Long video yet covered a lot. Much appreciated! If I were to use a trimmer, I'd get an Echo. The price and design is decent. Parts are easy to get. How-to videos everywhere.
I look after a large number of fishing ponds that need strimming regularly. I have used a number of makes over the last 30 years. I like my Husqvarnas the best for there power and reliability and they just last and last year after year. Parts can be a bit expensive but the quality is outstanding. Now there`s loads of second hand or clone parts out there. I have just done the gearbox on a 5hp Husqvarna. A husqvarna new gearbox £300. I got a second hand one for £20 and put all 4 new bearings in it £6. Repack the grease. Sorted smooth as silk for £26. I have had it 27 years.
Personally I think STIHL is a bit overrated. Their dealers are very “prissy” if you will. They want you to do everything their way. Service by them. Parts by them. It all adds up. I love using Redmax and Shindaiwa, a sister company of Echo. I actually am picking up a Shindaiwa hedge trimmer, might make a video on it for you!
I'd like to see that Luke Harrison. I've never bought a new stihl trimmer so I wouldn't know about their policies but I could imagine that would be insisting.
Great fix👍 I'm an Echo man all the way! I have had Stihl in the past & they are easy to flood & harder to start. Also in my opinion Stihl parts are more expensive & harder to work on. Meaning on some of them you have to take almost the whole machine apart just to get to one part.
Mine does the same thing. I use it mostly for my lawn, but also do a few neighbors here and there. It does the same thing. Only shocks me every now and then though. Currently hard to start as when I store it vertically on the wall (engine up) the fuel float over flows it. The filter is saturated. Going to replace the insulator, and boot on the wire and hopefully a rebuild on the carb should replace the diaphragm that operates the float. I have run mine now for roughly 10 years. If I were going commercial I'd likely go stihl. My brother runs a ton of their saws.
I've run Stihl and Echo both commercially and for the money I'd take Echo and be done with it. And Briggs says that rust doesn't hurt ignition but it wasn't there to start with sdo when I'm working on them I de-rust the flywheel and magneto and oil them f0or good measure. Never had one go bad either. Thanks and Blessings!
Also if you didn’t know, when the spark plug boot hardens and is like plastic sometimes it’ll conduct electricity and give it weak spark or as on this machine could shock you but it’s rare.
That’s a homeowner residential echo. As you go higher in the model numbers of Echo then those are commercial models. I too don’t run my equipment machines with the screens in the muffler it just makes the engine run hotter because of it. Haven’t had a problem with any machine and the engine runs cooler too.
Thank you Elton Pham for the comment. Yes this model isn't a commercial unit but it is quite capable. The screens have a job to do but it's nice when they are gone.
Thank you very much. A very well executed instructional video. Learned a great deal. Here's to hoping I'm successful at resurrecting my Echo SRM-225. Has been very difficult to start since I purchased it (new). Now, won't start at all. Hoping mine will start as readily as your PAS-225 when I'm finished. Fingers crossed. Ty again.
Stihl for me, I have used echo for years but went back to Stihl. My last Echo set, being a blower and trimmer gave me so many problems it was time to move on. Since then I bought a 600 Stihl blower and a 111 trimmer and have not looked back. The Echo 210 trimmer was the lightest and easiest trimmer to live with though. What really got me was working jobs and having the echo equipment fail… I always maintain my equipment, just had a bad experience with the last echo set….
Thank you Kenneth Erlenbusch for the comment. That is the best aspect of Home-lite their easy of use. I know a couple of people who use them and love them.
Honda make a good 4 stroke line trimmer which my dad has, he's had it for about 15 years & it's still going good,they would be a good commercial option,in California, that's about all is legally allowed to be sold brand new since their ban of the sale of new 2 stroke lawn equipment due to their anti smog laws. In my location in Australia, I'd keep the screen arrestor fitted because it gets hot & dry during the summer period & in my rural location that means a big bush (forest) fire can be caused by 1 lousy spark from the muffler. On some lawn equipment such as the Stihl hedge trimmers,even though the ignition coils look the same they aren't all the same on even the same model of machine,it depends upon their serial number as Stihl changed both the ignition coil & crankshaft, I think it's the HS45 model that they changed it half way through. So, if you fit the later ignition coil,the crankshaft must also be changed to match because the keyway is milled into a different spot,so the timing is different,or else do what I had to do - buy the matching OEM ignition coil which is for the earlier serial number of that model of machine !
