I need recommendations on gas powered weed eater...

We are hoping to buy one SOON, but wanted to hear what you all had to say about ones you've liked, ones you've had trouble with or any other tips BEFORE we buy!

THANKS! ;)

-- heather (h.m.metheny@att.net), May 09, 2002

Answers

28cc Yard Machine by MTD

light, good speed, and haven't had any trouble so far with it and have had it for 2 yrs.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), May 09, 2002.

Heather go to your local small engine repair shop and ask them which brands they will work on. Purchasing something that then is warranted in the large city an hour and half away isn't going to do you alot of good. Get the biggest one you can afford, and immediatly switch it to a spool that holds the thick orange heavy duty line. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 09, 2002.

Vicki makes sense - again.

I don't know brands there, but if functionality is more of an issue than price, there are things which look like weed-eaters or strimmers or whatever you call them there, but are MUCH more heavy duty. They call them brush-cutters here, and while they can be fitted with the string head and used like normal weed-eaters, they can also be fitted with their brush-cutting head - which is basically a circular saw. REALLY cuts through brush, scrub, bamboo, etc. If anybody had blackberries or multiflora rose or kudzu or like that to clean up, one of these would do a real good job - perhaps followed up with a lightweight chainsaw on the stumps.

Oh, yes - and if you value your hearing, and you'd like to be able to hear your grandchildren's voices, get good ear protection. Eye protection wouldn't hurt either.

-- Don Armstrong (from Australia) (darmst@yahoo.com.au), May 09, 2002.

I agree with Don. I got tired of winding the spools and installed a blade. The wingstem that grows along the creek used to eat line like crazy. The blade stopped that.

I bought a Stihl with handlebars a few years ago. It's been excellent. It will easily take down woody plant material of a 1/2" or so. Although it's heavier it does have a strap to help support the weight.

After using a Stihl chainsaw some time ago, I decided that if Stihl made something, that would be my first choice if I was looking for that kind of gas powered tool.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), May 09, 2002.

Heather, First "Weed eater" is a brand name not a machine type. It was one of the first and is still in production today.They are geared more for the weekend gardner. There are many others but like most things you get what you pay for. Do you want a machine that will only trim a well manicured lawn or do you want one that can power through anything should you decide to let it go for a couple of weeks? Would you like to have to be carefull when you set it down or do you want a machine that can be thrown around,dropped, steped on etc. for years and continue to work? The bottom line-----Spend under $150 and get a few years of light duty work from a machine Spend $250 and get 10+ years of service no matter what the circumstances. To me the answer is clear.

Machines for around $250-275 Stihl,Husqavarna,echo, maruyama. All excellent choices

I had a "green machine" that bounced around in a pickup and cut 100 lawns a week for 13 years. The machine was $400 then. Get the picture?

-- Lou (XNYCowboy@aol.com), May 09, 2002.

Sixteen years ago I bought a Stihl FS-66 weedeater. I've replaced the sparkplug a couple of times. Ten years of it's life was spent at our house where weedeating was an 8 hour chore every couple of weeks. It still gets used a lot and performs like the day I bought it. I use only Stihl or Husquvarna oil in it. If I was buying one today it would have to be a Stihl. Be careful of some of the other big name brands as they have been bought out and all that remains is the name.

-- Emil in TN (eprisco@usit.net), May 09, 2002.

I forget the model number but we've had excellent service from our Stihl (FS106?) Had it 5 years at least with no trouble. I'm sure a Husqui would be fine too, the cheap are just too dear to own long term.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), May 09, 2002.

Had two Echo trimmers,one small one,gave it to my brother,to small for what I needed,than I bought a bigger size.Had it for ten years and it gets used alot.I have a mile of stone walls to fight the bushies,plus all the other trimming too.Make sure you get one big enough.A small one will not have enough power.The Farm

-- Ray (thecfarm@midmaine.com), May 09, 2002.

Oh yeah take all those line spools and play a round of redneck miniput with them. Get the nylon blade attachments, and a sawblade. What you can't buzz with polymer will fall to the blade. Those string grass harrassers are on par with your car's mini spare. Sure they fit and they roll but take a corner at 70!!!!!!

