Export thread

I decided that I would like to get a new gas string trimmer this year. I don't want to spend too much, as I would also like to replace an engine on one of my mowers, but I would like to find something good, maxing around $200. It seems like this one is really good, Amazon.com: Hitachi CG22EASSLP 21.1cc 2 Stroke Gas Powered Straight Shaft Grass Trimmer (CARB Compliant): Patio, Lawn & Garden , but there is one review which says that the engine will not run very well on its side (while edging) and I need to edge. So is this maybe that they were just low on gas, or is it the engine itself. This would be the one I would buy, but is that one review has made me nervous. Any suggestions? Thanks

If it says, won't work well for edging, means that the type of carb installed is only for trimming use. Very cheap carb. That's why they can sell them cheaply. Walk away if you want to edge or you'll be sorry. I have found with trimmers, you really get what you pay for and if your not handy, spend a little more.

I agree with Rivets. I would get a better trimmer. Like the Echo SRM-225....only $219.99: ECHO SRM-225 Trimmer, Weed trimmer, Fuel Efficient, Straight Shaft Weed Trimmer - ECHO USA | ECHO USA

I would go with the Redmax BC280 or splurge on the TR2350S

I agree with Rivets and LMF spend $219 and buy the Echo you'll be a lot happier with the Echo SRM-225 and it's three times better Trimmer than that Hitachi is.

Okay, I'll look into the Echo. I had just been reading about how some of the models that they sell at home depot have problems with the carb since they designed them to run too lean for the CARB stuff. Hopefully I will be able to get to the shop next week and look at what they have. But is the carb stuff true with the echo?

The carb on the echo you can almost run upside down. You will not have any problems edging with the Echo.

I've just heard that they don't have mixture screws, so that they cannot be run too rich to be CARB compliant, or something like that. That's all I was worried about.

Please tell us where you heard that?

LawnBoy97 said:

I've just heard that they don't have mixture screws, so that they cannot be run too rich to be CARB compliant, or something like that. That's all I was worried about.

Click to expand...

Rivets can correct me if I'm wrong but the Echos do have mixture screws, they just don't have screws you can adjust. They take special tools that you can't buy.

LawnBoy97 said:

Okay, I'll look into the Echo. I had just been reading about how some of the models that they sell at home depot have problems with the carb since they designed them to run too lean for the CARB stuff. Hopefully I will be able to get to the shop next week and look at what they have. But is the carb stuff true with the echo?

Click to expand...

I can edge with my trimmer both upside down (picture #1) and sideways (picture #2), and don't have any trouble with it! :thumbsup:

Yes, you need a special tool to adjust the carb. Not available unless you are an authorized service center. Can lose your agreement if you sell one to the public.

Well, I looked a little, and I can't find much about the carbs, so it must have just been a couble of reviews, possibly about sthil. I just remember researching the cheapest echo blower, and I came across a lot of people with problems, but this was awhile ago, and I don't really remember the details. So yeah, like I said, I hope to get down to the local dealer and look at their selection, they sell echo, sthil, toro, snapper, kawasaki, and some of the huge commercial mowers, next week.

I would really rather not spend $219 on a trimmer, but I hate starting up an old two-stroke and being trapped in a cloud of smoke. Any other suggestions, feel free to add, Thanks.

Oh, I just searched the RedMax, and I like the price, although only about $30 cheaper, but it seems like it has a bit too much power, as I find myself tearing through wooden and plastic fences with a 10yr old craftsman. Are there any more opinions on the RedMax, or is the Echo my best bet?

LawnBoy97 said:

Well, I looked a little, and I can't find much about the carbs, so it must have just been a couble of reviews, possibly about sthil. I just remember researching the cheapest echo blower, and I came across a lot of people with problems, but this was awhile ago, and I don't really remember the details. So yeah, like I said, I hope to get down to the local dealer and look at their selection, they sell echo, sthil, toro, snapper, kawasaki, and some of the huge commercial mowers, next week.

I would really rather not spend $219 on a trimmer, but I hate starting up an old two-stroke and being trapped in a cloud of smoke. Any other suggestions, feel free to add, Thanks.

Oh, I just searched the RedMax, and I like the price, although only about $30 cheaper, but it seems like it has a bit too much power, as I find myself tearing through wooden and plastic fences with a 10yr old craftsman. Are there any more opinions on the RedMax, or is the Echo my best bet?

