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Trimmer comparison- need to replace my Husqvarna 323
#1
T
treenerd
T
treenerd
Was just bragging about how tough my 3-yr old Husq. 323 was last week, and then the shaft broke- possibly the gear head too- haven't taken it apart yet to verify, but just thinking I might buy a new one. A dealer nearby is heavily promoting Red Maxx. Don't know anything about them but I've heard through some reviews that they are not easy to start. Looking for some advice on the differences between commercial Stihl, Echo or Red Maxx. I should mention that I'm a short woman, and ease of starting is important, as is a well-balanced machine.
#2
jimrs
jimrs
I bought an Echo trimmer in 1999. I just replaced with another. I just did not want to work on the old one but with a fuel system cleaning it would still do the job just fine. And both are the cheap ones.
#3
B
BrokenTiller
B
BrokenTiller
I am going on my 9th year with my Ryobi trimmer. A year or two ago, the shaft broke and I replaced it myself, and this year the clutch disks broke and I just replaced them as well. I believe the clutch disks had actually broken long ago and the clutch locking up is actually what caused the shaft to break, but I don't know for sure. Now that I fixed the clutch on it, the thing starts just as easy as I ever could've asked for. Other than those two repairs, the only other thing I've ever done to it was put a new spark plug in this spring and put a little bit of sea foam in the gas the last 2 summers. Up until last year I never even specifically ran the tank empty or put fuel stabilizer in it or anything. Before I fixed the clutch it was getting really hard to start and I thought it was on its way out and I was contemplating what brand to replace it with - leaning toward Echo or Stihl. But as I've thought about it, if it died tomorrow I'm not sure I wouldn't go buy another Ryobi...
#4
T
TexasBackyardShed
I wouldn't buy a Ryobi. You had one from the good days. Now, there just a rebranded Homelite.
T
TexasBackyardShed
I am going on my 9th year with my Ryobi trimmer. A year or two ago, the shaft broke and I replaced it myself, and this year the clutch disks broke and I just replaced them as well. I believe the clutch disks had actually broken long ago and the clutch locking up is actually what caused the shaft to break, but I don't know for sure. Now that I fixed the clutch on it, the thing starts just as easy as I ever could've asked for. Other than those two repairs, the only other thing I've ever done to it was put a new spark plug in this spring and put a little bit of sea foam in the gas the last 2 summers. Up until last year I never even specifically ran the tank empty or put fuel stabilizer in it or anything. Before I fixed the clutch it was getting really hard to start and I thought it was on its way out and I was contemplating what brand to replace it with - leaning toward Echo or Stihl. But as I've thought about it, if it died tomorrow I'm not sure I wouldn't go buy another Ryobi...
I wouldn't buy a Ryobi. You had one from the good days. Now, there just a rebranded Homelite.
#5
exotion
So are the toro equivalent of the ryobi
exotion
I wouldn't buy a Ryobi. You had one from the good days. Now, there just a rebranded Homelite.
So are the toro equivalent of the ryobi
#6
Carscw
I use a ryobi trimmer 5 tank fills of gas every day 6 days a week for over a year now start first or second pull.
Never have had to do any repairs to it not even a plug or primer bulb
Well worth the $129.00
(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
Carscw
I wouldn't buy a Ryobi. You had one from the good days. Now, there just a rebranded Homelite.
I use a ryobi trimmer 5 tank fills of gas every day 6 days a week for over a year now start first or second pull.
Never have had to do any repairs to it not even a plug or primer bulb
Well worth the $129.00
(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
#7
Ric
Personally I'd stat away from Redd Maxx. I ran a couple of Echos for a year and they went to crap so we went with the Stihl stuff and after running the Stihl I'd never go back to Echo anything.
Ric
Was just bragging about how tough my 3-yr old Husq. 323 was last week, and then the shaft broke- possibly the gear head too- haven't taken it apart yet to verify, but just thinking I might buy a new one. A dealer nearby is heavily promoting Red Maxx. Don't know anything about them but I've heard through some reviews that they are not easy to start. Looking for some advice on the differences between commercial Stihl, Echo or Red Maxx. I should mention that I'm a short woman, and ease of starting is important, as is a well-balanced machine.
Personally I'd stat away from Redd Maxx. I ran a couple of Echos for a year and they went to crap so we went with the Stihl stuff and after running the Stihl I'd never go back to Echo anything.
#8
exotion
I find it interesting... a while back you were saying how high end your work is and yet you talk about using some of the lowest end junk for your work if I payed someone to do my lawn and they pulled up with trash on their trailer like craftsman mowers and ryobi trimmers...I would laugh and tell them to leave.
exotion
I use a ryobi trimmer 5 tank fills of gas every day 6 days a week for over a year now start first or second pull.
Never have had to do any repairs to it not even a plug or primer bulb
Well worth the $129.00
(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
I find it interesting... a while back you were saying how high end your work is and yet you talk about using some of the lowest end junk for your work if I payed someone to do my lawn and they pulled up with trash on their trailer like craftsman mowers and ryobi trimmers...I would laugh and tell them to leave.
