Look what I just got

[BHLC]

They do look good.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

That's good to know. The edger uses the same type of shaft and gearbox as your trimmers. Do you notice any difference between the curved shaft GT and straight shaft SRM ?

It's hard to compare since my GT-2100 is so old. It takes longer to start, and it always feels different because the curved shaft is so much shorter than the straight shaft of the SRM-225. And then there is the comfort aspect to it. The SRM has the nice padded handle, while the GT has the hard plastic. I really don't understand why the PE-225 edger doesn't have the nice handle!

 

[MowerMike]

It's hard to compare since my GT-2100 is so old. It takes longer to start, and it always feels different because the curved shaft is so much shorter than the straight shaft of the SRM-225. And then there is the comfort aspect to it. The SRM has the nice padded handle, while the GT has the hard plastic. I really don't understand why the PE-225 edger doesn't have the nice handle!

While we're on the subject of your SRM, how well does that quick load head work ? Does the string feed out evenly and does it last ? Does the bump feed accidentally feed when you don't want it to ?

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

While we're on the subject of your SRM, how well does that quick load head work ? Does the string feed out evenly and does it last ? Does the bump feed accidentally feed when you don't want it to ?

The Speed-Feed head is the best! The only time it jams is if you are trying to do some edging work that even my PE-225 would have trouble with! Yes the string lasts, and no it never comes out when I don't want it to. I only put a "wing-span" of line in it even though it can hold like double!

 

[Ric]

The manual says to use either "POWER BLENDX" or "lithium base" grease. Would white lithium grease work, or is it something different ? TIA

The problem with greasing the Echo head is the fact that you basically have to use the Echo stuff because the size of the port and threads are different from anyone else, that's just one more reason I switched to Stihl. Go to a dealer and but the grease tube for the Echo, it will screw in and it's not and issue but as of yet I haven't found anything else that will fit.

 

[MowerMike]

The problem with greasing the Echo head is the fact that you basically have to use the Echo stuff because the size of the port and threads are different from anyone else, that's just one more reason I switched to Stihl. Go to a dealer and but the grease tube for the Echo, it will screw in and it's not and issue but as of yet I haven't found anything else that will fit.

Thanks for the heads up. The nearest Echo dealer is 18 miles from my house, but the Stihl dealer is only 3 miles away. :frown:

 

[MowerMike]

I made an interesting discovery today. The local Stihl dealer that is only 2 miles from my house is also an Echo dealer, so I didn't need to drive 18 miles to the other Echo dealer to buy the Echo grease. While there they told me that they're having an open house this Friday March 1st with major discounts on all items and manufacturer's reps to discuss their products. They also carry Toro, Scag, Cub Cadet, Bear Cat, Billy Goat, Snapper and Shindaiwa. I saw some nice ZTRs that would make all you serious mower guys drool. They didn't have any stock on the Echo PE-225 edger that I bought at Home Depot, so I couldn't have saved anything by buying it in their special sale, but they do have plenty of the Echo SRM-225 trimmers, so maybe I'll pick up one of them with the discount. I'll also get some spare blades for the edger and string for the trimmer. Maybe they can recommend the best string size for my needs. I think it comes with 0.095 nylon line, but works with other sizes from 0.080 to 0.105. My electric single line trimmers use wimpy 0.065 line that cuts well but breaks on anything other than grass and weeds.

While I was there they were pushing the Stihl synthetic 2-cycle oil to a customer, telling him that if he bought it with any Stihl powertool, the warranty is doubled from 2 years to 4 years. Since Echo's residential warranty is 5 years anyway, it really doesn't matter for me. Also, I use Trufuel premixed synthetic fuel, which costs about $30 for a carton of six one quart cans, or about $20 / gallon. I figure to use only 1 gallon / year, so that's about $20 / year spent on all my 2-cycle tools. The advantage of this fuel is that it can be stored indefinitely and there's no need to drain the tool fuel tank during off-season storage.

 

[Ric]

I made an interesting discovery today. The local Stihl dealer that is only 2 miles from my house is also an Echo dealer, so I didn't need to drive 18 miles to the other Echo dealer to buy the Echo grease. While there they told me that they're having an open house this Friday March 1st with major discounts on all items and manufacturer's reps to discuss their products. They also carry Toro, Scag, Cub Cadet, Bear Cat, Billy Goat, Snapper and Shindaiwa. I saw some nice ZTRs that would make all you serious mower guys drool. They didn't have any stock on the Echo PE-225 edger that I bought at Home Depot, so I couldn't have saved anything by buying it in their special sale, but they do have plenty of the Echo SRM-225 trimmers, so maybe I'll pick up one of them with the discount. I'll also get some spare blades for the edger and string for the trimmer. Maybe they can recommend the best string size for my needs. I think it comes with 0.095 nylon line, but works with other sizes from 0.080 to 0.105. My electric single line trimmers use wimpy 0.065 line that cuts well but breaks on anything other than grass and weeds.

While I was there they were pushing the Stihl synthetic 2-cycle oil to a customer, telling him that if he bought it with any Stihl powertool, the warranty is doubled from 2 years to 4 years. Since Echo's residential warranty is 5 years anyway, it really doesn't matter for me. Also, I use Trufuel premixed synthetic fuel, which costs about $30 for a carton of six one quart cans, or about $20 / gallon. I figure to use only 1 gallon / year, so that's about $20 / year spent on all my 2-cycle tools. The advantage of this fuel is that it can be stored indefinitely and there's no need to drain the tool fuel tank during off-season storage.

If you're going to pick up spare blades ask them about a Bulk purchase, 50 to a box. I buy them like that, $38.95 a box and it averages out to like 80 cents a blade. You can also get a better deal on line if you buy it by the 5lb spool. The 095 Stihl line really works well for me.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

I made an interesting discovery today. The local Stihl dealer that is only 2 miles from my house is also an Echo dealer, so I didn't need to drive 18 miles to the other Echo dealer to buy the Echo grease. While there they told me that they're having an open house this Friday March 1st with major discounts on all items and manufacturer's reps to discuss their products. They also carry Toro, Scag, Cub Cadet, Bear Cat, Billy Goat, Snapper and Shindaiwa. I saw some nice ZTRs that would make all you serious mower guys drool. They didn't have any stock on the Echo PE-225 edger that I bought at Home Depot, so I couldn't have saved anything by buying it in their special sale, but they do have plenty of the Echo SRM-225 trimmers, so maybe I'll pick up one of them with the discount. I'll also get some spare blades for the edger and string for the trimmer. Maybe they can recommend the best string size for my needs. I think it comes with 0.095 nylon line, but works with other sizes from 0.080 to 0.105. My electric single line trimmers use wimpy 0.065 line that cuts well but breaks on anything other than grass and weeds.

While I was there they were pushing the Stihl synthetic 2-cycle oil to a customer, telling him that if he bought it with any Stihl powertool, the warranty is doubled from 2 years to 4 years. Since Echo's residential warranty is 5 years anyway, it really doesn't matter for me. Also, I use Trufuel premixed synthetic fuel, which costs about $30 for a carton of six one quart cans, or about $20 / gallon. I figure to use only 1 gallon / year, so that's about $20 / year spent on all my 2-cycle tools. The advantage of this fuel is that it can be stored indefinitely and there's no need to drain the tool fuel tank during off-season storage.

I use the .095 Cross-Fire trimmer string and like it!

 

[exotion]

I use the .095 Cross-Fire trimmer string and like it!
<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12544"/> <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12545"/>

I like square string the corners cut a. Little smoother