Click to expand...

If you are are Homeowner or someone that's just going to be using the trimmer on occasion check out the Stihl FS50 C-E it's a 27.2cc engine curved shaft for 199.95 or the FS 56 RC-E for 219.95 and it's a 27.2cc engine also and a straight Shaft. Both weigh in the 10lb range. There not commercial units but there a great unit for the occasional user. If you have under 1 acre of property as it says in your profile either one of those units would or should last you forever.

I actually have a very small lawn care business, and that is why I am looking for a new trimmer. This past summer, with a lack of rain, we barely did one lawn a week, but we currently have about 5 customers and hope to expand by a lot in the next year or two, more advertising, and going further than our immediate neighborhood (Still in high school and no car yet). So I would like to say we will be doing about ten lawns a week, hopefully, during the summer. Also, I would rather not have to buy new equipment in the next few years, so something that is really durable is important. Sorry, I guess it would have been good to add this in the first post.

LawnBoy97 said:

I actually have a very small lawn care business, and that is why I am looking for a new trimmer. This past summer, with a lack of rain, we barely did one lawn a week, but we currently have about 5 customers and hope to expand by a lot in the next year or two, more advertising, and going further than our immediate neighborhood (Still in high school and no car yet). So I would like to say we will be doing about ten lawns a week, hopefully, during the summer. Also, I would rather not have to buy new equipment in the next few years, so something that is really durable is important. Sorry, I guess it would have been good to add this in the first post.

Click to expand...

If you are thinking about expanding I still think the Echo SRM-225 would be the best choice; sometimes you need to buy something a little expensive if you want quality!

After reading your last post, the best advice I can give you is go the best repair shop in your area, talk to the owner about his used equipment. You will need a good dealer and repair shop and they will save you money down the road. Having a repair shop in your back pocket, means you can get equipment when you need it, repairs done right and fast, and someone you can bounce questions off. Finally, if you can afford it always buy new. You will have a warranty, you will not inherit someone else's problem and as you grow you will learn which brands work best for you. Also remember, that is just my opinion, and most people on this forum don't think I know what I am talking about.

Rivets said:

After reading your last post, the best advice I can give you is go the best repair shop in your area, talk to the owner about his used equipment. You will need a good dealer and repair shop and they will save you money down the road. Having a repair shop in your back pocket, means you can get equipment when you need it, repairs done right and fast, and someone you can bounce questions off. Finally, if you can afford it always buy new. You will have a warranty, you will not inherit someone else's problem and as you grow you will learn which brands work best for you. Also remember, that is just my opinion, and most people on this forum don't think I know what I am talking about.

Click to expand...

I agree 100% Find a shop you trust.
Buy your oil and trimmer line from them let them get to know you as a regular.

Sent from my iPhone using LMF

See what mean. Carscw agrees that I don't know what I am talking about. Take it for a grain of salt.

Rivets said:

See what mean. Carscw agrees that I don't know what I am talking about. Take it for a grain of salt.

Click to expand...

Haha
To be honest I think you are one of the few on here that only speak when you know what your talking about.
When it comes to small engines I trust what you say. You know what your talking about.

Sent from my iPhone using LMF

LawnBoy97 said:

I actually have a very small lawn care business, and that is why I am looking for a new trimmer. This past summer, with a lack of rain, we barely did one lawn a week, but we currently have about 5 customers and hope to expand by a lot in the next year or two, more advertising, and going further than our immediate neighborhood (Still in high school and no car yet). So I would like to say we will be doing about ten lawns a week, hopefully, during the summer. Also, I would rather not have to buy new equipment in the next few years, so something that is really durable is important. Sorry, I guess it would have been good to add this in the first post.

Click to expand...

Well knowing that I would say spend the little extra and buy the Echo. You know spending that little extra up front can save you a lot of money it the long run, don't get me wrong buying used off Craigslist or what ever you can come up with some great buys but more often than not unless your mechanically inclined it can end up biting you in the you no what later. You mentioned you hope to expand by a lot in the next year or two, more advertising, and going further than our immediate neighborhood :smile: wrong choice, stay close to your neighborhood if you can, the closer the better especially with gas the way it is. Build your business in your sub-division or one near by, Drive less-Cut more you'll have more money in your pocket at the end of the week. Sorry I got away from the subject.

