Weed Whackers

Sorry about the off-topic post, but given that this place is 99.9% male I figure there's a lotta weed whackers used by NCKA....  and I need one, badly!

Does anyone swear by a certain brand or type? 

I would mainly use it once or twice a year to cut down the weeds out back, (it's ALL wild grasses), so the propane-powered ones sound interesting, (no gas to go bad, no mixing, etc).  Has anyone tried a propane model?

I bought an electric one on sale and burned it up within a couple hours.

Thanks in advance.

I've been using an electric toro for years, and it was a cheap one when i got it.

I too am now in the market for a cordless model. I already have to store mixed fuel for the chainsaw, so I'll probably go the gas powered route.

I'm curious for recommendations as well. I end up tackling berry vines and all types of weeds and grasses, but I think I would prefer to stick with a string trimmer vs a blade.

I will check the one I have...its gas and it has interchangeable heads....I have a string trimmer, vac/blower, hedge trimmer, and mini roto-tiller head. The string trimmer and blower are the most used.

Overall its been good. Had it for 10 yrs....no issues.

I live in the Santa Cruz mountains and use Stihl for all my outdoor power tools.  They are not the cheapest, but one of the most reputable.  If you went with one of their lower end models you could probably get out the door for maybe $250?  I wouldn't bother with all the various head units.  I mostly use the standard line trimmer that comes with it and it works great for grass and thick weeds.  Brush is another thing though.  Regardless of which you buy keep in mind that if you are not going to use it every few months make sure to drain the gas and run it out a fuel.  Gas these days goes bad rather quickly and the only time I've had trouble with my chainsaws, line trimmers, log splitters, etc is when they sit with fuel in them over the winter and don't work the next season.  If you try the propane route that likely woudn't be an issue but those are spendy and heavy. 

Now, to try and bring this full circle, anyone used a weed whacker to de-scale a fish?   

I've never used the propane one.
I use a Stihl 30cc 2-stroke. I only use it several a year but it gets the job done son.
Remember you get what you pay for 

I've been using an electric B&D Grass Hog string trimmer. Burned out the first one years ago because I was trying to hack away at wet grass. The current one I have had for about 5 years now. The only issue I have had with it is the plastic cap used to hold the spool in place breaks occasionally (flimsy tabs).

I didn't want a gas model because I didn't want to worry about gas storage. The propane model sounds interesting, as long as the cap used to hold the spool in place is not flimsy too. 

Real_Men pull weeds by hand 

I tried the hand method this spring and got most of the front cleared out, but there's always seeds that sprout, and some lil guys you miss.

I'm considering just hiring someone to do it every year.  Or maybe I'll get a goat.  I hate messing around with engines, oil, and gas cans...  they are not my "thing", and not having a shed...  I get sketched out about having gas cans in the garage where the water heater is.

Consider spraying.   Don't be afraid!   If you want I can post specifics on what and when to use it.  I do this commercially every day.  I can buy generic round up at less than 15$/gallon.   1 gallon is enough to make 100 gallons of mix.   I may have to pack some 2.5's to a hookup at some point.   

In past years we hoed the weeds in our yard for days.   This year, 2 properly times sprays and it is a ghost town. 


Eric Morgan
Trident Ultra 4.7
Not the guy selling the Outback
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gas chainsaw -Husky
Gas blower-Husky
Gas weed whacker- Echo...what?....Echo
I have had no problems with my Echo WW.
I have 3 seperate 1 gallon gas cans; one for each.
On the outside I have written in magic marker, Blower 50:1
Chainsaw 40:1
and so on.
If I run out of gas in one of them I put another gallon in, pour the proper mix in (one small bottle per gallon, of course with the proper ratio predetermined).
No problemo at all.

Does anyone swear by a certain brand or type? 

Get a Vietnamese one.  Mine is named Ngo.  English not so good but works real cheap.  PM you his number if you want.

Does anyone swear by a certain brand or type? 

Get a Vietnamese one.  Mine is named Ngo.  English not so good but works real cheap.  PM you his number if you want.

You made me spew beer through my nose

So far the spray method sounds most attractive.  Would probably eliminate the gopher and mole problem, too, by removing their food supply.  So far I've only used it around the perimeter, never considered going full-on Agent Orange.

I'm curious for recommendations as well. I end up tackling berry vines and all types of weeds and grasses, but I think I would prefer to stick with a string trimmer vs a blade.

+1    I now hate the berry bushes so much, I DID buy a blade and just started hacking away at it with a cheap machette.   

I have an Echo.  It works good.  I think it has a commercial warranty of 100 hours.  Got it at Home Depot.   If you go to the Post Office and get a new home packet, there should be a discount from Lowes.   They let you combine the discount with other discounts.  I got $400 off for a lawn tractor last year.