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String Trimmer - Stihl or Echo

Posted on 12/22/21 at 10:05 pm
Posted by cssamerican
Member since Mar 2011
7119 posts
Posted on 12/22/21 at 10:05 pm
Getting a new string trimmer looking at one of these for trimming the ditches, around trees, driveway, and around the house with 4 acres of property.
Echo SRM-2620
Echo SRM-2620T
Stihl FS91 R
Stihl FS94 R
Any recommendations?
This post was edited on 12/22/21 at 11:16 pm
Posted by Tigerstro2
Louisiana
Member since Nov 2015
312 posts
Posted on 12/22/21 at 11:37 pm to
I recommend whichever one that has parts availability closest to you. I bought a Stihl FS91 R due to the ACE Hardware a couple of miles from me has parts plus they work on them. I do really like the trimmer though and would buy it again.
Posted by LSUtigerME
Walker, LA
Member since Oct 2012
3796 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 1:11 am to
Can’t really go wrong with any of them. I have an FS94R and it’s been great.
Posted by TBoy
Kalamazoo
Member since Dec 2007
23704 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 3:33 am to
I have a Stihl and it has not given me any trouble whatsoever. I changed the head to use precut string.
Posted by cajuns td
Prairieville
Member since Jun 2019
153 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 6:15 am to
I just upgraded from an 8 yr old echo srm225 to a stihl KM91R. It feels and runs much nicer than than the echo but its also more expensive. The echo was obviously solid as it lasted as long as it did. It was still running fine and I only upgraded for the kombi system. My only complaint so far with the Stihl is the kill switch. They should use a switch where you have to hold it for a second or two. I've bumped it a few times changing hand positions for edging and killed the motor.
Posted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Member since Jul 2011
29506 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 7:01 am to
If it is for your home, either one will be just fine. They are both top-of-the-line quality.

Posted by papasmurf1269
Hells Pass
Member since Apr 2005
20895 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 7:16 am to
I bought an echo stick edger and I absolutely love that thing. Takes a little while to get adjusted to using it but once you do, edging is very quick
Posted by felps22
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2011
470 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 8:08 am to
Stihl, because my work sells them
Posted by Srbtiger06
Member since Apr 2006
28259 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 9:07 am to
quote:

Stihl, because my work sells them



Hey me too

Posted by AutoYes_Clown
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Oct 2012
5175 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 9:31 am to
Echo SRM-2620 = Fantastic trimmer and my personal favorite. Well balanced with excellent feel. Speed Feed head is greatest invention for trimmers of any brand.

Echo SRM-2620T = Same as above, but high torque. Meant for heavier, woodier cutting or field cutting. I prefer the non high torque version above because I like speed to cut over torque.

Stihl FS91 R = The biggest most powerful of this lineup, however dont get hung up on more power means better. Its all about string speed and string type. Another fantastic choice.

Stihl FS94 R = The lightest of the bunch. Great choice for grass trimming long periods of time.

___

I run solo op lawncare. I use Echo and Shindaiwa (Toyota and Lexus in comparison). My blowers are Stihl. 4 acres is a lot, I would rule out the lighter 94 R just based on you are probably cutting a variety of grass heights and thicknesses.

Since you have large acreage, I would suggest go with an expandable multi-tool system Pro Attachment System (PAS) for Echo or Kombi (KM) for Stihl. That way you could expand to hedge trimmer, tree pruner, extensions, etc. The heads and tools for both lines are very professional and handle abuse, they are not cheap big box quality. The only negative is the system is a little bit heavier than just a trimmer.

The comparable multi-tools would be PAS-2620 and KM 91 R. You can't go wrong with either Echo or Stihl when looking at their higher model levels like you are. If you do go Stihl, Google search on how to retrofit the Echo Speed Feed 400 or 800 head on it. Its a game changer.
This post was edited on 12/27/21 at 7:12 am
Posted by ItzMe1972
Member since Dec 2013
9800 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 9:44 am to
I have the Echo and no complaints.
Posted by onelochevy
Slidell, LA
Member since Jan 2011
16532 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 10:30 am to
Love the hell out of my echo, but you'll be happy with a Stihl as well
Posted by knight4
BR
Member since Sep 2016
51 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 10:57 am to
Both are great. I’ve had echo for last 12 years and just upgraded to new PAS unit…used broken hedge trimmer as excuse to justify upgrade and attachments.
Posted by Cracker
in a box
Member since Nov 2009
17702 posts
Posted on 12/23/21 at 9:46 pm to
echo
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
16569 posts
Posted on 12/24/21 at 11:39 am to
Stihl, I have two Stihl KM units and they've been flawless. I also have Echo equipment, blower and an older Kioritz hedge trimmer and both have been trouble-free too.
Posted by dragginass
Member since Jan 2013
2740 posts
Posted on 12/24/21 at 6:05 pm to
I just rebuilt the carb for the first time on my 14 year old SRM230. Runs like new again and should last another 10+ years. I also have a newer srm260t, which is honestly too heavy/torquey for normal use.
The oldest echo I have is from the mid 80s. It needs a top end refresh but is still otherwise good. All of my chainsaws are Stihl however, just by happenstance. They are all good tools.

ETA:. I'm in the minority about the "speed feed" heads. They wind quickly, but they only hold about half (maybe less) the amount of string that a regular echo heads hold.
Posted by Hamma1122
Member since Sep 2016
19820 posts
Posted on 12/24/21 at 8:33 pm to
Round up
Posted by Slim Chance
Member since Oct 2012
1576 posts
Posted on 12/27/21 at 2:55 am to
I have a Shindaiwa T242 that I bought in 2006 and have put a serious amount of flawless hours on. We've got 6 acres with a 1/2 acre pond that I regularly weed eat around and the only thing I've ever had to replace were the fuel lines and pull rope once, just from age. It's one of the best things I ever bit the bullet and spent money on after fighting home depot junk for years. That's just what I went with based on what I seemed to see most on the back of commercial lawn companies trailers.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20447 posts
Posted on 12/27/21 at 6:53 am to
quote:

house with 4 acres of property.


In this situation, I’d absolutely get either the echo PAS or Stihl Kombi head. Get a couple weed eater shafts so that you can have a brush blade and weedeater head to swap out. It’s so much easiest to use the brush blade on things like vines and young growth.
Posted by bbarras85
Member since Jul 2021
1967 posts
Posted on 12/27/21 at 3:44 pm to
I have two Stihl Trimmers and they are awesome machines. I'm not sure if they make them any longer. They have the removable shafts to swap out the ends. I have a pole saw, and edger attachment. My only gripe is after holding them more than an hour they get heavy.
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