Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Chainsaws not listed - Gas OPE => Topic started by: Cut4fun . on August 15, 2014, 10:14:12 pm

Title: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Cut4fun . on August 15, 2014, 10:14:12 pm
Dad is wanting to get a gas hedge trimmer for his homeowner uses. Corded is out as can be 300' away. 

So what is out there for $300 under or ones you have good feedback on.  He looked at echo $298, poulan $179, craftsman $199.

I know nothing on these.
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Cut4fun . on August 15, 2014, 10:22:27 pm
Saving some to look up later. http://www.jerryslittleenginerepair.com/Dolmar_Comparisons.pdf

 DOLMAR
HT-2249D

STIHL
HS-45

Husqvarna
226HD60S

RedMax
CHT 2250

Echo
HC-155

Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: 660magnum on August 15, 2014, 10:26:58 pm
I have the Echo that is double action in that both the top and bottom blades move in opposite directions. HC1500-2E 21cc. It is a older gray one.

I have a Stihl HS-80-R-20 27cc that has more power with a brake and turnable handle. It is also dual action and just a little more limb capacity & power than the Echo. Not made anymore.

I have a Weed Eater 21 but it is single action - only the top blade moves. Big performance drop down from the Echo and Stihl.

Then I have a Homelite 16 single action from late 80's which is not as good as the Weed Eater / Poulan
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Cut4fun . on August 15, 2014, 11:41:58 pm
The 28cc poulan he is talking about has dual cutting it says.   http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/poulan-proreg%3B-pp2822-hedge-trimmer-with-22-in-dual-action-blade

Dont know which echo yet.

Craftsman is the poulan in red.
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: 660magnum on August 16, 2014, 12:21:43 am
That Poulan looks pretty good. I would bet that there is also a Husqvarna version that is the same thing?

The Echo 155 is probably identical to my Echo 1500 except it is red instead of light gray?

Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Cut4fun . on August 16, 2014, 11:15:49 am
He was looking at the echo 152, not the 155 like I was thinking.

http://www.echo-usa.com/products/hedge-trimmers
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Cut4fun . on August 16, 2014, 11:23:50 am
After doing alot of reading. I told him for $90 more Gooooo Echo. Plus our friends are the echo dealer down there.   

I keep reading about the poulan and people breaking cutters on stuff half the size it is rated for. Could be operator error who knows. But never read anything on the echo doing this.
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: 660magnum on August 16, 2014, 12:26:45 pm
My Echo is a 20" but it is the deluxe 20 as it has a Zerk on the gearbox instead of disassembly of the cover to add grease. I only occasionally use it like three times a year so I've never put any grease in the gear box. It is not greasy around the gearbox. It has a double sided opposing cam on the output shaft of the clutch bell and each of those blades has a hinged loop cam follower on them that fits around the cam. Nothing complicated.

One blade is going out while the other is coming in and they both cut in both directions. I bought this Echo used from CL and it was out in the country down SW of Lucus about 2 yrs ago. It had very little use but is probably from right around 2000. It was originally from the Massillon area.

I'm thinking my Stihl has a gear reduction between the output of the engine and the cam? What ever, it has slightly more umpf than the Echo but is is heavier too. The Stihl came from Crestline, Ohio CL. I've had it some 4 years.

The echo and I get along very well.

The Weedeater/Poulan I have is from the mid 90's and while the 21cc engine has always run good and the blades not needing resharpening - it is actually a single action cutter in that only the top blade moves though it cuts in both directions. The bottom blade is stationary. I would be willing to say that the Weedeater variety is a step cheaper than a Poulan Pro.
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Old Iron Logging on August 16, 2014, 01:07:42 pm
We sell alot of HS45 trimmers to commercial guys. They stand up well here. They should be around $250 down your way. Only downside is that they come with 18" cut.
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: aclarke on August 16, 2014, 01:50:27 pm
Kev, if he has a Stihl weed eater, the hedger heads work great on those.  Keeps yer fingers out of reach too. Lol
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: stubnail67 on August 16, 2014, 09:39:56 pm
depends on what your cutting i had a lil home lite one i loved was great for light weight stuff... had a stihl that would cut anything but was heavy and temperamental.....i now have the grey echo 24 inch??? i think its not as heavy as the stihl but way more then the lil homie..... it starts every time 2 or 3 pulls......and will cut up to 3/4 inch ...... depends on what he can lift budget and what your cutting....... if you could find one get him and echo pas its easy to start and maneuver less shoulder strain........thats about all i can put in good luck..... echo for dependability for me.....
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Philbert on August 16, 2014, 10:07:02 pm
IF (and it's a big 'if' - get it?) he will be looking at other OPE, he might want to consider some of the 36-40V hedge trimmers.  For example, I am seeing the Oregon HT250 listed for $180 bare tool, or $380 with mid range battery and charger.  But, if he was also interested in a string trimmer, saw, blower, etc., he could share the batteries and charger.

Most of the cordless companies have a family of OPE, and the batteries are one the most expensive parts.  I don't know how old or active your Dad is, but they are sure a lot more convenient, especially for occasional use.

Philbert
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Al Smith on August 17, 2014, 08:55:50 pm
I've got some type of Echo that  does pretty good--when it runs .Carb needs some attention .The last couple of years. I just used one of my 200T's to do the job .

The problem with using a trim saw is it just throws chit all over you .
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: 660magnum on August 17, 2014, 11:12:28 pm
Before I got the Stihl and Echo hedge cutters, I would as likely use a chainsaw to prune the hedges.

The chainsaw would leave things a little more ragged than what the Stihl and Echo do.
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Al Smith on August 19, 2014, 11:59:28 pm
I dug that old relic out today and it is an Echo HC 1500 .Carb is needing a kit .Zama C1uK27  and in spite of the fact I must have 40-60  kits ,nary a 1 .I ordered 2 .
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: 660magnum on August 20, 2014, 06:55:51 am
My Echo hedge trimmer is a 1500. It has the standard 21cc engine.
Title: Re: Hedge Trimmer ?
Post by: Al Smith on August 20, 2014, 08:56:19 am
I looked at the blades on that thing .Seems to be a big to-do about sharpening them .Looks to me it could be done with a flat file or a die grinder .

Of course if a person tried to cut a wire fence with it that might present a greater challange .