Customer Reviews

Hitachi CG22EABSLP 21.1cc 2 Stroke Gas Powered Curved Shaft Grass Trimmer (CARB Compliant)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Frankly, I'm amazed at how the prices fluctuate virtually daily on the Hitachi/Tanaka trimmer twins (yes, they are exactly the same except for the colors of their motor housings and string trimmer guard down at the business end of the trimmer).

The Hitachis are generally about $15-30 cheaper than the Tanakas, but on any given day, that differential will change.

Another thing, for some reason, Amazon has removed the links to the $20 Hitachi mail-in rebate form (although they still have the links on the pages of the Tanaka trimmers; go figure).

SO, if you don't mind getting a curved shaft (versus the straight, solid-shaft) Hitachi-branded trimmer, you will not be able to beat today's price. As I'm writing this, today's price is $1 3 9. 99 before rebate. Do a google search for "Hitachi trimmer 2011 rebate" to find and print out a copy of the rebate form, good through June 30th purchases, and you will get this great trimmer for less than $1 2 0!

It uses the same engine as the $40+ more expensive straight shaft model. The basic differences? The straight shaft model has a solid steel drive shaft connecting the engine to the transfer gear housing at the trimmer head end. The curved shaft models have to use a flexible drive cable because of the curved shaft.

The operational differences? People say the straight shaft trimmers give you better reach into and under things like wooden fence lower railings, raised decks, swing sets, etc. Also, the straight shafts are longer and put you the operator a little further back from the action (and things that fly out because of that action).

People also say that the solid steel straight shafts have more cutting torque at the head due to less give compared to a flexible cable shaft, plus people believe a solid steel shaft will last longer.

The possible downsides? The longer straight shaft puts you further back from the action so you can't see quite as well at the trimmer head to make finer position adjustments to get the exact cut and control you want (i.e., when using the trimmer in a 90 degree mode to act as a driveway or sidewalk edger).

Also, the straight shaft puts you not only further back, but it also puts you at a different position than a curved shaft - with the curved shaft you're more "on top" of the action. When using a curved shaft trimmer in the 90 degree position for edging, you're also in a better viewing position to fine-tune the cutting than you would be with a long straight shaft trimmer.

Finally, straight shaft trimmers have heads turning in the counter-clockwise direction - opposite from curved shaft trimmers. That can take some getting used to. Early on, you will find yourself being pelted by debris because you're not used to the different head rotation and find yourself being in the path of thrown debris when you try to use the straight shaft model exactly how you used to use your curved shaft trimmer.

If you can live with all of these changes, then you will NOT find another such high-quality trimmer for anywhere this no-tax, free shipping, price! Don't delay, the Amazon price is likely to change within hours...

FYI: Hitachi purchased Tanaka Power Equipment Co., Tanaka manufactures Hitachi brand stringtrimmers. I called Tanaka prior to buying this trimmer and was told the Hitachi products are the same as Tanaka only in the Hitachi green wrapper.
Purchased June 18th from Amazon and thought I was getting a great deal on a great product. WRONG! Arrived in about 10 days ready to go, just add fuel and stringline. Used twice, about an hour each time without problems, starts easy but not near the power I thought it would have. On third use (Aug 28) after about 20 minutes of use it just was not cutting with any authority. Shut it down to check it out and found the engine had came lose from the shaft and the housing had cracked almost all the way around! (This might explain the tremors I had in my left arm after previous uses. Never had this issue with any other trimmer I have used.) Trimmer was not dropped, bumped, banged or abused in anyway.
Prior to making the purchase I checked the website and they listed an authorized dealer/service center 20 miles away. Now that I need it they are no longer listed. Called Hitachi/Tanaka and the nearest service center is now 40 or 100 miles from my home. (Hitachi CS said 40 miles/Tanaka CS said over 100). Option 2, ship it to Georgia at my expense. There is two Hitachi service centers in my area but Hitachi/Tanaka CS says they are not authorized to do repairs on outdoor power equipment. One local center I contacted told me to bring it in and if they could not repair it they would ship it in. Hitachi/Tanaka CS rep said they would not honor the warranty at this service center (not auth. to work on outdoor power equip). The CS people at Hitachi seemed as if this issue was more an interruption to there day than the purpose of there work and both (I spoke to two)
border-lined on RUDE. My guess is they deal with the same type of problem on a regular basis. It is ridiculous to think that a company as large as Hitachi would market a line of products before they can back them with service! I live in the Peoria, Il. area, not a major metropolis but a metro pop. around 300,000 and the yellow pages are full of small engine repair shops that work on all major mfg's products!
If you are considering a purchasing a Hitachi/Tanaka stringtrimmer or any other type of outdoor power equipment from this mfg., do your homework and make sure there is a service center close. Good Luck with that as I was told since this is a new line for them they are attempting to grow their network of dealers.
As for me, this is the 1st time I've been unhappy with an online transaction after many purchases. I shop Amazon regularly. Next time I'll spend the xtra $100 and buy a Stil at my local harware store and save the time and hassle. I'll never buy another Hitachi/Tanaka product of any type, can't trust the name and most certainly not the service. Also don't need the unhelpful Customer Service. They should change the Customer Service Dept. name and greeting to how about..."Customer Nonservice Dept., how can I irritate you and make your day worse?".
Do yourself a favor and buy another brand.

