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Author Topic: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?  (Read 27656 times)

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Offline DRB120

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Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« on: March 19, 2014, 09:02:12 PM »
Ive been thinking of getting a new whipper Snipper for a while as the Ryobi I have is about 9 years old and has been a bit temperamental of late.

Well today was the final straw, I knocked off a little early to come home only for the bloody thing to not want to start, I checked it over and gave the spark plug a quick clean and after 40 or so pulls it started, only to be going for 2 minutes and the head then spits the chord everywhere. So I respooled it and another 40 pulls and off again.

Well 30 seconds later the chord is across the yard again, a few choice words and then I managed my best impression of a 2 Year old and across the yard it went at a great rate of knots. Needless to say it is now not worth trying to fix.

So what should I get? I don't want to go much above $300 if I don't have to, I have a 3000m block but minimal work to be done, mostly just around the house and fence so nothing too much. Any suggestions welcome.
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Offline TheWall

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2014, 09:10:02 PM »
Never go past a Honda...largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines and they are simply more reliable than anything else. Most maintenance guys run Honda...that tells a story!
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Offline Campa

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2014, 09:14:41 PM »
Honda x 2
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Offline Moggy

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2014, 09:25:35 PM »
I have a stihl ($250) had it about  6 years, only replaced plugs. I would suggest that you get a new fuel filter. When mine started spluttering that's what I did & went like a new by again. Otherwise for the $$$ stihl  is good value imo

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Offline chillipepperz

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2014, 09:32:13 PM »
Had  a Stihl in the past, lost that one to the ex, good solid unit, probably still trimming her bushes well to this day. Now have a Husqvarna for past 2 years. Not a heap of work done with it but a good unit...until just before last Christmas last year when the ignition unit crapped itself. Around $180 later all is good. Should have bought the Honda...do Jeep make one?
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Offline oldmate

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2014, 09:57:19 PM »
Honda or still. Most mower guys I know usea Honda.
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Offline noel_w

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2014, 09:58:14 PM »
Honda, mine has more guts on idle than my old McCullock had flat chat
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Offline Pog

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2014, 10:01:20 PM »
Husky, Honda or Stihl.
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2014, 10:04:10 PM »
Got an Echo that has to be 40yo.
Still on the original plug, rings, everything.
Getting shabby now though. Just plain worn out.
Probably replace it with a Honda when the time comes.
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Offline mickmac42

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2014, 10:04:57 PM »
I've got a Tanaka and it just keeps going. I've used and abused it, and never had it serviced. It just keeps on doing its thing. Only takes one or two pulls to get it started. I can't comment on their quality these days, but fifteen years ago they were building good gear.

Mike
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Offline red t ute

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #10 on: March 19, 2014, 10:05:43 PM »
Don't buy a honda I've always loved all Honda products and when out and bought a new Whipper Snipper and Mower in one hit over $2000.00 worth and they have just hit 3 year old.
So my Whipper Snipper had been getting hard to start felt like its hydraulic locking when I tried to start it I though i will take it down get serviced and get them to have a look at the hard starting problem.
So want back a week later and they informed me that it will cost $180.00 for the service and repairs and to replace the carby.
I said what I could go and buy a new stihl for that price.
But I asked about why is it not a warranty Claim they informed me that Honda dose not Warrant any claims with fuel systems. By this stage I had the ****s and then they informed me it's the new unleaded Fuel It stuffed the carby.
I informed them that there has been Lead in fuel for 15 years all they said it hasn't been that long.
They then informed me I've done well getting 3 years without a problem and that some people only get a year or 2 out of there carbys. And I asked if it's the same on the mowers and they said it's the same for all honda products.
So I bought a carby kit for $27.00 still got charged for the service at $90.00.
I was then talking to one of the boys I work with and he had the same problem after the 3rd carby at $80.00 each he binned it and bought a Stihl.

I'm a mechanic and had never heard such **** before I fixed a lot of mowers, Snipper, cars everything in between and carby gaskets don't dissolve in unleaded fuel that fast in any other product.

Also my Father Inlaw has 15 year old honda Generator 700watt in the steel box type I had not been used in 5years the air fitter had dissolved replaced it change the oil and it run like brand new it had never been touched.
I always loved honda everything but it will take a lot for me to love them again.
 
« Last Edit: March 19, 2014, 10:11:17 PM by red t ute »
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Offline RebsWA

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #11 on: March 19, 2014, 10:07:42 PM »
Stihl :cup:
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #12 on: March 19, 2014, 10:07:57 PM »
Interesting. More research needed before I buy.......
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Offline Jasman

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #13 on: March 19, 2014, 10:12:18 PM »
For under $300 I reckon you can't go past one of the bent shaft stihls.
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Offline DRB120

