Weed Whacker Advice

[Low Output]

So I bought a house and it starting to get more and more difficult to ignore the weeds growing taller and taller.

I can't decide between a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke weed whacker. I can afford a 4 stroke, but I've never had one in a weed whacker before. Anyone ever used one? I just wonder if it'll be worth the extra money in the long run in terms of maintenance... if I do regular maintenance and change the oil and what not regularly, could I expect it to last as long as or significantly longer than a 2 stroke?

Also, what keeps these things from losing oil pressure when you turn it at weird angles?

Thanks!

Rupert

 

[r_chez_08]

When you say 4 stroke do you mean one of those little Honda gx 25/35s ?

 

[Low Output]

No particular brand or model... just in general a weed whacker with a 4 stroke engine.

 

[newrider3]

I do grounds maintenance for a property management company, and I can say I don't particularly like 4 stroke trimmers. The one I had to use leaked oil like a sieve if you tipped it a little, or set the motor end down and picked up the head to pull on the line. It didn't want to run if you tipped it either. As far as I can see, there is no real advantage over a 2 stroke besides for people too stupid to mix their fuel.

http://www.redmax.com/node3937.aspx?nid=159150 This is what we use regularly, it works awesome except for having to replace the head from dumbasses banging it on the ground.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Im sure the 4 stroke weed wackers are splash lube, and therefor, can not be held at extreme angles like 2 strokes. Personally, i wouldnt touch a 4 stroke weed wacker, i cant imagine such a small 4 stroke having much power, plus the extra wait will get to your after an hour of weed wacking.

 

[Russ2251]

...and therefor, can not be held at extreme angles like 2 strokes.

They can be.

 

[r_chez_08]

Oh, I didn't realise other brands made 360 degree 4 strokes, oops :L

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

They can be.

So you can hold a 4 stroke weed wacker upside down? or at a 90* angle? cant imagine that would work too well, for long periods of time at least.

 

[Ferrari motors15]

I have a Stihl FS 90R and it is the best weed whacker I ever seen I my life. I starts on first pull every time I use it. To give you an idea of the quality: when we got it out of the box it started on first pull. It comes with the stihl 4 mix engine. This engine is a 4 stroke mixed with a 2 stroke. I mean that the engine is lubrificated with the gas/oil mix so you do not have to change oil and have litle problems when tiping the engine. It has the torque of the 4 stroke and the fuel effeciency of a 4 stroke too. You can read on these engines at http://www.stihl.com/isapi/default....producttechnics/stihlengines/4mix/default.htm

 

[Russ2251]

cant imagine that would work too well, for long periods of time at least.

Need to expand knowledge. They will work forever in any position.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Very cool. Learn something new everyday. Awful dang glad I didn't jump in with the "that ain't gonna work" comments. I had a feeling...
Anyway, Low Output, if you read that article, too, that should answer most of your questions. I really can't see going wrong with a Stihl.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Need to expand knowledge. They will work forever in any position.

prove it? What happens when there upside down, the oil is sloshing and foaming like crazy, leaking out the breather...

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You need to follow the above Stihl link. That'll shut anybody up, and fast, including myself...

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

You need to follow the above Stihl link. That'll shut anybody up, and fast, including myself...

I see...so there a mix of a two a four, my question is are there any 100% four stroke weed eaters? those are the type im talking about, when i say i find it very hard to believe they will run upside down all day long without any problems at all.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Dunno. I've never seen one. Just did a quick Google. There are.

 

[Ferrari motors15]

http://honda.ca/HPower/Models/ModelOverview?L=E&Type=Trimmers&Series=HHT25S&Model=HHT25SLTC

This is only a 4 stroke so no gas mix

 

[crazycart]

I must say ive worked on a couple stihl 4 strokers and they are torquey, powerful little bastards. I don't usually vote 4 stroke but they are Awesome whackers.

 

[oscaryu1]

EPA + New weedwhacker = aw HAIL naw.

Find a pac-man tool if you decide to go for the 2 smokes.

 

[Rustydog2010]

We have a little Stihl and Echo weed eaters one with the wire and one with a grass blade, for the heavy gorse we have the biggest Stihl brushcutter available (FS550?) 60cc with a star blade, easily tackles 3-4" gorse bushes... We have never had trouble with these two brands. Have the three weed eaters, two stihl chainsaws (16"&25") and and echo multi tool thingy. I think that if you buy one, buy a reasonable one, our oldest one is well over 15 years and still runs perfectly. The extra money is easily worth it.

Just my $.02

 

[newrider3]

my question is are there any 100% four stroke weed eaters?

Yes, read my first post. They spew oil just holding them up to look at the head.
I use a weedwhacker **** near every day for work, the RedMax/Zenoah ones are truly commercial grade stuff that will last.