My Redmax took a dive last week after 8 years. I am sure I could probably get it going again, but I don't feel like spending any money on it. It leaked from day one out of the muffler and I constantly had to clean the arrestor screen. It's my fault for never taking it back in under warranty. Anyway, looking for a new string trimmer. Any thoughts on the Echo 225 or 2620? I am thinking 2620 because we live on a greenbelt and things get gnarly behind my back fence.

I really don't want a battery. I know it would be less mess, but I don't think the longevity is there for the heavy use I have at times. I do have an EGO blower and it's fine for most of what I need, but I am not sure how long these batteries are going to last and they aren't cheap. I usually get at least 8-10 years out of a gas trimmer.

I have Ryobi batteries I bought in 2015 that is still going strong, and honestly they're not that expensive. Especially catching a sale. I'd argue the cost of fuel + oil to mix in that time would be basically a wash.

I have the Expand-it tool system, so there's lots of attachments I can add to the same drive head. Similar to gas options for sure, but it's quieter, lighter, and has handled all the abuse my gas stuff would take. We've got a pretty tough property I maintain - if it can hold up to my abuse it will hold up to anything.

I was a battery skeptic myself until I decided to try it during a big sale, and I was sold.

https://www.directtoolsoutlet.com/product/RY40940VNM

Something like that kit would be a good get your feet wet kinda thing, and if you don't like it there's always a gas trimmer option out there for you.

with a company like Ryobi there's a whole slew of tools that use the same battery platform as well. I've got quite a few of them in both 18v and 40v. My 40v chainsaw is my primary chainsaw now, trimmer, leaf blower. My gas powered tools really don't get used anymore.

I've got the same and have the trimmer, edger, tree trimmer, blower, and hedge trimmer. I'm going on 5 years with no issues.

Stihl. I have several Stihl chainsaws that are decades old and still run like a top. I have changed one of the ignition modules myself, but that's it. Bought a Stihl Kombi with several attachments (string trimmer, pole saw, etc) circa 2012... works great despite the abuse I give it.

I might switch to electric someday, but I like what I have now.

I'd go with the bigger cc echo or stihl if you want gas.

I've got an echo pas (power attachment system) that's been running strong for probably 12 years. It won't die and I'm pretty invested in all the attachments.

I love battery powered equipment but if you have a big area to maintain and some heavy brush I don't blame you for wanting gas.

I recently purchased a Stihl Fs56 and have been pretty happy with it so far. Easiest starting 2 cycle I've ever owned and quite powerful. Ace hardware had it for $50 off ($200 instead of $250) if purchased online for store pickup and warranty is doubled from 2 to 4 years with a purchase of Stihl 2 cycle oil six pack.

My company runs stihl fs91 and they are tough. They get used mon-Fri for 52 weeks (minus a couple holidays).

Had my ego weed eater for 8 years now, also have the blower and hedge trimmer. All sharing a single battery that entire time and no issues.

I have an Echo 2620 for about a year now and use it 1-2 hours a week. Its been great for me except on only the largest weeds around the pond. Get a harness if you are going to use it for any extended period

I started with a stihl 56. Constant problems. Bought a echo trimmer basic model 225-226? Can't remember? Either way, basic suburban lawn it was great! Especially with the new head for easy restring.
We moved farther out of town and bought the 2620T. It's not bad. Has low end torque for thicker grasses but not over weight.
I used to love stihl, I guess I had a bad run with a few tools? Now I'm strictly echo!
Do your self a favor and go to a dealership and not a big box store. Better service and who knows you might find something better?

10 years with my Stihl FS56, still going strong. Only issue was having to replace pull string.

Absolutely go with Stihl. I'll never go back.

Another vote for Stihl.

Are these battery ones tough enough to edge thick St Augustine runners?

I have a Black and Decker 20V trimmer and it just doesn't cut it….literally.

I got a gas powered Craftsman off Nextdoor for free, and it's powerful as hell. But it's a b* to start, leaks fuel, and you have to pull the cable off the spark plug to kill it. The price was right.
But it opened my eyes to the power differential between gas and what I was using previously.

Great choice. I have one that's still going strong from 2016

chris1515 said:

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Are these battery ones tough enough to edge thick St Augustine runners?

I have a Black and Decker 20V trimmer and it just doesn't cut it….literally.

I got a gas powered Craftsman off Nextdoor for free, and it's powerful as hell. But it's a b* to start, leaks fuel, and you have to pull the cable off the spark plug to kill it. The price was right.
But it opened my eyes to the power differential between gas and what I was using previously.

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I've got an EGO Power String Trimmer and it not only is powerful enough to cut through St. Augustine runners, but it will cut through lots of thicker items like rose bush branches and small shrub branches as I was weed eating yesterday. It's as powerful as my old gas trimmer, as both utilize 0.095" string, but quieter, lighter, easier to use with no mixing of fuels, etc. Plus it has the automatic string feed feature to restring when the string is depleted.

EGO also has trimmer models that utilize what they call as "Line IQ Technology" to automatically extend the string as you are trimming. Well, I was able to try a model with that feature and hated it as it didn't continuously extend the string like I expected it to do. A friend also has one and he too made the comment that he wishes it had the old tap and go feature to which I agreed.

I asked my kids to get me an EGO trimmer for Christmas and lo and behold, they provided me with model ST1511T that has the tap and go head in lieu of the Line IQ Technology. Works great, so I highly recommend going that route if you decide to go EGO. The unit is powered by a 2.5 Ah 56V ARC Lithium Battery, that gets up to 45 minutes of run time on a single charge! I've also got a blower and chain saw so I have multiple batteries and chargers to keep me going to get both of my yards done!

My 35+ year old green machine gas string trimmer died. I replaced it with a battery powered Sthil and i LOVE it. I do my large suburban cul-de-sac lot on usually half a charge.

jpistolero02 said:

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I really don't want a battery. I know it would be less mess, but I don't think the longevity is there for the heavy use I have at times. I do have an EGO blower and it's fine for most of what I need, but I am not sure how long these batteries are going to last and they aren't cheap. I usually get at least 8-10 years out of a gas trimmer.

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I got almost 20 yrs out my black and decker battery trimmer/blower.. I finally got a new set last summer, all toro (mower,blower,trimmer, hedger)

that trimmer is powerful as hell.. I can do my yard probably 10 times on a battery (plus I have 4 batteries, so there is always one charged and ready)

how much trimming are you doing that you are worried about a modern battery not lasting?

chris1515 said:

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Are these battery ones tough enough to edge thick St Augustine runners?

I have a Black and Decker 20V trimmer and it just doesn't cut it….literally.

I got a gas powered Craftsman off Nextdoor for free, and it's powerful as hell. But it's a b* to start, leaks fuel, and you have to pull the cable off the spark plug to kill it. The price was right.
But it opened my eyes to the power differential between gas and what I was using previously.

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I have a 18v Makita brushless motor trimmer, and it handles all residential weed eating and edging needs.

I can't find a string that can keep up, however, while edging. Changed the head out to a Makita quick load head, so at least I can re-string on the fly easily.

trueaggie2782 said:

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Absolutely go with Stihl. I'll never go back.

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Stihl are good but are heavy and will wear your ass out on big jobs. I have one and love it, but it's not for everyone. Get one with a split shaft so you can swap attachments.