Cub Cadet weedeater

[john hall]

Good luck with the Cadet trimmer. Had a friend with one several years back--he was not impressed.

Me, dad, and a friend (who is a Stihl mechanic) tried real hard to resurrect a 2-3 year old Troybilt trimmer. I ordered a whole new carb (same model and brand) trying to get it to run right. Had obviously changed the usual--plug, fuel line, filter etc. We finally decided it had a crank seal going out. Being MTD you can pull up parts books--nothing on the engine was serviceable--just buy another "engine unit" for about $55. For $165 the entire trimmer could be replaced. Finally scrapped it and told the owner to get a new one--they went with battery power and couldn't be happier.

If I had to get a new trimmer, nothing but ECHO for this guy. Got a SRM3000--late 80's model in the garage--what a beast. Just last weekend my son used my FIL's SRM-200BE--its 35 years old an hadn't been cranked in a year. weed trimmers are like lawnmowers--you get what you pay for.

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by mjsoldcub

That fs90 you have Sam is that a four stroke?? It should be, of course it still requires modded gas, but if you ever have the plastics off it will have a rocker box to Dr and overhead valves...I have the same power head hanging from my ceiling, (actually a couple) looking for a few straight shafts .....That's a good piece of equipment...I wouldn't want to borrow it out either....

Stihl calls them 4mix engines

Yep the FS90 is the 4mix. It will take down a 1" tree like it's grass with the brush blade on it.

I'll get into the taco cutter today and see if it's worth my time. I'm not going to put any serious $$$ into it considering how cheap these thing are.

[mjsoldcub]

pardon my terrible spelling in that post.. i meant mixed gas, and overhead valves....yup, nice piece of equipment...mine starts on like a half of yank too....

[Terry C]

Originally Posted by john hall

Good luck with the Cadet trimmer. Had a friend with one several years back--he was not impressed.

Me, dad, and a friend (who is a Stihl mechanic) tried real hard to resurrect a 2-3 year old Troybilt trimmer. I ordered a whole new carb (same model and brand) trying to get it to run right. Had obviously changed the usual--plug, fuel line, filter etc. We finally decided it had a crank seal going out. Being MTD you can pull up parts books--nothing on the engine was serviceable--just buy another "engine unit" for about $55. For $165 the entire trimmer could be replaced. Finally scrapped it and told the owner to get a new one--they went with battery power and couldn't be happier.

If I had to get a new trimmer, nothing but ECHO for this guy. Got a SRM3000--late 80's model in the garage--what a beast. Just last weekend my son used my FIL's SRM-200BE--its 35 years old an hadn't been cranked in a year. weed trimmers are like lawnmowers--you get what you pay for.

I am a Echo guy also. Got an 80s 452vl saw still cuts like new one. Don't remember how old my trimmer is but at least 10yr

[Sam Mac]

It lives! Besides the rope it needed a carb kit and an oil change. The gear box looks like it got loose on the tube, PO had put a self taper sheet metal screw in it to keep it on the shaft but the screw hole in the tube had turned into a slot so the head could rotate a bit. His fix was blue painters masking tape, I'm not kidding blue masking tape. Needless to say the gear box came off, got disassembled, cleaned out and refilled with Mobil 1 grease. I drilled a new hole on the opposite side and tapped the tube for a 1/4-28 bolt. Runs decent but it's no Sthil. Local Cub Sthil dealer had the carb kit, rope and fuel line in stock. I'm into it for $40.42 plus my time.

Edit: Forgot to mention, these cheap things don't even have a clutch.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

It lives! Besides the rope it needed a carb kit and an oil change. The gear box looks like it got loose on the tube, PO had put a self taper sheet metal screw in it to keep it on the shaft but the screw hole in the tube had turned into a slot so the head could rotate a bit. His fix was blue painters masking tape, I'm not kidding blue masking tape. Needless to say the gear box came off, got disassembled, cleaned out and refilled with Mobil 1 grease. I drilled a new hole on the opposite side and tapped the tube for a 1/4-28 bolt. Runs decent but it's no Sthil. Local Cub Sthil dealer had the carb kit, rope and fuel line in stock. I'm into it for $40.42 plus my time.

Edit: Forgot to mention, these cheap things don't even have a clutch.

Glad you got it going Sam. I'm surprised it doesn't have a clutch, every cub trimmer I've had has had a clutch.

[mortten]

I would have at least used duct tape. The blue stuff comes off too easy. Glad its running.

[Oak]

$40.42....? Does that include the Chivas Regal?

[Sam Mac]

Originally Posted by Oak

$40.42....? Does that include the Chivas Regal?

Unfortunately no. Guess I should include that as shop supplies.

[Alvy]

Sam I believe you mislabeled that on the invoice. It's called "consumables".............literally