Need a top-quality, durable weed eater, mainly for edging, that doesn't require constant reloading of the line. Honda makes a relatively expensive four-stroke. What features/model do I want?
Need a top-quality, durable weed eater, mainly for edging, that doesn't require constant reloading of the line. Honda makes a relatively expensive four-stroke. What features/model do I want?
I bought a 4 stroke a couple of years ago and would never go back. It's like strapping a Harley to your back.
Line problems are a problem with the line, not the trimmer.
No string trimmer works well as an edger. You need an edger for that work. An edger head can work on a string trimmer, but it's still not as good as an edger.
^ this.
You can get both with one power head using a Stihl KM with trimmer and edger attachments.
I tried edging with a string trimmer when we first moved into this house. The driveway wraps around the house to the back garage as well as the curbs and sidewalk, so that's a lot of edging. It sucked, so I broke down and bought a regular edger. Money well spent. No more crap thrown in my face, no more line worn to nubs on concrete. My recommendation is to buy an edger unless you really don't have much to edge.
This is the one I have.
Someone else's.
if you have a large lot, you can't get much better then a straight shaft stihl. They can take quite a beating when used commercially, they'll last basically forever for homeowner use.
You want one with a speed head or whatever they're called, you roll up a ton of string in it, rev it, smack it on the ground and another inch comes out. You cant go wrong with a cold war era Stihl, look for "Made in West Germany".
I second the edger... a bladed edger is soooo much better than a trimmer for edging.
Many thanks.
I use a Stihl FS55 straight shaft trimmer. You will want the Autocut head so you can tap and go to feed more line. I keep an extra insert ready to go. When using as an edger, I tap for extra line every two to three feet to avoid the line breaking and having to stop and reload. Use a good quality line too.
I tried the edger's and found I was burning up those metal blades fairly quickly and they take longer to change. Although, for a lawn that has never been edged, the edger is the best tool.
If you can keep up with it, the trimmer is quick. lightweight, and easy.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Stihl.
Do Not Not Get A Stihl.
If you're not on a a Stihl budget, buy an Echo.
We sold and serviced both and were really happy with the quality and customer service from Echo.
Plenty of landscapers are using Echo machines.
Sthil is the Cadillac Echo is the Oldsmobile.
Shawn
Kenny_McCormic wrote: You cant go wrong with a cold war era Stihl, look for "Made in West Germany".
Stihl has manufactured power equipment in the United States since the 80's.
German engineering and American jobs. I'm okay with that. 
(owns Stihl string trimmer, Stihl leaf blower, Stihl chainsaw, etc)
Shindaiwa makes some good and lightweight trimmers too.
I would highly recommend buying from a small engine retailer. These guys support what they sell and stock spare parts. I'd shy away from a big box store for this type of equipment.
My dad has gone from running Stihl equipment to Echo for his lawn business. He said that they're lighter for the same amount of power. Nothing fancy, he actually buys his at either Lowes or Home Depot, I forget. The newest trimmer is 3 years old, the oldest is 5. The Echo backpack blower is 3 years old. All of our Stihl equipment would burn out a coil once a season, and that gets really annoying.
I still personally like the Stihl stuff. I don't mind the extra weight, because all it will ever need is a new coil and spark plug to run again. They seem built better overall, with nicer bearings, a more solid handle, and an engine cover that keeps my arm from getting burned.
Get one with the power head and various tools available.
Five years ago I bought a Craftsman 4-stoke and have added attachments over the years.
Today I used the edger and the string trimmer on the yard and the tiller attachment in the garden. I also have pruning saw and blower attachments for it.
Stihls are nice but unfortunately they just make the little meme style "blade on a shaft" edger.
What you are looking for, my good friend, is a Tanaka TLE-600 Edger. Unfortunately discontinued, they show up on auctions and marketplace from time to time. I have one and it is right up there in my pile of "from my cold dead hands" tools.
Source: Homeowner with a corner lot, sidewalk on both sides, 2 driveways, 2 aprons, one walk up to the house. Lots to edge.
After 35 years of a house on a corner with sidewalk the choice seems to be a string trimmer and do it every week or a dedicated gas edger/trimmer with a blade and do it once a month then throw out every 10 years. The bearings in the trimmer are working in the dirt, the blade whacks the sidewalk and sooner or later it needs work. And all the dirt gets kicked up into the motor, killing the air filter no matter what amount of metal is blocking it. I think this is why people use lawn services!
You'll need to log in to post.
