My new saw seems to be pretty picky with fuel. I bought the premixed fuel for the first time ever and it ran like a top. It'll be all I run in that saw now.
Weedeaters
- Thread starter bowhunter1023
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My new saw seems to be pretty picky with fuel. I bought the premixed fuel for the first time ever and it ran like a top. It'll be all I run in that saw now.
Pretty pricey too run that, seams to be 4-$5 a quart.
I’ve gone through 2 gallons this spring
Just hopped on the battery powered trimmer myself. I went with the Kobalt version. So far so good. We will see how the whole season goes.
A good option for those that only have an hour or less of trimming to do.
A good option for those that only have an hour or less of trimming to do.
I’ve got the kobalt 24v hedge trimmer, only a month old and I’ve used it on other areas other then hedges with good luck so far. Good battery life and has done some decent work on small tree limbs
I've had an FS85 since about 2001. have put two new carbs on it in the last five years. problem: ethanol gasoline left in the tank and carb for long periods, like over the winter. trimmer has been good to me otherwise. I certainly don't feel awkward using the sling strap, and the handlebars are not uncomfortable, or an encumbrance to me at all. important to get the handlebars adjusted to fit your height and reach. I've whacked down some serious saplings with this thing. J, the poly-cut head was a total waste, imo. string much better for my needs.
the fellow who worked on trimmer this spring told me to use ethanol free gas of any kind. that the premixed stuff is no better, just much more expensive. only one station that sells ethanol free gas within 10 miles of my house, and I'll be filling all my cans there from now on. he also told me it is most important to put the equipment up for the season with ethanol free fuel in it or completely drain the carb and tank of fuel. for regular use, he did say that you are not gaining much with the premixed stuff.
the fellow who worked on trimmer this spring told me to use ethanol free gas of any kind. that the premixed stuff is no better, just much more expensive. only one station that sells ethanol free gas within 10 miles of my house, and I'll be filling all my cans there from now on. he also told me it is most important to put the equipment up for the season with ethanol free fuel in it or completely drain the carb and tank of fuel. for regular use, he did say that you are not gaining much with the premixed stuff.
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I have a Troy-Built 30cc 4 stroke that they call Big Red. Prime, choke, throttle bump, one pull and she starts. I let it sit in the garage for 6 years with fuel in it and needless to say it was screwed. Bought a carb and tank off Amazon for $42 total, bolted them on, checked the oil and filled it with gas.. It started on the first pull. It isn't as snappy on the throttle as a 2 cycle but the power is there if you need it. Just a different way of doing things, with a 4cycle you maintain a higher consistent RPM while trimming whereas with a 2 you feather the throttle a bunch up and down. Not bad, just different. There are a bunch of different attachments you can buy, from blowers, brush cutters, tiller heads etc. All pretty reasonably priced about $70.
The poly blades have their place, but I use them sparingly. Mostly for cutting brush along trails. I bought some of the professional-grade string last year and it's the cat's ass.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/trimmer-line/cf3pro/
Battery-powered units are certainly a great choice for some, but I rarely spend less than an hour on the business end of mine and when I go to the farm, it could be 2-3 hours. Gotta have combustion for that workload.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/trimmer-line/cf3pro/
Battery-powered units are certainly a great choice for some, but I rarely spend less than an hour on the business end of mine and when I go to the farm, it could be 2-3 hours. Gotta have combustion for that workload.
That’s what I’ve been using, professional grade. Just gets a little old when it tends to get tangled up in the head and won’t feed correctly.
Echo 225 is my favorite all around trimmer for home use. It’s probably equivalent to the fs56. The shaft is longer than the Stihl which is nice so you don’t feel hunched over the whole time you are cutting and echo just seems to have better vibration dampening in my book. The echos also feel a little liter. Only edge I would give stihl is the motor, not from a reliability stand point but they just seem to run hotter. Also regardless what you run break down and spend the extra $30 for a speed feed head if you haven’t already. 
