[sandim]

Looking to pick up another trimmer. We have an Echo now which is a bit persnickity when first starting up in the am...after that it's fine. We need to pick up an additional one and were wondering which one everyone likes?

[yardguy]

I like the shindy 242, although you have to let it warm up in the mornings also. I ave already bought 3 more trimmers this spring and they are 3 different ones, all 3 have to be allowed to warm up

[syzer]

Dont get husqvarna, we switched to them last year for everything, split boom, trimmers, edgers, push mowers, etc. We have had problems with everythign we bought except one trimmer which has costs us a substantial amount of trouble and down time.

We are now switching to all redmax. I think redmax and shindaiwa are the best out there. I hear good things about kawasaki as well.

[prapoza]

For the most part all the major brands are good. I would suggest you stick with one brand and more importantly one dealer that will service your equipment and prioritize you. The advantages to sticking with one brand are you have parts from older machines for the new ones and operators are familiar with peculiarities of the equipment (string trimmer needs to be 1/2 choked when starting, etc...) same for all trimmers.
The advantage to sticking with one dealer are they appreciate your loyalty, business and put you ahead of others who by wherever. Maybe they would give you free loaners when your equipment is down?
I would visit a few local dealers and "interview them". Tell them what you'd like to do (One brand, one dealer) and see how they respond. Good luck.