[Shop-talk] Electric String Trimmers

Mon Aug 26 09:11:15 MDT 2019

It probably already has been covered, but I am very satisfied with my Stihl
corded string trimmer, but I only have one acre.

I did run/bury 110 AC to a few locations to make it more convenient, but I
am battery-free now for yard work (blower, trimmer, hedger, even a corded
mower, but I still prefer the gas mower).

On Mon, Aug 26, 2019, 7:59 AM Bob Spidell via Shop-talk <
shop-talk at autox.team.net> wrote:

> Well, there is no 'aviation unleaded' fuel.  Airports that support
> General Aviation--aka 'small planes'--usually offer 100LL, for
> 100-octane 'Low Lead.'  'Low Lead' is relative; it has approximately
> one-third less tetra-ethyl lead than the previous de facto standard
> 110-octane avgas (I think it's 2 grams/gal for LL vs. 3grams/gal for the
> 110; may be liters instead of gallons).  Put it in a clear container, it
> should be pale blue in color; the 110 I believe was red/orange-colored,
> but I never saw it anywhere in my 30 years or so of piloting and owning
> light aircraft.
>
> Some aircraft, typically with relatively low-power (less than 200HP)
> engines, can run on automotive gas, but the aircraft MUST have Technical
> Service Bulletin ('TSB') approval from the FAA--which can cost a couple
> thousand dollars--and their owners have to follow strict fueling
> procedures. These include assuring the fuel has no contaminants--I
> believe ethanol is considered a 'contaminant'--and the Reid Vapor
> Pressure ('RVP') must fall in an acceptable range. Some airports,
> precious few I think, do offer acceptable auto gas, but for most it's
> too much trouble to support for  the small number of aircraft that can
> use it, and the liability is large.
>
> The FAA and industry is trying to come up with an unleaded aircraft
> fuel, but it's been a years-long process and we're still a couple/few
> years out, and it may never happen.  I'm a Commercial licensed pilot,
> but haven't flown in a few years but keep up on the industry.  I think
> Shell and GAMI are the only two contenders last I checked.
>
> I've gone all pedantic on you because, if you're getting avgas from a
> pump on the field it's likely 100LL--should say so on the truck or pump
> island--but don't be fooled; it's loaded with lead and if you're
> breathing the exhaust fumes you are harming your health.  All the
> gas-engined equipment I have save one will run fine on 87-octane; the
> 4-stroke Stilh string trimmer I have requires 89-octane (didn't know
> that before I bought it).  I keep my fuel in 5-gal cans, so to avoid
> some hassle I buy 89-octane only, but you're not doing an engine that
> can run on 87 any favors by using higher octane (goes for auto engines
> as well).
>
> Bob
>
>
> On 8/26/2019 7:20 AM, Karl Vacek via Shop-talk wrote:
> > Brian, you're right.  THANK YOU !!!  Tru-Fuel seems to be the real
> deal.  And I've been scoffing at canned gasoline sold for wine prices.
> >
> > I've brought aviation unleaded home from the airport and added Sta-Bil
> for all the 4-cycle lawn equipment (lawn tractor, mower, snow blower) for a
> couple of years.  Runs much better, though to be honest the tractor doesn't
> care what gas is in it or how old.  17.5 HP Kohler, about 1999.  I don't
> need Tru-Fuel for the 4-cycle stuff.
> >
> > I've recently been mixing that same gas with high-quality chemical
> lubricant for the 2-cycle stuff and it's seemed mostly OK.  For sure better
> than pump gas (gasohol only here).  With pump gas every new batch of fuel
> requires carb adjustments.  And I had a can of starting fluid sitting
> around for decades, unused.  Now I seem to use starting fluid every month
> or two.
> >
> > My (1970) Echo blower hadn't run in years.  Probably a fuel issue.  That
> was why I tried the EGO blower.  When the EGO wasn't up to the taks, I
> bought a diaphragm kit for the old Echo's carb and put it in.  Filled the
> tank with Tru-Fuel and a couple of pulls and it runs.  That ancient Kioritz
> engine is still strong.  And it blows far stronger than that top-model EGO
> battery toy.
> >
> > Little 2-cycle equipment uses so little fuel that there's nothing to
> save even at $6 a quart for Tru-Fuel.  It works.  No more mixing for me.
> >
> > I may even buy a gas string trimmer now.  Not sure if Echo is still what
> it was though -- I got screwed on an Echo ES-230 vacuum/shredder/mulcher