Ric said:

stay close to your neighborhood if you can, the closer the better especially with gas the way it is. Build your business in your sub-division or one near by, Drive less-Cut more you'll have more money in your pocket at the end of the week. Sorry I got away from the subject.

Click to expand...

That's what I try to do--stay close. :thumbsup: But if you exhausted that neighborhood then you need to go further out.

That makes sense to not go to other neighborhoods, but I was mostly thinking about 2 miles up the road. There are like 2-3 neighborhoods in a like 3mile radius from my house, so that's what I meant. But I'll mention the gas stuff to my partner.

I do have a small engine shop just a few minutes from my house, but they mostly do repairs, and the only new equipment they sell is Tanaka. But there is one a bit further that has everything that I listed in the previous post, and they have been around a long time and are very well known. Thanks for all the input.

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works but dont just shy away from the hitachi product.
Its made by tanaka, good price, well built and is very reliable.

Why buy a "brand name" at double the price.

Over here we sell Hitachi via dealers.
If i wasnt selling another brand at the moment then id sell Hitachi.

But

you are always better buying from a dealer and usually is always a little bit priced but the backup is
there even if that means buying another brand.
Both Echo and Stihl do good stuff.

pugaltitude said:

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works but dont just shy away from the hitachi product.
Its made by tanaka, good price, well built and is very reliable.

Why buy a "brand name" at double the price.

Over here we sell Hitachi via dealers.
If i wasnt selling another brand at the moment then id sell Hitachi.

But

you are always better buying from a dealer and usually is always a little bit priced but the backup is
there even if that means buying another brand.
Both Echo and Stihl do good stuff.

Click to expand...

In our neck of the woods, Hitachi is sold as a price point unit, through home improvement stores like Menards, and Home Depot. Was looking into Tanaka a couple of years ago. I have a Distributor 100 miles away, but I am not in there territory. My distributor is 350 miles away. I would only need to move the shop 4 miles north and be in the closer distributors area.

Over here its usually the McCulloch poulan factory product in home improvement stores or the really cheap brand chinese product like Spear and Jackson or Qualcast where parts are not brought into the country.

ILENGINE said:

In our neck of the woods, Hitachi is sold as a price point unit, through home improvement stores like Menards, and Home Depot. Was looking into Tanaka a couple of years ago. I have a Distributor 100 miles away, but I am not in there territory. My distributor is 350 miles away. I would only need to move the shop 4 miles north and be in the closer distributors area.

Click to expand...

It's the same here, Hitachi sells in Lowes I believe, they are comparable to the Weedeater or Poulan there basically throw away stuff, good for one season. I can tell from experience the Hitachi drills are absolutely the worst and now that I know there made by Tanaka I'll know not to buy one of those.

LawnBoy97 said:

I've just heard that they don't have mixture screws, so that they cannot be run too rich to be CARB compliant, or something like that. That's all I was worried about.

Click to expand...

Also there is a sthil fs 55r just saying that would be a good one too :thumbsup:

Or you could possibly get a husqavarna one they are great :thumbsup:

I have not seen a Hitachi being used around here. I have seen them in Lowes. Most of the store stuff being used is Poulan or MTD. Some Craftsman branded stuff tossed in. I count about 9 out of ten folks in my neighborhood who have no string trimmer or other handheld stuff but do have a lawnmower. Above me up the hill so to speak are higher priced homes and all those folks have a string trimmer at least. The homeowner Stihl trimmers have a bad rep hereabouts, they last about as long as a Poulan or Weedeater and every trip to the shop to get it started cost about $75. If they yanked on it until they broke the recoil its more yet or it goes in the scrap pile. The school, low rent houseing, assisted living etc. all use upper end Stihl or Tanaka handheld stuff for the dealer support. The one true pro outfit that comes to town to mow use Stihl.

K-Pro-Mowing said:

Or you could possibly get a husqavarna one they are great :thumbsup:

Click to expand...

The Husqvarna 326 L is a good trimmer.

Ric said:

The Husqvarna 326 L is a good trimmer.

Click to expand...

:smile::thumbsup:

I agree

The stihl fs 55 is the way to go.

Four day weekend, so hopefully I will be able to get to the shop on Friday. With the Echo, does anyone know how the warranty works? I know it says 2years for commercial and 5years for homeowner, or whatever, but I don't understand which I would fall under. And also, do you have a link to the Husqvarna, I had quickly searched for it and only saw one from 2003? Thanks.

