Weed Whackers
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 575
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From: Western Pa
Weed Whackers
Hi all
I need a weed wacker. I don't need something heavy-duty right now, however, I might need a heavy-duty one in a few years. So, basically, I'm looking at a fairly-inexpensive heavy-duty weed whacker.
The one I use now is my dad's, which is a homelite. It's a good machine, however, it's a bear to starts. I need at least 15 pulls while I'm playing with the throttle. At work, we have a Poulon Pro, which is a great machine for the job. I only need 5-10 pulls depending on how tired I am.
I'm gonna go to Lowes and Home Depot in the next couple days to check prices. I'd really like to get a Poulon Pro, Husqvarna, Echo, or Stihl. I want to stay away from Homelite for the time being.
Any help would be apreciated.
I need a weed wacker. I don't need something heavy-duty right now, however, I might need a heavy-duty one in a few years. So, basically, I'm looking at a fairly-inexpensive heavy-duty weed whacker.
The one I use now is my dad's, which is a homelite. It's a good machine, however, it's a bear to starts. I need at least 15 pulls while I'm playing with the throttle. At work, we have a Poulon Pro, which is a great machine for the job. I only need 5-10 pulls depending on how tired I am.
I'm gonna go to Lowes and Home Depot in the next couple days to check prices. I'd really like to get a Poulon Pro, Husqvarna, Echo, or Stihl. I want to stay away from Homelite for the time being.
Any help would be apreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: suthern elinoees
Originally Posted by F15090300
I'd really like to get a Poulon Pro, Husqvarna, Echo, or Stihl.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 558
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From: Eastern, NC
Echo, Stihl, Shindaiwa or Maruyama are the brands to go with. Don't be cheap with this type of tool, it'll last for years when the homelites and Poulans only last one cutting season if you're lucky.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 864
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From: Near the trees
Tanaka. Have had it for years and have had zero problems. Starts on the 3rd pull after sitting all winter, and on the first pull when it's warm out. Interchangable heads and blades and runs all day wide open.
!["Beemer Nut"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23bc5285' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
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From: "Islander"
I've used up two Echo's and a Homelite over the years, both were low on power for my use. Was looking between Husquvarna and Stihl chose the Stihl FS 250 40.3 cc's (no cat) with "longhorn" handles. Is it just Cali or the whole nation that motors 40cc and under must have catalytic convertors? Heavy grass and brush is easy to knock down with the proper sized machine and it's cost is less than many replacements. I wanted to buy Stihl out of state, save on price and sales tax but the dealers have an agreement with Stihl not to, that sucks. $460 out the door, tax write off.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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I've had my Homelite Bandit for almost 9 years. Always ran great. Until last month. Could not get the damn thing started. Took it to a small engine shop. Turned out to be a bad spark plug. 
(Why didn't I check that myself?) Now it starts and runs great again.
But I was told that it's impossible to get parts to repair these babies. So my next one will be a Echo.
(Why didn't I check that myself?) Now it starts and runs great again.But I was told that it's impossible to get parts to repair these babies. So my next one will be a Echo.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
I have an OLD john deere that was built by echo. I had sat for better than a year.. I put fresh fuel in it, pulled the rope and it was running. At most it takes 4 pulls to start, and has enough power to cut down small trees. It's noisy, and vibrates a little. But I've been using it for over 10 years now.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Ryobi BC-30 comes with the metal blade and grass head. I replaced my grass head with a GrassGator so I do not have to do the bump routine. Cost about $150 total. It does not idle correctly (even when adjusted) since brand new, but, I am living with it. if it lasts to the two year warranty I will be happy.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Western Pa
Great. Thanks. Come Tuesday and I'll make time to go to Lowes and Home Depot to check prices. I've narrowed it down to Echo, Husqy, or Stihl. I might check some other brands just for prices becuase I don't have a whole lot of spending money, but I'll probably end up with a Stihl because I've heard such good things about them.
Homelites are great for small yard cutting. Mine is a great tool for my yard, but I'm starting to cut more grass, so I need something heavier to last me longer.
On the subject of cutting grass, I'm looking for a new mower. I have a 20 year old Snapper 21" self-propelled that still runs great, but smokes even when the oil is full. It's a great machine, but I can't cut 3 yards a week with it and still expect no problems from it. Any suggestions if I should go with a cheap push mower or a commercial walk-behind with a wide deck?
Homelites are great for small yard cutting. Mine is a great tool for my yard, but I'm starting to cut more grass, so I need something heavier to last me longer.
On the subject of cutting grass, I'm looking for a new mower. I have a 20 year old Snapper 21" self-propelled that still runs great, but smokes even when the oil is full. It's a great machine, but I can't cut 3 yards a week with it and still expect no problems from it. Any suggestions if I should go with a cheap push mower or a commercial walk-behind with a wide deck?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
I have a MacCullouch but then they are out of business so doesn't matter if I like mine or not. BTW I used the Mac to trim the drainage ditches and weed patches on my 4 acres then moved to 1 acre, since 1993 or so.
If you can get a blade, blades are great for cutting really tough long weeds. You know the kind that wrap around the whacker head and then bog it down. A blade looks like a short tooth radial saw blade and does great QUICK work on tough weeds and even blackberry vines. Not as safe as a string trimmer but when you use one for tough weeds, you will never go back. The blade really sings, sounds like a saw mill when you are cutting weeds. I always wear my steel toed high tops when I use it.
My old Mac came with a .090 string head and the blade. Maybe some of the new brands do too?
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
If you can get a blade, blades are great for cutting really tough long weeds. You know the kind that wrap around the whacker head and then bog it down. A blade looks like a short tooth radial saw blade and does great QUICK work on tough weeds and even blackberry vines. Not as safe as a string trimmer but when you use one for tough weeds, you will never go back. The blade really sings, sounds like a saw mill when you are cutting weeds. I always wear my steel toed high tops when I use it.
My old Mac came with a .090 string head and the blade. Maybe some of the new brands do too?
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Valley of the Sun AZ
One thing I would HIGHLY recomend is getting a straight shaft. There is a huge difference in the cutting power and how bad it makes you feel after a long day of use. I have a Ryobi and love it due to the fact that I can change the heads.
I just got a Troy Built 6.75HP movre from Lowes and love it. I had a 6hp Murry from HD and cannot believe the difference and my grass looks so much better. It cost just at $200. Again the more that you pay the longer that it will last. Murry was $120 and lasted four years. Grew up with an Commerical Sensation and it lasted 10 years and then dad sold it. AUGH, it was a great mower.
I just got a Troy Built 6.75HP movre from Lowes and love it. I had a 6hp Murry from HD and cannot believe the difference and my grass looks so much better. It cost just at $200. Again the more that you pay the longer that it will last. Murry was $120 and lasted four years. Grew up with an Commerical Sensation and it lasted 10 years and then dad sold it. AUGH, it was a great mower.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
I have an old 2 cycle 4hp snapper that mows better than anything I've seen in years. We got it for free, we paid $14 for the trimmer and it was brand new.. Gotta love good friends and auctions...