> some years back because of the warning about using only 89+ octane fuel
> less than 90 days old.  Where is that warning?  In a paragraph on page 17
> of the manual, after pages of lawyer advice about not licking the muffler
> while the engine is running.  Who reads that?
> >
> > My "Pro" Echo dealer told me NOTHING other than to buy Echo oil - and I
> bought a case from him along with the ES-230.  When the engine overheated I
> took it back to him and he said it was fine, just use it.  It ran less than
> 45 minutes more and finally shot fire out of the head gasket.  Then he
> refused to even ask Echo to warrantee it.  Bottom line, I got a lemon from
> a lemon of a dealer.  I called Echo and they gave me a short block as long
> as I had (another) dealer install it.  And it's still running.  That huge
> landscaper supply dealer has a sign in his service area about the Echo fuel
> requirement.
> >
> > I shipped the EGO electric blower back - not sure how much that
> experiment will cost me, but it wasn't worth it.  I'm an engine guy.
> >
> > Thanks to all !!!
> > Karl
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Brian Kemp [mailto:bk13 at earthlink.net]
> > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Electric String Trimmers
> >
> > Regarding your "lower hassle factor" comment, if you stay gas, give the
> > canned fuel like Tru-Fuel a try.  My blower, string trimmer, and chain
> > saw always start right up, even after months or 2 years for the chain
> > saw.  Yes it costs more, but it makes it super easy not having to keep
> > fresh gas, especially with the mess they have in California.
> >
> > I had problems starting my Echo string trimmer and went back to the
> > dealer and the first thing they wanted to blame was my gas.  I said that
> > I never used anything other than Tru-Fuel and he became super helpful.
> > Turns out I shouldn't have followed the starting directions as written
> > and was flooding the engine.  No problems in the 6 years since and it
> > gets worked very hard 4-5 times a year.
> >
> > My previous string trimmer was a Ryobi and when the engine died at 3
> > years and 2 month, all the service places blamed my gas and said to just
> > toss it.  Have not bought a Ryobi product since and never will.  The
> > semi-pro Echo is far superior.  Especially like the easy loading string
> > in the Speed-Feed head - Just take a 20' length of .095 line, stick it
> > through the hole and twist the head to wind it up.  No more trying to
> > wrap a spool then install it in the head. This alone is worth most of
> > the price difference from a home center product to a real outdoor
> > products dealer.
> >
> > Also like my Sthil low noise backpack blower.  I have a corded electric
> > Toro, but it seems louder and has much less power.  It too always starts
> > right up on Tru-Fuel.  When I use it, I'm running it 30-45 minutes.
> > Could never expect a battery product to work for me.
> >
> > Battery products may work for some, but for my situation, I don't
> > consider them an option and I have zero issues with gas products since I
> > stopped mixing with pump gas.
> >
> > Brian
> >
> >
> > On 8/20/2019 3:26 PM, Karl Vacek via Shop-talk wrote:
> >> Related topic.  I recently went through this consideration (still don't
> have a new string trimmer or edger) and became convinced that the EGO stuff
> was the best.  Based on reviews and videos - never touched one till I
> ordered it.
> >>
> >> I started with their biggest blower, which came with the 5-AH battery
> and a charger.  It's fine, I guess, but unless you push the "Turbo" button
> it's not close to the power of my  50 year old Echo gas blower.  A fast
> clean-up after mowing, using full trigger but not any time in Turbo mode,
> and I'm down to half battery.  If it was leaf season I'd be taking a 1-1/2
> hour break every 45 minutes.  And I swear it slows down as the battery runs
> down, though maybe that's just my disappointment kicking in.
> >>
> >> It was an Amazon purchase and it's going back.  Now I'm not sure the
> lower hassle factor of a battery tool is worth it.  I still need a string
> trimmer and an edger.
> >>
> >> Going to the Stihl dealer next, and probably resigning myself to
> putting up with 2-cycle engines for a while more.
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >
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