Stihl trimmers are great and I have had amazing experiences with them, Oleo Mac is also a favourite of mine for reliability reasons but these brands are not cheap. Lately I've been experimenting with cheap Chinese trimmers and of those Kraft is the best in terms of power, ergonomics and price also very reliable, in fact I've had a Kraft trimmer for over ten years and all it ever needed was a new carb
I would get a Echo. Everything we have that is made by Stihl is hard to start and never runs right. Even when they were new. Our 20 year old echo still runs better.
@@HomeGaragechannel Keep up the videos. I enjoy watching them. It’s always satisfying to fix something. I work on stuff also but my videos are not as professional. Lol.
In no particular order: Shindaiwa, Stihl, and Echo. All are great, but I love the Shindaiwa because it is incredibly lightweight compared to most others.
Have had great luck with my Troy bilt and until it proves otherwise I'll keep using it! P.S. The rusty plug did bug me along with the debris inside. I'm anal about blowing my weed whacker out when I'm done. Same with the mower and tractor!
@@HomeGaragechannel Yes there are. I really enjoy your channel and really learn alot from it. I wanted to say thank you. Just keep them coming. 👍👍👍👍 You rock 👊👊
Echo all the way I'm done with stihls they don't last I got several echos going on 8 seasons you can't get that out of a stihl 4mix they run good since new the first 2 seasons after that problems begin lost of power broken cam gears melted gear cams bad cranks cluches go out and clutch springs I have a dozen stihl shafts without engines we just gave up on them echos do last even those echo 225 last longer then our stihls unbelievable.
@@HomeGaragechannel We are in Miami so heat and humidity is a big factor for the stihl 4mix echos hold heat alot more then stihl up north stihl 4mix do alot better and they last longer.
I love my Echo SRM 225 weed eater, that would probably be the one that I choose every time. I haven't tried other high end brands of weed eaters, but my Echo starts so easy, plenty of power for my use, fairly light and well balanced, and it's super reliable. Just checks all of the boxes and keeps the price reasonable. I only got my Echo last season, so I'll have to see how it holds up over time, but I don't think it's going to lose performance any time soon. Also, I was wondering where you got your parts trimmer from in this video. Was it shown in a previous video somewhere, or did you just happen to pick one up between vids?
Thanks NerfCraft, I would choose an Echo as I think they are a great value. The parts trimmer was something I got from a friend a long time ago and was just holding for something like this.
Stihl all the way until I get old and cannot hold it anymore, they have the best power and they never get tangled with very tall 3ft grass. Fs130 all the way
I have both brands and only difference I see is sthl reves up higher and I would go as far as to say that it's a waste of hp. I like Echo better if I had choose I'm on my second SRM225 straight shaft string trimmer 1st one lasted 4 years and I replaced the coil a year ago and I'm still using today as well as the new one which I have had 0 issues with except help to run them both . The echo never failed to start even on the coldest day of the year ,yep I had to know if it start as easily on a cold day and tried it and it did,cant say that for the way more expensive one
remove the gearbox the the trimmer head is attached to. spin the head and look in the gearbox and make sure its spinning inside it where the shaft goes. if that works turn on the trimmer and check the drive shaft is spinning. if its not then the shaft might be broken.
yes that is a possibility. Unfortunately I am not aware that sort of testing equipment available to the public. The only test would be to replace the ignition module to find out.
When I saw this video originally months back, I thought this was such a weird problem, but come last weekend, I got 3 of these from the scrapyard and one of them does the same exact thing. do you think just replacing the boot will fix it, or do I have to swap the whole coil? I dont wanna have to look through my box of echo coils unless i have to.