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), May 09, 2002.

heather, we use the dr-trimmer, it handles the 155mm heavy duty cord, it is on wheels and easier on the body. It is not a do all machine but it does what the standard trimmer does but on wheels. It comes in three sizes, it is something that you can check out on. The other models others I know are not happy with it. We have the 5.0 sprint model, which is the smallest version and it works well running for days at a time. It also has attachments that can cut small dia trees and you change cut cords not the wound type. The other trimmers can get hard on the back. I throw this in for your consideration. No vested interest in the company on my part.

-- jonathan (jonathan_sz@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002.

heather, we use the dr-trimmer, it handles the 155mm heavy duty cord, it is on wheels and easier on the body. It is not a do all machine but it does what the standard trimmer does but on wheels. It comes in three sizes, it is something that you can check out on. The other models brands, whathave you; most I know who have them are not happy with it. We have the 5.0 sprint model, which is the smallest version and it works well running for days at a time. It also has attachments that can cut small dia trees and you change cut cords not the wound type. The other trimmers can get hard on the back. I throw this in for your consideration. No vested interest in the company on my part.

-- jonathan (jonathan_sz@yahoo.com), May 09, 2002.

I borrowed my son's DR-Trimmer last summer. The "weed-eater" I have has handle bars and it is too heavy and awkward for me. Kicks my can! Well, I'm going to buy ME a DR-trimmer this summer! What a great machine. Putting on the cord is . . . like. . . downright simple!

-- Judy (JMcFerrin@aol.com), May 09, 2002.

I'll go one further than Vicki, who was right on....ask your local repair guy if he has a used one you can buy. I have bought from my local guy at great prices and, of course he repairs future problems. Tell him what you want and he will keep an eye open for it. My guy even bought a non-working one for low $ and repaired and overhauled it just for me to buy. He made money and I saved money. My guy doesn't like Homelite, if that helps.

I agree to get one that will take the string or the blade. So many uses. And consider your height and strength and whether you want a crook neck or straight neck type. Do not forget that there are those walk-behind models as well, and some that you 'walk' behind, but really stand on/near the deck and ride it in an upright position.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), May 09, 2002.

Stihl - string is easy to put on,performs great, local dealer will do repairs when necessary - avoid homelite for sure

-- Larry (streeter@northnet.org), May 09, 2002.

Thanks guys, now you tell me!! I have a Homelite. I wish I had a DR trimmer as I am clearing woods with lots of grape vines, honeysuckle and briars. The hand held trimmers are a pain in my shoulder and elbow. How much is the small DR?

-- Sheila in NC (nannie@intrstar.net), May 09, 2002.

Hi Heather. There are a lot of good brands out there so no matter what brand you get, just remember to run all of the gas out of the tank at the end of the summer before storing. Clean the air filter several times throughout the summer. Always use fresh gas(no more than two weeks old) and properly mixed.

I have been using the same poulan weed eater for 12 years and I believe it will make it to 13 years. I have changed the roto head twice, the shaft once, the exhuast manifold once, and placed a carberator kit in twice. People can't believe I'm still using the same old one.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), May 09, 2002.

Heather, One more thing Most all string trimmers pull cords are in between the motor and shaft and that usually requires it being brought to a service person to change, The Husqavarna is at the back of the motor and is user servicable

-- Lou (xnycowboy@aol.com), May 10, 2002.

Also, the Husqavarnas run at about 9000 RPM as compared to 4000-5000 on ALL other models. This is good for noise level and gas consumption as Half trigger is all you will need for most tough jobs.

-- Lou (xnycowboy@aol.com), May 10, 2002.

I have two heavy duty weed eater/brush saws, one is a Sthil the other a Husky, both cost over $350 ea. In the winter we use them to cut blackberries, Scotch Broom and other brush. In the summer I put string heads on them with a heavy diamond shaped string for heavy weeds, fence lines and such. I also have a little Weed-Eater brand trimmer for lighter work. All of these units have been trouble free for the past 4 years, the big units are run 6-8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

-- hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), May 10, 2002.

DO your back a favor,go with a straight shaft instead of a curved shaft. Lots easier on your back. I really like my STIHL. Good Luck.

-- Bill Cossey (bcossey@Hotmail.com), May 10, 2002.