I need a String Trimmer and a Pole Saw.

[Bear]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
If you need both a trimmer and a pole saw, I'd check out the trimmers with the interchangeable attachment system. Then you only have one engine that can power multiple tools. I've got a Poulan Pro trimmer, and I've got the brush cutter and cultivator attachments for it. I've considered getting the pole saw attachment too. It works great, although when it's time to replace it I'll probably get an Echo or Stihl. The attachments are all interchangeable between brands too.


I've got the same Poulan. I have the string trimmer, pole saw and hedge trimmer attachments. Been in "homeowner" use for some 5 years now. Still going strong.
Many good choices and you likely won't regret buying any of them.

 

[123Saab]

Unless you really are going to do some serious work, A manual pole saw of good quality can handle a lot. and usually with a longer reach too.

I made the mistake to buy a Polesaw attachment and ended up selling it, used it so little.

A sharp manual saw is remarkably fast and effortless with almost no fatigue due to very low weight.

I have one of these, Love it.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=10243&cat=2,42706,40721&ap=1

 

[2cool]

I went cheap because I don't have near the amount of trimming you do. The Ryobi unit I have is china made; but it does the job for 4 or 5 trees and lawn trimming.
Honestly, the only reason I went to Ryobi again is that I had a tiller, trimmer, brush cutter, and pole saw that couldn't be made to work with either Stihl or Echo; and buying all of that would be major money for part-time tools.
In your area, these tools would be probably 3/4 year tools, worth much more up front for longer trouble-free life. If you get 2-stroke engine, don't cheap out on the oil.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: tezzzas
Thanks for the information guys, let me give you some information about my needs. I like the attachments idea. I on 16 and half acres and half a lot of tree limbs to tree. So, I need a powerful and a trimmer that can run at load for extended time periods.


I have several acres including woodlot. About ten years ago I was having problems with an "auto-feed" WeedWacker that wouldn't auto-feed the string (or would just dump it all in 2 seconds), a temperamental ancient Poulan chainsaw, and a Homelite chainsaw that I got 3 fabulous minutes of runtime before it [censored] out for good. I needed something better so I could get work done and not spend time messing with substandard equipment.

I got the Stihl KM110R KombiSystem w/ string trimmer and quickly added the pole pruner, extension, and hedge trimmer. It was a few more years before I got a reliable chainsaw, so I ended up using the pole pruner for much more than its intended function. I can tell you my 4-Mix motor won't overheat or vapor lock on extended use in hot weather. I could run it for a couple of hours straight until the chain got dull and it was time to sharpen.

The hedge trimmer is freaking amazing, a real light saber for anything under 1", or tiny little leaves, it all falls to the ground. It cuts so fast there is no room for error.

The string trimmer is kind of just OK. The big 2-stroke Stihls will outperform it. Don't get me wrong, it does better than the one-string WeedEaters or WeedWackers, but it has too much torque and not enough RPM. As a result it tends to toss stuff around. However it bump feeds with utter reliability.

In almost a decade, I've replaced one part where the tool meets the powerhead, a plastic bushing thingie that centers the shaft, cost was reasonable and the dealer had it in stock. That, a valve adjustment (kit: $2.88, $6 at the John Deere dealer), a spark plug and a few filters, that's it. The Carb has 3 adjustment screws that take plain straight screwdrivers. I can set the idle down really low and it will just keep running.

There may be other good choices, but I can highly recommend the Stihl KombiSystem.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: gman2304
Stihl requires you to use they're expensive premix in order to get they're 4 year warranty.


Wrong.

http://www.stihlusa.com/information/warranty-service-info/engine-oil-double-warranty/

You can double your warranty with either the premix OR the 6-packs of Ultra.

I use "their" Ultra 2-stroke oil for all my Husky and Stihl chainsaws as well as the KM110R KombiSystem, virtually no smoke and everything I run is very happy with it.