@@HomeGaragechannel Thanks for the comment. I understood your recommendation and watched your video through to the end. I was wondering whether the view attempted a boot swap.
@@HomeGaragechannel what you think it is I watch all your videos, and I love your videos all of your echo trimmers run great I wish mine can run that good and easy
I would buy an echo because I think they are reliable and easy to service
my thoughts too
I love my Echo, great gas mileage, and a lot of power
These are very good trimmer
Echo for sure. I have one my father gave me that runs great from the 70s.
wow thats a real machine
Long video yet covered a lot. Much appreciated! If I were to use a trimmer, I'd get an Echo. The price and design is decent. Parts are easy to get. How-to videos everywhere.
You are right about parts. Stihl is a close second however price and availability are a factor. Thank you for your time.
Stihl would be my first choice, Echo close behind. I own and use both.
Excellent. Thank you for chiming in. I appreciate it.
I agree if there wasn’t any Stihl it would be definitely echo
Me exactly the same.
Me too. Love echo and Stihl!
I look after a large number of fishing ponds that need strimming regularly. I have used a number of makes over the last 30 years. I like my Husqvarnas the best for there power and reliability and they just last and last year after year. Parts can be a bit expensive but the quality is outstanding. Now there`s loads of second hand or clone parts out there. I have just done the gearbox on a 5hp Husqvarna. A husqvarna new gearbox £300. I got a second hand one for £20 and put all 4 new bearings in it £6. Repack the grease. Sorted smooth as silk for £26. I have had it 27 years.
nice work Russell Kerfoot.
Personally I think STIHL is a bit overrated. Their dealers are very “prissy” if you will. They want you to do everything their way. Service by them. Parts by them. It all adds up. I love using Redmax and Shindaiwa, a sister company of Echo. I actually am picking up a Shindaiwa hedge trimmer, might make a video on it for you!
I'd like to see that Luke Harrison. I've never bought a new stihl trimmer so I wouldn't know about their policies but I could imagine that would be insisting.
Great fix👍 I'm an Echo man all the way! I have had Stihl in the past & they are easy to flood & harder to start. Also in my opinion Stihl parts are more expensive & harder to work on. Meaning on some of them you have to take almost the whole machine apart just to get to one part.
Thank you Alan Marshall for the comment. I agree with you on Stihl. Like them but only so much.
Mine does the same thing. I use it mostly for my lawn, but also do a few neighbors here and there. It does the same thing. Only shocks me every now and then though. Currently hard to start as when I store it vertically on the wall (engine up) the fuel float over flows it. The filter is saturated. Going to replace the insulator, and boot on the wire and hopefully a rebuild on the carb should replace the diaphragm that operates the float. I have run mine now for roughly 10 years. If I were going commercial I'd likely go stihl. My brother runs a ton of their saws.
Thank you for the information I appreciate it
Still love my echo
Thanks for the comment I appreciate it
Gonna have to remember that one for sure. Me like
I've run Stihl and Echo both commercially and for the money I'd take Echo and be done with it. And Briggs says that rust doesn't hurt ignition but it wasn't there to start with sdo when I'm working on them I de-rust the flywheel and magneto and oil them f0or good measure. Never had one go bad either. Thanks and Blessings!
You are absolutely correct.
Also if you didn’t know, when the spark plug boot hardens and is like plastic sometimes it’ll conduct electricity and give it weak spark or as on this machine could shock you but it’s rare.
Thank for the information I'll have to watch out for that
I've used both both echo and stihl and like both. Each one has it's strong points and faults
Very well said
That’s a homeowner residential echo. As you go higher in the model numbers of Echo then those are commercial models. I too don’t run my equipment machines with the screens in the muffler it just makes the engine run hotter because of it. Haven’t had a problem with any machine and the engine runs cooler too.
Thank you Elton Pham for the comment. Yes this model isn't a commercial unit but it is quite capable. The screens have a job to do but it's nice when they are gone.
