From the look of it when you were starting the walmart trimmer, it seems like it was direct drive whereas the echo has a clutch at the power head. The clutch permits some slippage under load, and the direct drive would have that over powered effect you were mentioning.
The other year I bought 2 27cc straight shaft Snapper units from Wally World. One is a dedicated for edging with the aftermarket attachment. Paid $45 each upc 084931846937. Just a heads up if anyone has some in their area. They have been good so far running them at 80:1 with Amsoil Saber
@@stephanpatko if the manufacturer recommends 50:1 mix why would you run 80:1? I read lots of posts of ppl who spend more money on expensive oils only to run at 1.5-2x the lean mixture the manufacturer recommends. I find it interesting how many ppl think they know better than the manufacturer of engine products. I run Super Tech Universal 2 cycle oil and ethonal free gasoline mixed at 50:1 and have zero issues day in and day out. I noticed Alan uses premix...fine for the homeowner that doesn't go thru much-but VERY expensive for something you can make easily yourself. Buy a transparent small bottle that mixes w/1 gal of gas and mark the bottle where it is full...simply refill it from a quart bottle 1gal at a time
@@TheLawnCareNut well, and I also agree some of the real cheap MTD brands need reviewed for people, I got the craftsmen version of this trimmer, and I swear, I hate the head on it, its really made for precut trimmer line and using it as a bump head doesn't work well, soo now I gotta find a bump head to replace it with, having the line all fly out when I bump it to get another inch or two drives me nuts
I used one of those curved shafts and a week ago used a straight shaft; OMG!!! What a huge difference for your back and shoulders!!! Never ever going back to the curved one!!! As you said, save for a week or two if you need to but the difference is huge!!!! No matter the brand, go straight!!! Thanks for your time, the reviews and the family friendly content as I use to watch you with my kids too!!! :)
Speaking to longevity, I bought one of these in the spring of '18 not really knowing better and not wanting to spend $$ and its still going strong for me. And as someone who's 6'4, having to bend over isn't THAT bad to me (and I have the curved shaft model). Im sure using a straight shaft Echo would change my world but it works for me right now.
Yes definitely more reviews. As a pro / DYI your opinion matters especially on the equipment you use and why. Beginners can obviously use the help getting started on the right foot. Plus guys like me with a little experience can get a lift up as well. Thank you for all you do!
Thank you lawn care nut, master weedwacher, Grass engineer and product reviewer. I thoroughly enjoyed your review, although i also own a Echo weed trimmer which i love using and proudly display it to my neighbors. I hope you continue to do such reviews and am waiting for the next one.
I have the curved version of the hyper tough. Was a gift from my mother in-law when we moved. Everything he said I feel every time I use it. I’m 5’11 and it’s just miserable. Can’t wait to buy a new one. I appreciate the gesture tho but time for a better trimmer
Personally I think the lower end trimmers are totally worth the money, I have a cheap one that’s lasted me 10 years of consistent use! Great video and it’s nice to see the comparison. 👌🏼
For residential once a a week use it doesn't matter that much unless you really care about cut quality but if u use one pretty much everyday or for big jobs like a burm or a bank it is quite noticeable
My parents didnt know and bought me a short shaft stihl trimmer 3 years ago for my new house. Just upgraded to a straight shaft husqvarna and my back is thanking me. So much better. Bump feed works great too.
I probably went through 3 different MTD trimmers before I got my Echo PAS. The MTD ones maybe lasted 2 years, then crapped out. The Echo, though more expensive, lasts much longer. Pay more upfront, save more in the end.
I love my stihl straight shaft trimmer . Don’t remember what model . Paid about $320 for it but I’ve had it 4 years and it runs like an absolute monster still . Never seen such a powerful trimmer
I bought a cheap bolens trimmer for a one time ditch trimming job to maximize my profit and still walked away making money. However long it lasts is just a bonus for me now.
This was a GREAT video, not because of the trimmer itself, but because it felt like some of your very first videos you ever did on TH-cam. Took me back to the old days. Anyone who's ever watched some of the first stuff you put out would know what I'm talking about. Great stuff. Look forward to more reviews and videos like this one!
Once you have a good trimmer with a Speed Feed head you will never subject yourself to the shortcomings of budget equipment. I have had the same multi tool trimmer for 18 years. More expensive up front but she has gone the long haul. Great vid Mr. Allyn!
When i started doing lawn care by myself i had Nothing so i picked one up at wally world my back hurt almost everyday qhen i came home but the machine itself worked well for weed whipping and edging that first year
3yrs. later.... They are now 98 & 115 $$. They also have a twist line feed( feed the line & twist. ). I prefer the curved shaft & 0.65 string. Most of my wacking is done around a picket fence. Bigger line will eat my fence. Also I'm 5'2" & 71 yrs. Curve for me! Great video. Sorry took me so long to find you😉
i'm 5'6" and use the stihl 91R with no issues. This video was great and informational. Thank you for the reviews, we can only imagine how frustrating some of these trimmers/weedeaters must have been to test the whole day.
Thanks for another fine video. Watching this reminds me why I ditched gas and went with battery powered. Ryobi 40v is easy to reload the line and can take care of my 1/3 acre clearing both sides of privacy fence. 😁
My favorite weedeater was $20 from Facebook marketplace and when I put a different head on it (it wasn't for me) the shaft snapped because it didn't have a clutch. Took a shaft from a clutched one and cut it so the shaft would fit into the motor, now it works! Also it's mine now
Gotta do a review on the new Hart line of trimmers from Walmart. They are 40v and awesome! I never thought I'd leave my gas trimmer behind but these hart 40v trimmers sold exclusively from Walmart are amazingly well built and don't break the bank. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on their new 20 volt back pack sprayers as well
Loved the rotation portion. As a right hand dominant, I have always preferred to walk backwards. It's how I first learned when working for a local landscaping company decades ago.
