Stihl or Echo?

[Randy]

Ok, you guys probably remember me asking about what straight shaft trimmer to get. I wanted to get it on the cheap to hold me over until i can buy an over sized one. Anyway I scored a used Stihl FS-45Z straight shaft trimmer for cheap with minor issues(it wouldnt idle but would run if gunned and it was dirty as hell). Then i recently bought some garage shelves off of CL and they had an Echo SRM-210 sitting there in decent shape and she told me to take it cause it doesnt run. I havent messed with it yet but the piston looks good and the carb was gummed up as shit. I had a buddy sonic clean both carbs and some other parts and put them back together. The Stihl runs perfectly now minus the clutch bell pinging the clutch so that noise gets a little annoying but only at idle. The Echo will be done tomorrow and should be working fine as well. All that just to ask which of these two would you keep and which would you sell? Thanks in advance for any advice given.

Randy

[Baron Von Crowder]

ive used both and had no preference.

[dcs13]

LOVE my Stihl products.

[Cooter]

my buddy runs a pretty decent size lawn care business, and he runs all Stihl. He won't even consider an Echo

[Randy]

my buddy runs a pretty decent size lawn care business, and he runs all Stihl. He won't even consider an Echo

Ok, you happen to know why they take the shield off of the bottom on these things?

[CJ]

Fuck Echo up it's stupid overpriced ass. I bought one of their very pricey trimmers, it lasted 1 damn year, and broke off an internal plastic collar inside the carburetor. The part was $85 to replace, and I never even cycled the choke to put strain on it, the thing literally broke itself from vibration. I bought it to finally end the year or two homelite cheapies. It was a piece of junk. I set it on the curb and a guy down my street picked it up, said he repairs trimmers/lawn mowers on the side and resells them. A week later it was on his curb.

[Samhain]

Warranty is five years for non commercial Echo products. Why chunk it if it's free to repair?

[Tyrone Biggums]

I've had an Echo SRM 210 straight shaft trimmer for 12 years now and it still runs to my satisfaction. Change the plug, air filter, and fuel filter every year and it keeps on going. Finally changed the fuel feed and return lines due to the fuel tank grommet that houses them cracking a few weeks ago.

[Cooter]

the old Echo stuff is quality. These days, not so much

[crooner]

Ok, you happen to know why they take the shield off of the bottom on these things?

So they can have the line out longer and the shields get in landscapers way.

But, I wouldn't take it off it puts more strain on the engine and clutch. Also, you don't have anything protecting your eyes.

The FS 45 has a larger engine 27.2 cc the srm-210 is 21cc so it's a little smaller. The carb on the FS 45 is adjustable while the carb on the srm is none adjustable.

The reason the Stihl pings at idle is the clutch it uses a 360 degree clutch or full clutch. The echo uses a two paw clutch so they don't ping.


Honestly keep the one you like the best. I have a garage full of Stihl. But, when I sold both of those units and I sold 100s of both. I would prefer the SRM-210 to a fs 45 series it's a proven design that comes from there older 230/260/2601 series of trimmers. They hold together really well and work fine for any homeowner.

[CJ]

Warranty is five years for non commercial Echo products. Why chunk it if it's free to repair?

Are you sure about that? Because mine was only a year old and I called and it was not covered, for whatever reason.

[Samhain]

Are you sure about that? Because mine was only a year old and I called and it was not covered, for whatever reason.

I'm positive. Consumer 5 years, commercial 2 years, rental 90 days.

[crooner]

I'm positive. Consumer 5 years, commercial 2 years, rental 90 days.

Warranty won't pay for dirty carbs or leaving old gas in your trimmer. 75% of the time when we had someone bring in a small 2 cycle trimmer or blower ect..... They won't start due to the customer leaving there old gas in there gumming up the carb or putting last years gas in it.

[CJ]

Warranty won't pay for dirty carbs or leaving old gas in your trimmer. 75% of the time when we had someone bring in a small 2 cycle trimmer or blower ect..... They won't start due to the customer leaving there old gas in there gumming up the carb or putting last years gas in it.

It wasn't a lack of maintenance issue, it was the first year I was using it, and like I said I only used it a few times before it shit the bed.

[ram57ta]

Funny all this talk about Echo's falling apart after less than 1 year and their shitty (and very spotty) warranty coverage. I've been using my Home Depot Homelite straight shaft for over 5 years and have never had a problem with it...also have a cheapy walmart Homelite blower that is going on about 6 years now...still runs great.