In that case where is your savings long term not including high repair costs and your downtime. Quality products will run 20 years + but will cost you more initially.

THese are sold to buyers who have no knowledge of gas or power equipment or people purchasing price only.

Echo has several models so vist an Echo dealer and talk with a knowledgable sales rep. Let them guide you to the model that fits your needs.

Enjoy the journey.

eal51 in western CT

Just a question, but why would you want a 4-cycle trimmer anyway? They are heavier, less powerful, and more expensive to maintain. I've worked on trimmers for 10+ years... stick with the basics and know your price range. Pay $100 now for 2years of service or $200+ for 5-7years of service... it all equals out in the end, it just costs more up front! ;-)

A trimmer that I have that is in the price range you mentioned is the Toro-branded split-shaft trimmer available at Home Depot (about $179). I have been pleased with the quality for my usage. This power head will accept the expand-it, or click-link style attachments. A cheaper alternative to getting the Toro-branded equipment is Cummins tools. They have travelling tool sales, as well as an online store (www.cumminstools.com) I bought the kit below during one of the travelling sales. The difference is that the Toro logo has been scratched off and covered up with a "Ryobi Commercial Quality" sticker. The powerhead that came in my kit still had part of a Home Depot return sticker on it. The powerhead and accessories have functioned very well.

As far as your questions about 4 strokes...
Reduced sound -- almost definitely. My Honda is amazingly quiet in comparison to my 2-cycle engines
Improved torque -- probably dependent on the particular engines. Either would probably be adequate.
Better gas efficiency -- again may depend on particular engines, but a 4-stroke most likely would improve
Ease of use -- depends on what you mean. No mixing fuel/oil with some 4 strokes (except hybrids), but would require oil changes. The biggest disadvantage of the the 4-cycle is going to be weight. It will be heavier than a 2-cycle of similar power output. So, all-in-all, I would say a 2-cycle would be easier to use for a string trimmer.

It's pretty quiet, as far as a small gas engine can be. It has plenty of power in the low to mid RPM range but seems to lose it towards the top end. I love the fact that I also have just one gas can to use between my mower and trimmer.

Just like everyone says, it is heavier. It weighs in over 14 pounds which is managable, especially with the included shoulder strap. I'm finding I only use the shoulder strap when I'm walking between places to trim.

Changing the oil is no big deal, either. Open the oil filler and turn the trimmer upside down to drain the oil. Get a small funnel and refill. It took me around 10 minutes.

The Honda was pricey, about 340USD. I was willing to pay it because I have always had good luck with Honda products and I also absolutely refuse to buy cheap junk that I will have to replace in two years. I also didn't want a two stroke.

I would second the opion by mclaren_f1. I also have a Honda HST 31 trimmer and am very happy with it. It was expensive though, about $US 400.

I think with 1.5 acres to maintain it would probablly worth your while using a more heavy duty model with more power.

One thing I found out is that the more powerful models have trim lead heads that can take thicker line. In the honda model I have I use 0.105 inch diameter nylon line. Cheaper models are limited to 0.80 inch diameter line. This will slow your cutting speed, and it looks like you have a fair bit to do.

Note that there is now a new Honda trimmer and instead of 31cc's it has a slightly larger engine at 35 cc's.

Best, Mike.

Hi sarge6. Are you still in the market for a gas powered string trimmer?

String trimmer information overload? :)

Good day.

I open the motor, it is a half crank. I know people don't like it. I don't know why, all the very expensive model plane glow engine use half crank. They are very high performence, run up to 16000RPM. They can be over 10cc. I actually bought a used engine on Ebay and play with it(Toy!!) The housing is made of stronger alloy than all the other brands ( Echo, Shindaiwa, Stihl). Usually those crankcase are made of very soft material, you can break it off like plastic. Not the Troy Bilt. It is a 2 ring design, inside does look cheap, the connecting rod is made of stamped steal and the crank sheft is made of few thin piece revided together. But who is to say mill out is better. One of the most reliable gun UZI is made of stamped steal!!! Don't tell them they are no good. the new TB525 has more from what I heard.

I still use the Troy Bilt to do the dusty work. The Honda is a lot quieter, the sound of the trimmer head spinning is as loud as the engine. Always one pull start. For less than half the price, I would say the Troy Bilt really held it's own.