Weed eater/string trimmer decision

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Chief Sapulpa

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You would be surprised at the battery models today, they have come a long way...
When the composite deck cracked on my 20 year old Honda, I replaced it with a cordless, battery powered ECHO mower. I have a small yard and can get 3 cuttings per battery charge. I'm satisfied.
When my Stihl trimmer and blower crap-out I'll replace those also with cordless battery models. I may be dead before this occurs but at least I have a plan...
 

Glock 40

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I am not familiar with Maruyama. Shindiawa was the brand to beat in the 90s. They had the best trimmers around then the epa crap caused them to have carb problems. You still still pros using them. In the 90s though it was Shindiawa and Toro. It can be very regional on what people use. Depending on dealer network and other factors. Tanaka is very popular in some places. Sthil and Husky have always had the best saws. Sthil makes good products through out their line. Husky has been bought and sold so many times that have tarnished their brand imo. Echo changed their saws to orange from grey years ago because people associate orange saws as the best.

When I was looking for commercial back pack blower a few years ago I was finding people were saying the Redmax was the ticket but they also sell same thing under Huksy line. I remember when Redmax came to Tulsa in late 90s. It was a hard market to sell that against Echo and Shindiawa. Now its got a decent reputation and when Echo started selling in Home depot I think they hurt their brand name same with Toro. I went with the top of the line echo blower anyway because that is what I have used for 20 years and haven't retired a piece of equipment yet. Its crazy all these companies used to only have commercial lines. Now they all have home owner lines also.
 

Glock 40

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I would think as long as it was quality oil you would be fine. Its like buying Yamaha or Seado 2 stroke vs Wal-mart brand both will work one is premium price. As long as mix ratio is right and it meets oil standards it sounds like it worked.
 

SoonerP226

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Tanaka is very popular in some places.
My dad has a Tanaka he's had for the better part of 30 years. I think he finally had to replace some fuel line this year; other than that, it has been perfect, and it has seen a lot of hours of usage (including my youngest brother's multiple attempts to take out the forsythia with it:rotflmao:).
 

dennishoddy

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Back in the day, there was 2 stroke oil for air cooled engines and another for water cooled.
Air cooled engines run hotter, so a different oil was required.
They may be all the same now? We have used battery models for over 10 years. Every thing in the 3 acre yard gets round up trimmed except around the pool and deck where the string trimmer is used.
 

Timmy59

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FWIW, I used 2-cycle outboard motor oil in my chainsaw fuel for years. Cheaper than regular chainsaw oil, and never caused any problems.

Just a thought.

When I bought my Stihl trimmer buying a 6 pack of oil extended my warranty.. The oil goes a long way, think I still have 4 bottles left, of course I don't "have" to weed eat out in the country, mainly just a quick lap around the house foundation and a few items, I may have the weed eater in hand a 1/2 hour at best..
 

Shadowrider

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Back in the day, there was 2 stroke oil for air cooled engines and another for water cooled.
Air cooled engines run hotter, so a different oil was required.
They may be all the same now? We have used battery models for over 10 years. Every thing in the 3 acre yard gets round up trimmed except around the pool and deck where the string trimmer is used.
It was mostly the mix ratio back in the day. Air cooled needed a bit more oil for the extra heat. Boats were running 50:1 since at least the late '60s. Remember "bean oil"? Castrol R! Could never mistake that smell.

I bought a Kobalt 40V mower from Lowes. Liked it so well I bought the 40V blower that uses the same battery. Been solid so far and going on the 3rd year. I get a couple of mowings because I only do around the obstacles and inside corners that I can't get with the ZTR. Only have one battery and swap it as needed. Lithium ion batteries are well advanced from the old days. If I really got after it I'm sure I could get 3 mowings on a single charge and it will cut some pretty deep grass, far deeper than it's intended for. I'd buy the string trimmer too, but I have an Echo straight shaft and I run Amsoil Saber 100:1 synthetic 2 stroke oil mixed 85:1. I highly doubt I ever wear it out. I may sell my matching Echo edger as I usually just use the trimmer now.
 

TwoForFlinching

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I went Li-Ion years ago. I hate beta testing new-release products, but the Kobalt 40v line has some gems, some duds, but the trimmer was great. Motor gave out at 4.5 years, Lowe's warranteed it straight across for the new model, and let me keep my old battery and reset the 5 year warrantee. Gave it to my dad, bought the Echo Li-Ion trimmer. It's heavier, but works like it should. I'll never go back to mixing gas.

As soon as they Honda puts out a Li-Ion mower that can mulch like the HXT, I'm all in.
 

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