The Mid Price Range Echo SMR (?) Etc Straight Shaft (200.00) has been my winner since 2002 (2nd pull with Stabil treated fuel). The flexible cable makes it lighter vs a solid shaft. I converted it to a straight shaft and hard blade on a wheel. That makes it lighter for my preferred bevel trim vs straight (to trim less). You Get What You Pay For IMO!!!

I have a Cub Cadet BC-598 string trimmer w/brush blade. I would highly recommend this trimmer to anyone.

It has a 4 cycle engine. That means no oil mixing or oil deposits in the carburetor to clog it up. ie no need to worry about fuel stabilizers. Plugs last as again there is no oil in the fuel to foul them up. I paid $230 for it at Tractor Supply.

This is my fourth season with this string trimmer. Pump the fuel through the carburetor per the instructions, pull the starter rope a few times at full choke set, it to half choke and it starts on the next pull, whether it was a few minutes from the last use or several month ago during last season.

It works great for the normal around the house trimming, and keeping the the front of the vacant lot clear. When I bought the Cub Cadet, there were weeds four feet tall in that area. over the four years, I have cleared the area and while it is the grass is not lawn quality, it looks much better than the weeds that were there when I started.

For a new purchase I'd recommend an Echo SRM225 or Stihl FS56. Both are straight shaft, full crank machines and retail for $200 to $220. Echo is sold at Home Depot and independent dealers; Stihl only through dealers. Strongly recommend a dealer, even if a few $$ more. If you buy from H-D, service will still be handled by an independent, and they'll know you didn't buy from them. While contractually they can't refuse, they can and will put you at the end of the line, especially when busy.

I know you want to go cheaper, but you get what you pay for. The $100 to $150 machines are typically Homelite, Weedeater, or other brands sold in Big-Box stores. They will have curved shafts and half cranks, no clutch and other cost saving features. Also, any service would be by an independent, and they don't have to take you if they don't want. Some will refuse to work on cheapy trimmers. They consider them "throw-aways".

Don't get me wrong. All of my equipment is second hand. My "go to" machine is an Echo SRM2100, basically a 15 year old ancestor of the SRM225 I mentioned above. I also have an old Homelite SX135 which I bought for $5 and I can't seem to kill it. I know it's cheap junk, but it runs and runs. My best machine is an Olympyk 400. Straight shaft, solid steel drive, bicycle handles, etc. Can be fitted with a brush blade and wood cutting blade. Got it second hand very reasonable, but would sell for more than $400 today.

I can only justify the extravagance of three machines because I can do my own work and will often buy a parts donor for a few bucks to keep things going. If you're not real mechanically inclined, I suggest you focus on one machine and get a good one. You don't need a $300 or $400 professional, but at least get a high end prosumer machine like the Echo or Stihl. You'll be much happier over the long run.

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Go to the "Reconditioned" area of your local store, where they sell returned trimmers that have been fixed by the factory and sent back to be sold at a discount. Whatever brand is in abundance there gets returned the most. And, if they get returned a lot, that may lead you to believe there is something wrong.

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