Cub Cadet trimmers...

I'm looking at a Cub Cadet ST23 trimmer and was wondering if anyone has any experience with cub cadet trimmers. I know Cub Cadet is made by MTD now, a brand a traditionally avoid, but the trimmer doesn't look half bad (starter on the back, solid strait shaft, clutch,) all features I look for in a commercial trimmer.

 

2 cycle or 4 cycle? With the recoil on the back of the engine and not with the clutch and output shaft means that it has two main bearings instead of one, ( longer life ). Ryobi was bought out by MTD a couple of years back. This style is the better design and with a straight shaft you are in the better trimmers. My favorite is Tanaka and Stihl brands. With proper care this unit should last a reasonable time. I could not find it on the Cub Cadet website so I could not look real close at it.

 

It's on the Cub Cadet commercial site.

http://www.cubcadetcommercial.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10401_17504_85863_33799_-1

 

I'm unsure of the actual manufacturer of this trimmer but don't believe that it is a Ryobi in wolfs clothing. I think it may be a Kioritz or older style McCulloch power plant (Japanese in nature) that is definitely 2-stroke. Nice machine based on my looking this up on Cub parts lookup.

 

The cub cadet site says this has a Shibaura engine. I never heard of this manufacturer. Has anyone else?

 

Shibaura, I believe, manufacturers Ford/New Holland compact tractors for them. An acquaintance of mine works at a New Holland dealer and I believe this came up in a conversation during a happy hour moment a few years back. And, if I recall correctly, he indicated that they manufactured small engines as well, predominantly used in Japan however and I'm sure he had no ill word on their other equipment. How's that for a definitive answer to your question. I think I may have had one eye closed and my nose plugged during the conversation though, hehehe.

 

I've been looking at the Cub Cadet trimmers and many others, but from many of your posts(in some other topics), many of you suggest getting a Stihl, Echo, and a few other brands. However, some of you also mentioned that, for instance: buying an Echo from a box store rather than say a smaller specialty store isn't the same. What may be the difference. Also, probably an age old question, but straight or curved shaft? Add on capable or solid shaft? I'm using this for yard work only, but want something that will last me and have relatively no start problems.

 

I'm not aware of any differences in the product itself coming from a box store vs. a dealer. If the models are the same, the trimmer should be the same. I do suggest buying from a dealer for service reasons, and the obvious economic effects it has for American small business.

I think straight or curved makes litle difference. Choose the one you like the most. I used to like straight shaft trimmers, but lately have been using my curved echo a lot more. I think I've converted to the curved for now. The only time I think it would make a noticeable difference is if you're going to be using it in brush-clearing, hard load situations. That is where a straight shaft might prove to last a bit longer and have a more solid feeling transfer of power to the head.

 

Just my $.01 here but I have a somewhat bad back and the curved shaft seems to hurt my back more than the straight shaft.

 

@ cheese and duigoose

Thanks for your feedback! I've decided to go with either the Echo SRM 210 or 210i/211i. I think I'll be happier with a straight shaft unit rather than the curved, after trying out the two in the box stores. For my purchase though I've decided to buy through a local certified Echo dealer/repair shop rather than the large corporations. For those reading why spend $100 -$150 on a cheaper trimmer with a 2yr. warranty period when you can spend $50 - $100 more for the echo which gives you a full 5yr warranty with a 90 day rental if it breaks down? (this only pertains to home use not commercial)

In any case another question is, is it worth the extra money for the i-75 start mech. and the 0.095 nylon line on the 210i/211i or is the i-30 start mech. and 0.080 nylon line more than sufficient on the 210?

 

Excellent choice. The 210 should be plenty of power for residential use.

I've personally never liked the assisted starting systems on trimmers. A high quality trimmer (such as an Echo) is already easier and smoother to start than a throw away from big-box mart.

As for trimmer line, I don't like using anything smaller than .095. You can get the 210 and reload with .095 when the .080 is gone.

