Echo Gas Trimmer

YChang

500+ Posts
My black and decker eletric trimmer has broken down on me for the last time (I've replaced 3 in the past 3 years). So I've heard great things about Echo trimmers and purchased one from Home Depot, their GT 2150 model. So here's a few comments/questions:

Boy is it every different using a gas trimmer. With the electric because it was so light I was used to tilting pushing the trimmer to cut the grass below the plane of the cut grass (by the mower). When I first used the gas...it felt as if it wasn't cutting anything. However when I stepped away to survey the handiwork...well the grass was indeed trimmed. I'm no expert, but I guess trimming so the remaing grass is flush to the plane of the grass is the proper way?

Also is there a proper way to handle the gas trimmer. It feels so awkward holding the gas trimmer. My elbow is rubbing or on the motor area. It feels very uncomfortable. Adjusting the grip up and down the shaft doesn't seem to alleviate this feeling. Maybe because I just have to get used to it? Also my back is killing me. Will exchanging this for a straight shaft model help alleviate this problem?

Also as a plan b recommendation, in case neither of the gas trimmers feel comfortable to me. What's the best electric trimmer have y'all used in the past? No black and decker models please...they don't like me very much.
 
I use the straight shaft Echo.
It will still leave you sore, yesterday I could barely hold a beer can after trimming 3/4 an acre.
 
Power...pure power.....that's what you are feeling.

Once you develop some strength and technique, you will be unstoppable.....it takes a man to weld an Echo.

Are you edging with it as well? Flip it up side down and it becomes a powerful edger. Make sure you walk right to left with it and have your goggles on just in case. It'll be very hard to get a straight edge as first b/c it'll pull you along. But once you get the touch, you'll be the envy of every poor SOB in the neighborhood that uses an electric edger.
 
Wait...I just re-read your post.

Dude...you need to go get a straight shaft. That other model will fricken kill your back
 
Straight shaft is the way to go, the bent shaft ones will wear the driveshaft out where it goes around the curve.

Echo's are badass, I used my straight shaft one with a saw blade to clear a thicket of cedars (damn things were so thick that you could not walk through them and I couldn't get at the base with a chainsaw easily) from my lot in Georgetown. the ones with trunks up to 3-4 inches in diameter I cut down like I was mowing grass, the biggerones it had to work both sides to cut them down. The hardest part of that was dragging the trees over to the bonfire I had going to dispose of them.
 

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