I know you probably wanted to follow the instructions, but in general, instead of exactly following instructions to start the engine, I usually proceed until the engine tries to start and then advance the choke to the next settings. The general instructions can cause you to flood out the engine a bit, which actually makes the engine harder to start & also wears out the pull-start mechanism faster. Worth a try anyway, it seems to work for me.
Just picked the straight shaft model at walmart today on clearance for $58. I'll give it a go this weekend and use it until it dies then upgrade at that point. Thank you for this very informative video!
Thanks, Allyn, always appreciate your reviews. You point out things most people would not know to consider. I’d like to see some other trimmer reviews and also a review on trimmer line. How well do the higher end lines perform on budget trimmers? In addition, I’m recovering from a back injury, and being one of the 2% (lady LCNs), those trimmers are much to heavy for me to lift. I would re-injure my back in heartbeat! Even though I have the Toro Flex battery mower, I did not get the Toro trimmer because that battery is waaaay too heavy for me to lift. I wound up getting a Worx trimmer as it was the lightest weight I could find, and it has a wheel that you can roll along the walkway as you edge so you don’t have to lift the trimmer for straight up edging. However, their line is absolute crap. It would be great to see what high end lines work on low end trimmers. Also, are there other light weight models on the market for those of us with back issues? One thing many do not realize, men have longer torsos and longer arms than women, so you have more muscle to hold these trimmers with, they aren’t as heavy to men as they are to women. It would be great to see some lighter weight models for women and also guys that may also have some back issues. Thanks for all the great content you share with us 😊
There are two notches on the head where you put the string through. Put the string through the holes and insert the head assembly in. Before you tighten the bolt you pull on the string and you can then bump feed the string.
I run a small mowing business and have been running the straight shaft version for the last 2 summers. Starting out i went as cheap as I could. I bought it not expecting it to hold up but it is still my main trimmer. I have another more expensive trimmer as well now but I'm keeping it as my backup because at this point I just want to see how long the hyper tough will last.
@@theshield1613 i used it for 2 straight summers. I retired it the end of last summer when I picked up 2 Blackmax trimmers at Walmart for $75 a piece. I ran those all summer no issues either.
There are little slots on the side of the string wheel where you can stick the string ends once wound up so you don't have to hold them in place. Then bring the wheel close to the trimmer head so that you can stick the string heads through the holes in the head and then once you push the wheel in the head and pull on the ends the string will pop out of the slots. It makes the reassembly a lot simpler.
Loved the video, perfect time as I am looking at getting a weed eater and just didn’t want to spend a lot. But, ended up buying a shindawia, lol. There goes no spending a bunch, lol. I would love to see you take this to the freedom factory and throw it in the taller stuff and see how it will handle the tougher thicker taller grass. Great video, have a wonderful day!!!
The line is added easier if you wind both at the same time. Also the notch on the base .02 or .095 is used to hold the line in place. Once you pop in the feed thru the holes and push down it will release from the notch.
Back when I was in college, I worked as a sales person in the lawn & garden department of my local Sears. I should point out this was just around the time of and right after the K-Mart merger so the stuff was still pretty good quality and we did pretty high sales volume. The junk crash was a year or two after I left. Unless the customer was 5'2" or shorter, we always steered them away from the curved shaft and to the straight. The curved is just not designed to be comfortable unless you are really short. We probably sold 9 out of 10 straight shaft trimmers and most of the 1 curved shaft came back as a return after the person tried them. That curved shaft is also a mess to edge with if you use the string trimmer to edge and not a dedicated bladed edger attachment or separate unit. It puts it at a really weird angle to get a straight walking pattern along your driveway or street edge. It's always worth it to spend the extra $20 and get the straight shaft.
Still using my old trusty Stihl FS90R and 80R. I have a couple battery trimmers I use once in awhile as well. EGO 56v and an ECHO 58v. The EGO 56v is the quietest easiest to finesse trimmer I have ever used. Great for stealth trimming early mornings with silent twist black diamond line. I normally grab the 90R though.
The hyper tough was my starter. Had it four years didn’t have many issues. Being 6’0 and actually started learning about lawn equipment and feeling equipment out for comfort anytime I was at a hardware store prompted the upgrade. Was definitely tiered of hunching but just learned to adapt and made it work for a while. Wish this video was out back then. I enjoy the content and the added fluff.
So I'm an odd ball then, I'm a lefty and hold the trimmer the same way you do. My right hand controls the throttle and I trim walking forward or even sideways sometimes. Oh by the way, there are notches in the trimmer head to hold the line while you respool the other side. Also while spooling those heads, start with the outside first then do the inside.
Hi Allan....great info....Do more of videos like this...They help all of us decide what equipment to purchase!....Tks for all your videos!....Take Care
The " power band" on the echo is much smoother than the hyper tough and is tuned better, has a better carburetor and better cylinder, better metal used etc. The head and gears are better in the echo also.
So ur wrong and I’ll tell u y on an echo or Stihl and other higher brands the have a clutch attached to the motor meaning at an idle the head doesn’t spin until u give throttle on Walmart cheap brand which I do own has a solid cable going to motor to head with no clutch and u can tell this by pulling rope if the head spins while pulling rope there no clutch this is why it seems to be smoother on the echo because the clutch absorbs a lot of the brute force vs walmart brand just goes full power all the time
Meh...China made 2 cycle engines and carbs are all pretty much the same if they are spec'd the same. Don't be fooled into thinking dealer brands are necessarily any better unless they are spec'd better. Made in Japan vs China any day...but good luck with that...
I just bought several of these, in the straight shaft version, for family members and myself, brand new on clearance for only $20 each! I’m looking forward firing up mine for this weekend’s yard work.😉
2-cycle Echo or Stihl straight-shaft with Speed-Feed head and Black Diamond line with EDGIT PRO upgrade. Only way to go. Good points and tips in your vids.
