Which Whipper Snipper to buy?

[whatsa]

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.

Are you sure she knew what you meant?

[MIC78C]

Buy your hondas buy your your sthills buy all the other crap brands you want then when you wasted your money save up and by shindiawa straight shaft .Have 3 commercial mowing runs all using shindiawa for the past 7 years dont put a grease gun near them ,change air filter occasionally put fuel and replace the chord .job done

Ive had my Shindaiwa for about 6-7 years now, absolutely love it. So much lighter than other comparable quality machines. It's a straight shaft, and has been totally reliable. I wouldn't know if it needs a service or not, never had a spanner to it.
My mate has the next one up from mine, which has a pole saw attachment, same size bar as my Stihl pole saw, but once again its half the weight, but does the same job.
Put my vote down for Shindaiwa, you'll appreciate how mich lighter they are to use.

[shrek4]

This is what I picked up today.

The FS 45 C was $279. Listed on the Stihl website for $369 or March catalogue for $319
The HS 45 was $329. Listed on the Stihl website for $499 or March catalogue for $399

Not a bad saving at the Adelaide All Tools Pooraka car park sale.
Didn't even know it was on, lucky I went to Pooraka and not Payneham.

That's $260 saved on RRP or everyday prices or $110 on their March catalogue.

I'm happy with that!

[scarps]

Are you sure she knew what you meant?

i'm not sure I know what you mean?

Nah, yeah I do:-)

[Beatle]

What sort of snipping do you need to do?

I've had a few different ones over the years and now have a straight shaft Stihl.  Believe it or not I reckon it's too much tool for a cared-for yard.  Great for a bush block when using some of the heavy duty cutter heads though.  But it's a bit like using a big chainsaw to trim your hedges   I've tried everything and I can't keep cord up to it as it over-revs and the cord breaks.

I once got a rechargable snipper (to burn up excess frequent flyer points) and honestly, it was great for a normal sized yard.  I was in Katherine at the time so she got used more than weekly in the wet season.  Light, short, quiet, clean, and no excuses from the missus or kids that they can't start it or mix fuel, so no reason the whole family can't use it.  The cutter head also had a quick-swivel function and took 5 seconds to turn right angle so you can cut a nice neat edge along a path or driveway.

So consider electric or rechargable depending on workload

[Swogjb]

This is what I picked up today.

The FS 45 C was $279. Listed on the Stihl website for $369 or March catalogue for $319
The HS 45 was $329. Listed on the Stihl website for $499 or March catalogue for $399

Not a bad saving at the Adelaide All Tools Pooraka car park sale.
Didn't even know it was on, lucky I went to Pooraka and not Payneham.

That's $260 saved on RRP or everyday prices or $110 on their March catalogue.

I'm happy with that!

Bargain
It's hard to go past the Stihl gear IMHO.

Had the Stihl straight shaft brush cutter for about 10 years.(it's copped a pizzling in this time I can tell ya)
Broke the pull cord last week, so I gave it a birthday and replaced the spark plug and air filter while I had it on the work bench.

I purchased the same  HS45 hedge trimmer for a very overgrown garden at a new property we purchased not long ago. It makes light work of pruning that's for sure. Even SWMBO reckons it's awesome for pruning the 200 hundred odd roses she has adopted.

 

[maurerless]

There's plenty of opinions here, and I'm going to add some more.

If you're only going to use the whipper snipper for light work, then go for a cheapie and chuck it when it's knackered. If you want it to do a bit more hard yakka or get something that'll last, then maybe look into a more durable beastie. It might be better to fork over a bit of extra cash to get something that'll last, or can be repaired.

I have a few acres and really appreciate the guts of my Stihl brushcutter - I also use weed killer spray around fences and driveway. I'll be buggered if I'm going to trim a 50m driveway and over 400m of fence line perimeter every week through spring. Look at a straight shaft - there's less wear and lube required to maintain the flex shaft in the longer term. Also a straight shaft often allows you a wider range of heads. If you have a really tough job you can add a rubber/plastic tipped head, or a metal plate jobbie. (Just be careful using metal plates - they can be deadly and also create sparks off stones and in summer it could lead to fires) I usually use a line, but for some occasions I've swapped to a metal blade. It truly is amazing what they'll cut through.

