Has anybody tried the Ryobi Expand-it series of yard tools. The gas power head can be interchanged with a trimmer, hedge trimmer, pruner, edger, as well as others. Seems like the connection would be a point of weakness though. Anybody have success with this line of tools?
Ryobi?
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
Joined
·
568 Posts
stick with stihl or echo
Joined
·
1,250 Posts
I may get blasted for this, but....Ryobi does not make a tool (none) that will stand up to commercial use. Every other Saturday homeowner use, maybe.
Commercial quality trimmers are worth the money, both in their longevity and performance. There are many good brands to choose from: Tanaka, Shindiawa, Red Max, Kawasaki, Honda, Echo, Stihl. . .and more.
I know that Echo & Stihl both make power heads that you can interchange multiple other tools with. The Stihl line is the KM90, KM110, and KM130. I have been running the KM110 for 6 years commercially and have had 0.0 problems either with the engine or the interchange connection.
Ryobi makes some cool tools though. Many times I have walked by their display in HD and wish some other brand would make something they have. . .
Joined
·
616 Posts
I had an Echo SRM230 that my laborer dry fueled( put straight gas in ) I fired it up and was just about through with t he trimming of the yard and I thought it was getting noisy ( I had ear muffs on) let go of the throttle and it seized. I let it cool down and it fired up. Used it for another year and re rung it. I was sold on Echo products right there. Echo does have one down fall .... If they start to loose power check the exhaust port it will start to plug with carbon. I have made it a ritual of winter time to clean the port and have had a great summer with no hitches. I also use their oil that has a carbon reducer additive in it.
I have a lawn tool box with in it there is a spare plug for my mowers a quart of oil for the lawn mower and weedeater. Also a pair of cutters for the spool of weedeater twine and I drilled a hole in the side of the box SO the twine is readily accessible. Just grab the twine pull 3 times cut and repeat , load the spool and you are up and running again.
AS for lawn mowers I DON'T DO MTD ( made to die) and will l NOT get a Tecumseh engine. I prefer Briggs or Honda . Most mowers have a set of bolt holes so you can mount any engine to the deck. There are only 3 deck manufacturers. Then it goes to the different sellers, Toro MTD, Huskavarna and they put their stickers on it.
I have a lawn tool box with in it there is a spare plug for my mowers a quart of oil for the lawn mower and weedeater. Also a pair of cutters for the spool of weedeater twine and I drilled a hole in the side of the box SO the twine is readily accessible. Just grab the twine pull 3 times cut and repeat , load the spool and you are up and running again.
AS for lawn mowers I DON'T DO MTD ( made to die) and will l NOT get a Tecumseh engine. I prefer Briggs or Honda . Most mowers have a set of bolt holes so you can mount any engine to the deck. There are only 3 deck manufacturers. Then it goes to the different sellers, Toro MTD, Huskavarna and they put their stickers on it.
Ryobi is good for the homeowner but will burn out in a few months, or sooner, if used commercially.
I used them for years before I started doing commercial and liked them. I have a simple rule I go by now for trimmers and edgers. If it don't cost at least $300 new it isn't going to last long.
Joined
·
4,096 Posts
i agree with most, for garden equipt i only use Echo (weed eater, edger, blower, hedge trimmer, chainsaw) for mowers i use honda and for brush mowers or bigger equipt i use DR.
for power tools on the other hand i do use ryobi and have been for over 7 years, never once had a drill, recip or any of the expanded line fail me, except batteries tend to after a few years of heavy use and if improperly charged
for power tools on the other hand i do use ryobi and have been for over 7 years, never once had a drill, recip or any of the expanded line fail me, except batteries tend to after a few years of heavy use and if improperly charged
Ryobi has their place though, I do like their 10" chop saw because I can get them for $89 sometimes at HD. Then I don't feel bad when I toss it around or beat the crap out of it.
But for trimmers, chainsaws etc I always stick with Stihl. They also make a series that works off of a single engine.
I bought one of the Expandit Electric start units for the wife as she has a bitch of a time starting anything. Picket up all the accessories over the years at repo's. Have a Kawasaki and an Echo on the trailer. Have a Husky for a spare. I do use the Ryobi on occasion with the pole saw attachment. No issues but it don't get used every day either......
They can't seem to get em spinning fast enough........
re
This is true, my wife is stronger then most men but she can't pull start any of our atv's
Joined
·
2,016 Posts
echo is women proof. they cant start that with no problem.
I love Echo products but they can be a pain to start. On the other hand, my Kawasaki starts 1st pull every time......
This one has been temperamental since the start. Used to be 2-3 pulls, now 5-6............
1 - 20 of 31 Posts
