My shoulders and elbows (not to mention my ambition) are pretty tired of wielding a traditional string trimmer for very long. I'll keep it for fine work, but trimming ditch banks is painful enough that I've been avoiding it and as a result, it looks like hell.

Used to have a Crapsman string trimmer, worked good until it puked the engine up. That was 20 or so years ago and I just grabbed the curved shaft Echo and did it with that.

Now I'm looking for a replacement. I've surfed around on line and keep getting bogged down in the negative reviews even tho they're hovering around 10% of responses. Crappy engines, hard starting and weeds wrapping around the spindle are the most common bitches. All of which I can relate to from previous experience.

While I'd LOVE to find a Honda GX engined unit, the ones I'm seeing would be $800 with tax and I'm not ready to go there.

So, those of you that have generic B&S, Tecumseh, Predator or no-name engines, tell me what you have and what you like and dislike about it.

Thanks.

Used to work a farm in the summers, ran Stihl gas trimmers, we put a "motorcycle" or bicycle type mid handle with throttle on a couple made doing larger areas easy, you turn with your waist not arms.

However today I prefer the E-Go Electric, instant torque, lots of power, lighter, doesn't require you to have gas and oil mixed, doesn't get hot, won't beat your ears up with 2 stroke noise... MIght work instead of a wheeled one since it's lighter.

My buddy got one of the DR Power wood chippers, worked pretty good, well made, image the Trimer mower would be as well made.

DR Trimmer Mower

About 3 years ago we purchased a Fields Edge M220 Pivoting String Mower for $299 from Amazon. We trim a number of fir trees, raised beds and a 600' Caragana hedge. Out of the box, it had a broken part that was promptly replaced after a phone call. It starts on the first pull every time - even after sitting all winter in an outside garage. We only buy real gas for out power equipment.

I would recommend one of these any day of the week.
Mike

3 years ago I purchased a Husquvarna HU 675HWT, B&S EXI, 163cc OHV from Ace Hardware. So far started first pull. Only issue has been hard rubber wheels don't do well with pine cones or rocks, which we have plenty of here in the Hills!!!

First of all: Part of your problem with string trimmers might be what you're buying. Commercial products are both lighter and perform better. Secondly: Straight-shaft trimmers both perform better and are easier to handle than curved-shaft trimmers. The choice of string makes a big difference, as well. Narrower string, with ridges, will cut more quickly and cleanly than larger, plain old round string.

Some commercial products also come with handlebar grips. Many come with shoulder straps or have them as an accessory.

Another thing that can be very tiring is vibration. My trusty 30+ year-old Shindaiwa LT18 still runs smoothly to this day. The nearly brand-new Stihl a buddy gave me because he didn't need it any more vibrates like crazy.

I've never tried one, but I really cannot imagine a wheeled string trimmer being very handy--for anything.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
My buddy got one of the DR Power wood chippers, worked pretty good, well made, image the Trimer mower would be as well made.

Yeah... no thanks. We bought one of their wheeled trimmers last year. Not very powerful, the blade attachment option is super flimsy. I broke 2 assemblies in 5 minutes combined of work. They offered to replace it for free again and I told them no. Apparently if the hub just kisses a rock it grenades.

Parts are a pain to get. Customer service was so so.

They could send me a free one and I would send it back. No more DR crap for me.

I have a Remington to clear around my pond.
https://remingtonpowertools.com/product/rm1159/

It starts and runs with no issues. My only complaint has nothing to do with the trimmer itself. I have yet to find a good way to carry my spare lines as they always fall out of my pocket. Thought about getting a PVC pipe with a cap on the bottom and attaching it to the handle and slide the line in it.


mark_a your experience with DR has been the exact opposite of mine but I don’t have their wheeled trimmer.
I have a DR Field and Brush Mower that is an absolute beast. It’s well over 10 years old had to replace the battery once and lost an E clip that held the ignition key housing but other than that no issues.

how much string do you trim ? on a regular basis

Never used one of the wheeled ones, so no suggestion there.

Both my dad's & my Stihl trimmers have a sling that makes it much less fatiguing to use. I have the fairly standard straight shaft. My dad has the same one & an older commercial model with the handlebars. The bullhorn bars made clearing property a lot easier & the sling kept the 10" saw blade from kicking back.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

mark_a your experience with DR has been the exact opposite of mine but I don’t have their wheeled trimmer.
I have a DR Field and Brush Mower that is an absolute beast. It’s well over 10 years old had to replace the battery once and lost an E clip that held the ignition key housing but other than that no issues.

I spoke to a ton of people who owned DR stuff before I bought. The one thing in common was they were all 5-10 year old purchases. They've been bought out since then and I have a feeling that has to do with my unhappiness.

I've repaired DR trimmers for other folks. Won't be one in my garage. Drive system is a weak design.

My neighbor has one of These

And it’s a big steaming pile of shit...

Stay clear

Take a look at the Cub Cadet ST 100 159cc Walk Behind String Trimmer. I don't have one but 2 people around here use them and seem to like them.

https://www.mowersdirect.com/C...vwpwOBsaAvhoEALw_wcB

The DR string high wheel we bought is going strong now on 7th season of heavy use on rough ground and steep hillside plus a couple ditches. Life has not been easy on the DR.

Had one repair from worn out front string hub assembly. It's suppose to float on the ground to maintain string cut height. As a friction device, the plastic wore thru finally.


Service has been fine, get it tuned up maybe every 3 years or so.

I recommend you get one with a fully shielded deck.
My wheeled Crafstman could throw a rock with the velocity of a 30-06!

Just a bit of closure: I went with the Cub Cadet ST100. Good ratings for what it is, and with my military discount at Deep Homo, competitive price-wise with the generic stuff.