Customer Reviews

Factory Reconditioned Homelite ZR21546 17-Inch 26cc Gas Powered Mighty Lite Straight Shaft String Trimmer

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

This is a great product for the money.The only reason it doesn't rate 5 stars is because the guard is too small.The operator ends up wearing much of the clippings. I strongly recommend using eye protection as the guard doesn't keep things from flying up.The unit works well.Very strong and easy to use.After set-up, the machine started on the third pull.Light weight makes this trimmer ideal for home use.In a previous review a customer said his unit seized up after running only 15 minutes.The set-up recommends the use of a high quality synthetic 2 cycle oil.Most other string trimmers I have used use standard outboard motor oil.The first time I used this trimmer,I ran 2 tankfulls of fuel before stopping for a break.I had no trouble restarting and continuing.I'm pleased with this purchase.

I bought one of these Homelite string trimmers last fall (new, not reconditioned). It starts hard and frequently is difficult to keep running. The string constantly gets hung up in the reel and won't feed out unless I stop the machine, remove the spool and unwind it manually.
The other day, I set the trimmer down on the floor of my garage and it tipped over, breaking the choke lever. This is a plastic piece that probably would cost no more than a few cents to manufacture. It simply slides onto a shaft under the carburetor cover. I figured it would be no real problem -- just order the replacement part, slip it on and go back to work. I contacted Homelite to order the part, but was told the lever is not available. It would be necessary to replace the entire carburetor, which has the lever on it. That is just absurd. The part would be easy for even the least mechanically inclined person to replace, but the lever is not available by itself.
I also have to agree with others who commented on the size of the shroud. Don't know if a bigger shroud would help or not, but have to say it always seemed that I ended up with more grass clippings on me than what landed on the ground. Eye, ear, full-body protection is highly recommended for anyone unfortunate enough to use one of these machines!
When I was a kid, Homelite was considered to be a very good name, but they sure have gone downhill since then. Given the extreme frustration already built into this machine's defective spool design and Homelite's unwillingness to provide replacements of parts that clearly break easily, I am not willing to put another cent into it. I will dispose of this machine and if by some odd chance I find that I own any other Homelite products, will get rid of those as well and never again buy another Homelite product.
I hate this thing so much, that I did what I should have done in the first place -- spend the big bucks and buy a professional tool (Red Max) rather than fix this cheap piece of trash. It would have been cheaper to have bought one GOOD tool one time instead of 'saving' a few bucks by buying the cheap brand and having to buy another tool later. It would also have been far less aggravating than fighting with the Homelite every time I used it.
Best advice I can give anyone thinking about buying a Homelite product is DON'T DO IT! I wouldn't even feel right giving mine away, so it will be dismembered and put into the trash (if even THEY will take it!)

First pull and the cable came all the way out and we had to take it apart to put back. After that we couldn't get it started. We purchased a Poulon and just wrote it off as a loss.

Received the trimmer, which appeared to be in very good cosmetic condition. Then tried starting it, but the starter cord was very difficult to pull.

For fear of damaging the unit, I drove to the nearest service center, where they noticed that the starter assembly was not connected properly. Repaired this and managed to start the trimmer (which was still difficult) and sent me happily on my way.

Got home, ran the trimmer for 5 minutes, and the motor seized up.

So I took the trimmer back to the service center, where they confirmed that the motor was defective. They ordered the necessary replacement part.

That was five months ago. The service center states they are STILL waiting on the part (since the manufacturer in China apparently does not have any in stock).

Believe the reviews, and forget the Homelite; it's a piece of garbage that you will be lucky to get one season's use out of.

I have had this product for 2 years and it has been painful to start since day one. My previous homelite (different model that I can't find anymore) lasted me 10 years with one spark plug change and a few filter cleanings; and started every time with ease. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT AT ALL! I have spent numberous hours fixing the string and getting it to start. It looks like I have to give it one star for this review to work so it gets 1 star for looking nice and zero stars for not actually working....

This is the worst weed wacker ever made. I use the exact fuel mix suggested by manufacturer (even using their oil). I am LUCKY to get it started after 20 pulls. If I do get it started, I need to keep adjusting between no choke, half choke, etc. to keep it running. Presuming I can keep it running, I generally get to use it for about 5 minutes until I need to turn it off because (a) the string comes out of the head or (b) grass/brush gets wrapped around the shaft. This is the first time I have ever thrown a power tool. Don't buy this product. You were warned!

well theres a reason you dont see homelite in big box stores or anywhere other than a dealer. homelite = "junk" and the big stores dont want the hassles of all the returns.. had them they may or may not work generally not or maybe just a short period of time. and the service centers take their sweet time getting it back to you and then they work once or twice and back they go. save your sanity buy anthing other than a homelite for gods sake old fashioned hand clippers work better than a homelite.

I OWN A LANDSCAPING BUSINESS AND THE STRAIGHT SHAFT HOMELITE IS A DECENT TRIMMER FOR THE HOMEOWNER....ITS NOT ANY THING CLOSE TO A COMMERCIAL BRAND. THE ONLY REASON I PURCHASED IT WAS BECAUSE OF PRICE...$40. FOR ABOUT $20 MORE YOU CAN GET A FAC. RECONDITIONED STRAIGHT SHAFT RYOBI, FOR $74. THE ROYOBI IS A BETTER BUILT, HIGHER QUALITY, 30CC ENGINE. BUT IF YOU NEED A LIGHT WIEGHT TRIMMER FOR LIGHT USE THEN GET THE HOMELITE. SEE MY REVIEW FOR THE RYOBI......

This is the worse trimer I've purchased.
I could not get it started,therefore,I called Homelite and based on my discription of the problem it was determined that the carburator needed adjustment.
They refered me to a local repair shop who replaced the carburator with a new one,after they kept it from 7/22/09 to 8/14/09(24 days)
Now after pulling the starter grip approx.14 or 15 times it does start.
Needless to say I'm very dissastified with this product,which I will not recomend to anyone.

I ordered this item in March 2008 and it is now July 2010. The trimmer is now on its last leg. I only use the trimmer once ever other week and do not trim in the winter. By saying that, I use this trimmer about 30 times a year and I have had this unit 3 years, so I have used this trimmer around 60 times total since purchased. That's a dollar a trim if you go by what the price is currently. Not bad for the money, but I did think the unit would last a little longer.