my weedwacker purchasing experience
06-02-2005, 05:31 PM
#1
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my weedwacker purchasing experience
so we wanted to buy a weedwacker to add to the collection of lawn equipment. so i went to lowes and picked out a 4 cycle 159.99 troy-bilt. took it home assembled it and gased it up.
it has one of those damn automatic spindles on the bottom(whatever you call it) where the line comes out.
it takes me just a few min to get familiar with the controls and to get the end to spin to cut the grass.
success!! i start to cut my 1st few blades of weeds and then the lione sucks itself back into the spindle.
this happens about 4 more times and it takes me quite a while to figure it out. eventually after the 5th time i threw the spindle across the yard at the fence.
luckily nothing broke but i lost the spring and i said fawk it.
so i returned it and got my $$$ back. i went to sears and checked out their selection. the only 4 cycle they had was 219.99 craftsman, a little more than i wanted to spend but i wanted a better product.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...=Line+Trimmers
the spool(now i know what it is called) uses a single peice of line that is easy to replace.
those spools that contain 20 feet of line that are supposed to be automatic are a pain and this craftsman is sweet.
it is a little heavier but cuts like hell and i would recommend it
it has one of those damn automatic spindles on the bottom(whatever you call it) where the line comes out.
it takes me just a few min to get familiar with the controls and to get the end to spin to cut the grass.
success!! i start to cut my 1st few blades of weeds and then the lione sucks itself back into the spindle.
this happens about 4 more times and it takes me quite a while to figure it out. eventually after the 5th time i threw the spindle across the yard at the fence.
luckily nothing broke but i lost the spring and i said fawk it.
so i returned it and got my $$$ back. i went to sears and checked out their selection. the only 4 cycle they had was 219.99 craftsman, a little more than i wanted to spend but i wanted a better product.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...=Line+Trimmers
the spool(now i know what it is called) uses a single peice of line that is easy to replace.
those spools that contain 20 feet of line that are supposed to be automatic are a pain and this craftsman is sweet.
it is a little heavier but cuts like hell and i would recommend it
06-02-2005, 05:36 PM
#2
The sizzle in the Steak
4-cycle weed wackers own!
06-02-2005, 05:36 PM
#4
Yeehaw
you must be doing some serious whacking.
mine was like $75 and it takes down everything. gas and i think 25cc?
my yards only about 30 feet wide though.
mine was like $75 and it takes down everything. gas and i think 25cc?
my yards only about 30 feet wide though.
06-02-2005, 05:39 PM
#5
Senior Moderator
Mine's similar to the one you got (but it's in JD green)...
Did you get any of the attachments ?? I need to buy the tiller/cultivator attachment 'cause my step-dad took back the one I was "borrowing" from him
)
Did you get any of the attachments ?? I need to buy the tiller/cultivator attachment 'cause my step-dad took back the one I was "borrowing" from him
)
06-02-2005, 05:40 PM
#6
The sizzle in the Steak
I got a Ryobi 4 cycle a few years ago...it's great...paid about $120.00 for it...you can attach all sorts of attachments to it. Works great.
06-02-2005, 05:44 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
I got a Ryobi 4 cycle a few years ago...it's great...paid about $120.00 for it...you can attach all sorts of attachments to it. Works great.
My step dad bought a kawi top of the line trimmer last year 'cause it was the quietest one on the market
http://www.kawpowr.com/stringtrimmers.asp
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06-02-2005, 05:44 PM
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i picked up a cheap homelite gas powered one last year for like $70 at home depot
06-02-2005, 05:47 PM
#9
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by 03SSMTL-S
i picked up a cheap homelite gas powered one last year for like $70 at home depot
06-02-2005, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
4-cycle for 70 bucks?!?!? What a deal!...unless it's 2-cycle
06-02-2005, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by GreenMonster
Mine's similar to the one you got (but it's in JD green)...
Did you get any of the attachments ?? I need to buy the tiller/cultivator attachment 'cause my step-dad took back the one I was "borrowing" from him)
Did you get any of the attachments ?? I need to buy the tiller/cultivator attachment 'cause my step-dad took back the one I was "borrowing" from him
)damn, i never thought about the tiller attachment, i may have to take another trip back.
the auto spool was a pain in the butt
06-02-2005, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by dallison
you said it, i didnt want to mix oil and gas
06-02-2005, 05:57 PM
#14
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by dallison
you said it, i didnt want to mix oil and gas
06-02-2005, 05:58 PM
#15
Got da Internet Goin Nutz
I am having the same experience with a Lowes weed wacker I thought it was just my inexperience at weed wacking, but their automatic line shit is a PAIN IN THE ASS! I went through the WHOLE line in ONE CUTTING SESSION!
It will be going back THIS WEEKEND!
It will be going back THIS WEEKEND!
Last edited by bl^5; 06-02-2005 at 06:01 PM.
