Name: Husqvarna 128LD String Trimmer
Brand: Husqvarna
Rating: 10 (1 reviews)

October 16, 2021April 20, 2024

The Husqvarna 128LD is The Landscaper’s Dream String Trimmer

The Husqvarna 128LD is a straight-shaft gas string trimmer that is a true powerhouse. As one of the more popular gas trimmers on the market, you will see both commercial and residential folks using these.

Often referred to as the “Cadillac of string trimmers”, this weed whacker packs more power than you will need. Husqvarna is known for their quality, power, and durability and this is certainly no exception.

Bottom line: The Husqvarna 128LD is one of the classics (just like these two other classic string trimmers). It is a timeless weed eater that is super popular with landscapers and homeowners alike. You can grab it on Amazon for a really nice price.

Here’s what you can expect as you keep reading:

Husqvarna history
What to look for in a string trimmer
Review: Husqvarna 128LD
The official recommendation

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About Husqvarna products

Husqvarna manufactures chainsaws, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, edgers, pressure washers – basically any outdoor tool you could imagine. They stand out with their bright-orange color scheme. The chances that you have seen a ton of their products when you are out for a drive are extremely high.

Husqvarna is one of the leading product suppliers for commercial lawn care companies including government and public agencies. Ever wonder how a vast open area at a park gets trimmed? It is likely a Husqvarna product.

If you are wondering how to pronounce Husqvarna, you have come to the wrong place. But this company’s 330 year history started in Sweden by manufacturing muskets. In 1919, they began engineering their first lawnmower engines. Since then, they have become a dominant force in all outdoor equipment.

The Husqvarna 128LD features

The Husqvarna 128LD has some noteworthy features that I will review. Compared to another gas trimmer I reviewed (the ECHO SRM-225), this trimmer has one feature that I absolutely could not live without. Let’s get started.

Usability and handling

The Husqvarna 128LD is lightweight coming in at only 12.7 pounds, which I love handling. It can take me over an hour to do all the trimming work I need to do and it is nice to know that neither my back nor this trimmer will give out.

You can purchase a strap that helps balance it better for more fine lines around your garden or driveway as well.

I have experienced minimal vibration as well. When I check out some of the other reviews online, I see others having the same experience. It is quiet, light, and does not leave your teeth chattering when going through thick and dense brush.

One thing I am seeing over and over again is how easy this trimmer is to start. Husqvarna was extremely mindful of this when they designed it. The 128LD comes with a spring-assist pull-start and has a “SmartStart” system, an air purge, and an auto return stop switch (that keeps it on ON) that all makes cold starts easy.

The feature that I love about this trimmer is its wide shield. The ECHO is another powerful trimmer, but has a tiny plastic shield that will leave you covered in dirt or mulch.

The 128LD has enough power for commercial applications

The 128LD offers 8,000rpm at its highest speed. This imputes one horsepower at 28cc. I know one horsepower sounds small, but it is kind of hilarious to imagine a weed eater providing the power of a horse. I promise this thing eats more grass.

With my electric trimmer, it feels like no matter how much power I put into the line, it simply cannot complete some jobs. The power in this trimmer is the opposite. In fact, I can complete most of my jobs with keeping the trigger between 25 and 50 percent of its maximum output. To be honest, I cannot even remember if I have ever fully maxed it out.

The Husqvarna 128LD string trimmer is powerful and easy to start.

If there is one thing to take away from this review, know that this is a POWERFUL residential trimmer and will take care of virtually any job you will do.

Trimmer line maintenance on the Husqvarna 128LD

If you have ever worked on a trimmer before, you know how frustrating it can be to change the line. A convenient feature we have been seeing on newer-model trimmers is their Tap and Go ability that allows for trimmer lines to be fed through when it gets low. It’s easy to use and nearly universal on all trimmers, the 128LD is no exception.

