Stihl Vs Echo

[flm_savage]

So i currently own an Echo SRM-225 and it needs a new head and shaft bolt. (about $50 in parts)
Its been a decent trimmer and has never given me any real issues however I wouldn't mind having more power to drive through the thick stuff. I am currently looking at the Stihl FS-90
I know i can just spend $50 and be back up and running however the idea of a more powerful trimmer is appealing. I would probably repair the 225 and sell it for $100 anyway or keep it as a backup.

Anybody have some experience with both brands?

 

[WoodiE]

I actually have the Echo SRM-225 myself which I bought to replace a Stihl (not the FS-90 though). My Stihl had a curve shaft which was a pain to weed eat with in my opinion. I also trimmer head, loading it was also a pain. The Echo SRM-225 is a straight shaft and the speed feed head is simply awesome.

Both are great brands, so I don't think you can really go wrong with either but for me I've been a fan of the Echo stuff lately.

If more power is what you're looking for why not jump to the Echo SRM-266?

 

[flm_savage]

I saw that one but it didn't seem like much of a bump in power. 21.2 VS. 25.4
I saw the 280 series has a 28.1 but that's pushing $400

The new Stihl 4 mix motors have me a little worried too. Designed like a 4 stroke but run on pre-mix?
I would love and FS-250 but i'll trim my yard with scissors before i spend 1K on a trimmer.


So it looks like perhaps sticking with echo is the right decision. So now its a question of 266 or 280..... time to hit the review sites

Did a little more reading and apparently if i buy the Echo Speed Feed trimmer head, the part that is stripped on mine would be replaced with an adapter for the head anyway. Dang it, why can't replacement parts be so expensive that its easy to justify new equipment......

 

[SMaxxin]

When we bought our current lot my old trimmer couldn't keep up with the 600 ft of ditch I now have to take care of so I bit the bullet spend a little more and bought a beast! Straight shaft, speed feed head and handle bar with trigger....I feel the need to grunt everytime I use it.

Shindaiwa C282 is a bad mofo, I think I paid just under $400.00 with tax.

http://www.shindaiwa-usa.com/Products/Brushcutters/C282.aspx

 

[WoodiE]

Did a little more reading and apparently if i buy the Echo Speed Feed trimmer head, the part that is stripped on mine would be replaced with an adapter for the head anyway. Dang it, why can't replacement parts be so expensive that its easy to justify new equipment......

Speed feed heads man, that's where it's at in the trimmer world.

 

[flm_savage]

Picked up the speed feed head this morning along with some crossfire .095 line. gonna give it a good workout and see how it does.

 

[cbaker65]

I'm a gardener an love the shindaiwa brand. My second choice is the echo,because I also
repair the stuff on the side.
Depending on what state your in, smog laws has indered the small engines.
I'm in Calif.,so I get the trash ones were they've altered the timing & carbs on them.
Calif. Sthils are sucky sucky,an smell funny when they burn fuel!
I don't use 4 strokes because they wont run upside down,as I do my vertical
edging.

So i currently own an Echo SRM-225 and it needs a new head and shaft bolt. (about $50 in parts)
Its been a decent trimmer and has never given me any real issues however I wouldn't mind having more power to drive through the thick stuff. I am currently looking at the Stihl FS-90
I know i can just spend $50 and be back up and running however the idea of a more powerful trimmer is appealing. I would probably repair the 225 and sell it for $100 anyway or keep it as a backup.

Anybody have some experience with both brands?

If you are going to buy another head,you can also buy a piston.
I beefed up my srm 225 with a dual ring piston which gave it more compression,an in
return,more torq.
Just make sure its the same engine displacement part!

 

[Chubaka]

I'm a gardener an love the shindaiwa brand. My second choice is the echo,because I also
repair the stuff on the side.
Depending on what state your in, smog laws has indered the small engines.
I'm in Calif.,so I get the trash ones were they've altered the timing & carbs on them.
Calif. Sthils are sucky sucky,an smell funny when they burn fuel!
I don't use 4 strokes because they wont run upside down,as I do my vertical
edging.



If you are going to buy another head,you can also buy a piston.
I beefed up my srm 225 with a dual ring piston which gave it more compression,an in
return,more torq.
Just make sure its the same engine displacement part!

Well this is very interesting.

I thought the 90s were the hot ticket untill I test drove a few 91s at work. Throttle is at 1/4 to 1/3, I'm at 3/4 rpm. The last bit of throttle is basically all the torque.

I have 15 or so sticks, mostly stihl, some echo and my husqvarna. I'm thinking about trying this piston ring idea.

I dont use my engines in forest or brush, and usually pull the spark arrestors out. That usually wakes them up.

I havent seen a Shindiawa in some time. Those and a kawasaki are on my list.

 

[RazzyRazz]

I do not have experience with either accept running Stihl chainsaws. I have owned a Honda HHT35S trimmer for almost 15yrs now and starts 2nd pull after the winter. Our winter is almost 8 months long and spend it between -10 and -40C. Oil change 1 time a year and a spark plug maybe every 5-6yrs.