Loved it Allyn!!! I would definitely like to see more review videos. I love the way you broke this down too and compared it to what you know and love. I too have the Echo PAS 225 based on your previous recommendation and absolutely love the thing!!!! Thanks again and keep up the great work!
I grew up using a curved shaft trimmer because that's what my Dad had. I bought a straight shaft Toro for myself and will not go back. I'll take the tiny extra weight for the ability to add attachments and an overall longer lasting drive shaft.
IMHO Toro's with straight shaft or split shaft are the best value trimmer available at Home Depot OR get the Black Max Trimmer/Edger combo from Sam's Club/Walmart for the ultimate win in the US
I searched cheapest trimmer because I want to buy a cheap one. We got a homelite and it got stuck on cord, sent in for repair/ got $ back, still under 1 yr warranty. Trying to see what other cheap trimmer will be better than that homelite. Don’t really want to buy a homelite again. Thanks very much for this video. Funny, entertaining and informative.
I have a Black and Decker 40 volt electric weed whip. No more gas or physical torture to start it plus it's way quieter. Once you go electric you will ditch your gas trimmer. Very good video too. Good job.
Tip to restring the line @17:40, there are those 6 tabs sticking out and usually 2-4 of them are notched. You can snap the line into the notch to keep the line tight in the spool. Do the line closer to the tabs first. Stop 1 line on one side of the spool and stop line 2 on the other side. With the lines held in the notches, you can let go of the lines. This makes it easier to put lines into the 2 holes too. Pull the line through the hole and it'll pop off the notch. Done. No more anxiety.
I am looking to buy/ upgrade my lawn equipment and would love comparison videos. I think you did some on mowers but if you haven't trimmers and blowers would be great too. Or maybe a video talking about a budget, mid-range and top of the line suggestion for each category.
I loved this. I have a garden with lots of curves. I own a rechargable Ryobi and its ok but I'm not sure how to hold it and it is too short for me. It kicks stuff against my legs some times too. Im 5'8 woman, so I definitely understand stuff made for short people. Id appreciate a video on blowers. I have been using the same blower for about 10 yrs and I'm hating on the cord. You are right aboiut people hating to use their equiptment because of difficulties such as threading the weed wacker. I liked this so much I will watch it again.
I use 2.4 mm string that I seem to go through very quickly in my Stihl trimmer. What size is the string you were using? Looks like rope compared to mine.
trying to wind trimmer string is why i went a bit more expensive, and got the RYOBI 25cc straight shaft trimmer from the HD. A review of that one I'd like to see.. to get your take on it. It powered through my field grasses fairly well it did bog down, but the weeds were 3 foot tall and green so i can't complain.
LOL.....You're killing me Allyn! Watching you reload the trimmer brings back frustrating memories 4 sure. I enjoyed the video greatly. I would definitely like to see more videos of this nature. Great review!
I replaced my self feeding head on my trimmer because I hated winding the string on the spool. Got a replacement head at HD that allows me to insert a single piece into head, two tales coming out. Quick to install and fast to replace.
My main takeaway... Echo doesn't just BBRRRAAAA! MMMRRAAA! Just break through it. I have a battery powered Black and Decker trimmer with a single line and I'm 5'4" so "Hyper Tough" may be an upgrade 🤣🤣
I bought a battery powered black and decker for about $90. Now I have to go see which way it spins. LOL. It works fine for me so far. Great review Allyn. Keep 'em coming.
Next you should try the Ames rotary edger. It's a manual edger but it does a fantastic job on St. Augustine grass and keeps edges straight and clean, and takes less time than any gas or electric edger.
Love this review video bro! Really important information for advanced and new lawn owners. I really enjoyed it! Definitely make some more reviews. On another note all this rain has my St.Aug on steroids lol.
I’m glad that you pointed out the length of the trimmer being a major issue for all trimmers, not just cheap ones - even $150+ trimmers suffer from this, especially the battery powered ones. People often point out price, power, and build quality but neglect comfort and usability. This is important at any price - not much use in saving $100 on a trimmer if you are laid up for the rest of the day from hunching over. I love my Echo PAS as well - the quality and versatility of the whole PAS system is tough to beat.
I have a homelite curved shaft trimmer that I purchased in 1999 when I bought my first house. It still fires up and just this year I replaced the fuel lines as they disintegrated. I’m left handed. The trimmer was about $100 and 20 years later it has cost me $5/yr
Try adjust the handle back towards the throttle area where you hand squeezs the trigger, you loos swinging power but gain back posture, so just keep in mind I've been trimming for years
My father has a brand new Stihl trimmer. It's a curve shaft. I hate it. I have a 15+ year old craftsman with a straight shaft. Love it. Everytime I think I need to upgrade, my craftsman just keeps on running. I clean the sponge carburetor filter and a new spark plug every other year, that's it. Maybe next year.
My Stihl trimmer loads exactly the same way. It has a straight shaft, and is still too short for my 6 foot 2 frame. Finally getting rain here in the Cape. Got the CX DIY down a week ago, and the green up is great.
As I made my mind up to mow wet on Saturday because of the forecast and I was overgrown. I wondered if Allyn was mowing wet over by there!!!!! Memorial Day Milo is poppin 😍
Allyn: "I'm short, I'm 5'8". If you are 5'10" or 6' like most of your are ..." Me: I might as well be considered a kid at 5'6". Time to heat up my Raviolis.
When putting new line on the trimmer use those notches to your advantage. Wind the side closest to the spring first then snap the line in one of the grooves. Then wind the other side and snap it in a groove to hold it. Then fish the line through the holes and pull the line. This will unsnap the line from the grooves, put on the black knob and your all set. Hope that makes sense. The notches are your friend, they hold the line for you.