Thank you very much. A very well executed instructional video. Learned a great deal. Here's to hoping I'm successful at resurrecting my Echo SRM-225. Has been very difficult to start since I purchased it (new). Now, won't start at all. Hoping mine will start as readily as your PAS-225 when I'm finished. Fingers crossed. Ty again.
Good luck to you and thanks for your time
Is very simple and good echo 👍🏿
yes you are absolutely correct
Stihl for me, I have used echo for years but went back to Stihl. My last Echo set, being a blower and trimmer gave me so many problems it was time to move on. Since then I bought a 600 Stihl blower and a 111 trimmer and have not looked back. The Echo 210 trimmer was the lightest and easiest trimmer to live with though. What really got me was working jobs and having the echo equipment fail… I always maintain my equipment, just had a bad experience with the last echo set….
thank you Kris W for the information.
I've had ECHO products for many years I like them .
I agree with you, they are very good machines indeed
I have been using a Home-lite for several years and like it because of its light weight. It starts easily and seems to be very dependable.
Thank you Kenneth Erlenbusch for the comment. That is the best aspect of Home-lite their easy of use. I know a couple of people who use them and love them.
I use an old homelite from I think the 90s and it’s really reliable and easy to fix
i do like echo trimmers and chain saws alot and have several.
nice, I don't see may echo saws around here.
Honda make a good 4 stroke line trimmer which my dad has, he's had it for about 15 years & it's still going good,they would be a good commercial option,in California, that's about all is legally allowed to be sold brand new since their ban of the sale of new 2 stroke lawn equipment due to their anti smog laws.
In my location in Australia, I'd keep the screen arrestor fitted because it gets hot & dry during the summer period & in my rural location that means a big bush (forest) fire can be caused by 1 lousy spark from the muffler.
On some lawn equipment such as the Stihl hedge trimmers,even though the ignition coils look the same they aren't all the same on even the same model of machine,it depends upon their serial number as Stihl changed both the ignition coil & crankshaft, I think it's the HS45 model that they changed it half way through.
So, if you fit the later ignition coil,the crankshaft must also be changed to match because the keyway is milled into a different spot,so the timing is different,or else do what I had to do - buy the matching OEM ignition coil which is for the earlier serial number of that model of machine !
That's good information. Thank you for sharing that.
When it comes to backpack blowers and trimmers Echo all the way Hands down
They are definitely tops on my list too.
Stihl trimmers are great and I have had amazing experiences with them, Oleo Mac is also a favourite of mine for reliability reasons but these brands are not cheap.
Lately I've been experimenting with cheap Chinese trimmers and of those Kraft is the best in terms of power, ergonomics and price also very reliable, in fact I've had a Kraft trimmer for over ten years and all it ever needed was a new carb
thank you for sharing that information
I would get a Echo. Everything we have that is made by Stihl is hard to start and never runs right. Even when they were new. Our 20 year old echo still runs better.
Thank you for the information, I'll have to pass it on.
@@HomeGaragechannel Keep up the videos. I enjoy watching them. It’s always satisfying to fix something. I work on stuff also but my videos are not as professional. Lol.
@@atvrepairsandmore2482 Thanks I will, and they don't need to be professional just informative.
@@atvrepairsandmore2482thanks again, and I've subbed to your channel
In no particular order: Shindaiwa, Stihl, and Echo. All are great, but I love the Shindaiwa because it is incredibly lightweight compared to most others.
thank you Bruce Coleman.
What I would use for commercial equipment would be a 1973 lawn boy 8232 and a weedeater weedeater and a weedeater brand blower
Do have the lawnboy mower right now?
Home Garage yes I do have the lawn boy Right now
Have had great luck with my Troy bilt and until it proves otherwise I'll keep using it!
P.S. The rusty plug did bug me along with the debris inside. I'm anal about blowing my weed whacker out when I'm done. Same with the mower and tractor!
Good for you. You certainly take good care of your stuff. Thanks for the comment I appreciate it
Good fix there
If I were to use a trimmer Commercially
I would use a STIHL 4mix with .080 line
Or a Echo. Depending on easy of available
Thank you D Fields for the comment. The 4 mix is a good engine. Had one for awhile myself.
