This spring I get a Stihl (top of line residential) for about $250. The dealer starts it up, shows me everything, etc. I take it home and start it up. It wasn't cutting! I stop it and look at the head and only one of the two lines is visible and it is only about an inch long. Bump feed? Didn't work. I try to take off the head and I can't do it.

TI take it back to the dealer and he has a problem taking off the head and when he gets it off says, "Well, now this isn't right." I get my money back and leave.

Were these incidents atypical or just "par for the course" when dealing with a string trimmer? Will I be constantly facing aggravation? Am I doing something wrong? Is this like owning a European sports car where one has to spend half his time as a mechanic?

I need to trim some stuff and I don't mind paying $250 (or a even bit more). But I can't justify spending money on something that is going to be a constant source of aggravation. Advice?

You'll hear various recommendations from other users; but with my experience, this unit starts cold on the second or third pull - first pull when warm, cuts with authority, the precise U-Turn trimmer head is light-years ahead of my other POS units, and the line easily advances with just a gentle bump. No regrets here.

My vote is for a Honda. I have a Honda HST 31. I think the engine size on the newer models is now 35 cc instead of 31. Cost is now $US 379. May be a bit cheaper if you shop around. Mine is now almost 4 years old. Reliable no trouble at all. I have a bump head and use stabil in the gasoline.

The trick with the bump heads is to take your time in winding that cord in. Make sure it does not cross over. Then when you bump it works good.

Best, Mike.

No, I don't have problem with my trimmer head. At the begining, I broke a lot of string and one side broke off. As I have more experience, I hardly use up strings and never broke one side anymore. Pratice. Consider as paying tuition!!!

Get the Echo SRM225( SRM210) or Husqvarna 125. Both are about $200 and they should work well for you and not costing that much. They sell it in HD and Lowes. Make sure you get the bump feed head, not the rapid loader one.

My issue is with the string end. When the dealer sold it (Stihl) to me, I didn't even get a box. I was given the impression that they were trying really cater to me by assmbling it for me. So maybe when the string was initially wound, it was done wrong/overlapping? Also, could starting the trimmer while laying on a concrete driveway be breaking the strings?

Can you give me any technique tips that lessen the string getting broken? I have a wrought iron type fence that has 1/2'' posts that go to the ground every four inches that I have to "go between." I'm not worried about scuffing up the bottom of the posts, but is the string going to break all of time if I hit them? What about brick walls?

Once again, I appreciate the responses.

The most important to keep in mind is you use the tip of the string to cut, keep that in mind not to stick the head close to the bars, that will break the string everytime. Under sunlight, you can see where the tip of the string and keep pratice. Took me a while to get the hand of this too. I broke so many on one side it's not funny. Just remember, it's the tip of the string.

You want to get as light a trimmer as possible. Don't get a large cc engine. Echo SRM225 or Husqvarna 125 are very light a good. Echo is a true commercial trimmer too.

I have the Honda 31cc. Way toooooo heavy. In your case, you might have to turn the trimmer sideway to get in between the bars. Weight is everything, power is of no importance. Lowes sell the Husqvarna round titanium string that might be a little more durable. Buy the largest diameter recommended by the trimmer you buy.

Remember, tip of the string. Pratice, pratice.....All else fail, RoundUp.

It his case of trimming between the bars, I am not sure it's that easy even for the pros. Maybe a Rapid Loader head is what the doctor's order.

I bet the Shindaiwa Speed Feed head is the last one he need!! It is not design to be open that easy.

In this thread, I suspect the Echo Rapid loader head might be the best since you can easily put a new piece of line on if the old one breaks. No need to dis-assemble the head.

If your cord keeps breaking you can use a heavier cord. Read your manual to see what cord thickness you can use. I use a heavier 0.105 inch plastic cord in my honda HST 31 cc. It does wear down on rocks etc, but will seldom break. Note the down side is that you cannot get such a long length or cord into your bump head, a thinner cord means fewer times you have to reload the bump head.

My other tips are:
1) Wear goggles to protect your eyes
2) I use ear mufflers
3) An old baseball hat keeps the stuff out of your hair
4) Gloves to keep your hand from being hit by fly away stuff.
5) Long trousers, although sometimes I wear shorts when it is way too hot. Down side is your legs get wacked sometimes by the debris.

Best, Mike.

I use the Rapid Loader head and find it very convenient. Just carry some extra pieces of line in your pocket. Leave the trimmer running, put it on the ground, and swap the lines out. Very quick. Since there are no moving parts (besides the clamps inside the head), nothing can screw up.