You list as being in the lawn care business, which would fall into the commercial category.

LawnBoy97 said:

......do you have a link to the Husqvarna, I had quickly searched for it and only saw one from 2003? Thanks.

Click to expand...

This is the closest one I could find.....the Husqvarna 326LS. I couldn't find the 326L.....maybe they don't make it anymore. HUSQVARNA 326LS - Trimmers

Sure looks nice, but it is a bit out of budget.
Oh, I guess what I meant with the warranty is if they have like a definition for commercial and homeowner. Like if someone lived on a huge farm and had a mile length of fence to trim with heavy brush, which I don't know how long that would take, but let's say 3 hours continuous every two weeks, they would fall under homeowner, even though me being "commercial" would only be at about 2 hours tops a week, which would be 4 hours total every two weeks, just one hour more than our farmer friend. So I suppose it makes sense being a business that I would be commercial, but I hadn't look into the warranty much, so I was just wondering. Thanks

Re: Looking For Cheap, but Reliable String Trimmer. Kawasaki?

I just went to the lawn mower shop and he showed me a few models. He said that the Echo is a good one, but that most professionals are switching to a Kawasaki something 27, I think, because it is light for its size and has a more powerful engine. I'll look up the model, but it is $229, and he has one left, and he said that the new shipment will be a little bit more expensive, but only about ten dollars. Do any of you know anything about this model?
here it is http://kawpower.com/handheld/string-trimmers/ktfr27

lawn mower fanatic said:

I agree with Rivets. I would get a better trimmer. Like the Echo SRM-225....only $219.99: ECHO SRM-225 Trimmer, Weed trimmer, Fuel Efficient, Straight Shaft Weed Trimmer - ECHO USA | ECHO USA

View attachment 12011 View attachment 12012 View attachment 12013

Click to expand...

Hey LMF, thats the one we got. It is an excellent trimmer. I had to get use to it but once I did, I couldn't believe I procrastinated as long as I did. The chainsaw attachment works a lot better than I could have imagined. All around excellent choice for a trimmer. Cheers:thumbsup:

Rivets said:

See what mean. Carscw agrees that I don't know what I am talking about. Take it for a grain of salt.

Click to expand...

LOL! I know I don't know anything! If I did, I wouldn't have married my first wife, dropped out of college or ever touched alcohol!:ashamed: But I digress. A good trouble free trimmer will save your day. Have you ever struggled to get one started first thing in the morning? It can crash your whole day if you let it. Get good gear, have a dealer in your pocket and be diligent in all equipment maintenance.

NeverGiveUp said:

Hey LMF, thats the one we got. It is an excellent trimmer. I had to get use to it but once I did, I couldn't believe I procrastinated as long as I did. The chainsaw attachment works a lot better than I could have imagined. All around excellent choice for a trimmer. Cheers:thumbsup:

Click to expand...

I agree....I love mine! :cool2:

Okay, well for me it is down to the Echo SRM-225 ECHO SRM-225 Trimmer, Weed trimmer, Fuel Efficient, Straight Shaft Weed Trimmer - ECHO USA | ECHO USA , and the Kawasaki KTFR27A KTFR27 | Kawasaki - Engines, Replacement Parts, and Power Products. I can't decide, as they cost nearly the same.

LawnBoy97 said:

Okay, well for me it is down to the Echo SRM-225 ECHO SRM-225 Trimmer, Weed trimmer, Fuel Efficient, Straight Shaft Weed Trimmer - ECHO USA | ECHO USA , and the Kawasaki KTFR27A KTFR27 | Kawasaki - Engines, Replacement Parts, and Power Products. I can't decide, as they cost nearly the same.

Click to expand...

Just to say u might wanna look at shindawa

LawnBoy97 said:

Okay, well for me it is down to the Echo SRM-225 ECHO SRM-225 Trimmer, Weed trimmer, Fuel Efficient, Straight Shaft Weed Trimmer - ECHO USA | ECHO USA , and the Kawasaki KTFR27A KTFR27 | Kawasaki - Engines, Replacement Parts, and Power Products. I can't decide, as they cost nearly the same.

Click to expand...