Why would you use .080 line
Husqvarna and Echo,not crappy Stihl...
Thank you for the comment I appreciate it
It's always better to use the wire brush to remove rust in contact points in the coil-engine
Good point
Redmax for commercial use!
Thank you for the comment I appreciate it
That's that Echo all the way
What do you think about stihl?
Mine's are Craftsman (4) in total which two of them are Craftsman Husqvarna Professional Series...
Thanks for the information
@@HomeGaragechannel you're welcome
I love to use my echo trimmer.
Thank you RayFpv for the first comment. They are pretty good trimmers.
@@HomeGaragechannel Yes there are. I really enjoy your channel and really learn alot from it. I wanted to say thank you. Just keep them coming. 👍👍👍👍 You rock 👊👊
RayFpv I have 3, I use the Echo over the Stihl, every time .
I love STIHL TOO
I do too just pricey for most people.
Yay echo but you have alot of these modles wow i never seen so much orange in my life
I knew you'd be excited. Thank you for the comment.
@@HomeGaragechannel yeah very
Echo all the way I'm done with stihls they don't last I got several echos going on 8 seasons you can't get that out of a stihl 4mix they run good since new the first 2 seasons after that problems begin lost of power broken cam gears melted gear cams bad cranks cluches go out and clutch springs I have a dozen stihl shafts without engines we just gave up on them echos do last even those echo 225 last longer then our stihls unbelievable.
Oh really I didn't know they had those problems. Thanks for the comment I appreciate it
@@HomeGaragechannel Your welcome man
@@HomeGaragechannel We are in Miami so heat and humidity is a big factor for the stihl 4mix echos hold heat alot more then stihl up north stihl 4mix do alot better and they last longer.
@@victorrippe5845 I see. Thank you for the extra information.
@@HomeGaragechannel Your welcome man
I love my Echo SRM 225 weed eater, that would probably be the one that I choose every time. I haven't tried other high end brands of weed eaters, but my Echo starts so easy, plenty of power for my use, fairly light and well balanced, and it's super reliable. Just checks all of the boxes and keeps the price reasonable. I only got my Echo last season, so I'll have to see how it holds up over time, but I don't think it's going to lose performance any time soon.
Also, I was wondering where you got your parts trimmer from in this video. Was it shown in a previous video somewhere, or did you just happen to pick one up between vids?
Thanks NerfCraft, I would choose an Echo as I think they are a great value. The parts trimmer was something I got from a friend a long time ago and was just holding for something like this.
mine would be homelite cut 15 they are old but reliable little trimmers
thank you earthy_nochos2
Great video. Just what I needed. Gracias.
no problem
Commercial I would use a stihl
Thank you for the comment I appreciate it
Stihl all the way until I get old and cannot hold it anymore, they have the best power and they never get tangled with very tall 3ft grass. Fs130 all the way
Wow FS 130 is a nice trimmer. Thanks for the comment
classic poulan all the way, i have an ultralight by them that eats grass like its not even there. and i can weedeat with one hand
I wonder why you didnt gohead and take muffler off to check oval exhaust port for build up
I have both brands and only difference I see is sthl reves up higher and I would go as far as to say that it's a waste of hp. I like Echo better if I had choose I'm on my second SRM225 straight shaft string trimmer 1st one lasted 4 years and I replaced the coil a year ago and I'm still using today as well as the new one which I have had 0 issues with except help to run them both . The echo never failed to start even on the coldest day of the year ,yep I had to know if it start as easily on a cold day and tried it and it did,cant say that for the way more expensive one
You're right, I probably should have checked.
I like the idea that you tried to start your Equipment on a cold day.
Stihl for comercial echo for homeowners
Thats a pretty good idea. Do you have either?
@@HomeGaragechannel yes I have a Stihl FS 94 R, it’s the best!