This thing looks like my Craftsman, though I have the straight shaft...has the same startup instructions and everything...do we have another product by our bro Skip? 🧐
MTD is wildly popular in Canada; it's sold at a chain called Canadian Tire. I have their cheapest ass gas mower for 9 years. I had to change the carb gasket after 2 years (It's stowed in an unheated shed in the winter). I also have one of their cheap-o snow blowers (blowing snow is FUN kids!). I've owned it for 8 years, bought 2nd hand (it's 18 years old). I had to replace the wheel hubs and a drive belt. BOTH products work really, really well. MTD must have some wicked quality control in China, b/c their stuff is REALLY good for a casual homeowner like me.
Replacing the line is much easier when you use the little line cut out slots to hold the line ends vertically. Then, you can simply thread the lines through the holes in the head without any muss or fuss. The final move, which you demonstrated, was to yank on the lines to pull them out of the cut out hold slots to free the line for bump feed operation. :-)
Really wish you gave a review like this a few years ago. I got a Remington straight shaft and it took a spline tool to adjust the intake and installing that line is a pain every time.
I have one of the Hyper tough trimmers(bought a couple years ago) and I'll say it's been super reliable. I only had to recently have it serviced(I didn't drain fuel before storing for the winter, my own fault really). Also on the restringing, there are little notches at the top that you pop your line into when you are done wrapping. When you go to put it back in, you pull your ends out and it will come out of the notches as you re-install it on the trimmer. It actually makes it really easy to do.
At 20:46 I believe none of them have the electronics box that detects load but it has carburetor and it notices that it is taking less fuel dew to the lower RPMS ( due to bogging down ) and it is comparing to the throttle position and it is adding more fuel so is that what you meant ?
Not much room on the hyper tough but move the shaft handle as far up the shaft toward the motor as you can. the pivot point with change allowing you to stand straighter. Again, it's a shorter shaft to begin with but, it's still a help.
Spot on. On a surprising good note; this season started without any issues. That's a bonus. But pegs right back down when trim for any length of time. Back begins to ache due to awkward angle while trimming. Cuts pretty decent for a budget trimmer. 100% agree; if would just increase the length of the trimmer; they'd have a solid winner. To Lawn Care Nut: What is the make/model of your beloved echo? Thanks greatly in advance!
When you wrap the line the loose ends are snapped into the slots you see. Now you leave enough to push through the holes. Mount the spool and screw the lock back on. Now pull out each line until it is long enough to hit the cutter. I hope this made sense. Personally I get rid of these type of spools and go for the one you thread the line from one side through to the other side and then turn body to take up the line. So much easier and much less like to get the line over-wrapping itself and stop feeding, which makes you take it apart and start all over. Buy the best spooler; you won't regret it.
Hi Allen, long time watcher first time comment/question. I think I saw a Darwin grip device for trimmers in your garage. If so, would you do a review of that product?
I have this trimmer! As far as longevity: I bought it about about 6 years ago. It was sitting, with a full tank of E10+oil fuel, in my garage for about 4 years, and after replacing the rotten fuel line, putting some fresh ethanol-free fuel+oil in, and running the engine with a drill for about two minutes to get the gunk out, it started up just fine and has actually been running great all season! It remains to be seen if it will continue to hold up under regular use. As for how to winding the line: do the bottom side (closest to ground) first, and then put the line in the slot marked for the line thickness. Then do the other side and place it in the slot on the opposite side. Now thread the line through the holes and then push down on the bump stop while pulling the lines out of the slots. TADA!
Actually you can hold the string trimmer where it is at a 15 or 20 degree angle on the side is pulls clippings out toward you with is doesn’t matter what way you walk. The edge that is cutting is throwing stuff back to you. Basically cut the sting trimmer head in half. Whatever side brings clipping back to you that’s the side that need to be closest to the ground.
From the look of it when you were starting the walmart trimmer, it seems like it was direct drive whereas the echo has a clutch at the power head. The clutch permits some slippage under load, and the direct drive would have that over powered effect you were mentioning.
That makes sense for sure. And I know how a clutch works so I can picture it now . Thank you.
The other year I bought 2 27cc straight shaft Snapper units from Wally World. One is a dedicated for edging with the aftermarket attachment. Paid $45 each upc 084931846937. Just a heads up if anyone has some in their area. They have been good so far running them at 80:1 with Amsoil Saber
That’s exactly what I was gonna say, I’d imagine having a clutch makes all the difference I’d think.
@@stephanpatko if the manufacturer recommends 50:1 mix why would you run 80:1? I read lots of posts of ppl who spend more money on expensive oils only to run at 1.5-2x the lean mixture the manufacturer recommends. I find it interesting how many ppl think they know better than the manufacturer of engine products. I run Super Tech Universal 2 cycle oil and ethonal free gasoline mixed at 50:1 and have zero issues day in and day out. I noticed Alan uses premix...fine for the homeowner that doesn't go thru much-but VERY expensive for something you can make easily yourself. Buy a transparent small bottle that mixes w/1 gal of gas and mark the bottle where it is full...simply refill it from a quart bottle 1gal at a time
@@kirkthebeerslinger you are right i have allways ran 50:1 mix in my weedeaters for years
You're not only my favorite lawn care channel, you're also one of my favorite humor channels. Your dad humor is something that just speaks to me. Lol.
ha ha nice thank you!!
@@TheLawnCareNut you are very funny. nothing worse than the how to with steve guy laughing at his not funny commentary.
this was a good one, took me a minute to figure out the “prawn” thing tho.. lmao, your humor and humility make these things great.
It's a great topic. I'm weedeating lawns daily. I used to think there wasn't much difference between lines but there is.
I had forgotten how much I enjoy reviewing lawn equipment too - so I am def going to do more, thank you for watching!
It is spelled pron
@@TheLawnCareNut well, and I also agree some of the real cheap MTD brands need reviewed for people, I got the craftsmen version of this trimmer, and I swear, I hate the head on it, its really made for precut trimmer line and using it as a bump head doesn't work well, soo now I gotta find a bump head to replace it with, having the line all fly out when I bump it to get another inch or two drives me nuts
@@nickradeke either way the music sucked. Sucks.