To replace the trimmer line, simply pop off the head, loop the string into the little hook, and begin wrapping it around. While this does require a manual process, it is so much easier than most line replacements. This does not require any sort of funky pathway to getting it loaded. It is extremely straightforward, which I appreciate.

Smart start system allows for easier starting.

The replacement line needed is their .095 inch line. You can buy any brand of this at Home Depot or Lowe’s or you can go straight to Husqvarna’s website to get their Titanium Force brand. Any of them will do just fine.

Accessories

A somewhat troubling feature of this trimmer is my inability to find any attachments that fit this model. I am not saying that it does not have ANY ability to attach things like edgers or brush cutters, but I can’t find a compatible model on the website.

An edger attachment from an electric brand, EGO.

The trimmer does detach, which makes for easy storage. I simply cannot find an attachment that fits this product.

Cost and value

Coming in at around $200-$250, the Husqvarna 128LD is one of the more expensive residential trimmers on the market. Do not be fooled, however – this is a highly effective, powerful, and usable piece of equipment. I would rate this as highly valuable because of its power and light weight use.

Where to buy

You can actually grab the Husvarna 128LD string trimmer on Amazon for a really good price.

The official review: Husqvarna 128LD trimmer

Simply put, if you are looking for a powerful trimmer that will last you 5+ years, don’t look any further. The Husqvarna 128LD is light, powerful, and will outlast you in your yard every time.

Feature	Rating
Difficulty to use	More difficult than electric
Durability	More durable
Maintenance	Some maintenance required
Value	High value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Highly recommended
For lots <1 acre	Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

What to look for in a string trimmer

String trimmers can have a few nuances that you should check out before buying. The first one I will mention here is reach. Being a tall person, I have a tough time bending down to trim a straight line across my driveway. Having a straight trimmer with a long shaft saves my back.

Gas powered trimmers are going to deliver more power – hands down. I have an electric trimmer that I use and can tell you from experience, it is simply weak. Gas power will last longer than you do. It will be slightly harder to start and maintain, but will cut time off of your job.

Another thing I examine in a trimmer is how it handles and carries. If it has an odd-shaped handle or feels unnatural, you will have a tough time with a smooth job. Likewise, weight distribution is super important as well for creating a straight line. Look for a trimmer with a strap that can help offset some of the weight and save your back.

If you want to up your game, make sure you’re using the right string trimmer line size, color, and shape.

October 13, 2021April 20, 2024

I’ve Used The Ryobi 40V Expand-It Weed Eater For 7 Years

The Ryobi 40V weed eater was the first weed eater I ever owned, so it makes this product super easy to review.

In fact, I bought the Expand-It version with the blower and edger attachments. Ryobi has a series of 40V lawn equipment, most notably the tools I just mentioned here. Recently, Ryobi has gotten into the lawn mower game as well.

The Ryobi 40V weed eater is a great trimmer but there are a few things you should know before buying. For starters, don’t get the blower attachment. Secondly, buy a different weed eater string (like this one). Otherwise – the edger attachment is great and the whole tool has lasted me well over 5 years.

You can grab it with the battery on Amazon for a great price or at Home Depot (where it may actually be cheaper).

Today we are going to review:

Assembling the weed eater
Ryobi 40V tool only
Power and usability
Maintenance and string replacement
The overall review of this weed eater

Why would I buy a Ryobi electric weed eater?

There are a few reasons to check out an electric weed eater when picking out your next lawn and garden tool kit. As compared to gas-powered weed eaters, electric weed eaters tend to be easier to use and maintain. At the end of a long winter season, you may have to refuel your gas powered weed eater and crank it a few times before you can get it to start. With the Ryobi 40V weed eater and other electric weed eaters, you simply place the battery and you are ready to go.

Another benefit to electric trimmers and attachment capable systems is the lack of maintenance. You will not have to do anything to maintain an electric trimmer other than change out the line. No oil change, no filter change, and no messy gasoline spills.

If you are a Ryobi loyalist and have one of their mowers, then you can actually use this same 40 volt battery in both the mower and the trimmer. More on that later.

