Trimmer Advice in a Hurry

[Hedgemaster]

Help. (posting from phone, bear w/me) My trimmer crapped out on me before I had a chance to upgrade to a commercial trimmer. (just starting out) I need one quickly, and rather than buying cheap, I want to spend money on a good one that will last. That said, I'm posting from the vet ER waiting room, so there goes the money I thought I had saved up. Sigh. Looking for something that is "attachment capable" and able to cut tall grasses/weeds as well as routine trimming. Want to add attachments over time. Locally I'm looking at: Stihl (combi system?) From Stihl dealer - $369? Echo split boom (Home Depot) $299 Husqvarna (Lowes) $199 If I were on computer Id look up model numbers, but in mean time, any guidance welcome. I'm about to head home... will try to post the exact models later. Thanks!

[CheapNEasy]

Lawn care business tips

I would recommend just getting a stihl or echo weedeater, I have used both, loved my echo but the dealer was such a hassle when you had to wait half an hour to get a simple part thats instock. I use Stihl now, reason why I recommend a dedicated unit, you have a motor dedicated only too the weedeater.... so if it goes out, you only lose that piece of equipment.... Sure its "extra maintenance" (WTF Ever people, you get less hours of use on each motor and it lasts longer for you, so think ahead.... spend the extra money to have an extra motor that will actually pay for itself.) I love the idea of the combo units.... FOR HOME OWNERS, or for equipment not used as often, maybe a pole saw/hedge trimmer would be good for a combo unit... Pay the "Extra" money and get just a weedeater and an edger.... Youll be happy you did when that edger or weedeater craps out and you can still do one or the other and maybe make up the missed part next visit in the area. Just my thoughts.... to each his own.

[Hedgemaster]

Home now. $375 vet bill sure doesn't help any with my trimmer buying decision.

I'm too tired to look up the models now, but the $199 Husqvarna is looking better based upon price alone. I'm going to cancel some work I had planned for tomorrow and stop at the Stihl dealer near me to see what kind of cash I'm looking at.
I know the Stihl FS 55/56 series isn't billed as "commercial", but I'm wondering if it would be better than the Husq and Echo from Lowes/Home Depot...

I hate rushing into purchases before researching.

[jasonw]

I use the 4 stroke troybilt strait shaft trimmer that takes attachments. I use the trimmer, tiller, brush cutter and pole saw attachment so far and I am very happy with it. Its going on its 2nd season of getting beat on not only in business but on my small farm as well as getting a little use on our ranch. No problems thuis far,

[picframer]

I would suggest the Stihl Kombi, we use them and haven't had any issues, in your case because you are buying from the dealer that is a big bonus in the event that you have an issue vs a big box store which has no service dept.

[Chachi]

The echo combo from Home depot is a nice investment. Mine runs like a champ and I put it through hell and back. These guys are right about having separate equipment however I haven't had any trouble with the echo pas 225(combo unit). I also run a Toro that is pretty good as well.

[SuperiorPower]

Originally Posted by picframer

I would suggest the Stihl Kombi, we use them and haven't had any issues, in your case because you are buying from the dealer that is a big bonus in the event that you have an issue vs a big box store which has no service dept.

Andy makes a good point. Buy from a dealer. If you buy from Lowes, Home Depot, or the like you will find they do not have a service department you can depend on. If you choose to go with Husqvarna or Echo, at least but them from the local dealer. You may pay a few extra pennies but it will be worth it in the end.

ALWAYS buy from a business that has an "on-site" Service Department. You won't regret it. Lowes and Home Depot have a service department of sorts where they send your machine off to some unknown shop where they will "fix" things but you will never see the mechanic. Not recommended.

[DillonB92]

I have the Husqvarna 128 LD. I have nothing bad to say about it. I was just starting out so i thought it would be good for a few years. This is still my first season with it but i haven't had any problems with it! It will cut through anything. It has more Torque and power than you can ask for. I haven't had any problems from it. I love it! How ever I was told by someone at lowes that the attachments they sell are only for the Troybuilt and bolens weed eaters. The dude said it wouldn't work with the husqvarna. Then i asked someone else and they said it would. So you may have to ask. The edger attachment that i am looking to buy is i believe $70. Seems high especially when you compare it to the ones at lowes. But hey if the one at lowes will work with the husqvarna then thats all that matters.

[Hedgemaster]

I stopped by the Stihl dealer and after mentioning "attachments", I was pointed in the direction of the FS 90 R which has the same engine as the KM 90 R KombiMotor, but is a dedicated straight shaft trimmer that easily accepts attachments at the end. He showed me how easy it was to swap the trimmer head out, and while not quite as convenient as the KombiSystem, it was a very simple process.

The FS 90 R is $299

The comparable KombiMotor is $289 with a $100 for the trimmer attachment.
$389 is out of the question at the moment, so I'm now weighing the benefits/drawbacks and trying to decide between the $299 Stilhl FS 90 R dedicated trimmer, that I can add rather pricey attachments to, or the $299 Echo Split shaft... that seems to have attachments that are equally pricey. Sigh.

The Stihl is 28.4 cc
The Echo is 21.2 cc

I don't know if that will make a world of difference, but let's say I have a small yard with "grass" that's 3' high... would the Echo "cut it", or would the Stihl be the better choice?

My only real concern with the Stihl is the 4Mix engine. I know nothing of these new 4 stroke gas/oil gadgets, and maintenance has me a little concerned.

Anyway, enough of my rambling... I'll need to get something in the next day or two, and when I sat down to type this I was leaning toward the Echo, as it's at a lower price (vs the Stihl Kombi), but considering the above mentioned models are both $299, and either way, the attachments will be expensive, I'm wondering if I should just go for the Stihl?

I could complicate things by asking my dealer for a price on his Echo split shaft... I forgot to, but he said they sell the models with the larger engine than Home Depot sells...

You think THIS is bad, you should have seen me try to decide what truck to buy. LOL

Thanks again for all the input thus far - it really is helpful!

[picframer]

21 cc is light if you get into heavy/tall grass. brush etc.

I guess the question is based on your past what is this unit to be used for? If you only trim current lawns the 21cc would be fine, if you are getting into clean up's my experience is the bigger the better as we use a host of clearing attachments and I like 36 to 41.