help with yard trimmer choices

[rock n roll kid]

got a ryobi thats bout 3-4 years old . great machine with plenty of power . the bad part about it is the refilling of the trimmer line is getting hard for me to do. arthritis is taking its tole on my hands .
had a sears craftsman a few years ago that had pre-cut line that was much simpler & much less fuss for my hands . have looked on line some for an other craftsman like the one i had or an other trimmer that uses the pre-cut line . have not ran into one yet .
any suggestions . would still prefer gas operated rather than battery .
thanks

 

[armorer951]

There's only one good, gas powered, almost indestructible string trimmer on the market in my opinion.....ECHO. You only have to look at the machines attached to the trailers of professional lawn care providers to see which one is best.

The new Echo "speed feed" line attachments are very easy to re-load too. I've had many knock off trimmers over the years. Echo is the best.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I solved the trimmer line refilling problem by adding the 12 year old grandson attachment.

 

[m41]

Just buy you another stringer head most of them are interchangeable

 

[IronSkillet]

Echo-straight shaft, PAS system they sell is excellent. Years ago it was Shindaiwa but Echo bought them and improved on their product lines.

 

[Mike 139]

The House and Shop is on a couple acres...I bought a new Echo 2100 when we moved in... After 24 years, the ignition Coil went... $100 for a new coil or $200 for a New Echo...SRM 225....Home Depot... Brought it home, put non-ethanol fuel with 2 stroke oil, started on the 3rd pull....The new speed feed head.. You cut a 20 ft .piece of .095 line and feed it in , than wind the spool and done...it only weighs 11 lbs, straight shaft and plenty of power. If this one lasts 24 years, it’ll probably outlast me...Make sure you wear a good pair of Safety Glasses and EarMuffs..

 

[ladder13]

I solved the trimmer line refilling problem by adding the 12 year old grandson attachment.

 

[MRB1]

I've been using Echo since 1985 and they can't be beat. There was a time when Echo and Stihl were close competitors, but Stihl made some cost cutting manufacturing changes, and even the pros now lean toward Echo. I use pre-mix 50-1 fuel and the only "problem" I've ever had was the primer bulb cracking after a few years of use. That's a simple replacement task. Also use a Echo tree pruner, leaf blower and garden tiller. Same wonderful results.

 

[Minorcan]

Echos are good but I’m still a Stihl man. I’m still using a 20+ year old Stil chainsaw. My trimmers, leaf blowers are all Still and over 10 years old. No problems with any of them and all are going strong. Just normal maintenance.

 

[mckenney99]

I went through at least 4 of the big box store brands and they would all work for a year or 2 then quit. My neighbor retired from the adjoining county's parks department and he convinced me to buy a Stihl as that was all they used due to durability. Best advise I every followed. My Stihl FS90 is now 14 years old and the only thing I've had to replace is a spark plug and the primer bulb. Always starts on the first or second pull, no matter if its set all winter. I have 2 string spools so if one runs out it only takes a minute to get back to work. Reloading the 2 string spool takes just a couple of minutes. I also bought the blade head as the property I had bought was over run with, multiflora rose, honeysuckle, poison ivy and other thick brush.

 

[spricks]

I simply allow it to go rustic.....no need to trim...the wildlife will love you for it.

 

[Squarebutt]

I recently bought a Stihl (FA 56?) and the reload couldn't be easier. You take 10' of string, poke one end into each hole, hand crank the trimmer head in the opposite direction until there's a loop of one foot left, snip it in the middle and go to work. Great tool and my fourth Stihl with large and small saws and a hedge trimmer already in the quiver.
My sister has a battery-powered Ego model (56 volt!) that's even easier - poke 6' of string in each hole, push a button and it winds itself electrically.

 

[TX-Dennis]

I, too, have one of the self winding Ego battery trimmers. Lots of power, and loading the line is kinda fun instead of work. You just cut the line to length and poke it through a hole. The trimmer does the rest.

 

[pmanton]

I've got a wonderful yard trimmer. My wife does it.

 

[Funflyer]

I had the same issue with trimmers as the OP. Since getting a walk-behind trimmer two years ago I haven't complained yet. It only takes two pieces of trimmer line which can be replaced in under a minute. The line is .155" thick and seems to last forever. Even with my rough rocky acre I only change the line once a year along with an oil change. Best part is that it has a 22" cutting width.

 

[RogerA]

Watch what the commercial and city park yard crews use and follow their lead.

 

[M1Garandy]

I have a Stihl straight shaft trimmer that I prefer over the curved shaft Echo I had before it. I converted to a poly cut head with three plastic blades which last a good while, replacements are cheap and they take less time to change then winding the spool.

 

[Dougaz]

I'd find your local Hispanic/Latino expert and have them solve them problem. Plus, you're stimulating the local business economy!

 

[Glashaus]

Stihl, buy once, cry once. Follow the factory directions and you will be rewarded