 

I didn't know that I could reload the 210 with 0.095 after the 0.080 runs out. If that's the case and if either should already start easy then I can save a few dollars with the standard model instead of the "i" model. After looking at the Echo site again, it seems they have updated the specs over night. The standard 210 now lists it comes with 0.095 nylon now so I shouldn't have to switch nylon sizes, assuming I'd get the latest rev. of the 210 at the shop.

Sorry for so many questions but I am wondering what the reduction the i-30 and i-70 really pertains to. The i-30 system on the 210/211 claims to reduce starting by 30% and the i-70 system on the 210i/211i claims a 70% reduction in starting. Is this reduction pertaining to the distance that one needs to pull the cord? Or is it referring to the reduction of the number of tries that one needs to do before it turns over?

 

I think it means 70% less effort to pull the rope. I like the way you're thinking (spending a little more for a good machine that will last, and buying from a dealer). Good choices in my opinion.

 

Not sure but I think the starter is spring assisted so you pull the rope out easily and the spring turns the engine over.

 

@ cheese and msidan

okay so the distance of the rope remains the same but the ease of pulling it out is reduced by the "x" %, as claimed.

Well, i mainly picked the local shop because most box shops are not certified to repair units they sell. And since I tend to like better service, don't we all, i figure I'd get the best service by buying the trimmer from the local guy...which also helps to feed the mouth s/he is probably trying to provide for.

In any case I am heading off to pick up the trimmer today and wanted to know what 2cyl. oil should I start with? Any particular brand? Synthetic or not? w/wo fuel stabilizer? better plug? Thanks again for all the help!

-Jason

 

You might as well get the Echo oil from the dealer. It is synthetic (better) and has fuel stabilizer. It will say to use grade 89 gasoline, but I've always used 87.
If it's more than a dollar or two, though, you might want to look elsewhere.

 

I'm now a owner of an Echo SRM-210. The i-70 starting system on the 210i/211i does in fact make pulling out the cord much easier. But I opted for the standard 210 with the i-30 system. I ended up picking up 6 bottles of the Echo oil mixture, it was like $1.30, and a spool of nylon(0.095 dia).

I've got a tank of 87 right now for my mower, Echo reccomends 89+ "good quality" gas. Is Chevron, Texaco, Shell, or the likes overkill?

I've got to say my experience with the local shop was fantastic, very friendly and helpful...they even helped me load it onto my truck since I was carrying my 6 month old. To top it all off they took care of the warranty card for me.

Thanks all for your help! I'll let you all know how it runs.

Cheers!
Jason

 

I don't think it makes a difference, but 89 fuel would only be another $.10. You should also get a one gallon gas tank just for the trimmer.

 

Good to hear. Sounds like you've got a top-notch shop to take care of you as well. Was the trimmer about the same price at the dealer as it was at the box store?

 

Yeah I'm going to get a separate 1 gallon tank for the trimmer only. And the "quality" gas that it tells me to get in the manual...I guess any reputable brand should be fine.

The shop was tucked away in a residential area, but they only seemed to carry the "good" stuff. Stihl, Echo, Snapper, to name a few. Their prices were dead on with box stores, but the service was second to none. Tell you the truth I glad to have made my purchase there, as it feels great to keep money in the community. Oh FYI the 210i costs $40 more than the 210.

 

Great. The price thing is something I wanted to point out for those who buy from the box stores because they think it's so much cheaper. (and on occasion it is, but that's not the rule).

 

Finally got a chance to fire up the 210 and the i30 starting system is plenty easy to start up. Definitely has enough power to trim everything around the house. Although I did find it takes a bit more time to trim/edge St. Augustine grass that has crept, grown vines. The "vines" are thicker thus taking more time to cut them. The 21.x CC is more than sufficient, and the 210 is super light with great balance. If you are in the market for a trimmer I would highly recommend the echo SRM-210...oh and do wear longs pants and shoes for those that are new to line trimmers.

Cheers! Thanks again to everyone and their suggestion(s)

-Jason

 

Glad you like it! Oh, and watch out for the doggie piles !

 

I'll keep the "doggie piles" in mind.