I used one of those curved shafts and a week ago used a straight shaft; OMG!!! What a huge difference for your back and shoulders!!! Never ever going back to the curved one!!! As you said, save for a week or two if you need to but the difference is huge!!!! No matter the brand, go straight!!! Thanks for your time, the reviews and the family friendly content as I use to watch you with my kids too!!! :)
Speaking to longevity, I bought one of these in the spring of '18 not really knowing better and not wanting to spend $$ and its still going strong for me. And as someone who's 6'4, having to bend over isn't THAT bad to me (and I have the curved shaft model). Im sure using a straight shaft Echo would change my world but it works for me right now.
Yes definitely more reviews. As a pro / DYI your opinion matters especially on the equipment you use and why. Beginners can obviously use the help getting started on the right foot. Plus guys like me with a little experience can get a lift up as well. Thank you for all you do!
This video just made me realize that I am a left handed weed wacker. Instant Like!
Thank you lawn care nut, master weedwacher, Grass engineer and product reviewer. I thoroughly enjoyed your review, although i also own a Echo weed trimmer which i love using and proudly display it to my neighbors. I hope you continue to do such reviews and am waiting for the next one.
I have the curved version of the hyper tough. Was a gift from my mother in-law when we moved. Everything he said I feel every time I use it. I’m 5’11 and it’s just miserable. Can’t wait to buy a new one. I appreciate the gesture tho but time for a better trimmer
Personally I think the lower end trimmers are totally worth the money, I have a cheap one that’s lasted me 10 years of consistent use! Great video and it’s nice to see the comparison. 👌🏼
Yep
For residential once a a week use it doesn't matter that much unless you really care about cut quality but if u use one pretty much everyday or for big jobs like a burm or a bank it is quite noticeable
My parents didnt know and bought me a short shaft stihl trimmer 3 years ago for my new house. Just upgraded to a straight shaft husqvarna and my back is thanking me. So much better. Bump feed works great too.
I probably went through 3 different MTD trimmers before I got my Echo PAS. The MTD ones maybe lasted 2 years, then crapped out. The Echo, though more expensive, lasts much longer. Pay more upfront, save more in the end.
Agreed, I've always said I'm too poor to buy cheap.
Buy once, cry once.
I love my stihl straight shaft trimmer . Don’t remember what model . Paid about $320 for it but I’ve had it 4 years and it runs like an absolute monster still . Never seen such a powerful trimmer
I bought a cheap bolens trimmer for a one time ditch trimming job to maximize my profit and still walked away making money. However long it lasts is just a bonus for me now.
Got 2 Stihls and 1 echo I agree with you
This was a GREAT video, not because of the trimmer itself, but because it felt like some of your very first videos you ever did on TH-cam. Took me back to the old days. Anyone who's ever watched some of the first stuff you put out would know what I'm talking about. Great stuff. Look forward to more reviews and videos like this one!
Once you have a good trimmer with a Speed Feed head you will never subject yourself to the shortcomings of budget equipment. I have had the same multi tool trimmer for 18 years. More expensive up front but she has gone the long haul. Great vid Mr. Allyn!
Which one was it?
@@dr53love I have a Shindiawa M230. Its a Very reliable unit.
I have one of those. It’s a curved shaft. I got it a couple years back and it still runs really good.
When i started doing lawn care by myself i had Nothing so i picked one up at wally world my back hurt almost everyday qhen i came home but the machine itself worked well for weed whipping and edging that first year
I’m enjoying the chill hop when I mow on Sundays 44 on XM plays this in the mornings.
It’s very relaxing while enjoying the mow. 👍🏼
You should look up Chilled Cow on TH-cam - they play good stuff too
Will do thank you sir!!!!
3yrs. later....
They are now 98 & 115 $$. They also have a twist line feed( feed the line & twist. ). I prefer the curved shaft & 0.65 string. Most of my wacking is done around a picket fence. Bigger line will eat my fence. Also I'm 5'2" & 71 yrs. Curve for me! Great video. Sorry took me so long to find you😉
i'm 5'6" and use the stihl 91R with no issues. This video was great and informational. Thank you for the reviews, we can only imagine how frustrating some of these trimmers/weedeaters must have been to test the whole day.
Thanks for another fine video. Watching this reminds me why I ditched gas and went with battery powered. Ryobi 40v is easy to reload the line and can take care of my 1/3 acre clearing both sides of privacy fence. 😁
Love the cross channel love reppin the Cleetus hat.
I'm doing it for Dale over here!
I love the references to the other channels. I happen to watch all of them!
Iconography part cracked me up!
thanks! I like to notice the little things.
My favorite weedeater was $20 from Facebook marketplace and when I put a different head on it (it wasn't for me) the shaft snapped because it didn't have a clutch. Took a shaft from a clutched one and cut it so the shaft would fit into the motor, now it works! Also it's mine now
Cheap Wally World trimmers need love too! 🔥
yes they do!
Hey I've definitely made money with them! Bought alot also lol...now I can afford the good ones lol
Gotta do a review on the new Hart line of trimmers from Walmart. They are 40v and awesome! I never thought I'd leave my gas trimmer behind but these hart 40v trimmers sold exclusively from Walmart are amazingly well built and don't break the bank. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on their new 20 volt back pack sprayers as well
Loved the rotation portion. As a right hand dominant, I have always preferred to walk backwards. It's how I first learned when working for a local landscaping company decades ago.
I know you probably wanted to follow the instructions, but in general, instead of exactly following instructions to start the engine, I usually proceed until the engine tries to start and then advance the choke to the next settings. The general instructions can cause you to flood out the engine a bit, which actually makes the engine harder to start & also wears out the pull-start mechanism faster. Worth a try anyway, it seems to work for me.
