2 cycle vs 4 cycle weed eater

U

utmck

500+ Posts
Went to HD to look at weed eaters this weekend and saw where there are 4 cycle weedeaters now. What are the advantages of the two different kinds of engines. Also, what are the advantages of the ones with the straight pole vs curved. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

FYI, I am only using the weedeater for my own yard.
 
Two-cycle engines pollute a tremendous amount greater than do four-cycle engines. How about an electric rechargable weedeater. I got one at Lowe's, and an electric hedge trimmer uses the same battery.
 
I have a 2 cycle, plenty of power to get through stuff unless you are weed eating a field. Also, with a 2 cycle, you don't need to check/change the oil.
 
What about the "straight shaft" vs the "curved shaft"? Are there any advantages to either type?
 
I second the rechargeable kind. It has plenty of power to do typical lawn stuff and it doesn't run out of gas. You might have to upgrade the battery or charger depending on how big/rigorous your yard is.
 
I have the 18V Black & Decker cordless electric Grass Hog and it works great. I have a ~1/4 acre lot and I can weedeat on 1 battery (I have 2 that are fully charged). I also have the B&D cordeless electric 18V leaf blower and I use my 2nd battery on that after finishing.

The one below also has a great tool to edge. I don't need to mess with oil and gas for this. I have a gas Sears mower but cordless electric weedeater and leaf blower.


link
 
The 4-cycle engines have improved a lot and could be more reliable.

Having said that, consider going electric if you have a typical yard. They provide more than enough power, are far more reliable than any gas powered unit, don't pollute (small engines are terrible polluters), are quieter and lower cost. I've replaced my gas powered yard equipment with electric wherever I can and I couldn't be happier. I spend far less time with maintenance and get the job done just as well.

My preference is a 110V system (batteries are also a maintenance and replacement issue) that allows interchangeable heads. I have a power head with a trimmer, edger, and pole chainsaw. More attachments are available. I've used one from Ryobi for many years with no problems and just recently added the pole chainsaw which came with an even more powerful powerhead and extra trimmer from Poulan. All the attachments between the Ryobi and Poulan are interchangeable. I think the Homelite attachments also fit. Here's the Poulan that comes with the trimmer and pole chainsaw which all work great. I'm sure other configurations of the same system are readily available.
 
Straight shaft, two-cycle, less than a hundred bucks.

Straight shaft is easier to flip and use as edger and reaches under shrubs, etc.

Two cycle / four cycle - I bought a 2 cycle because it's cheaper and I dont mind mixing gas/oil.

Cordless vs gas - whatever floats your boat, I don't have first hand experience with the performance of cordless weed eaters, but I know the gas-powered ones work.
 
The main benifit of 4-Stroke trimmers is higher "torque" value. This is nice if you're going to be hitting heavier vegitation or converting over to a brush blade or something. Trying to do to much with your 2 can be bad for your clutch. The 4 will have a little slower revs than the 2 and will result in a more severe lopping, opposed to a little better cut given by the higher revs of a 2. If you're buying a quality 4, they are a little heavier but are certainly better for the enviroment.

For most people I would suggest a "good quality" 2-stroke (Stihl,Echo,Shindaiwa, RedMax) or a decent elect that won't cost to much to replace. Absolutely stay away from any gas powered trimmer offered by HD or Lowes outside of their Echo line unless they are now carrying some of the others mentioned above.

NEVER buy a gas powered Troy-Bilt product under any circumstance.

There are Homeowners that like "curved" shaft systems but there are legit reasons why a large majority of professional landscapers use nothing but "straight-shafts". They are generally more mechanicaly sound and less likely to go down from drive-shaft related problems. Straight shaft trimmers give you much more access under low shrubs and etc, whereas the curved shaft impedes this.

Edging with a straigt shaft trimmer is no problem at all.
 
"Stihl,Echo,Shindaiwa, RedMax"

w/ straight shaft - this is the right answer. Spend the money now and sit back as your neighbors struggle with the homelite/troy-bilt/craftsman specials. Your welcome.
 
I have to agree that Stihl, Echo, etc make great trimmers. But we're talking homeowner use here. Not 12 hours a day 7 days a week like these commercial units are designed for. I also agree that most of the consumer units are crap. My experience tells me that gas units are a PITA for most homeowners. They tend to set for months at a time during the off season and then it takes 2 hours to get it running again in the spring. Sure you can winterize it to improve your chances of it starting again, but with our weather you never really know when you're done in the fall. That's why the 110V electrics make a lot of sense. Plenty of power so you're not likely to burn it up, no gas, no batteries, and better made than the bulk of the consumer units. Without a doubt, my Ryobi 110V system has lasted longer than every gas unit I've owned (and I've owned good ones) and gotten rid of--usually to commercial guys who've picked them up at my garage sales and can use them enough for them to stay running properly. Nothing I hate worse than expecting to spend an hour mowing and trimming and then spending an extra hour jacking with a gas powered tool that could have been electric and just ran without any hassle.
 
It has never taken me more than 5 minutes to start any gas powered device that I own. This includes a Toro lawn mower, 2 stroke John Deere weedeater, Stihl stick edger, Echo backpack blower, Honda generator and a Yahama generator.
 
Texas Rocks is right - there is a third option to luck and brevity, and that is to know to buy quality equipment and take simple measures to keep it going. I have an Echo trimmer and a honda powered lawnmower that I use for semi-pro yardwork. I have done nothing (NOTHING) to the trimmer in 4 years and still starts on the 2nd pull. (prime, choke, pull-->sputter, move to run and pull again). The Honda, few months, 1st pull everytime.

Didn't see his response as rude; he just presented an option that was either forgotten or intentionally neglected in order to prove an agenda. Quality gas-powered equipment lasts a long time, is reliable and is more efficient - time is important to me.
 
I'm with BrntOrng on this. Growing up my Dad had a 2 stroke weedeater that I used (he wasn't mowing and trimming, that was me for my allowance). And let's just say it isn't trivial to keep them in good shape. Sometimes I would let it run/idle in the driveway to burn all the gas so I wouldn't have to worry about stale gas/oil in there. That stuff can gum up good.

He also had an electric weedeater and I would use that too but my parents have a 1/2 acre lawn so it could be a pain in the butt to use with the extension cord.

I now have my own house and just under 1/4 acre. I have rechargeable. I weedeat every week. It has the juice to trim and weedeat my yard, fenceline and house on 1 charge. If I had a bigger lot, I could do it on 2 batteries but I have 2 batteries constantly charged so that is do-able easily.

Hey, I don't do this for a living. If I did, I would own a high dollar set up. But hey, I'm just a cook (Under Siege).
 
You can't go wrong with an Echo or Stihl product. If you're at home depot, they should have an Echo edger for $220. They will last you many years w/o any problems as long as you keep fresh gas in it.

You're back will also appreciate the straight-shaft
 
I've got a 2-stroke lawnmower as well. I have been told the value of these things is going up, since new laws are starting to ban them. So, if you have a lawnmower that uses the oil/gas mix, hang on to it and keep it in good condition. It might be worth something one day.

And yes, a 2-stroke weed eater is the way to go. Just drain all of the gas out to winterize, and you'll have no problem starting it up in the spring.
 
If you do go with a gas powered product, I will second Echo and Stihl. One ancillary benefit of those brands that has not been discussed is that you are able to get those brands repaired. Homelite, Poulan, etc. are nigh impossible to get a shop to work on.
 
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