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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,949 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,949 Likes: 2 |
Any opinions on the quality of Sears Craftsman lite and med.duty weedeaters/string trimmers ? How do they compare to Echo or Husquavarna ?
" It ain't dead.As long as there's one cowboy taking care of one cow,it ain't dead ! " Monte Walsh
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 45
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 45 |
Last ones I had in my shop were made by Poulan, have been for quite a few years. Depends on what you use them for. The quality has been lower the last few years. I've been through this several times, as models change and EPA regulations keep forcing changes. They probably will make improvements, but right now I am selling Husqvarna which seem to hold up much better for tougher jobs. Echo's may be good, I just don't see that many to make a general judgement. Hope this helps. (I sell and work on close to 100 per year, I have a smaller 1 man service center) Marty
Last edited by ST40; 03/03/12.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,932 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,932 Likes: 11 |
I've got an older one. Like all small two-stroke engines, one needs a P.H.D. in mechanical engineering to keep it running right. Coupled with that is the fact that whoever the genius was who designed the respooling mechanism should be hanged with a slip-knot around his testicles with a bowling ball in each hand.
Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.
Happily Trapped In the Past (Thanks, Joe)
Not only a less than minimally educated person, but stupid and out of touch as well.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,661
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,661 |
I use a diesel flamethrower weed burner that I built. To keep the weeds burned back I do it two times a season. Try burning them off and see if it works for you.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317 |
Two strokes are easy to run, but E85 fuel can cause grief. Typically the only thing that a 2 stroke needs service wise is a quick carb rebuild, especially if running that ethanol crap. Swapping out the pump diaphram in the carb and a new spark plug is a 5 minute job and should get you back up and running in no time.
As to weedwackers, if you are cutting alot weeds and brush, or just want a one time purchase get a professional quality Husky or Stihl. Unfortunately consumer models are typically throwaways after a few years.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 45
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 45 |
I agree about buying a quality trimmer. I amazes me when my customers want to keep spending way too much keeping the $99 Walmart units going. I tell them to at least buy a mid-range trimmer and NEVER spend more than $50.00 repairing it. Put that money toward a similar or better unit. Marty
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 974
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 974 |
All Craftsman power tools are now made in China, and do not have the famous guarantee that their hand tools have. Bottom line, it's a P.O.S.!
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,551
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,551 |
Any opinions on the quality of Sears Craftsman lite and med.duty weedeaters/string trimmers ? Yes. How do they compare to Echo or Husquavarna ? They don't.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,522
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,522 |
I can't comment on the Craftsman but I have had an Echo for several years and it has been a very good machine. I did buy the trimmer head that you just stick the pieces of line into. It makes it easy swap heavy or light line for the cutting job at hand.
Ernie
George Washington - �Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire,�conscience.�
God save the Republic
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,551
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,551 |
I had a Craftsman POS weedeater. I replaced it with a Stihl.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,949 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,949 Likes: 2 |
Thanks guys,that's about the review I expected.I think I'll spend my gift card on Sears hand tools and buy the weedeater elsewhere.
" It ain't dead.As long as there's one cowboy taking care of one cow,it ain't dead ! " Monte Walsh
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001 |
Had one good one, one bad. The bad one had a crap carb right out of the box, and I couldn't get it to run right until I changed it out. It's good now and has the one-piece line, which is much better than the spools. The other one has been great, has the quick-change shaft for attachments (I have the pole saw and brush cutter). I've only run premium or avgas in it and it's been going strong for five years. If you want to kill any two-stroke, run some ethanol in it. You'll succeed. I think the Sears units are hit and miss. When these die, the next one will be a Husky.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,588
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,588 |
I bought an Echo straight shaft trimmer in the fall of 1998 and it has been running ever since. Keep fresh plugs and air filters in it and it starts and runs great.
"Never stand and take a charge...charge them too."
--- General Nathan Bedford Forrest, CSA
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,949 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,949 Likes: 2 |
All the gas in my area has ethanol and I run the blue Stabil in all my equipment.Does using premium help that much ?
" It ain't dead.As long as there's one cowboy taking care of one cow,it ain't dead ! " Monte Walsh
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,289
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,289 |
I had a Craftsman POS weedeater. I replaced it with a Stihl. Same here. Very pleased with result.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317 |
Get 100LL av gas if you can't avoid the E85. The problem is the ethanol eats the gaskets, and the fuel evaporates leaving varnish in the carb that gunks up the very small dia fuel passages.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,711 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,711 Likes: 1 |
I had a Craftsman POS weedeater. I replaced it with a Stihl. Exactly what I did and for a few extra $$ it's well worth it.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001 |
All the gas in my area has ethanol and I run the blue Stabil in all my equipment.Does using premium help that much ? The blue Stabil (or Startron) will help, but if you can get ANY fuel that doesn't have ethanol, you're better off. Most premium fuel around here is ethanol-free. You still should add a fuel stabilizer to the premium- red Stabil or PRI-G.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,380 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,380 Likes: 1 |
I replaced a 25-year old Shindaiwa last year with a new Shindaiwa. The old one probably just needs a carb re-build, and I'll have that done and pass it down to one of my sons. My dad has a relatively new Stihl, and it seems to be a good machine. I don't have any experience with the Husqvarna, but would expect it to be a good machine as well. I do only use pure gasoline in all of my two stroke equipment. I don't have any experience with a craftsman, but would expect it to be a "throw-away" model, ie. a waste of good money.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,603
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,603 |
Do yourself a favor an buy a Stihl or a Husky. I'll have a lot less headacks
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