Just picked the straight shaft model at walmart today on clearance for $58. I'll give it a go this weekend and use it until it dies then upgrade at that point. Thank you for this very informative video!
Thanks, Allyn, always appreciate your reviews. You point out things most people would not know to consider.
I’d like to see some other trimmer reviews and also a review on trimmer line. How well do the higher end lines perform on budget trimmers? In addition, I’m recovering from a back injury, and being one of the 2% (lady LCNs), those trimmers are much to heavy for me to lift. I would re-injure my back in heartbeat! Even though I have the Toro Flex battery mower, I did not get the Toro trimmer because that battery is waaaay too heavy for me to lift. I wound up getting a Worx trimmer as it was the lightest weight I could find, and it has a wheel that you can roll along the walkway as you edge so you don’t have to lift the trimmer for straight up edging. However, their line is absolute crap. It would be great to see what high end lines work on low end trimmers. Also, are there other light weight models on the market for those of us with back issues? One thing many do not realize, men have longer torsos and longer arms than women, so you have more muscle to hold these trimmers with, they aren’t as heavy to men as they are to women. It would be great to see some lighter weight models for women and also guys that may also have some back issues. Thanks for all the great content you share with us 😊
There are two notches on the head where you put the string through. Put the string through the holes and insert the head assembly in. Before you tighten the bolt you pull on the string and you can then bump feed the string.
I run a small mowing business and have been running the straight shaft version for the last 2 summers. Starting out i went as cheap as I could. I bought it not expecting it to hold up but it is still my main trimmer. I have another more expensive trimmer as well now but I'm keeping it as my backup because at this point I just want to see how long the hyper tough will last.
Any updates about the hyper tough
@@theshield1613 i used it for 2 straight summers. I retired it the end of last summer when I picked up 2 Blackmax trimmers at Walmart for $75 a piece. I ran those all summer no issues either.
There are little slots on the side of the string wheel where you can stick the string ends once wound up so you don't have to hold them in place. Then bring the wheel close to the trimmer head so that you can stick the string heads through the holes in the head and then once you push the wheel in the head and pull on the ends the string will pop out of the slots. It makes the reassembly a lot simpler.
Loved the video, perfect time as I am looking at getting a weed eater and just didn’t want to spend a lot. But, ended up buying a shindawia, lol. There goes no spending a bunch, lol. I would love to see you take this to the freedom factory and throw it in the taller stuff and see how it will handle the tougher thicker taller grass. Great video, have a wonderful day!!!
The line is added easier if you wind both at the same time. Also the notch on the base .02 or .095 is used to hold the line in place. Once you pop in the feed thru the holes and push down it will release from the notch.
Back when I was in college, I worked as a sales person in the lawn & garden department of my local Sears. I should point out this was just around the time of and right after the K-Mart merger so the stuff was still pretty good quality and we did pretty high sales volume. The junk crash was a year or two after I left.
Unless the customer was 5'2" or shorter, we always steered them away from the curved shaft and to the straight. The curved is just not designed to be comfortable unless you are really short. We probably sold 9 out of 10 straight shaft trimmers and most of the 1 curved shaft came back as a return after the person tried them. That curved shaft is also a mess to edge with if you use the string trimmer to edge and not a dedicated bladed edger attachment or separate unit. It puts it at a really weird angle to get a straight walking pattern along your driveway or street edge. It's always worth it to spend the extra $20 and get the straight shaft.
Still using my old trusty Stihl FS90R and 80R. I have a couple battery trimmers I use once in awhile as well. EGO 56v and an ECHO 58v. The EGO 56v is the quietest easiest to finesse trimmer I have ever used. Great for stealth trimming early mornings with silent twist black diamond line. I normally grab the 90R though.
The hyper tough was my starter. Had it four years didn’t have many issues. Being 6’0 and actually started learning about lawn equipment and feeling equipment out for comfort anytime I was at a hardware store prompted the upgrade. Was definitely tiered of hunching but just learned to adapt and made it work for a while. Wish this video was out back then. I enjoy the content and the added fluff.
So I'm an odd ball then, I'm a lefty and hold the trimmer the same way you do. My right hand controls the throttle and I trim walking forward or even sideways sometimes. Oh by the way, there are notches in the trimmer head to hold the line while you respool the other side. Also while spooling those heads, start with the outside first then do the inside.
AvE would be proud. Little HDPE glass fibre reinforced plastic. Perfect trimmer for old dewclaw
Maybe I should buy a CNC and make my own trimmer head 😂
Send one of the trimmers to the empire of dirt and let Uncle bumble-f tear it down on the healing bench.
Glad to see some AVE fans here.
Wooooo Ave
Does it chooch?
Hi Allan....great info....Do more of videos like this...They help all of us decide what equipment to purchase!....Tks for all your videos!....Take Care
The " power band" on the echo is much smoother than the hyper tough and is tuned better, has a better carburetor and better cylinder, better metal used etc. The head and gears are better in the echo also.
So ur wrong and I’ll tell u y on an echo or Stihl and other higher brands the have a clutch attached to the motor meaning at an idle the head doesn’t spin until u give throttle on Walmart cheap brand which I do own has a solid cable going to motor to head with no clutch and u can tell this by pulling rope if the head spins while pulling rope there no clutch this is why it seems to be smoother on the echo because the clutch absorbs a lot of the brute force vs walmart brand just goes full power all the time
Meh...China made 2 cycle engines and carbs are all pretty much the same if they are spec'd the same. Don't be fooled into thinking dealer brands are necessarily any better unless they are spec'd better. Made in Japan vs China any day...but good luck with that...
My garage issues too Allyn. One half clean for the wifes car and my side......well!
Do lots of reviews my guy. Your words are valuable. They (companies) should pay you for reviews.
I love that you use lofi hip-hop. ChilledCow and The Bootleg Boy are my go-to TH-cam channels. 👍🏼
I listen to Chilled Cow all day here.
