String trimmers

Looking for a string trimmer, i currently have a little troy bilt that works pretty well but when I start to trim in the ditches it doesn't have enough power as it starts to bog and I have to pull it back and let it regain RPM before I can go back for another cut.
My current place is a 50x100 lot, about 150 feet of fence line and I also do the ditch that runs along the main road so that's probably about 500 feet of ditch that I cut and it usually is very grown up with weeds when I get around to cutting it.

I'm also gonna be doing some weed eating near a new house site, probably about a half acre to keep up.

I like the Stihl models but I don't know much about them, I just want some more power and the ability to add attachments (Blade and blower), and a good strap/harness system.
Also a longer shaft would be nice, I'm 6'3" and I have to bend over a good bit to do the ditches which kills my back.

Also any recommendations for tough string?

 

I own a Stihl chainsaw and straight shaft trimmer. Both have more power then I've ever seen in any other likewise tools. I wish I could narrow down a tougher string because the trimmer is powerful.

 

Oh, I should mention; true Stihl products are not found at "big box" stores. You have to find an authorized dealer to get the "real" ones. And I'm almost certain I've seen a Stihl brand multi head attachments at the dealer.

 

Maruyama FTW

I have the MC 3021 multi attachment cutter

http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eB...8837&category=29520&pm=1&ds=0&t=1462677180186

 

I've been a Stihl fan for a while & had great luck with them. Like Hondah says, go straight shaft.

My current favorite is the FS250R

 

We have Stihl chainsaws, backpack blowers, and a straight shaft weedeater. It's about all that you see sold in our area. As far as a trimmer is concerned, definitely go with a straight shaft. We have an FS90R. I would stay away from any manufacturer's homeowners series though. Make sure that if you go to a dealer, that they can tell you which models have solid steel shafts and which ones have the "spring" shafts. There are some Stihl commercial models that have the spring shaft - so pay attention to, and possibly stay away from them. The Stihl attachments have a better design IMO since they mount at the end of the shaft rather than having a two-part shaft. But I will say that the attachments are relatively expensive. The good thing is that they make a lot of different ones for anything you might want to do with it.

Long story short, the FS90R is a great commercial model. It's not the smallest one, but not the largest either. It has lots of power, and always cranks easily with non-ethanol gas. I think they normally run around $300 here, but a good dealer will let it go for cheaper than that. As with most things, if you treat it well, it will treat you well for a long time to come.

 

I've got a km110r that works pretty well. I run a straight shaft trimmer and a powerbroom. Good power and modular.

 

Have a ryobi cordless trimmer..... Great for my 1/5 acre flat suburban Colorado yard.......

 

Shindaiwa, Husky, and Stihl all make a very good pro/commercial grade trimmer. I ran a FS90 when worked for a lawn care company. I don't think you would need anything more then that.

I currently run an FS55 that I really like. It is the top teir of Stihl's homeowner line of trimmer I have had zero issues with it besides throwing a new carb on it when I bought it. I've not ran it through super thick or wet grass so I'm not sure how it would hold up to something like the ditch you are talking about.

In my opinion, I wouldn't get a combi system for the amount of property you are working with. I think you need a dedicated trimmer and blower. I've never used a combi system though so maybe they are better think that I think.

 

Used these for years . Very powerful
http://www.tanaka-usa.com/main-navigation/products/grass-trimmers

 

Stihl, love it , easy line change.

 

I prefer Echo products. Been using them for years and side by side with the others they are more comfortable to me.

 

I won't disagree, this brand is legit, or rather has been, but stay away from the Home Depot series. They aren't the same quality.

 

Husqvarna 223l, very powerfull and super light, use Oregon gator line, its square and black/clear, been landscaping for 10 years, best combo I found. No attachments for this trimmer but they do make on similar with attachments.

 

Can't go wrong here either. Like everyone has said avoid the big box stores for a Weedeater or Blower.

 

It's funny after you use a nice commercial trimmer you can never return to the bent shaft homeowner series. I used to cut miles of road front with my grandfather's echo's and John Deere's then made by echo. Now I can mow my lawn in less than 15 min and trim in about 5 and I have a commercial echo trimmer. All my neighbor's are dragging around cords and it takes longer for mine to warm up than to trim. My wife thinks I am nuts because one tank of fuel last two years but I just can't use the cheap ones!

 

I get the cheapy string on the big spool from Walmart. I think it's called pulverizer and is made by shakespeare ( yes the company that makes fishing stuff lol)

Works just fine and a helluvalot cheaper than the European stuff. Might not be as tough but there's a lot more of it for the same price lol

 

Just what consumer report says as the best. I have the stilh and a echo. Love them both and been working great for years

 

Use to train a bunch of teens how to use a weed eater . They could never figure out how to re-load the string and would always come back to the shop with an empty spool . Naturally , the work never did get finished .
Then the quick loader head came along and fixed that problem http://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-Rapid-Loader-Trimmer-Head-21560059/100056334 You simply cut a pocket full to 6 inches . Dont have to shut off the machine , its that quick to replace the line
Use a nice thick string with 5 sharp corners rather than the round junk
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-095inch-replacement-trimmer-line/p-07185904000P

 

I'm a fan of Husqvarna products. But I also have Stihl and Ryobi. For a string trimmer I'd stick with Stihl, Husky, Echo, etc and 2-stroke only. 4 stroke trimmers like my Ryobi are nice for ease of fuel/noise/smoke, but they definitely lack the power. As others have said, go to an outdoor power equipment retailer, not the big box stores.