I would still get the Echo hands down, but then again I have never used a Kawasaki trimmer. I would go with which one feels more comfortable to you and which dealer is closer/friendlier. :smile:

Well thing is that the dealer that I prefer sells Shindaiwa, Echo, Sthil, Kawasaki, Briggs and Stratton replacement engines, Gravely, Snapper, Toro, and a bunch of others, but they seem to help and recommend based on what you need. The guy recommended the Kawi, and said that the pros switched to this one because it has a more powerful engine and is very light, which it is, I held it.
So once I have the money, I guess I will go and test how they feel, like you said, but I am mostly worried about performance, so I don't know.

LawnBoy97 said:

......but I am mostly worried about performance, so I don't know.

Click to expand...

Yeah I don't know if you can demo trimmers. Maybe the dealer has a used one you can demo.

Yeah, I'll have to ask.

Time for the outlier to respond...had a Ryobi 790r I loved for 10 years and bought a craftsman 31 cc blood relative on sale recently for $113. That Ryobi would weed into earth and mow huge dog yards full of wet grass which could not be mowed with a rider due to dog holes. As for the "special tool"... if you are talking about "D" head type ... the Craftsman arrived with hi and low speeds capped with the "D" screws which would stop the poor home owner from adjusting. But there are several sources on line which sell the tool for $10-$15. Or look in this forum for the "speed and spark" diy tool which will cost you nothing. Happy trimming!:thumbsup:

motoman said:

Or look in this forum for the "speed and spark" diy tool which will cost you nothing.

Click to expand...

This is the thread he is talking about: http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/small-engine-mower-repair/13075-speed-spark-trimmer-tools-diy.html

The Kaw. is a very good trimmer, my dad and brother both have one for years and have been very dependible.

LawnBoy97 said:

Four day weekend, so hopefully I will be able to get to the shop on Friday. With the Echo, does anyone know how the warranty works? I know it says 2years for commercial and 5years for homeowner, or whatever, but I don't understand which I would fall under. And also, do you have a link to the Husqvarna, I had quickly searched for it and only saw one from 2003? Thanks.

Click to expand...

With the Echo, does anyone know how the warranty works? How many days a week you use the trimmer doesn't matter because I don't believe there are limits to how often a home owner can use the trimmer per week. My question to you would be do you have a Business License, pay taxes and all the good stuff if not then you are not a commercial operator and I would think your homeowner warranty would apply.

It really depends on two things. How you registered it and your dealer. Many commercial customers try to register their equipment under a personal name and not business to get the longer warranty. Does this work? That depends on the dealer. If a dealer knows or thinks he knows that it was used commercially and trys to file a claim as residential, he could loose his dealership and have to pay a penalty. Most won't take a chance. Good dealers know the businesses in the area and will inform the customer in advance. It doesn't pay to take a chance, that's why the big box just bite the bullet ( they replace the unit, to keep the customer ) and then try to have a repair shop try to get them their money back. Most of the time ggod repair shops see through this ploy.

That's what I don't get. I am not a registered business, mostly because most of are lawns are neighbors or at least people we know, and they just pay us for our work. We currently only have like two customers we have gotten through using fliers and door to door.
There is one repair shop that I go to and they know that I have a business, but they aren't much of a dealer, only tanaka. The dealer that I like, though, didn't ask me if I had a business, or would be using the trimmer for a business, so does that mean that I should mention it to him, or just buy the trimmer as a "homeowner"? Most of the articles I read on the internet about teen lawn care businesses, never talk about being registered as a business and paying taxes. So I don't know.

Can't tell you what to do. Just letting you know how it looks from a dealers side of the fence. Good dealers and repair shops know how to protect themselves.

BTW- You don't need a special tool to adjust the carb on the Echo SRM225, the carb has only a high speed adjustment needle which is hidden behind a plastic plug placed there during manufacturing,to discourage homeowners from adjusting the carb. Typical 2 cycle carburators have a high and low speed adjusting needle and an idle screw adjustment, but the SRM-225 has only the high speed needle adjustment and idle speed adjustment. Also the high speed needle has a slotted head for a small screwdriver. See items #13 & #14 in diagram.

LawnBoy97 said:

That's what I don't get. I am not a registered business, mostly because most of are lawns are neighbors or at least people we know, and they just pay us for our work. We currently only have like two customers we have gotten through using fliers and door to door.
There is one repair shop that I go to and they know that I have a business, but they aren't much of a dealer, only tanaka. The dealer that I like, though, didn't ask me if I had a business, or would be using the trimmer for a business, so does that mean that I should mention it to him, or just buy the trimmer as a "homeowner"? Most of the articles I read on the internet about teen lawn care businesses, never talk about being registered as a business and paying taxes. So I don't know.