Ryobi 40V weed eater parts

The diagram below shows all of the parts involved in the Ryobi 40V weed eater. As you can see, this product detaches just below the handle to allow for other attachments.

To detach the attachments, simply untwist the knob and press the silver button to pull out the attachment. Likewise, to reattach another attachment, simply align the silver button with the hole and slide in. Twist the knob to tighten in place and you are ready to go.

As you can see, the bottom has a “Reel Easy” (ha) bump feed string head with a “speed” winder. When you get low on string, the head has a button that will push out a little bit more if tapped.

The “Reel Easy” head of the Ryobi 40V trimmer.

Ryobi 40V weed eater tool only

If you already have a Ryobi 40V battery, you can purchase this product “tool-only”. A tool only product comes without the battery and is generally a lower price. This is great for those that have multiple Ryobi products, like the Ryobi mower.

Ryobi 40V weed eater diagram from Ryobi’s website.

Reviewing the Ryobi battery-powered weed eater

Let’s take a look at all of the things you should consider before buying a new weed eater.

Power output on the Ryobi 40V weed eater

The Ryobi 40V Expand It system has a modest amount of power. Honestly, I did not feel like the weed eater packed nearly the punch that its gas powered counterparts do.

Further, the electric weed eaters have to really “wind up” and get momentum before they reach their full speed. Because this tool isn’t specifically designed for weed eaters, it has to be very adaptable in how it produces power.

There is a little rod that twists around inside the attachment which drives the speed of the head. Torque is applied all the way down the rod and you can tell a lot of energy gets lost in the process.

If you are looking for a weed eater that can take on a big job, the Ryobi 40V weed eater simply is not your tool. For small yards and some light brushwork, this weed eater will do just fine.

A step up in power from this weed eater is the slightly more expensive EGO Power+ Multi-head tool with the string trimmer attachment is amazing.

Durability and usability

The Ryobi weed eater is one that has lasted surprisingly long. I have had mine for over three years and only replaced the line one time. It has consistently operated at full capacity and I have never had issues with breaking, slowing down, or otherwise. One thing I don’t like about the handle of this particular weed eater is that it always feels like it is in the wrong spot.

With the Ryobi 40V weed whacker having multiple attachment heads, it means you can really slide the attachment into the tool facing any direction. While this might seem convenient, it’s really hard to tell which angle you should keep it at for the best trim job. When I use the weed eater, I feel like I am holding the trimmer at a weird angle and twisting my wrists or arms to make it go where I want it to go – not very comfortable.

UPDATE: I took the guard off of this weed eater and it performs way better and is so much easier to use. Take it off and throw it out!

Comfort and feel

Another downside of this weed eater is the balance. Consider that this battery is also used on their lawn mower and a ton of other products in their 40V lineup of tools, meaning it is quite heavy. The tool feels great, light, and balanced before I add the battery. Once the battery is added, you have to exert a lot of upward pressure on the back of the weed eater, making straight lines and other maneuvering very difficult.

I know it sounds silly, but when you start to feel that burn in your shoulder and neck area from holding a weird position, you will regret not buying a better balanced product. I have not seen an available shoulder sling or other device that can help keep it aligned, either.

The heavy battery that accompanies the Ryobi 40V weed eater.

Maintenance and string replacement of the Ryobi electric weed eater

As mentioned previously, maintenance is not required at all on this product. You will have to replace the strings, however. Replacing the strings on this weed eater was one of the more infuriating moments of my life. I really struggled to figure it out on my own and had to make the below video on YouTube to get it right.

Finally got it!

Replacing strings on these is super frustrating because you have to very delicately weave it through while trying to maintain the bundled line from falling out and making a big slinky.

Battery life

The Ryobi 40V battery is also used for the mower, so you better hope that it lasts for a long time if you only use the weed eater. It does. The weed eater lasts a really long time in my experience.

