Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)After looking at a similar trimmer, Poulan Pro PP133 17-inch 33 cc 2-Cycle Gas-Powered Straight-Shaft Attachment-Capable String Trimmer, I saw this one in a local store for about 45 dollars less and picked it up.Not having used straight shaft or curved, that feature didn't really bother me either way...And while the PP133 is CARB-compliant (CARB = California Air Resource Board), this one isn't.But let's face it:Californiais the closest thing to a complete nanny state we have in the US...if you want to do something in California, rest assured, there is somebody that wants to regulate (and probably tax) it.
Alas, this non CARB-compliant (illegal in CA) trimmer is fantastic.Very powerful, lightweight enough so you can go for about 2 tanks of gas (maybe about 90 minutes) before it starts to feel heavy, its exhaust doesn't smell any better or worse than any other gas-powered lawn equipment I've used, and with the ability for attachments - this is a definite winner.
While it doesn't say anywhere (even on the box), this comes with a spool of trimmer line and 3.2 ounces of 2-cycle oil (enough to treat 1 gallon of gasoline.)I've found that Lowes sells another "fits all makes/models" trimmer line that's .095 inch that isn't circular (it's kind of hex-shaped - the idea is more cutting surface area, I presume) that works significantly better than the smooth circle stuff...and it's cheap.
My only complaint is that, standing about 6-foot, the 17-inch shaft on this trimmer seems to be about 2-4 inches short of being completely comfortable for me in a natural standing/upright position.Since the attachments are removable, one would think that adding a couple extra notches in the shaft to adjust the overall length a few inches would have been doable, but maybe next years model...=)
Would definitely recommend.I've used this to basically "mow" about an acre (so far) across various terrains, by trees/shrubs/etc, and in grass that resembles young bamboo (thick) and grass that's chest-high, and haven't had any problems.Some kind of shatterproof glasses are pretty much required...I've had plenty of debris and slug guts flinging back at my face.
*Update, 7/7/2010*
After storing this trimmer for about 3 weeks, I fired it up to do some more trimming after the PacNW rain finally stopped.Unfortunately, the trimmer stopped, too.It starts only with the full choke on, but giving it any gas at all shuts the entire thing down.I contacted the manufacturer via email on their website on 7/5/2010, and it looks like they have a system in place to actually help customers, except they said they'd be in contact with me within 24 hours and thus far, that hasn't happened.Depending on how painful they make it to get this unit operational, it may be worth shopping around more.Details of the warranty work + customer service will follow...
*Update, 7/26/2010*
Poulan has a list of authorized centers that can perform the warranty work on their website.In my area, there were about 7 listed.The first one flatly told me that they stop working on/with Poulan because of the severe quality issues.The next two were out of business.Finally, I found somebody both in business and is willing to work on it.VERY friendly people, too.Problem is...after a few days, they determined that the warranty work needed would be:(1)A new carburetor.(2)Fuel line replacement because it was cracked.(3) A new filter, as it was destroyed.After owning this thing for 3 weeks and doing NOTHING that would have caused damage to such a degree, I no longer recommend this, nor Poulan Pro.The servicing center has to factory-order the carburetor, as the warehouse is out of them - apparently this is not an uncommon issue.If you happen to own one of these that work...I stick with my original review that it's a great little machine.However, upon owning it for 3 months and having been able to use it for 3 weeks, it doesn't live up to expectations.With that said, since I'm using it for residential use, I get a 2-year warranty...unfortunately, I fear that I'll be making use of it.Down to 3 stars...we'll see how it runs (and for how long) after the work gets done.
**Final Update, 8/7/2010**
Got the unit back from the friendly repair center.It works again!But...the repair people stated that the engine (or carb?) wasn't really made to last, and to double the amount of 2-cycle oil when mixing with gas.We'll probably do so, but really...what a piece of junk.Since purchasing in May, I've used it for 2 weekends...and now I'm basically waiting for it to die completely and move on to buy something quality like an Stihl or Echo.
At this point, I can't really recommend this.While when it works it's a fine machine, the level of quality is so poor that repair centers don't even want to touch them, and they readily admit they are junk...instead of spending 100 bucks on junk, that you'll replace each year, spend double or triple that and have something that'll operate for quite some time.A relative of mine owns an Echo that has been operational and in regular use for over 10 years...
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