If you are going to turn your trimmer to the side (say to do edging) it's better not to go for a 4 stroke. Having oil in a sump makes it a design problem to properly lube the piston/cylinder. It can also lead to oil foaming thereby killing the oil circulation. To my mind the good old 2 stroke mix keeps the lube no matter the angle of the trimmer. 

And if you have the time to look, there's often sales, or field days that you can go to and get a bargain llike shrek4 did. If you are buying a few items from a dealer, often you can haggle them down, or maybe get something thrown in like ear protection, face guard, extra bottles of lube, spare lines, etc.

Good luck sorting through all the opinions!!

[GeoffA]

..........
So consider electric or rechargable depending on workload

I agree.

We have a suburban block, and we keep the garden under control.
Bought a Ryobi 18v blower, and it works fine for what we need. Same batts as my drills etc.
Not the same blowing power as a petrol, but very convenient, and the lovely one can use it.....

 

[shanegtr]

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.

x3 for homelite. I run a tank of juice through mine every 12 days with my backyard. Yep, its noisey and is not the most egonomically friendy snipper out there, but I havent had a single problem with it in the last year and a half I've been running it. Cant complain for $100 , to rub it in the bugger starts easier than my 2 month old husky chainsaw

[jmorgan1981]

Ive got a Honda. Love it.

[DRB120]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions.

I ended up having a look at bunnings today and got another Ryobi. $179 and can add the extra attachments if needed which was handy. I figure for the price as long as I get a few years out of it Ill be right.

I don't have that much to get through in a week so should be fine.

Thanks again for all the help.

[hainess]

Most of the problems with the cheaper 2 stroke powered garden tools is the failure to burn all the oil.
It also affects some of the top end items.
This in turn clogs up the exhaust with carbon and unburned oil gunk.

If the muffler has a spark arrester fitted, usual steel mesh, this can clog rather quickly.

The solution?
Run the bloody things flat out. Like a 2 stroke outboard. At least 30% of running time at WOT.Wide Open Throttle.
They are designed for it.
Use a decent 2 stroke oil.

If the machine becomes hard to start or wont rev when running, try this first.
Remove the exhaust. Usually a plastic cover then a couple of bolts.
Soak the exhaust in a container of petrol for 30 minutes.
Shake the crap from the exhaust and bash it against something hard a couple of times.
Do it somewhere you DONT want oily carbon crap all over the place.
Repeat soaking and bashing. Repeat again.

Let the exhaust dry for a bit then reassemble the machine.

Use a decent 2 stroke oil.

3 hedge trimmers, 2 whipper snippers, brush cutter, 2 chainsaws and blower.
None are Stihl(long story) but my 2 stroke oil is.

Rod.
.

[speewa158]

lf you read through the posts  , Best results
1 . Straight shaft
2 . New lean fuel
3 . Regular use
4 . Service to the exhaust port so it can breath
5 . Keep the air cleaner clean
6 . Run it flat out
After 24 years working with these types of kit , l expect 2 to 3 years as a service life then it toast , but that's commercial life  . As a domestic unit it s down time will do more damage than work time . Keep it busy & it will keep going .
 Most important  " You Gets Whats You Pays For "
                                                                             & then its time for 
l use a Honda striaght shaft Bruhys & a Honda 21in self propelled 3 speed if l have to walk , then a ride on .
But thats another story 

[DRB120]

I got the new trimmer out today and its a great little unit. No troubles starting, plenty of power. So all in all Im happy, now to see how long it will last.

I think it is a good point made above in regards to running them at WOT for a bit each time, its the one thing my grandfather taught me with 2 strokes. I always make a point for the last minute or 2 of use to have it wide open at a minimum.

After the whipper snipping was done I jumped on the new John Deere D110 for its first run and the lawn was done in no time. However I must have looked like the biggest knob as we are currently renting a house while our new place is being built and here I am roaring around on a big bloody ride on for a 500sqm block. First time I have enjoyed mowing the lawn at this place though.