Man this is awesome, I'd love to see lawn maintenance videos with cheap brand/ curb find, or even vintage OPE and see how they fair on a good lawn
I just bought several of these, in the straight shaft version, for family members and myself, brand new on clearance for only $20 each! I’m looking forward firing up mine for this weekend’s yard work.😉
2-cycle Echo or Stihl straight-shaft with Speed-Feed head and Black Diamond line with EDGIT PRO upgrade. Only way to go. Good points and tips in your vids.
Loved it Allyn!!! I would definitely like to see more review videos. I love the way you broke this down too and compared it to what you know and love. I too have the Echo PAS 225 based on your previous recommendation and absolutely love the thing!!!! Thanks again and keep up the great work!
I grew up using a curved shaft trimmer because that's what my Dad had. I bought a straight shaft Toro for myself and will not go back. I'll take the tiny extra weight for the ability to add attachments and an overall longer lasting drive shaft.
IMHO Toro's with straight shaft or split shaft are the best value trimmer available at Home Depot OR get the Black Max Trimmer/Edger combo from Sam's Club/Walmart for the ultimate win in the US
Informative video. Purchased the curved shaft at $70 and works great however my back aches. I will purchase longer trimmer next year.
Yes please do more comparison videos of products.... it's always good to hear unbiased opinions.
I searched cheapest trimmer because I want to buy a cheap one. We got a homelite and it got stuck on cord, sent in for repair/ got $ back, still under 1 yr warranty. Trying to see what other cheap trimmer will be better than that homelite. Don’t really want to buy a homelite again. Thanks very much for this video. Funny, entertaining and informative.
I have a Black and Decker 40 volt electric weed whip. No more gas or physical torture to start it plus it's way quieter. Once you go electric you will ditch your gas trimmer. Very good video too. Good job.
Tip to restring the line @17:40, there are those 6 tabs sticking out and usually 2-4 of them are notched. You can snap the line into the notch to keep the line tight in the spool. Do the line closer to the tabs first. Stop 1 line on one side of the spool and stop line 2 on the other side. With the lines held in the notches, you can let go of the lines. This makes it easier to put lines into the 2 holes too. Pull the line through the hole and it'll pop off the notch. Done. No more anxiety.
i love my echo srm-225. perfectly sized and balanced for me and it starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull.
I am looking to buy/ upgrade my lawn equipment and would love comparison videos. I think you did some on mowers but if you haven't trimmers and blowers would be great too. Or maybe a video talking about a budget, mid-range and top of the line suggestion for each category.
Warm, rainy days are great to enjoy a cigar and some lo-fi
I loved this. I have a garden with lots of curves. I own a rechargable Ryobi and its ok but I'm not sure how to hold it and it is too short for me. It kicks stuff against my legs some times too. Im 5'8 woman, so I definitely understand stuff made for short people. Id appreciate a video on blowers. I have been using the same blower for about 10 yrs and I'm hating on the cord. You are right aboiut people hating to use their equiptment because of difficulties such as threading the weed wacker. I liked this so much I will watch it again.
a very useful and thoughtful production yet again. Thanks big Al
I use 2.4 mm string that I seem to go through very quickly in my Stihl trimmer. What size is the string you were using? Looks like rope compared to mine.
trying to wind trimmer string is why i went a bit more expensive, and got the RYOBI 25cc straight shaft trimmer from the HD. A review of that one I'd like to see.. to get your take on it. It powered through my field grasses fairly well it did bog down, but the weeds were 3 foot tall and green so i can't complain.
LOL.....You're killing me Allyn! Watching you reload the trimmer brings back frustrating memories 4 sure. I enjoyed the video greatly. I would definitely like to see more videos of this nature. Great review!
Excellent video. I just purchased the Hyper Tough for my son. I have been using the Echo. It is a beautiful machine.
I replaced my self feeding head on my trimmer because I hated winding the string on the spool. Got a replacement head at HD that allows me to insert a single piece into head, two tales coming out. Quick to install and fast to replace.
My main takeaway... Echo doesn't just BBRRRAAAA! MMMRRAAA! Just break through it. I have a battery powered Black and Decker trimmer with a single line and I'm 5'4" so "Hyper Tough" may be an upgrade 🤣🤣
I bought a battery powered black and decker for about $90. Now I have to go see which way it spins. LOL. It
works fine for me so far. Great review Allyn. Keep 'em coming.
Al, do you use an actual lawn edger or do you use an attachment (edger) for your trimmer? If you do use an actual edger what brand is it bud? Thanks!
Next you should try the Ames rotary edger. It's a manual edger but it does a fantastic job on St. Augustine grass and keeps edges straight and clean, and takes less time than any gas or electric edger.
Love this review video bro! Really important information for advanced and new lawn owners. I really enjoyed it! Definitely make some more reviews. On another note all this rain has my St.Aug on steroids lol.
I like the videos. Would like to see a review of different trimmer lines and some of the other styles
That straight shaft Hyper Tough is identical to a Craftsman Trimmer I had back 5 years ago. Must be the same manufacturer.
I’m glad that you pointed out the length of the trimmer being a major issue for all trimmers, not just cheap ones - even $150+ trimmers suffer from this, especially the battery powered ones. People often point out price, power, and build quality but neglect comfort and usability. This is important at any price - not much use in saving $100 on a trimmer if you are laid up for the rest of the day from hunching over. I love my Echo PAS as well - the quality and versatility of the whole PAS system is tough to beat.
I really LOVED this one bro! Great topic.
I hate dealing with engines and the dual lines... Got me a battery powered 3 years ago and love it!
