Whipper snippers

[Bluegum]

I'm in the market for a new whipper snipper after my old ryobi failed on me. It happend 15 months ago and it cost nearly $100 worth of repairs. Its failed agian and rather than repair I plan to buy a newbie. I'm looking at sthil and was wondering what their level entry W/S were like. I know the bigger stuff is up to things but know little about the basic stuff. I own a sthil chain saw and its great,but its not a W/S.

[Bob38S]

Depending on the $$$'s you want to spend and or the amount of work you want to do with it - talk to the local mower-men - the blokes who use this sort of gear for a living - they will usually tell you what is good and what to avoid.
Bob

[Fossil]

As a general rule of thumb, most of the bent shaft models are not all that good. Usually, a straight shaft unit has a full crank, in lieu of a canterlever half crank on the cheaper units. Also make sure you get a machine that has a decent diaphram carb, such as a walbro. Make sure that the the gearbox on any straight shaft unit is up to the job as well, because a broken gearbox means a throwawy item even for the better quality units.

Consider the weight of the machine, and the quality of guards and accessaries etc. Have a look at the string spool mechanism as well.

Some very good brands of this sort of gear are as follows:

Stihl
Husky
echo
Mitsubishi
Zenoah/komatsu/redmax
Robin

The japs are very good at making these little machines, as are the Germans.

Good luck

[Termite]

I've had a straight shaft Stihl for about 7 years, can't remember the model No.
Cost just over $500.00. Starts first or second pull every time, even after sitting idle for about 4 months over winter.
The bloke at the local mower shop where most of the pro's buy their stuff said "If it dies before you do I'll give you a new one free."

[Bluegum]

I've had a look at the sthil website and checked out there W/S. They have a bent shaft job for $249. I only need it for a standard size house block so a straight shaft job is a bit pricey for my needs. I will check out the husqvana dealer on the way home to see what they have.

[Grunt]

I'd go Stihl or Husky. I got a Husqvarna which hasn't missed a beat. Paid around $350 for it. It has a straight shaft and starts first time everytime.

I had a Ryobi before that which took forever to start and blew up after 18 months or so. Ya gets what ya pay for,

[Bodgy]

I've got a Stihl. No probs.

Only PITA is that to maintain the warranty you need their 2 stroke oil (no real prob here) but you mix oil/petrol at half the normal ratio.

Problem being yet another can of fuel lying around and the fact that mixing is painful as one needs to be accurate and measuring these small quantities of oil is tedious.

Great tool tho.

[johnc]

I've had the bottom end bent shaft Stihl for years. Except for the odd service it has not been touched, never needed parts beyond cord and plugs and other than being a bit cranky to start gives no trouble. FWIW I have never used the Stihl oil, although it is a good idea during the warranty period I guess and having killed the chain saw years ago it's the only engine around here on two stroke. Boats don't count they use a different type of oil.

John

[Bluegum]

Thanks Johnc for your info. I checked out a brand called Tanaka on the way home but its level entry model is a dear as the Sthil top end models.

[Wood Butcher]

There's a 4-stroke Honda at work. It has the striaght shaft and is a dream to use. Quiet yet lots of power and has a great harness that you put on like a vest to ensure no sore arms from holding it. It also has the fuel tank pickup that enables you to hold the W/s at any angle and not run out of fuel.

[Glenn_M]

Another vote here for Stihl. Had a whipper snipper and couple of thier chainsaws (one for 20 years now). Quality gear.

Cheers,
Glenn

[doug1]

I have a honda bent shaft device and find it a little heavy even with the harness. Other than that it is excellent

you should consider the weight of what you buy carefully

Doug

[scooter]

Agree with the straight shaft advice, and suggest one with a metal flat slide carb, over a nylon type (wears).

I was a contractor for 5 years, & went through 2 Kaaz trimmers and ended up getting a Shindaiwa, which I still own and is going strong.

Like the little touches on the Shindaiwa, like the metal guard under the fuel tank, little guides for the cables & wires, allen headed bolts everywhere, etc.

On the down side, though, they are contractors machines so mebbe check 'em out but could be too dear for your budget.

Recommend a high quality 2 stroike oil, particularly the Stihl oil. Very clean burning, minimal coking of the exhaiust port, and less needed (50:1). Have a mate who put me onto this, he'd done his small engine apprenticeship & worked for years at the Stihl dealer in Orbost (had highest chainsaw sales in Oz) and said there was a real difference in the quality of 2 stroke oils, especially the garden variety ones put out by the oil companies.

Easy to measure out the small quantities needed with the measure pack that the 1 litre Stihl oil comes in.

Don't keep too much fuel on hand, ulp deteriorates rapidly and is at it's best within a month or so of purchase, particularly critical in small engines.


Good luck................cheers..............Sean

[Bluegum]

Thanks fellas I plan to look at the sthil now after reading all your posts. I have an old sthil chain saw and its needs some work done on it so it shows they are reliable but the W/S I didn't know much about. It will be the one I will go for.

[Bluegum]

Checked out the Sthil range and I will be buying one. After talking to my local dealer and looking at them i am convinced. Thanks to all that replied to my original question.