@@dianeross7611 nice
Yes It is Awesome
Thank you for replying I watch most of your vids keep up the good work!
if i was going to use a commercial type trimmer i would do a little bit of homework before hand
Research is always appreciated
@@HomeGaragechannel yes indeed
Echo. Can't complain.
Yes they're really good
Honda 4 Stroke for me, - Something like the UMK 425 / 435.
yep agreed.
Hi my Echo trimmer starts and revs but the head does not spin? Any idea what is wrong with it?
remove the gearbox the the trimmer head is attached to. spin the head and look in the gearbox and make sure its spinning inside it where the shaft goes. if that works turn on the trimmer and check the drive shaft is spinning. if its not then the shaft might be broken.
Echo I used
thank you A Graham
So can you have spark but not enough spark for ignition?
yes that is a possibility. Unfortunately I am not aware that sort of testing equipment available to the public. The only test would be to replace the ignition module to find out.
if I used a trimmer commercially it will be echo
that's my choice as well. although I'm aware that stihl is a great brand too.
Stihl ofcourse
thank you Ramadin Sookhoo
Echo 👍👍
thank you Lobo Robertson.
marayama I love marayama they our firce powerful and last a long lime
Oh I forgot about that brand
Yes they are great too.
@@HomeGaragechannel ye I have one she is 20 years old and you can barely pull it there is so good competition
@@AidanRyan458 very nice. Thanks again for the comment
I'm used to with stihl
Thanks for the comment I appreciate it
Still would be the referred for commercial
thank you Robert Nelson, and it makes sense
When I saw this video originally months back, I thought this was such a weird problem, but come last weekend, I got 3 of these from the scrapyard and one of them does the same exact thing. do you think just replacing the boot will fix it, or do I have to swap the whole coil? I dont wanna have to look through my box of echo coils unless i have to.
If you can just replace the boot give it a try. I just went with the coil.
What was the verdict?
@@cliftt replace the whole coil.
@@HomeGaragechannel Thanks for the comment. I understood your recommendation and watched your video through to the end.
I was wondering whether the view attempted a boot swap.
@@cliftt I have before. The boot swap isn't perfect so the coil is usually a better option.
Good thing you had a spare, OEMs are pricey
You are correct about that.
I use 2 shindaiwa trimmers and a maruyama trimmer :)
Thank you Chris Kennedy for the comment. Those are really nice choices.
Husqvarna or echo
Echo
Stihl is it for me
Thank you Renee Forde for Forde the comment I appreciate it
Are those screws T25?
Not sure. It's that or t20
I would use an echo
me too Bruce Markham
I 100% recommend Stihl
Thank you for the comment. I agree with you.
Robin
thanks for the comment I appreciate it
My echo GT-200ce has a blown engine
that's a shame. any plans for it?
I choose sthil
Thank you Dora Escalante for the comment I appreciate it.
Hey question I did that still won’t start at all use other coil still won’t start mine is echo rms 225
then I'm guessing it's not a coil issue
@@HomeGaragechannel what you think it is I watch all your videos, and I love your videos all of your echo trimmers run great I wish mine can run that good and easy
have you looked the carb?
@@HomeGaragechannel yes I did everything it’s good it look new I can’t get it to run
It has a compression in spark, the carburetors good
Stihl
Thanks for the comment I appreciate it
Stihl is it
stihl is a very good product.
I still find Husqvarna and Stihl better than them. They are well worth the price
I understand how you feel. The only reason I like them I find them comfortable to use.
echo/sthil
Thank you roy leonard for the comment. I appreciate it.
Echo
Me too
I'm a Stihl man
Thank you Marshall Border of the comment. I appreciate it.
It is illegal to remove the spark arestor daaaaa.😆
I'm pretty sure you're right
ryobi
Thanks for the comment I appreciate it
Sthil without a doubt
Thank you davidgau for the comment. Stihl make great trimmers.
Idk maybe Kawasaki?
not a bad choice
stihl
echo
Echo
Thank you for the comment I appreciate it
Echo
Thank you jeremy thiel for the comment.