowner on less than an acre that appreciates good equipment.
Yes Echo trimmers are great. They have what Echo calls speed feed heads and you can not believe how it improves your trimming time. It takes me about 20-30 seconds to load a pre-cut 20ft piece of line. Here is the youtube link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqO3kKZttWc
I don't know much about Stihl's trimmers other than hear say. But from that, they are on par with Echo. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
#12
Nwatson99
Holy crap this topic is getting even funnier, Stihl on par with Echo :laughing::laughing::laughing:
Lets see here German engineering, design, and concept vs china engineering, design, and concept, I wonder who will come out ahead of that one.
Fisherman74 again get the Stihl if you want the best quality and support America.
Nwatson99
Yes Echo trimmers are great. They have what Echo calls speed feed heads and you can not believe how it improves your trimming time. It takes me about 20-30 seconds to load a pre-cut 20ft piece of line. Here is the youtube link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqO3kKZttWc
I don't know much about Stihl's trimmers other than hear say. But from that, they are on par with Echo. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
Holy crap this topic is getting even funnier, Stihl on par with Echo :laughing::laughing::laughing:
Lets see here German engineering, design, and concept vs china engineering, design, and concept, I wonder who will come out ahead of that one.
Fisherman74 again get the Stihl if you want the best quality and support America.
#13
M
magbarn
My opinion on 4 Mix is kinda mixed as I bought one of the early BR600 with valve issues... I recently tried the new FS94R, and I definitely prefer it over the FS90R. No more valves to worry about, very well balanced,runs smooth, can run at partial throttle all day - unlike the 4 mix trimmers that have a on/off switch throttle, it's like a new FS80R. Really like the 'cruise control' throttle as I have issues keeping the throttle right where I want it on trimmers.
M
magbarn
Just saying, my closest dealer is a stihl dealer that was all I ever bought until I tried a Shindaiwa it was just amazing I bought mine same day I tried my buddies now all my stihls sit in the garage, fs55 , 2x fs90s . they just weren't even close to the t242 IMO
My opinion on 4 Mix is kinda mixed as I bought one of the early BR600 with valve issues... I recently tried the new FS94R, and I definitely prefer it over the FS90R. No more valves to worry about, very well balanced,runs smooth, can run at partial throttle all day - unlike the 4 mix trimmers that have a on/off switch throttle, it's like a new FS80R. Really like the 'cruise control' throttle as I have issues keeping the throttle right where I want it on trimmers.
#14
Ric
I've heard all this stuff about the 4 mix units having valve issues and not being able to run at partial throttle and I believe it to be all a load of crap. I've been running a FS 90R and 110R along with a BR 550 and purchased a BR 600 mag at the beginning of this season and been running three for the last eight years six days a week and they've never been in the shop for any type of valve issues or any other.
Ric
My opinion on 4 Mix is kinda mixed as I bought one of the early BR600 with valve issues... I recently tried the new FS94R, and I definitely prefer it over the FS90R. No more valves to worry about, very well balanced,runs smooth, can run at partial throttle all day - unlike the 4 mix trimmers that have a on/off switch throttle, it's like a new FS80R. Really like the 'cruise control' throttle as I have issues keeping the throttle right where I want it on trimmers.
I've heard all this stuff about the 4 mix units having valve issues and not being able to run at partial throttle and I believe it to be all a load of crap. I've been running a FS 90R and 110R along with a BR 550 and purchased a BR 600 mag at the beginning of this season and been running three for the last eight years six days a week and they've never been in the shop for any type of valve issues or any other.