Weed Wacker recommendations

[97RangerXLT]

so my Poulan Pro weed wacker has got to the point of non running and me having to yank on the cord a minimum of 20 times to get it to start, if it starts.

the last few years I could get it to start after yanking my arm off, but I would have to run it on choke mode or it would die, and it would rev up to the point of scary... this year I put a new carb on and replaced the fuel lines and plug/ air filter. still have to yank my arm off to start it, but when it starts I have throttle control again but absolutely no top end speed and it slurps fuel now. messed with the carb a little bit, I am over this fawking thing and it is 11 years old and I am ready to pitch it sideways into a lake.

so. Rather than derail the "free tool thread any further since it was discussing chain saws... I created this one. I am currently looking at a Husqvarna straight shaft wacker from Lowes, but it is 199 bucks. and that is on sale for 20 bucks off.. I paid like 75 brand new for the poulan 11 years ago.

I honestly do not want to spend more than 200 on it, but I want it to last and I don't want to spend a half hour messing with it to get it to run crappily and guzzle the fuel I put in it in 20 minutes..

Maybe I need to take a queue from PetroleumJunkie and throw the thing behind the shed and go out and pee on it every few days...

AJ

 

[Roert42]

After using a cordless electric weed wacker, I’d never go back to a gas one unless I needed to run one for hours a day.

Shove the drill battery in the end and press the button. Shove it in the corner when done.

They come in multiple flavors, so just pick the one that uses the same batteries you already have.

 

[Shran]

x2 on that. I love my gas tools but I got a Milwaukee cordless weed eater a couple years ago and won't be going back. If you're a DeWalt guy, don't buy their cheapest one - my dad has that one and it's a piece of crap. Their more expensive one is a LOT better.

If you must buy gas, straight shaft is best, and Husqvarna, Stihl, or Echo are the only brands I'd buy (or old Shindaiwa, those are the shit!!!) Absolutely no Troy Bilt, Craftsman, Weed Eater, etc and a double no on any of those in 4 stroke models.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

The Harbor Freight 80 volt one is complete garbage. The 80 volt pole saw and leaf blower are fantastic though. YMMV, uneven tire wear, etc.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Go to marketplace or craigslist in your area and pick up a Echo, even the little SRM2100 with a straight shaft, they made a bunch of them and those 21cc engines are rock solid... I found mine in a storage room at work non running with no spool or anything on it, I put a $0.25 garage sale blade (actually made for the task, 3 teeth) and went to the lawn tools store and paid $1 for a left hand nut to go on the shaft. It wouldn't run but I found the crank seal pushed out... It's now cranky and I just realized this so it might actually need a new crank seal now... or a new carb, it doesn't prime right either anymore...

 

[rumblecloud]

Stihl has that "easy pull" starter, so might wanna consider that for a gas wacker. I'm looking to purchase an electric - probably a DeWalt or Ryobi since I already have a supply of those batts.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

If you buy a Stihl, stay away from their consumer/homeowner line. Namely the lower priced models. Buy once cry once.

Same with their saws if you do a lot of cutting.

My next weed whacker will be cordless electric.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Same experience. Their high line stuff is good. The homeowner stuff leaves a lot to be desired.

Friggin Husqvarna has gone downhill... fast.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Big part of why I mentioned supporting the used market... that and most of the more modern emissions carburetors really suck, buying aftermarket carburetors usually gets you both needles though which helps...

 

[MISWFL]

so my Poulan Pro weed wacker has got to the point of non running and me having to yank on the cord a minimum of 20 times to get it to start, if it starts.

the last few years I could get it to start after yanking my arm off, but I would have to run it on choke mode or it would die, and it would rev up to the point of scary... this year I put a new carb on and replaced the fuel lines and plug/ air filter. still have to yank my arm off to start it, but when it starts I have throttle control again but absolutely no top end speed and it slurps fuel now. messed with the carb a little bit, I am over this fawking thing and it is 11 years old and I am ready to pitch it sideways into a lake.

so. Rather than derail the "free tool thread any further since it was discussing chain saws... I created this one. I am currently looking at a Husqvarna straight shaft wacker from Lowes, but it is 199 bucks. and that is on sale for 20 bucks off.. I paid like 75 brand new for the poulan 11 years ago.

I honestly do not want to spend more than 200 on it, but I want it to last and I don't want to spend a half hour messing with it to get it to run crappily and guzzle the fuel I put in it in 20 minutes..

Maybe I need to take a queue from PetroleumJunkie and throw the thing behind the shed and go out and pee on it every few days...

AJ

Check the compression, and if OK, check for spark, if OK, install a new NGK plug.
Check your fuel system for leaks. Replace the primer bulb. Use starting fluid.

The other week I scored an EGO 15" trimmer kit, new in the box on clearance ( 1/2 off ) for $120 at Lowe's. Works great. Easy on the arm as well.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Echo worked great for me.

I have a Red Max now which I like so far.

Eons ago Sears had a Craftsman trimmer that ran on Coleman propane cylinders. I always thought that was a neat idea but never found anyone that tried one.

 

[John97]

I have an Echo trimmer that is flawless, does all I ask of it. Line changes are cake. It starts right up and rips through everything I throw at it.

I also have a big monster Tanaka that is about a dozen years old. They are/were a commercial grade owned by Hitachi. It's a monster but it needs a new carb. I haven't gotten around to it. TBH I don't have much motivation, but the Echo does everything I need and is much lighter. Can't beat the five-year warranty.

If I end up buying the acre next to me at some point, I'll get the Tanaka going to handle the rough stuff at the back of that lot. I can put an actual blade on it.

I run it primarily on the 2-stroke premix (because I got a big-pile, like a dozen cans dirt cheap on clearance at Northern Tool and TSC). When I exhaust that supply, there's E0 gas widely available down here to use with a premium synthetic 2-stroke oil.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I have a straight shaft ECHO trimmer i bought about 20 yearsago. I put a carb on it and a new plug a couple years back. It's a great machine. When its time is up... I'll replace it with a M18 Milwaukee.

I've already went that route with my blower and I bought a M18 chainsaw a year or so ago.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ive got a lowline stihl (fs48 maybe?) curved shaft ive used the hell out of.nI think i paid 220 back in 2020 for it. Only bitch ive had is its kind of hard to figure out restringing...but other then that its flawless. All ive done to it is dump fuel mix in and clean the plug.

My MS211 Chainsaw has been great too. I used it ALOT when i first got it...now not so much but it always fires up quick and runs great.

I dont think you can go wrong with any stihl

 

[sgtsandman]

If you don't have a lot of trimming to do, cordless is the way to go anymore.

If you gotta go gas, stick with two stroke over four. You gotta pay more for them in order to get a decent one anymore. My Stihl stuff is all next to commercial grade or is commercial grade.

Husquevarna is owned by the same company that makes Poulan, Craftsman, and other store brands. So is not the same brand as before. I wouldn't get one.