06-02-2005, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by bl^5
I am having the same experience with a Lowes weed wacker I thought it was just my inexperience at weed wacking, but their automatic line shit is a PAIN IN THE ASS! I went through the WHOLE line in ONE CUTTING SESSION!
06-02-2005, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by GreenMonster
Yeah, the next one I buy is gonna be a 4 cycle...
06-02-2005, 06:05 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by chef chris
Got a 2 cycle Toro...best I've ever owned, no smell, no smoke, no mess $150 at Homer D Poes.
06-02-2005, 06:10 PM
#21
GEEZER
B&D Cordless elecric here. It was a gift. I hate it. No balls and it just sucks, This weekend a new 2-cycle Weed Wacker. I like teh 2 strokes.
06-02-2005, 06:13 PM
#23
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Originally Posted by mclarenf3387
We just pay the Messicans 
"Damn, the lawn fairies must have been here"
06-02-2005, 06:15 PM
#24
Suzuka Master
Originally Posted by GreenMonster
My friend has "lawn fairies"... He'll come home and the lawn will be cut...
"Damn, the lawn fairies must have been here"
"Damn, the lawn fairies must have been here"
Thats just because we can't pronounce they're names
06-02-2005, 06:16 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by dallison
it is a little heavier but cuts like hell and i would recommend it
I use the shoulder strap all the time now...
06-02-2005, 06:57 PM
#26
Safety Car
Damn, someone else trying to put the Mexicans out of work! I actually have a Japanese gardener as most Mexicans around here are known as "mow & blow" gardeners.
06-02-2005, 06:57 PM
#27
Where is my super sauce?
I have a Homelite 2 cycle. For as little as I use a wacker, it's OK. I rarely use it more then say 5 minutes to run the sidewalk weeds and get the stuff around trees.
That being said, it smokes, and vibrates a lot. My arms probably couldn't take more then 10 minutes at a time, given the degree of vibration.
Mixing the fuel is not that big of a deal. I'm on the same 1 gallon that I mixed up 3 years ago. At least the thing is somewhat fuel effecient.
That being said, it smokes, and vibrates a lot. My arms probably couldn't take more then 10 minutes at a time, given the degree of vibration.
Mixing the fuel is not that big of a deal. I'm on the same 1 gallon that I mixed up 3 years ago. At least the thing is somewhat fuel effecient.
06-02-2005, 06:58 PM
#28
Administrator Alumnus
Be careful what you're wacking by...
My brother in-law was wacking the other day and during the process managed to hit a little tiny pebble and threw it up into the air and through his neighbor's window.
I couldn't believe it until I saw the window busted out.
Always wear safety glassed when wacking.
My brother in-law was wacking the other day and during the process managed to hit a little tiny pebble and threw it up into the air and through his neighbor's window.
I couldn't believe it until I saw the window busted out.
Always wear safety glassed when wacking.
06-02-2005, 07:07 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by Slimey
Mixing the fuel is not that big of a deal. I'm on the same 1 gallon that I mixed up 3 years ago. At least the thing is somewhat fuel effecient.
The 2 strokes are tough to handle vibration wise, but mine doesn't smoke...
06-02-2005, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by 1killercls
B&D Cordless elecric here. It was a gift. I hate it. No balls and it just sucks, This weekend a new 2-cycle Weed Wacker. I like teh 2 strokes.
that was done in the same purchase
06-02-2005, 08:32 PM
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Not to be a pain in the ass, but are you POSITIVE that you wound the line in the correct direction on the spool? Seems like that could cause the problem you were having. I've got a Craftsman 2 cycle with the automatic line feature and it works great, takes me like 3 months to have to refill the spool. I also bought the blower attachment for it - works pretty damn well.
06-02-2005, 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Gpump
Not to be a pain in the ass, but are you POSITIVE that you wound the line in the correct direction on the spool? Seems like that could cause the problem you were having. I've got a Craftsman 2 cycle with the automatic line feature and it works great, takes me like 3 months to have to refill the spool. I also bought the blower attachment for it - works pretty damn well.
it was all ready to go, i tried to follow thedirections, but at the time i became impatient and decided that was the route i didnt want to follow. some things i can appreciate the ease of use, but it didnt work for me in this case
06-02-2005, 08:51 PM
#39
Where is my super sauce?
Originally Posted by GreenMonster
Hopefully you put some fuel stablizer in the mix...
The 2 strokes are tough to handle vibration wise, but mine doesn't smoke...
The 2 strokes are tough to handle vibration wise, but mine doesn't smoke...
It smokes only when it's warming up -- but since I only use it a few minutes at a time, it never really gets real warmed up.
I would treat it nicer with better fuel and maintenance, but it's a cheap Homelite and I figure it has a limited lifespan as it is. It wasn't that expensive when I bought it. I've got a good 3 1/2 years out of it already and it ain't giving up soon.