Click to expand...

If your not Licensed and are only mowing a few yards around the neighborhood I don't think it's probably worth worrying about. Your a homeowner doing odd jobs for the neighbors. Don't mention anything to the dealer just buy as a homeowner and mow the lawns you have. My question is are you working by yourself or for someone else.

Ric said:

If your not Licensed and are only mowing a few yards around the neighborhood I don't think it's probably worth worrying about. Your a homeowner doing odd jobs for the neighbors. Don't mention anything to the dealer just buy as a homeowner and mow the lawns you have. My question is are you working by yourself or for someone else.

Click to expand...

Okay, I think that's what I will do. And then with choosing a trimmer, I think I will just hold both of them and check out the features and then decide, since it seems like both are good trimmers, thanks.

LawnBoy97 said:

Okay, I think that's what I will do. And then with choosing a trimmer, I think I will just hold both of them and check out the features and then decide, since it seems like both are good trimmers, thanks.

Click to expand...

Good idea! And good luck! :smile:

I went with the Kawasaki. I bought it about an hour ago so i havent used it yet, but i will make sure to give you an update.

LawnBoy97 said:

I went with the Kawasaki. I bought it about an hour ago so i havent used it yet, but i will make sure to give you an update.

Click to expand...

Can't wait to here how you like it...maybe you can post some pictures!!

Okay, the initial impressions are that it has great power and is light-weight (I think I need to adjust the handle, though, as there was significantly more weight on my right arm) and it is very easy to edge sidewalks with. I am not sure if it was because of how much grass I was removing from the sidewalk, but it did seem to be getting pretty hot after maybe like five or so minutes of edging. I am hoping this is only due to the amount of grass, though.It is very easy to start. Just flip the choke switch, pull a couple of times until it starts and then let it idle for a few seconds. Then just pull the throttle and go. I do like the design of the motor housing, as well as the size of the guard, but the rewinding the head seems very complicated. I don't want to count this as a negative just yet, though, as I hadn't even looked at the instructions when I had tried to rewind it, so I think it should be fine.

So to sum it all up:
Positives-
-Great for edging
-Great Power
-Fairly good design

Negatives-
-Possibly complicated to rewind
-That's about it

I'll make sure to keep everyone updated and hopefully I can post some pictures this evening. Thanks

It's been awhile, but here are some pictures of the trimmer. Tomorrow I will try and get some pictures of a lawn after I have used the trimmer again. Still seems really good, and don't have any complaints.

LawnBoy97 said:

It's been awhile, but here are some pictures of the trimmer. Tomorrow I will try and get some pictures of a lawn after I have used the trimmer again. Still seems really good, and don't have any complaints.

Click to expand...

Looks like you got a nice machine there LB. I went with the POS 225 from Echo, I like it because of I'm able to use other heads with the same motor. Your going to be happy with the Kawa for sure. Look forward to future posts. Congratulations on getting a great machine.

Thank a lot, I am happy with it.

Hey, sorry to bring back my old thread, but I thought I'd do a little update, starting with last summer. So my assumption was correct, the trimmer was running too hot, as it eventually started to burn some of the plastic housing around the muffler. I took it back to the dealer, and although it took about a month to get back, they told me that it was running too lean, so they got it adjusted and it's been run ning great ever since! I did go through the original......ahhhh, what's the name?....... well its the plastic part that you hot on the ground to release more string, anyways, I went through that pretty fast, but it may have just been me bumping at too high of RPMs. But that's okay, after replacing it I haven't had any problems with it. I also had an issue with the gas cap leaking, but that was quickly and easily replace by the dealer, and under the warranty :thumbsup: But overall this has been a great trimmer so far, and I expect it to be great for many years to come! Almost always starts on the first pull, and had plenty of power to cut through the thick stuff. I'm actually pretty surprised with how well it edges. It's not too great with heavily overgrown sidewalks, but I would think that most string trimmers would have the same problem. I do like the look, and of course the color of the Echo's, but someday I'd really like to do a side by side comparison between the Kawasaki and the Echo, because it was a tough decision, but I've been very happy with the Kawasaki KTFR27A!