This timmer is a great deal. The $[...] only adds to an already attractive price. I received the trimmer about four shipping days after placing the order. This thing is very light weight. The handle, cutting head, and guard must be put on at home. The needed tools are included and I had this done in 10 minutes. I took it outside and filled the tank with premixed gas. Following he starting instructions on the side of the motor I primed the bulb, pulled the rope three times with the red tab on choke, switched it to the start position and it cranked on the second pull. The effort to pull the rope is minimal which is a nice bonus. I ran it for a couple of minutes and shut it off. I have since used the trimmer twice around my house, ditches, power poles, tress, etc. For light to medium duty trimming this is all I or anyone else will ever need. I am 5' 3" and 125lbs so this trimmer being compact and light weight fits me perfectly.

This grass trimmer is easy to use, light-weight, and cuts through high grass. Tapping the unit on the ground the trimming string comes out easily--- not too long--- and lasts a long time. I'm not very tall so the curved shaft works makes it easy to hold. Good price.

This is real about 7 years WARRANTY Hitachi trimmer. My Hitachi trimmer just is used over one year and its motor still runs OK but its head does not spin any more and Hitachi didn't want to fix it but one of Hitachi Technician still asked me to send it to them and said that I just need to pay shipping to Norcross Headquater of Hitachi Power Tools and he will fix it for free and shipping back to me. I shipped it to them and one week latter they received it, and call back to me that I have to pay $55 for fixing and shipping. I did not agree and then they said OK they will fix it for free but after waiting for one more week I've received my trimmer back which was broken and cannot not run at all any more.

This is a great weed whacker. The two-stroke motor is VERY powerful. It cuts through pretty much anything and everything, including my house siding, drain pipe, nearby trees, etc. It's easy to use, fires up every time, and leaves a very satisfying trail of yard carnage behind.

I didn't like this trimmer right out of the box, so I decided to wait before writing my review. Today, almost a year later, I can honestly say I dislike it as much as ever.
First of all, it's a good thing it's so light, because the top of the thing gets so hot, you have to hold it away from you. I've always rested my trimmers against my hip, which I now know brings me forearm into contact with the trimmer. I know this because as I trim, and my arms start getting heavy, I tend to fall back to this position, only to have my arm hit the top. It isn't so hot that it burns you instantly, but it would if you left your arm there for very long. So, you're stuck holding the thing out away from you, which takes away the benefit of a light trimmer.
Another negative is that with a full length of line out, the motor can't handle the load and bogs down. Only when the line has broken off some, does the motor get up to full speed, but then you don't have the length of line to cut a full swath.
And best of all; when I went to start the trimmer a couple of days ago, after sitting idle over the winter, gas came gushing out every time I pushed in on the primer bulb. Low and behold, the gas line had rotted out at the end, split in several places! Less than a year old, and the gas line rotted, NOT a good sign.
Bottom line, I would recommend any new buyers steer clear of this trimmer, and get one that's worth the money. As for me, I know I'll hate this thing until the day it dies.

This trimmer works pretty well, however it seems to be a little low on power. With the strings fully extended you must have the throttle fully pressed, but it only revs ~60% since the load from the strings prevent the small motor from being able to go full speed. Once the strings are shorter it can rev to max rpm. Who would've thought STRING would create such a load. Had to send the first unit back, something inside the shaft was not engaging. Instead of the head spinning I would just get a loud clicking/grinding noise. The second unit works well, Amazon customer service took care of the issue very well by sending me a new unit. As others mentioned some of the ergonomics are a little off and the attachment between the motor and shaft seems little weak. Overall its a good unit if you get it near the $130 mark, probably not the best performer but I'm more concerned with long term reliability and the warranty is pretty good.

Bought this trimmer here on Amazon a few months back. It worked very well and started right up for the few times I used it. The last time I tried to use it, it would not start. I check the usual suspects- enough fuel in the tank, spark plug but they were fine. While inspecting the fuel line coming out of the gas tank, I noticed it had a small leak at the end which connects to the carburator. When I took the hose out of the tank it began to disintegrate in my hand. Obviously, the hose was of very poor quality. Since it was such a miner problem, I went online to see if I could get a replacement part. Apparently, others had the same problem because it was not available and had to be back ordered from the manufacturer. I decided not to go that route and puchased a good quality 3/16 od 3/32 id fuel hose and attached the tank grommet and fuel filter to it and put it back together. The trimmer works great now.

I like reviews, its one pieces of the puzzle that I use when purchasing a new product. The one thing I dislike about reviews is that they send a request to comment(review) after you have had the product for a week or two. In the case of the Hitachi CG22EABSLP, I've used it three times so far and its doing what it was purchased to do and thats weed eat. Having owned a Tanaka TBC2100 for 16 years this unit has some big shoes to fill. The features I like so far are the 7 year warranty and the fact that this unit only cost me $3.00 more than the old unit. Other features are that it is light weight and quiet.Hitachi CG22EABSLP 21.1cc 2 Stroke Gas Powered Curved Shaft Grass Trimmer (CARB Compliant)