Weed eater/string trimmer decision

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Cowcatcher

Unarmed boating accident survivor
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
6,171
Reaction score
13,852
Location
Inola
Wife and I have been discussing for a couple years which type trimmer to buy. Knowing my older 2 daughters (13yo and 10yo) would be responsible for most of the operation we were leaning toward a battery operated model that used the same battrees as my cordless tools. That way they'd have 4 or 5 battrees. This trimmer is just for round the house, chicken coops and swing sets where my wife doesn't like roundup being sprayed. So it's not a super heavy job. But I just didn't really like the battery idea for some reason. I knew that if we went gas I'd buy a stihl or Honda. Those two brands have really seemed more reliable than others I've been around. Easy to start was one of my biggest concerns so I visited with my buddy at John Deere who runs the service department. They sell and service Stihl there. I was looking at the fs70@$269 (it's between home owner use and commercial) and the fs90@$329 (it's the cheapest in their commercial line). He told me the fs56 rc@$199 was the biggest in their homeowner line and it was also the biggest one that had EZstart. He also said he personally owned one and the other service guy has one on his lawn service trailer. He told me it would suit me well. I told him to get one ready and I was coming after it. He said he was sold out of that model and could've sold 2 more before I called. Well, me being impatient like I am when I'm ready to buy, I drove to AceHardware and bought one. Y'all don't worry, my John Deere buddy will make plenty of money on the backhoe parts we have coming in this week. The girls have burnt 3 tanks of gas through it so far and we are tickled. Clara my 4yo told me this evening that she could start it. I told her I wasn't so sure. The engine was already warm but she cranked it first pull 3 times in a row so I figured I better get a video just to share with others that may need something easy to start. I will see if she can cold start it tomorrow. Thanks to @blake711 for training me in pm how to post videos on here!

IMG_5191.JPG
 
Last edited:

Cowcatcher

Unarmed boating accident survivor
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
6,171
Reaction score
13,852
Location
Inola
Lets see if she can drive the backhoe?
Now that I know how to do videos I may start a whole series on life with Clara. I'm tell y'all what, this girl blows my mind. She makes me laugh and chews my butt daily. She likes a balance of work and play. Kinda sucks she's off to pre-k this week. It's been 4yrs of a bunch of me n her time.
 

Chief Sapulpa

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
3,639
Reaction score
4,912
Location
Where they bust the sod in South Tulsa County.
Stihl is a good choice. I have a 20 year old Stihl combo string line trimmer / sidewalk edger that has been flawless. Still starts on second pull.
Use good mid-grade pure gas with Stihl 2-cycle oil.
Change spark plug and felt air filter element every 2 years.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk
 

Glock 40

Problem Solver
Special Hen
Joined
Jun 14, 2005
Messages
6,282
Reaction score
9,523
Location
Tulsa
My 16 year old Echo needed a carburetor last year. I have to admit I was tempted by the Milwaukee string trimmers. I am a sucker for red tools. I just couldn't do it. I bought a new Zama carb for $26 bucks off eBay and its good as new. Starts 2nd pull every time like it always has. That is one reason to buy good equipment, it lasts for a long long time if taken care of. When it finally dies I probably will break down and get a battery powered. When I see pros driving around using them, then I will know its okay to buy one.
 
Last edited:

Timmy59

Sharpshooter
Special Hen
Joined
Nov 30, 2015
Messages
5,991
Reaction score
7,694
Location
Oklahoma
TOO CUTE Bud, I have a 12 y/o grand daughter that I am super proud of, she does a chit load of stuff.. One because she always said I wanna do it and 2 because I let her do it.. They are a JOY, and the little suckers grow up TOO fast to.. I may also have the same Stihl..
 

dirtrider73068

Sharpshooter
Special Hen
Joined
May 9, 2019
Messages
228
Reaction score
106
Location
central oklahoma
You would be surprised at the battery models today, they have come a long way. Husqvarna is a decent brand, at lowes if you buy one and buy at the same time 3 quarts of the premix fuel they would bump your warranty from 2 years to 4 years. Watch troy built I have seen alot of issues with those last year, craftsman is ok for basic home use have seen my share of issues this year with those most could be user error. I have a old echo weedeater takes a harness and has the big handle bars to run it, bought at pawn shop for 80 bucks retail was 500. Keep a watch at pawn shops for things like this, can get good deals more so if it sits a long time they will work a deal to get rid if it.
 

emapples

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Apr 14, 2010
Messages
4,661
Reaction score
3,939
Location
Arrow Repaired
Wife and I have been discussing for a couple years which type trimmer to buy. Knowing my older 2 daughters (13yo and 10yo) would be responsible for most of the operation we were leaning toward a battery operated model that used the same battrees as my cordless tools. That way they'd have 4 or 5 battrees. This trimmer is just for round the house, chicken coops and swing sets where my wife doesn't like roundup being sprayed. So it's not a super heavy job. But I just didn't really like the battery idea for some reason. I knew that if we went gas I'd buy a stihl or Honda. Those two brands have really seemed more reliable than others I've been around. Easy to start was one of my biggest concerns so I visited with my buddy at John Deere who runs the service department. They sell and service Stihl there. I was looking at the fs70@$269 (it's between home owner use and commercial) and the fs90@$329 (it's the cheapest in their commercial line). He told me the fs56 rc@$199 was the biggest in their homeowner line and it was also the biggest one that had EZstart. He also said he personally owned one and the other service guy has one on his lawn service trailer. He told me it would suit me well. I told him to get one ready and I was coming after it. He said he was sold out of that model and could've sold 2 more before I called. Well, me being impatient like I am when I'm ready to buy, I drove to AceHardware and bought one. Y'all don't worry, my John Deere buddy will make plenty of money on the backhoe parts we have coming in this week. The girls have burnt 3 tanks of gas through it so far and we are tickled. Clara my 4yo told me this evening that she could start it. I told her I wasn't so sure. The engine was already warm but she cranked it first pull 3 times in a row so I figured I better get a video just to share with others that may need something easy to start. I will see if she can cold start it tomorrow. Thanks to @blake711 for training me in pm how to post videos on here!

View attachment 140998

Stihl or Echo, I only buy those two brands. All my chainsaws are Stihl and my weed eater and blower is Echo. Mostly. Because I have 6 years of used on the Stihk weed eater/edger combo without one failure to start after 3 pulls. I always use Lucas semi synthetic oil
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom