Help! I need to choose between these two strimmers.
Poll: Help! I need to choose between these two strimmers.
Total Members Polled: 24
Discussion
Hi guys,
My brother wants, and I quote "a petrol strimmer / hedge trimmer" for his birthday. I've narrowed down my selection to the above two, as both in budget of £180, but I need help picking between the two.
The Ryobi comes with additional attachments rather than just the dual line head, so seems like it can handle being a hedge trimmer too. The Makita doesn't, but is a better brand in my opinion, but not sure if this would only tick his 'petrol strimmer' box, rather than both, unlike the Ryobi. Hence the dilemma.
Links are as below:
Ryobi: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ryobi-30cc-Petrol-4-Stroke-B...
Makita: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Makita-RBC2110-Petrol-HEAVY-...
My brother hasn't got a massive garden, but he does like having decent tools and always pays for top quality stuff.
Any help, much appreciated. Thanks.
My brother wants, and I quote "a petrol strimmer / hedge trimmer" for his birthday. I've narrowed down my selection to the above two, as both in budget of £180, but I need help picking between the two.
The Ryobi comes with additional attachments rather than just the dual line head, so seems like it can handle being a hedge trimmer too. The Makita doesn't, but is a better brand in my opinion, but not sure if this would only tick his 'petrol strimmer' box, rather than both, unlike the Ryobi. Hence the dilemma.
Links are as below:
Ryobi: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ryobi-30cc-Petrol-4-Stroke-B...
Makita: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Makita-RBC2110-Petrol-HEAVY-...
My brother hasn't got a massive garden, but he does like having decent tools and always pays for top quality stuff.
Any help, much appreciated. Thanks.
66comanche said:
IMO look into the Ryobi multitool system, the 2 stroke version is <£200 and is a strimmer/brushcutter/mini chainsaw/hedgetrimmer - mine has been excellent.
Bought one of these 2 years ago. It also came with a free 'rotavator' attatchment. I have a raised bed veggie plot that I thought the rotavator should cope with with ease (doesn't get walked on and compacted). WRONG!Day 1. Rotavator seized - stripped it and found gearbox dissintegrated.
week 3. Chainsaw chain - kept coming off and finally snapped.
week 6. couldn't start the engine.
week 6 + 1 day - through the f
king lot in the skip.From then on - borrow my mates Stihl kit as and when.
Do Not buy cheap if you intend to use it regular.
PS. No i didn't bother asking for a refund as it would have been too much hassle.
Edited to say: I would never buy any strimmer without bull bar handle-bars again anyway.
Edited by dickymint on Monday 20th June 11:23
I've had the Makita for two years and it's brilliant. Always starts on the first pull, even after the winter lay-up, and has ample grunt. I've got the stimmer, bush cutter, hedge trimmer and chainsaw attachments and they are all well engineered and have proved invaluable. The other thing to consider is that the Ryobi weighs twice as much as the Makita! This is a big difference especially your brother decides he may want to use it for hedge trimming.
Lots of conflicting opinions then
I've had the previous version of the Ryobi for 6 years and it's been fine. Used regularly on grass, 5ft nettles and various tall weeds around our field and I've had no problems. Never serviced, never changed any oil or spark plug. The only bit I've replaced is the big nut that holds the spool on as it wore out from overuse (hitting on the ground at full revs to get more twine out). Oh and I had to tighten up the motor securing bolt once.
On the other hand my neighbour bought the same model at about the same time. He had his serviced after a couple of years and after that it only lasted another couple of months before it destroyed itself. So I had his spool nut!
He's got a Stihl now and loves it.
Mike
I've had the previous version of the Ryobi for 6 years and it's been fine. Used regularly on grass, 5ft nettles and various tall weeds around our field and I've had no problems. Never serviced, never changed any oil or spark plug. The only bit I've replaced is the big nut that holds the spool on as it wore out from overuse (hitting on the ground at full revs to get more twine out). Oh and I had to tighten up the motor securing bolt once.
On the other hand my neighbour bought the same model at about the same time. He had his serviced after a couple of years and after that it only lasted another couple of months before it destroyed itself. So I had his spool nut!
He's got a Stihl now and loves it.
Mike
Using strimmers and hedgetrimmers professionally I would never go for something which is trying to do two jobs - it is always a compromise. However I'm guessing your brother is not so I would suggest he works out which tool he will use the most and get a new one of those and then look around for a second hand one of the other. As has been said Stihl or Husqvarna is tops
If you want top quality, buy Stihl - end of.
Not sure where you're based, but if you're anywhere near Old Woking, pop into Hire Services. They have a warehouse full of Stihl equipment, and you'll walk away with a brand new proper strimmer.
I use them for all my gardening equipment - can't fault 'em.
Not sure where you're based, but if you're anywhere near Old Woking, pop into Hire Services. They have a warehouse full of Stihl equipment, and you'll walk away with a brand new proper strimmer.
I use them for all my gardening equipment - can't fault 'em.
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