Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Which one should I buy, briggs and straton, whipper snipper

Question
Hi Eric,

Just to let you know I took your advice and  I got my husband an Echo-GT2150si. It is a petrol one with a curved shaft. I did look at the Kawasaki's but they were $900. I've learnt alot about them since chatting with you. I didnt get the straight shaft because they have gears in the head and I felt that there is more to go wrong. The echo is a bump head one and mid range. I paid $400. They gave me $60 off and a pack of free cord. The cord is two lines in one so I thought that was a good idea. They also have the reverse pull start which I recoken is excellent because you don't have to rip the guts out of it to get it to fire up. As the snipper is not for heavy work I felt I have purchased a good one that will meet all his needs and last quite a while. The fella told me that Echo put their motors on a 1000 hour test before they release them for sale.

I can't thank you enough for all your help. You've made my job easier and hubbys too. Its hard trying to surprise your man with a new toy when I really know nothing anything about whipper snippers. I'll let you know if I get his approval when I give it to him.

Cheers
Renee

------------------------
Followup To
Question -
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi Eric,

I don't know if your the right person but I need some advice. Perhaps you can help. I'd like to buy my husband a whipper snipper for his birthday in 2 weeks. I have no idea what I should look for so I could be easyierly sucked in by crafty salesmen. I brought him a good mower and edger when we first got married and 20 years later other than new plugs or services they are going great. I purchased a briggs and straton 2 stroke. I think its a 2 stroke.

He is after a whipper snipper for when he doesnt need to use his edger and for around tricky areas.
I got the idea that for safety to get a motorised one not electric. Someone told me to get a hornet. I don't know if you are familiar with this but I am in Australia if that helps. We are on a residential property and it would not be used for hard yakka.

My husband doesn't know I am buying him one so I really need a man to advise me on what to look for or get.

I'd really appreciate any guidance from you

Thanks
Renee
Answer -
Unfortunately there are many different brands in Australia that I am not familar with but hopefully I can still provide some generic advice.

I prefer petrol trimmers over electric, no power cord to haul around with a petrol trimmer.  Snippers also come in curved or straight shaft.  I prefer straight shaft snippers because they (manufactures) offer more attatchments like different cutting heads.  I also prefer  twin line cutting heads because they cut better, but on the downside they are harder to wind and install.  

Let me know if this helps or if you have any other questions.
Eric


Thanks Eric.
You've helped me decide on what type to buy. I thought petrol. Brands are unimportant because I'll stick to well known reliable brands. I'll let you know what I end up purchasing.

Cheers
Renee

Answer -
Kawasaki, Maranaka, Echo and Stihl are well know brands and reliable.  I'm not sure if Shindaiwa's are sold in your area, but the late model Shindaiwa trimmers imported to the US are not very good.  We rebuild lots of those trimmers that have relatively low hours of usage.

Kawasaki however seem to be very reliable.  If fact, I have very little experience with Kawasaki's because they rarely come in for repair.  The only negative aspect is finding a dealer if you need parts.  We are a dealer, and have been for years and have no trouble getting parts if needed.  Mainly we sell fuel lines, gas caps, air filters and other common wear parts, but I have never sold a piston or cylinder for the Kawasaki.  

Eric  

Answer
Glad your happy.  I have an old Echo, I'm guessing it's at least 10 years old and still running good.  I have the straight shaft myself, but there are times I'd rather have the curved shaft.
The Kawasaki sell for about $500-$600 around here...a little too costly even for myself.  If I had to choose another snipper, I'd more than likely get another Echo.
Eric