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #14 on: March 19, 2014, 10:49:00 PM »
Quote from: red t ute on March 19, 2014, 10:05:43 PM
Don't buy a honda I've always loved all Honda products and when out and bought a new Whipper Snipper and Mower in one hit over $2000.00 worth and they have just hit 3 year old.
So my Whipper Snipper had been getting hard to start felt like its hydraulic locking when I tried to start it I though i will take it down get serviced and get them to have a look at the hard starting problem.
So want back a week later and they informed me that it will cost $180.00 for the service and repairs and to replace the carby.
I said what I could go and buy a new stihl for that price.
But I asked about why is it not a warranty Claim they informed me that Honda dose not Warrant any claims with fuel systems. By this stage I had the ****s and then they informed me it's the new unleaded Fuel It stuffed the carby.
I informed them that there has been Lead in fuel for 15 years all they said it hasn't been that long.
They then informed me I've done well getting 3 years without a problem and that some people only get a year or 2 out of there carbys. And I asked if it's the same on the mowers and they said it's the same for all honda products.
So I bought a carby kit for $27.00 still got charged for the service at $90.00.
I was then talking to one of the boys I work with and he had the same problem after the 3rd carby at $80.00 each he binned it and bought a Stihl.

I'm a mechanic and had never heard such **** before I fixed a lot of mowers, Snipper, cars everything in between and carby gaskets don't dissolve in unleaded fuel that fast in any other product.

Also my Father Inlaw has 15 year old honda Generator 700watt in the steel box type I had not been used in 5years the air fitter had dissolved replaced it change the oil and it run like brand new it had never been touched.
I always loved honda everything but it will take a lot for me to love them again.

I had heard similar stories to what you have mentioned above but wasn't sure if they were true. The Stihl range appears to be good value for money, haven't heard of too many dramas with them. The only thing that really stands out with the Honda is that its a 4 stroke. Is it worth the extra, well Im not sure.

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far, its certainly given me more to ponder.
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Offline kylarama

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2014, 05:24:38 AM »
Check out Shindaiwa too.  Japanese made with a 5 year warranty.
You can pick up a straight shaft with a speed feed head for under $400.

I picked up a mid 90's Shindaiwa straight shaft 2nd hand 10 years ago.  Gave the carby a rebuild to clean out stale fuel and it hasn't skipped a beat since.
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Offline jk

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #16 on: March 20, 2014, 05:32:07 AM »
Echo, had it about 15 years now !
Never missed a beat, still on the original plug !
Also have an Echo chain saw and hedge trimmer, both are super reliable and great power for motor size !
Have a Sthil blower, it's always in need of a tune and is a chore to start, it'll be replaced by an Echo when the time comes !
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Offline D4D

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #17 on: March 20, 2014, 05:34:34 AM »
Can I suggest you look at the Sthil Kombi Tool range. I had a Honda, that speewa now owns, moved to the Stihl Kombi Tool and now have a brush cutter, pole saw, pole hedger and carbon extension. Best thing I ever did, it has been flogged on pruning large hedges and big trees and hasn't missed a beat. I find it is a little harder to start than the Honda, 3-4 pulls vs. 1-2, but once going runs great with fresh fuel.

I also have an Echo chainsaw and blower that have done heaps of work and have never been serviced. They run great and have heaps of power.
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Offline swanny

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #18 on: March 20, 2014, 05:35:07 AM »
Honda....!!!!
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Offline Rodt

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #19 on: March 20, 2014, 06:02:58 AM »
I bought one of those cheapo (no name brand basically) combi units and it hasn't missed a beat in the last two years. Got it off one of the online shops
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Offline FZJ

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #20 on: March 20, 2014, 06:27:41 AM »
Well today was the final straw, I knocked off a little early to come home only for the bloody thing to not want to start, I checked it over and gave the spark plug a quick clean and after 40 or so pulls it started, only to be going for 2 minutes and the head then spits the chord everywhere. So I respooled it and another 40 pulls and off again.


Thats what is known as a "mudcrab" motor.You end up with one big arm and red all over.

Stihl
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Offline Cracka

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #21 on: March 20, 2014, 06:38:50 AM »
I've got a straight shaft Stihl that is at least 25 years old, only just put a carb kit in it last year.  Its had the odd plug but that's about it.

Mick
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Offline feisty

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #22 on: March 20, 2014, 07:03:13 AM »
I replaced dad's old tanaka with the cheapest straight shaft I could find at bunnings. It was sub $150 homelite. That was three years ago and it is brilliant for the money and works and starts perfectly.   Can't believe how good it is.

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #23 on: March 20, 2014, 07:24:06 AM »

Quote from: feisty on March 20, 2014, 07:03:13 AM
I replaced dad's old tanaka with the cheapest straight shaft I could find at bunnings. It was sub $150 homelite. That was three years ago and it is brilliant for the money and works and starts perfectly.   Can't believe how good it is.

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x2 on the Homelite from Bunnings. Value for money, starts 2nd or 3rd pull (sometimes 4th or 5th if I'm not concentrating - user error), and for the price I can throw it away after 5 years if I need to and buy whatever the latest is then. Currently 4 years old and reckon I'll get more than another year out of it.

Having said all of the above, I don't have much grass to cut (and the neighbour won't let me cut hers), so at best it get's used for about 15mins a week.
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Offline paceman

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Re: Which Whipper Snipper to buy?
« Reply #24 on: March 20, 2014, 07:26:40 AM »
my brother-in-law and i have both had our kawasaki's for over 10 years (his for over 15) and they have not missed a beat.
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