Questioni love the concept! but i hate the trimmer! i purchased one in 04, it lasted part of the season until the socket where the upper and lower halves join reamed completely out...
i purchased another in 05, its been in the repair shop once already for this very same problem... and it's barely been used because we've been in drought conditions in southern KY for 2 years... i've been getting by using my wifes ultralite weedeater...
i took it out today to use around the farm ponds, and used it a half hour, and it appears to be doing the same... trimmer works great, then something happens, the motor will rev, but the trimmer head won't spin... i can hear the drive shaft spinning inside...
i take the joints apart, put them back together, and it will run for another minute or so, then do it again...
is there a permanent fix for this yet? am i causing it? nowhere in the manual does it say i need to do anything but put it together...
i'm about to swap it in for a stihl or ryobi.... but i want to make sure i get the combi type...
any help you can give will be greatly appreciated!
many thanks!!!!
AnswerYou may not have the tool fully seated. I do not like recommending brands.
However, I would encourage you to visit you local Stihl dealer. Yes, their products cost more but they are usually more durable.
I like the combo systems as well. Me experience with the Ryobi models is they change there coupling system every few years so when the old power head/engine units stops working and you go to buy just the power head/engine you have to buy all new attachments. Stihl tends to stay with a reliable and proven coupling system. I have read commercial user reviews on the system and they prfer the Shihl because they can replace the power head/engine assembly every couple of years and all their old attachments still fit.
As with any combo system, there is always slightly less performance with a multi-tool as compared to a specific one purpose tool. Again, many of the commercial landscapers will have several regular trimmers or normal trimming but most also have a combi system for trimming/weed wacking, trimming headges with the headge trimmer attachment, a blower attachment, a sweeping attachment and a tilling attachment. That way if a blower or regular trimmer breaks while out on the job they just go get the combi unit.
I would compare the prices. Stihl will no doubt be higher but you may be happier and more satisified in the long run. Plus if you twice as much use out of the Stihl you will actually save money in the long run.
Echo used to be good trimmers as well until they sold out to Home Depot. Echo lowered their price to be competative with Sears, Wal-Mart, Ryobi but they sacraficed their quality. Many Echo users who used the old equipment have switched to other, dealer sold equipment. Typically better equipment.
Hope this long response helps.
Eric