When I have used this attachment, I usually start with the trimmer attachment, then switch to the edging attachment, then finish off with the blower. To my knowledge, I have only gone through the battery fully one time. The first day of the spring season, I edged my lawn for the first time of the year and dug up a lot of dirt. When finishing off with the mower, the battery died.

For most small jobs and especially for the weed eater, you will not have any issues with getting your job completed.

The official review of the Expand-It system

Feature	Ryobi 40V weed eater	Gas powered weed eater
Difficulty to use	Less easy to maneuver	Easier to maneuver
Durability	Very durable	Very durable
Maintenance	Easiest to maintain	Less easy to maintain
Value	Medium value	High value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Highly recommended	Less recommended
For lots <1 acre	Recommended	Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Not recommended	Highly recommended

To summarize our review, the Ryobi 40V weed eater is a good weed eater if you have a relatively small yard and/or small job. This weed eater is simply not very comfortable to use, but makes up for the lack of comfort with sheer convenience. The ability to just attach the battery and start on the job makes this super easy for those with not much land to cover.

The fully assembled Ryobi 40V weed eater.

I recommend this weed eater due to the ability to leverage this battery with other Ryobi tools, its convenience and simplicity, and using the various attachments to have an all-in-one approach to taking care of your yard.

If you have a big yard or typically spend a lot of time trimming, I would check out one of the gas powered weed eaters like the ECHO SRM-225, a staple in the lawn community.

Why we review lawn tools

October 9, 2021April 10, 2024

Why I Love The Classic ECHO SRM-225 String Trimmer

If you want a weed eater that is hungry, you have come to the right place with the ECHO Weed Eater SRM 225. This is one of the best-selling, timeless weed eaters on the market – for landscapers and homeowners alike.

I have been burned with bad trimmer purchases before, so this is a soft spot for me. Today we will review all the aspects of this ECHO weed eater and help clear up any remaining doubts you may have. Let’s get started:

Features of the ECHO SRM 225
Common criticisms (with pictures)
Trimmer line replacement on the SRM 225
Cost and value
The Official Review

Main takeaway: The ECHO SRM 225 is a reliable, powerful string trimmer that will last you over a decade. You can’t go wrong with this one.

Features of the ECHO SRM 225 String Trimmer

To properly review the ECHO SRM 225, we need to evaluate its power, ease of use, line advancement and added functions. Let’s get started with power:

Power output of the ECHO SRM 225

The ECHO SRM-225 has a two stroke engine, boasting 21.2 ccs. While on the lower end of its peers for cubic capacity, this machine still packs quite the punch. Often described as a “workhorse” weed eater, this thing can go as long as you will let it.

I wouldn’t let the lower-end of the cc’s bother you. A lot of the competitors are used for commercial landscaping. If you’re a homeowner and using this around your yard, this is going to be a beast and almost certainly more powerful than any battery-powered weed wacker.

In fact, ECHO is so certain in the power and durability of their machines that they provide a 5 year warranty for normal consumers like you and me.

Also – this thing has a 17 inch cutting swath. 17! That is probably the widest cutting swath I’ve seen on any residential weed eater. Cutting swath is used to measure the diameter of the string trimmer when it’s spinning. Larger swath means you have a larger cutting area.

Comfort level and ease of use

The ECHO SRM-225 weighs in at about eleven and a half pounds and 71 inches when fully assembled. It has anti vibration technology and a shoulder strap that is sold separately. For those of us that love straight lines, the shoulder strap provides a great way to keep a solid line to trim around your beloved garden, shed, or chicken coop.

Line advancement on the ECHO SRM-225

Something else I love about this trimmer is the automatic line-advance system. While most trimmers come with this technology, the line is way easier to feed and reload than some of the competitors.

If you have any experience with trimmers, you will know that if you bump into something with the head of the trimmer, it will spit out a little bit more line. This process tells you to “back off” a little bit and provides the extra room you need.

