Best Trimmer Head and least expensive repairs?

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.