Thread: Petrol Hedge trimmers

Hi,
I have a Stihl combi tool. Hedge trimmer, pole saw, blower.
I got it with the 4cycle 2stroke mix engine, not cheap, but I wanted it to last 30 odd years, which I think it should with out dramas.
Very easy to use, much quieter than many of the 2 cycle engines and has the torque of the 4 cycle.
cheers

IME Stihl, Husky and Echo are all good brands. However, be aware that most/all make "consumer" models and "professional" models.

The professional models cost more, but may be worth the extra in the long run, as they will generally be better quality, more reliable, and have better parts availability (especially longer term).

Echo seem to have a better reputation for brushcutters and hedge trimmers, however I have never seen a professional using echo chainsaws.

EDIT: To add to this. I bought dad a stihl trimmer which has given 10+ hears of trouble free service and is still going strong. I own a husky professional chainsaw and a stihl pro saw. They are both well built, but I would buy husky over still saws 9 times out of 10.

I have used Stihl for a number of years - good parts backup - chainsaw, edger, hedger, combi system. As said above go for the professional - will last your life out for domestic use. Cannot pass comments on the other brands.

I haven't got a hedge trimmer, but I recently bought a Stihl whipper snipper.

Must unreliable and difficult to start piece of crap I have ever owned, and that's after having it serviced and "tuned" shortly after buying it.

As far as I'm concerned, you can put the small 2 stroke engines where the sun don't shine.

I have now bought a Ryobi battery powered whipper snipper - uses the same Lithium batteries that the drill / circular saw / angle grinder and a multitude of other battery powered tools in the shed use - and it craps all over the much more expensive 2 stroke petrol whipper snipper.

If it wasn't for the chainsaw - I wouldn't bother keeping 2 stroke fuel in the shed.

Originally Posted by river343

I have used Stihl for a number of years - good parts backup - chainsaw, edger, hedger, combi system. As said above go for the professional - will last your life out for domestic use. Cannot pass comments on the other brands.

Besides price the only difference I could see between the "professional" and domestic Echo hedger was a longer bar and swivel handle. It so happened that the Echo rep was in the shop when I was looking and he mentioned that the "professional" had a longer bar. All had the same size engine and features. They all had a 5year domestic / 2 year professional warranty.

Stihl, Stihl or Stihl but if you must Jonsered is a wicked make I used and is super quiet, easy to start and takes a hiding.

I'm a fan of Honda

I have a Honda mower and brush cutter. Excellent machines. Start first time every time. Both four stroke. I also can't understand why people think two strokes are a good option. It's a bit prehistoric if you ask me.

The brush cutter was ~$200 when I bought it (2003) and still going strong. Pretty sure they now sell for $299.

WRT hedgers. I plan to also buy Honda. I bought a dirt cheap electric Ryobi ($90) from Bunnings about 5 years ago and I reckon I could get another year out of it. It's a race between the blades and the motor as to which will go first. (The blades have tangled with a chain wire fence on more than one occasion). The Ryobi has been good value. I use it every 2nd weekend almost for up to 2 hours.

Go Honda.

Regards
Andrew

IMHO many (most?) of the problems of these small petrol tools is to do with fuel, specifically not emptying the tank and then restarting and running them out of fuel .
I have now had a cheap Mcculloch whipper snipper for about 10 years , never changed a plug, never had any problem starting.

I also make sure I include fuel stabilizer in the 2stroke and 4 stroke cans as some of this petrol must get very old waiting around to be used.Oh and I don't use E10.

Any engine will eventually play up if the carby is full of crud.
Regards Philip A