Squidward
ArboristSite Lurker
Fair disclosure: this is about a pro grade trimmer; didn't know where else to post it.
My Echo 3020T trimmer started once after wintering over, ran for a bit, then seemingly ran out or very low on fuel and stopped. When I mixed up some new gas, premium Shell + Red Armor,, and refilled it, it would not start. PERIOD. Followed the manual. Took the plug out. Let it dry a little, wasn't too wet anyway, replaced. Tried again. Checked air filter. Almost brand new looking clean, as it should be.
Anyway, took it to the dealer I bought it from. Fully expected I would get some song and dance about putting ethanol in it, etc. etc.
They were a little puzzled too at first. Looked at it while I was there, finally checked it in for deeper look.
Got it back today. Total bill was about $47, and that included me buying a couple tanks of pre-mixed gas. It had water in the gas tank. Starting to think the gas in my area gets too much condensation.
This compares with Stihl backpack blower, hundred dollar + repair and the dealer, from whom I've bought thousands of dollars worth of stuff, blamed ethanol.
I still have a lot of Stihl stuff (say that three times fast)
But I'm liking the Echo tools. The 3020 ran great in hard use (trimming prolly 1/3 mile or more of fence posts, and underneath lowest strand of electric fence; not commercial daily use, but pretty intense use once a week. The saws have started like champs, including restarting when hot Now the dealer passed his first test. I do prefer the Stihl chains, but can't have everything.
I hate doing it, but I'm gonna put my 2 cycle stuff on a bottle fed diet. Sure it costs more money, but I'm starting to think I can't trust the local gas for mixing 2 cycle.
I will say I have a Stihl FS 85T, maybe 17 years old. It still runs pretty good now that magneto replaced. Just not sure the new Stihl trimmers have the oomph of the old FS85.
My Echo 3020T trimmer started once after wintering over, ran for a bit, then seemingly ran out or very low on fuel and stopped. When I mixed up some new gas, premium Shell + Red Armor,, and refilled it, it would not start. PERIOD. Followed the manual. Took the plug out. Let it dry a little, wasn't too wet anyway, replaced. Tried again. Checked air filter. Almost brand new looking clean, as it should be.
Anyway, took it to the dealer I bought it from. Fully expected I would get some song and dance about putting ethanol in it, etc. etc.
They were a little puzzled too at first. Looked at it while I was there, finally checked it in for deeper look.
Got it back today. Total bill was about $47, and that included me buying a couple tanks of pre-mixed gas. It had water in the gas tank. Starting to think the gas in my area gets too much condensation.
This compares with Stihl backpack blower, hundred dollar + repair and the dealer, from whom I've bought thousands of dollars worth of stuff, blamed ethanol.
I still have a lot of Stihl stuff (say that three times fast)
But I'm liking the Echo tools. The 3020 ran great in hard use (trimming prolly 1/3 mile or more of fence posts, and underneath lowest strand of electric fence; not commercial daily use, but pretty intense use once a week. The saws have started like champs, including restarting when hot Now the dealer passed his first test. I do prefer the Stihl chains, but can't have everything. I hate doing it, but I'm gonna put my 2 cycle stuff on a bottle fed diet. Sure it costs more money, but I'm starting to think I can't trust the local gas for mixing 2 cycle.
I will say I have a Stihl FS 85T, maybe 17 years old. It still runs pretty good now that magneto replaced. Just not sure the new Stihl trimmers have the oomph of the old FS85.