I agree with this post all the way. Speed feed head is the berries. This was actually recommended to me by the salesman at the Stihl dealer.Echo 225 is my favorite all around trimmer for home use. It’s probably equivalent to the fs56. The shaft is longer than the Stihl which is nice so you don’t feel hunched over the whole time you are cutting and echo just seems to have better vibration dampening in my book. The echos also feel a little liter. Only edge I would give stihl is the motor, not from a reliability stand point but they just seem to run hotter. Also regardless what you run break down and spend the extra $30 for a speed feed head if you haven’t already.
Alright, here we go...I’ve been a home owner for around 14 years now. I’ve owned all kinds of tools and have recently started to combine them into a simply “what works” thought. (I official own 9 different impacts and use 2) I wanted to move to a system that all used the same thing. Last Mother’s Day I purchased a bunch of yard tools for my wife. Having all gas powered equipment I constantly had to hear about starting them and the weight. I chose Milwaukee because I knew I could buy hand tools to match the batteries. This was also my chance to justify buying some big batteries. (We’ve never used it till it’s dead)
Recently I added the hand tools. I have zero regrets to anything I’ve bought. I seriously believe this is the perfect set up for your average homeowner. Everything pictured, plus a pole saw (on loan to a friend), is all you really need. I’m going to add a Bluetooth radio and be complete.
I spent close to $1,000 on yard tools and the big battery. Found the hand tools from a friend in like new condition for $500. So $1,500 spent and I can throw away half of my garage
. I will keep my backpack leaf blower because it is what I need in the fall. For most things she wants, the hand held is perfect.Got those that don’t know. I live in the woods. House is pretty updated but not small. 7 acres of land to maintain. Trails to cut and keep clear. Your typical list of wife projects and things I want to do. I’m also adding a barn this summer. I feel 100% confident in my purchases and the yard tools are over a year old now. Hand tools will get a hell of a workout soon. So far they have built a chicken coop and dog kennel. I haven’t touched a single dewalt or craftsman cordless tool since I bought these...
For those of you that skipped the reading. I think buying gas powered equipment in today’s world is silly. Unless you own a business.
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Lol, I feel like there is a Prius in your future....(insert Jeff Dunham).
You can take my 2 strokes when you take my guns. Batteries are good for making somethings vibrate, a trimmer ain't one of them!
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
I don’t even know what to say to that.
Re-reading, you coulda told me to cut it shorter to make a little jingle:
"You can take my 2 strokes when you take my guns.
Batteries are good for making somethings vibrate, a trimmer ain't one !"
Giles just messing around lol. Great to hear the battery set is working for so many. I know they have come a long way.
I used bars years ago when working at the golf course cricks all day and remember I liked that setup better than a strap or harness. Thats about it, no idea on size. Also agree on the plastic blades. They have their place and work great for the right applications but I prefer a good ribbed string on my Stihl FS 56RC for around the house/property use.
I used bars years ago when working at the golf course cricks all day and remember I liked that setup better than a strap or harness. Thats about it, no idea on size. Also agree on the plastic blades. They have their place and work great for the right applications but I prefer a good ribbed string on my Stihl FS 56RC for around the house/property use.
Bowhunter57
Senior Member
I have a Ryobi 2-cycle that I've had for 12+ years and it has served me well. 
Having said that, I recently purchased a Cub Cadet 4-stroke for work (I used their money). It really surprised me for how smooth running it is, quieter and a tank of gas will seem to run 3x or 4x longer than any of the 2-cycles that I have previously operated. The next time I have to purchase a weedeater for my own personal use, it'll be a 4-stroke.
Having said that, I recently purchased a Cub Cadet 4-stroke for work (I used their money). It really surprised me for how smooth running it is, quieter and a tank of gas will seem to run 3x or 4x longer than any of the 2-cycles that I have previously operated.
The next time I have to purchase a weedeater for my own personal use, it'll be a 4-stroke.