Another trimmer we reviewed, the Stihl FS 56 RC, has similar features if interested.

Gas vs. electric trimmers

The gas power on the ECHO SRM 225 is unbeatable. I have toyed around with electric trimmers before, and while they can be handy, they do not come close to gas. My electric trimmer (the RYOBI 40V trimmer) feels like it bounces around or slows down whenever there is any bit of pressure applied.

Gas powered trimmers like the ECHO weed eater mentioned here are ruthless. They will cut through whatever you want them to until they run out of line. If you have never used a gas powered weed eater, start with the ECHO and experience the difference.

There is a reason every landscaping company uses gas powered weed eaters. Next time you drive by a landscaping company, check out what they are using. I almost guarantee one of them is using an ECHO trimmer.

Ability to add attachments

There is the ability to add a blade package to this device for super dense brush. I personally don’t use this, but it is nice for those with acreage and brush.

While some of the electric trimmers have multiple attachments that can be convenient, the ECHO weed eater is just one tool with one purpose. And it absolutely crushes that purpose.

Criticisms of the ECHO weed eater SRM 225

As does any best-selling product have some negative reviews, so does the ECHO weed eater. Something I have consistently seen but not experienced is the blowback from the power of this trimmer. The machine does have a small shield at the bottom (especially compared to its peers) that does not fully protect against dirt and rocks kicking up into your face.

The narrow head of the ECHO SRM 225 weed eater.

If you are wearing safety glasses as recommended, then this should not be too much of an issue for you. After all, dirt is good for you, right?

Another criticism I have seen is with inability to get it started. With the proper 50:1 gas to oil mixture, this should not have any reason getting started.

Replacing the trimmer line

When you do run out of line on the ECHO weed eater, make sure to replace it with .095” weed eater string. This line is easy to load. Simply align the holes on the head of the trimmer, insert the line through to the desired length on the other side, then spin the head until the appropriate amount has fed through.

We developed our own string trimmer line that absolutely slaps and made our ECHO SRM 225 even better. Check it out here!

Cost and value

The ECHO weed eater SRM 225 costs about $220 to $250 at the time this article was written. Compared to other similar weed eaters and trimmers, this is about middle of the pack for price.

You can grab the ECHO SRM 225 from Home Depot for the best price I’ve seen.

For the value, I believe this is one of the most valuable purchases you can make. The ECHO will last you many years and as many jobs as you will need it for. Continue to take care of it and it will take care of you.

Looking for more? We broke down the all of the biggest and baddest trimmers in this post about ECHO products

The official review: The ECHO weed eater SRM 225

Feature	Rating
Difficulty to use	More difficult than electric
Durability	More durable
Maintenance	Some maintenance required
Value	High value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Highly recommended
For lots <1 acre	Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended

Why we review lawn tools

What to look for in a weed eater

When looking to purchase a weed eater there are a few key things to keep in mind. It is always important to understand the power of the machine you are wanting to buy. Other considerations are comfort level, how the line in the trimmer advances, gas vs electric, and whether or not it has the ability to add attachments.

How to instantly improve your weed eater

Gas vs Electric Weed Eaters

When purchasing a piece of lawn equipment in 2023 it’s important to understand your power source options. It basically boils down to gas or electric. Electric trimmers are typically easier to start and require little to no maintenance

. They also have less of a noise and environmental impact. Electric trimmers are usually a good bet for small jobs.

Trimmer powered by gas usually end up having more power and are more suitable for larger, more commercial type applications. Because some electric trimmers receive power by a cord they’re not super mobile, gas powered weed eaters can go where you can go. If you want to trim up the moon, it can go with you.

Gas weed eaters can usually handle thicker weed eater string sizes as well.

ECHO weed eater SRM 225 manual and parts

Manual: https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/f1/f1900441-69a2-45f2-a7e3-aea572044e4f.pdf

Parts: WWW.ECHO-USA.COM make sure to have your model and serial numbers ready to review.