I have a homelite curved shaft trimmer that I purchased in 1999 when I bought my first house. It still fires up and just this year I replaced the fuel lines as they disintegrated. I’m left handed. The trimmer was about $100 and 20 years later it has cost me $5/yr
Try adjust the handle back towards the throttle area where you hand squeezs the trigger, you loos swinging power but gain back posture, so just keep in mind I've been trimming for years
My father has a brand new Stihl trimmer. It's a curve shaft. I hate it. I have a 15+ year old craftsman with a straight shaft. Love it. Everytime I think I need to upgrade, my craftsman just keeps on running. I clean the sponge carburetor filter and a new spark plug every other year, that's it. Maybe next year.
My Stihl trimmer loads exactly the same way. It has a straight shaft, and is still too short for my 6 foot 2 frame. Finally getting rain here in the Cape. Got the CX DIY down a week ago, and the green up is great.
Couldn’t stop laughing with the 12in shaft joke!!
Allyn, what’s the best electric string trimmer that one could buy in 2020?
As I made my mind up to mow wet on Saturday
because of the forecast and I was overgrown.
I wondered if Allyn was mowing wet over by there!!!!! Memorial Day Milo is poppin 😍
Allyn: "I'm short, I'm 5'8". If you are 5'10" or 6' like most of your are ..."
Me: I might as well be considered a kid at 5'6". Time to heat up my Raviolis.
I'm 15 at 5 6 :) I'm tiny
I am 32 and 5`0``
When putting new line on the trimmer use those notches to your advantage. Wind the side closest to the spring first then snap the line in one of the grooves. Then wind the other side and snap it in a groove to hold it. Then fish the line through the holes and pull the line. This will unsnap the line from the grooves, put on the black knob and your all set. Hope that makes sense. The notches are your friend, they hold the line for you.
This was the best trimmer prawn I have watched. The prawn music set the pace.
😂😂👊
love the cleetus merch appearance! great work on the raceway
Hoorah! Thank you.
This thing looks like my Craftsman, though I have the straight shaft...has the same startup instructions and everything...do we have another product by our bro Skip? 🧐
Talking about the direction of the spining head you get used to the first weedeater you used. I think
MTD is wildly popular in Canada; it's sold at a chain called Canadian Tire. I have their cheapest ass gas mower for 9 years. I had to change the carb gasket after 2 years (It's stowed in an unheated shed in the winter). I also have one of their cheap-o snow blowers (blowing snow is FUN kids!). I've owned it for 8 years, bought 2nd hand (it's 18 years old). I had to replace the wheel hubs and a drive belt. BOTH products work really, really well. MTD must have some wicked quality control in China, b/c their stuff is REALLY good for a casual homeowner like me.
Replacing the line is much easier when you use the little line cut out slots to hold the line ends vertically. Then, you can simply thread the lines through the holes in the head without any muss or fuss.
The final move, which you demonstrated, was to yank on the lines to pull them out of the cut out hold slots to free the line for bump feed operation. :-)
Really wish you gave a review like this a few years ago. I got a Remington straight shaft and it took a spline tool to adjust the intake and installing that line is a pain every time.
I have one of the Hyper tough trimmers(bought a couple years ago) and I'll say it's been super reliable. I only had to recently have it serviced(I didn't drain fuel before storing for the winter, my own fault really).
Also on the restringing, there are little notches at the top that you pop your line into when you are done wrapping. When you go to put it back in, you pull your ends out and it will come out of the notches as you re-install it on the trimmer. It actually makes it really easy to do.
Just curious, how much did it cost to get it serviced?
These trimmers are no good
At 20:46 I believe none of them have the electronics box that detects load but it has carburetor and it notices that it is taking less fuel dew to the lower RPMS ( due to bogging down ) and it is comparing to the throttle position and it is adding more fuel so is that what you meant ?
Not much room on the hyper tough but move the shaft handle as far up the shaft toward the motor as you can. the pivot point with change allowing you to stand straighter. Again, it's a shorter shaft to begin with but, it's still a help.
Spot on. On a surprising good note; this season started without any issues. That's a bonus. But pegs right back down when trim for any length of time. Back begins to ache due to awkward angle while trimming. Cuts pretty decent for a budget trimmer. 100% agree; if would just increase the length of the trimmer; they'd have a solid winner.
To Lawn Care Nut: What is the make/model of your beloved echo? Thanks greatly in advance!
I have the Echo PAS225 "split boom unit" and I highly recommend it
@@TheLawnCareNut Thank you greatly!
When you wrap the line the loose ends are snapped into the slots you see. Now you leave enough to push through the holes. Mount the spool and screw the lock back on. Now pull out each line until it is long enough to hit the cutter. I hope this made sense. Personally I get rid of these type of spools and go for the one you thread the line from one side through to the other side and then turn body to take up the line. So much easier and much less like to get the line over-wrapping itself and stop feeding, which makes you take it apart and start all over. Buy the best spooler; you won't regret it.
All hi end trimmers spin counter clockwise is what I have found in 38 years of lawn service work
Hi Allen, long time watcher first time comment/question. I think I saw a Darwin grip device for trimmers in your garage. If so, would you do a review of that product?
I have this trimmer! As far as longevity: I bought it about about 6 years ago. It was sitting, with a full tank of E10+oil fuel, in my garage for about 4 years, and after replacing the rotten fuel line, putting some fresh ethanol-free fuel+oil in, and running the engine with a drill for about two minutes to get the gunk out, it started up just fine and has actually been running great all season! It remains to be seen if it will continue to hold up under regular use.
As for how to winding the line: do the bottom side (closest to ground) first, and then put the line in the slot marked for the line thickness. Then do the other side and place it in the slot on the opposite side. Now thread the line through the holes and then push down on the bump stop while pulling the lines out of the slots. TADA!
Actually you can hold the string trimmer where it is at a 15 or 20 degree angle on the side is pulls clippings out toward you with is doesn’t matter what way you walk. The edge that is cutting is throwing stuff back to you. Basically cut the sting trimmer head in half. Whatever side brings clipping back to you that’s the side that need to be closest to the ground.