#9
E
edd
E
edd
i cut the first few years with the cheap stuff....,didnt want to go deep in debt till i knew it would work out......as we added more customers through the years i began to replace homeowner equipment with commercial......i see people starting out with the most expensive equipment they can buy.....i guess they think debt load means more business.......several of them lasted 2-3 years and went under......one man offered to sell me all his equipment[ rerris,red max,trailer,everything ] this year. he was in business 3 years. never could get enough yards to get his name out there or cover his equipment payments,much less make a profit. expensive equipment dont translate into work ethic
#10
exotion
There is to many different options. Homelight ryobi green werks yard man and craftsman. To me is bottom shelf. Echo homeowner grade toro and honda and some others are middle shelf. Then commercial grade stuff are high end.
My point is that there are better options than bottom shelf stuff. In our work professionalism is half the battle people drive an old rusted ford with plywood racks towing a rusted truck bed trailer with craftsman homelight and ryobi tools in it are not as professional as someone driving a decent looking truck no matter the year or make. Towing a nice looking trailer with middle shelf equipment.
exotion
i cut the first few years with the cheap stuff....,didnt want to go deep in debt till i knew it would work out......as we added more customers through the years i began to replace homeowner equipment with commercial......i see people starting out with the most expensive equipment they can buy.....i guess they think debt load means more business.......several of them lasted 2-3 years and went under......one man offered to sell me all his equipment[ rerris,red max,trailer,everything ] this year. he was in business 3 years. never could get enough yards to get his name out there or cover his equipment payments,much less make a profit. expensive equipment dont translate into work ethic
There is to many different options. Homelight ryobi green werks yard man and craftsman. To me is bottom shelf. Echo homeowner grade toro and honda and some others are middle shelf. Then commercial grade stuff are high end.
My point is that there are better options than bottom shelf stuff. In our work professionalism is half the battle people drive an old rusted ford with plywood racks towing a rusted truck bed trailer with craftsman homelight and ryobi tools in it are not as professional as someone driving a decent looking truck no matter the year or make. Towing a nice looking trailer with middle shelf equipment.
#11
Ric
Ric
exotion you make comments about equipment and professionalism and what type of impression you make to your clients and that's fine but most people judge you on the job you leave them with and not how you look or what you use or drive. Now it's know secret that Carscw and I don't see eye to eye on most things nor do I like the equipment he runs but if he likes it and it works for him then great. Personally I don't like your equipment any better, you are using nothing but the same as you accuse Carscw of, Homeowner or residential equipment. The thing is if you wanted to compare equipment between the two of you you would find Carscw's would be the upper end so don't get to carried away.
#12
Ric
You have very loyal clientele until they can find a cheaper price with another company. After you've been in the business fore a while you'll find out when money is involved there is no loyalty.The problem with you guys and your Honda's is you think they are the greatest things going and I thought the same until I used a good commercial mower and found out just how inferior they really are.
Ric
Have another drink... and my customers wouldn't leave me I'm fortunate to have very loyal clientele. The honda at least is. Built tough and is a very well known name.
You have very loyal clientele until they can find a cheaper price with another company. After you've been in the business fore a while you'll find out when money is involved there is no loyalty.The problem with you guys and your Honda's is you think they are the greatest things going and I thought the same until I used a good commercial mower and found out just how inferior they really are.
#13
Carscw
Carscw
What it comes down to is we all like what we use.
Now some use what they have and wish they had better
There are times that I get to a yard and say dang would be nice to have a 50 inch ztr but I choose not to pull a big trailer and carry 3 mowers. Heck there have been times would have been nice to have my toro turf master with me
(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
Now some use what they have and wish they had better
There are times that I get to a yard and say dang would be nice to have a 50 inch ztr but I choose not to pull a big trailer and carry 3 mowers. Heck there have been times would have been nice to have my toro turf master with me
(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
#14
T
treenerd
Ric- you said stay away from red maxx but didn't say why- what is your experience w them? Thanks to the early few who offered some good advice. The rest of you - geez can you take it outside? This little tit for tat session reinforces my opinion that most lawn professionals are.... Not. I wouldn't let the lot of you on my property regardless of how professional your equip or your truck/trailer looked. People hire based on personal integrity not equip.
T
treenerd
Personally I'd stat away from Redd Maxx. I ran a couple of Echos for a year and they went to crap so we went with the Stihl stuff and after running the Stihl I'd never go back to Echo anything.
Ric- you said stay away from red maxx but didn't say why- what is your experience w them? Thanks to the early few who offered some good advice. The rest of you - geez can you take it outside? This little tit for tat session reinforces my opinion that most lawn professionals are.... Not. I wouldn't let the lot of you on my property regardless of how professional your equip or your truck/trailer looked. People hire based on personal integrity not equip.
#15
G
georeedy
G
georeedy
I've owned a Stihl FS45 for four years, homeowner use. Very happy so far, my only "complaint" is that I wish I payed up for the one with the longer shaft. I'm 6' 0" and the FS45 is a little short for me. Need to bend a bit and I can feel it in my back after a while. Otherwise, I absolutely love the trimmer. Powerful, always starts, always feeds, never been serviced.