Echo SRM-225 trimmer rated for 50 hours now!!

[asand1]

The life expectancy rating difference is probably a CYA.

Homeowners will typicallly leave a weedwhacker in the rain with a half tank of E10. Professionals on the other hand will use theirs more often, keeping fresh gas at all times and storing them inside.

300 Pro hours might equal 50 Homeowner hours when counting months of ownership.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: asand1
The life expectancy rating difference is probably a CYA.

Homeowners will typicallly leave a weedwhacker in the rain with a half tank of E10. Professionals on the other hand will use theirs more often, keeping fresh gas at all times and storing them inside.

300 Pro hours might equal 50 Homeowner hours when counting months of ownership.


However, the testing protocol is the same. I'm inclined to take it at face value.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
However, the testing protocol is the same. I'm inclined to take it at face value.


The testing protocol might give a certain result, but Echo is choosing (or apparently perhaps forced due to regulations) to rate it a certain way anyway.

Not unlike speed ratings for tires. A certain tire model might very well pass the speed rating requirements for an H- or a V-rated tire, but the manufacturer puts a T rating on it anyway. Why? Speed ratings very much define the market segments for tires, and even if a tire could materially achieve the higher rating, the manufacturer has designed it as a model in a certain niche, and will choose to market it as such.

You can't necessarily take tires' speed ratings at face value (assuming a T-rated tire would fail the H-rated requirements, for example), and the same may be true in this situation.

 

[Merkava_4]

What happens to the Echo engine when it reaches 50 hours? Does it no longer meet emissions standards and if so, why?

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
What happens to the Echo engine when it reaches 50 hours? Does it no longer meet emissions standards and if so, why?


Who cares as long as it still works, scr*w the socialist government we now have. That is part of the EPA requirements. What do they expect us to do, turn in working OPE equipment because it's reached "their emission life cycle". I'm old and cranky and sad to see how far our country has fallen.

Whimsey

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Whimsey
Who cares as long as it still works, scr*w the socialist government we now have. That is part of the EPA requirements. What do they expect us to do, turn in working OPE equipment because it's reached "their emission life cycle". I'm old and cranky and sad to see how far our country has fallen.


I was thinking if the reason why the engine doesn't meet emissions standards after the 50 hours is up because the cylinder or piston rings are worn out, that might be an issue.

 

[bubbatime]

I ended up picking up the SRM-230 23cc trimmer (rated for 300 hours) from my local dealer. Runs great, very nice piece.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
What happens to the Echo engine when it reaches 50 hours? Does it no longer meet emissions standards and if so, why?


I think the concept here is that it may no longer meet emissions standards. It could be to engine mechanicals or it could be the catalytic material in the muffler.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Interestingly enough, my 21.2cc PAS-225, assembled in the United States in April 2013, and purchased from an Echo dealer, has the 300 hr emissions rating. My 25.4cc ES-250, assembled in the United States in June 2013, and purchased from Home Depot, has the 50 hr emissions rating.

Various reasons have been suggested in this thread, from Echo fearing its dealers losing sales to Home Depot, to the larger engines having the longer rating and the smaller engines having the shorter rating due to their intended market target.

The dealer vs. Home Depot concept correlates with my two machines, but that could be complete coincidence.

 

[Mackelroy]

I had a weed eater brand rated at 50 hours emmisions, and I ran it 14 years, but the lines and carb started having issues, compression never an issue. Yeah that was with e10 fuel, and what ever 2 stroke oil I put in it.

The 5 year consumer warrty on echo srm-225 is a limited warranty, but emmisions I guess they only have to cover for 50 hours .

I (desmogged )mine before even starting it for the first time, I wasnt putting up with what eventually happens, and ensuring good running. no spark screen and adjusted fueling.

 

[MParr]

I have one. It’s at least 4 years old. It has been very dependable. That electric junk can’t keep up with it.

 

[walterjay]

I have one that I am guessing is 9 years old. Runs great!

 

[repairman54]

12 plus year old Craftsman died, coil went bad. Only single string head on it, not worth replacing the coil as I picked up a Homelite straight shaft twin string head for $99 at HD and it has a 2yr warranty and a clutch on driveshaft as the Sears was direct drive. Both only 50hr motors but I'm not a landscaper and low hr. Vietnam junk motor will last me a long time on E0 and premium synth. oils.
I did trash the Torch plug before even starting it though.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Does anyone know about the cylinder coating? I was actually just going to start a new topic. I noticed the new SRM-225 have a different color coating to the cylinder than the very old ones.

I recently restored a vintage SRM-2201 with new crank seals, crank bearings, crankcase gasket set, and new piston ring. The ethanol fuel that made its way into the engine while it was hanging in a barn for over 2 decades ruined the seals and bearing. I noticed the difference in the cylinder coating immediatly.

 

[ironman_gq]

That hour rating is pretty much just there for federal emissions compliance. Chances of a homeowner putting 50hrs on one before they straight gas it or rot out the carb is low. If you keep it maintained properly however there's no reason that unit won't happily run for a couple hundred hours before the trimmer drive or gearbox goes out, I'd expect a solid 10yrs out of it