Thanks again for all the help and opinions.

[scarps]

I got the new trimmer out today and its a great little unit. No troubles starting, plenty of power. So all in all Im happy, now to see how long it will last.

I think it is a good point made above in regards to running them at WOT for a bit each time, its the one thing my grandfather taught me with 2 strokes. I always make a point for the last minute or 2 of use to have it wide open at a minimum.

After the whipper snipping was done I jumped on the new John Deere D110 for its first run and the lawn was done in no time. However I must have looked like the biggest knob as we are currently renting a house while our new place is being built and here I am roaring around on a big bloody ride on for a 500sqm block. First time I have enjoyed mowing the lawn at this place though.

Thanks again for all the help and opinions.

seems like a lot of power for a small task. maybe you could see if the neighbour wants their lawns trimmed.

[DRB120]

seems like a lot of power for a small task. maybe you could see if the neighbour wants their lawns trimmed.

Hi Scarps

I was nice and did the neighbour on both sides footpaths. The new house will be on 3000sqm. Thanks

[noel_w]

The solution?
Run the bloody things flat out. Like a 2 stroke outboard. At least 30% of running time at WOT.Wide Open Throttle.
They are designed for it.

My Yamaha RD350 was like that, loved WOT. The    didn't though.

[dazzler]

No takers for Ryobi.

That is some top quality gear. 

(its opposite day) 

[speedcomm]

Well this post couldn't come at a better time, I too am in the market for a new whipper snipper, mine needs to be girl friendly as I work OS and wife and kids mow the lawn mostly. We started looking at the battery powered Ryobi then worked out the run time etc and baulked, next was a Honda 4 stroke because of ease of fuel ( same as mower ) and supposed easy starting. Then we stumbled on Troybilt at Masters which have a USA built 4 stroke cheaper than a Honda, and then Wife found the ultimate for her an electric start 2 stroke Ryobi. I think it was straight shaft, can't remember. You attach a drill battery to the handle bar and then presto, electric start. No idea how gimmick an idea it is, I still want to buy the Honda straight shaft, which I believe will be fine for them to start ! BIL has a Stihl, wife is checking them out as well, prob not overly girl friendly though, but will see what she thinks.

[dazzler]

Not Ryobi.  For the love of god. 

[red t ute]

Well this post couldn't come at a better time, I too am in the market for a new whipper snipper, mine needs to be girl friendly as I work OS and wife and kids mow the lawn mostly. We started looking at the battery powered Ryobi then worked out the run time etc and baulked, next was a Honda 4 stroke because of ease of fuel ( same as mower ) and supposed easy starting. Then we stumbled on Troybilt at Masters which have a USA built 4 stroke cheaper than a Honda, and then Wife found the ultimate for her an electric start 2 stroke Ryobi. I think it was straight shaft, can't remember. You attach a drill battery to the handle bar and then presto, electric start. No idea how gimmick an idea it is, I still want to buy the Honda straight shaft, which I believe will be fine for them to start ! BIL has a Stihl, wife is checking them out as well, prob not overly girl friendly though, but will see what she thinks.

You will need to check if your if wife will Handle the extra weight of the the Honda.
As my wife won't use our Honda straight shaft as it's to heavy to use.
I have a sore back after using the heavy thing.

[speewa158]

Honda has perfected easy start to a fine art . Prime it , set it ,, few pulls & its away . lf Honda sell it , it works 

[nickandbron]

I have used a Shindaiwa for almost 10yrs without incident. I'm so happy with it that I have since purchased A Shindaiwa chainsaw (awesome), hedge trimmer and leaf blower. Lots of contractors around here seem to use their gear also. When it comes to mowers, a 4 stroke like Honda IMO is the way to go. I bought a Honda mower 10 yrs ago and it too has been great, but I think that you need a 2 stroke that revs easily for whipper snippers.


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[mrdenn1s]

I have a Sthil FS85

Bullet proof but maybe too expensive for the budget you quoted

Whatever you get, get a single shafted one. Not a 2 piece