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I'm looking into buying a new trimmer and my dealers are saying go with the Stihl because parts are more readily available and order in 24hrs. I have the BR 600 Magnum and like it. I'd be using it for 25 ish lawns a week, which are all relatively large. Echo has a better warranty but the 265 is hard on gas and pollutes a lot more. Don't know which brand to buy. Any advice?

dudechillinathome said:

I'm looking into buying a new trimmer and my dealers are saying go with the Stihl because parts are more readily available and order in 24hrs. I have the BR 600 Magnum and like it. I'd be using it for 25 ish lawns a week, which are all relatively large. Echo has a better warranty but the 265 is hard on gas and pollutes a lot more. Don't know which brand to buy. Any advice?

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To start with the Echo doesn't have a better warranty than Stihl. All Stihl's have a 2year Commercial Warranty the same as Echo.Yes the Echo has a 5 year Consumer or Homeowner warranty but that doesn't apply if you're using it for business. If you check this site you'll find that there 265T only has a 1year commercial warranty
VT Echo SRM-265T High Torque Brush Wacker
As far as which to buy, personally I'd go stihl, it has the 28.4cc engine vs the 25.4 echo. I run both the FS 90 and FS110 and I do 70 lawns a week and have never had a problem with either. Just be aware that the stihls are 4mix units not two stroke.
Something you may want to consider on the 265 you're talking about, (check there site http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Trimmers ) is that Echo has discontinued that unit.

I have the 4mix blower, Br 600 magnum. I've read about all the brands and quite knowledged that the trimmers are 4mix. Just wasn't sure, do you like the fs90 or 110? I have an echo trimmer now and it works really well. Stihl commercial warranty is only 1 year here

dudechillinathome said:

I have the 4mix blower, Br 600 magnum. I've read about all the brands and quite knowledged that the trimmers are 4mix. Just wasn't sure, do you like the fs90 or 110? I have an echo trimmer now and it works really well. Stihl commercial warranty is only 1 year here

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You better do some checking on that warranty period, I can't believe it's right. I wouldn't believe that location could have anything to do with it, Stihl is the Warrantor and they say 2 years. You can contact them here. Why would Canada be different?

Warrantor
STIHL Incorporated
536 Viking Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
STIHL Customer Service phone number: (800) 467-8445
Internet website: STIHL The Number One Selling Brand of Chain Saws Outdoor Power Tools - Locate an Independent STIHL Dealer

As far as the 90 and 110, yes I like both the trimmers. I ran the Echo's when I first started the Business and don't get me wrong they're good trimmers and edgers but IMO are under powered compared to the Stihls but again that's JMO. I think if you compare spec's you'll find a big difference between Echo and Stihl.
Remember when it comes to running Lawn equipment everyone is going to say there's is the only way to go and have there reasons for there opinions. Don't be swayed by opinions, run what works for you.

Trust me I've researched... Consumer warranty is 2yrs with the oil purchase. Commercial is 1 year regardless

Anone else own one or both?

I prefer stihl equipment. We run stihl fs 55's string trimmers and like them.

Parkmower said:

I prefer stihl equipment. We run stihl fs 55's string trimmers and like them.

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Do you like them?

dudechillinathome said:

Do you like them?

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Yes IMO for $189 the fs 55 is a good deal
We have seasonal kids that beat the snot out of them and they hold up well.

Parkmower said:

Yes IMO for $189 the fs 55 is a good deal
We have seasonal kids that beat the snot out of them and they hold up well.

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The fs 55 is $259.99 here. Our prices are always more. Promo price on the FS 90r is $359.99. The 110r was $379.99, but promo price went up to $429.99. Dealer said he could still do $380 for the 110r

Are you using this for business or home? Either way I'm a fan of the fs55.

Parkmower said:

Are you using this for business or home? Either way I'm a fan of the fs55.

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Business, large lawns too

Its just a side business... Do like 20 large lawns weekly

I'd go with any of the stihls mentioned. You won't be let down.

Parkmower said:

I'd go with any of the stihls mentioned. You won't be let down.

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I wouldn't go any smaller then the 90r, like the Steel Shaft. The nearest SRR Stihl dealer is about 15 minutes. Lots of dealers around, most are rental places. Echo is everywhere

Think I'm settled on the Stihl, but does anyone else have anything to add? Before I buy

I like redmax better. It is very powerful and easy to use

dudechillinathome said:

Think I'm settled on the Stihl, but does anyone else have anything to add? Before I buy

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Just wanted to know which you decided on, the 90 or the 110?

There's no Redmax dealers within 100kms of here. Noone uses redmax

I have an FS100 and like it, plenty of power.

Haven't picked one yet, waiting for the store hours to go to summer. Next to impossible to get to a dealer this time of year

I'm going to pick up a Stihl fs 90R this weekend I think, any last comments/ advice?

Good choice enjoy!

Thanks for the input. the Stihl FS90R looks very appealing

Pick up my fs90r tomorrow

Over many years i have used almost every string trimmer available,and what has come out of that is my employees are given echoes to use and i use my stihls mmmmm

I am not too keen on the newer stihl machines, too many problems buy a shindaiwa if you want a great machine.

I have been told that very thing and i have not used one.My super agrees with you

Regular is $1.36/litre here and you need premium because of that Ethanol crap... So the 4mix being better on fuel will be nice. The dealers all say Stihl here

Dealers here say run from still. Fuel efficiency between still 4mix and standard echo or shindaiwa 2 cycle is nominal and the shindaiwa t254 is more fuel efficient and much more reliable.

I have a Stihl trimmer and like it. Started using a european scythe to cut hay for my horses in the winter when the soil is soft. Haven't used the Stihl since. The scythe is light, burns no gas and almost silent.

LOL, not very produtive for me though

It is just as fast as a powered trimmer. Won't scalp the turf though and has to be kept e trembly sharp.

I have had a sthil since 1998, spark plugs,string,greased gearbox and just use non ethnanol gas for the trimmers. did 900 ft of fence, 28 pine trees and a 36x56 pole barn every week

Have echo now with bad carb due to usage of ethanol gas. midrange too

Can't edge a sidewalk with one though lol

That is true dude...

I like my FS90R so far... Have had it 2 weeks now. Has a ton of power, quiet and well balanced.

Stihl is the way to go,so go buy one

redfish9 said:

Stihl is the way to go,so go buy one

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I already did buy one

The Stihl and the Echo are great lines and it really depends on personal preference.

As mentioned above, the prices in Canada are different than the US much like everything else.

I would also agree with the above poster, that someone like the OP, can also consider the Shindaiwa in the same group.

Same company as Echo and they have some great promotions from time to time. We had T242 Shindaiwa on for $299.95, which for Canada is a great deal IMHO.

Here is a quick comparison of some of the basis stats: