Customer Reviews

Troy-Bilt TB525 EC 17-Inch 29cc 4-Stroke Gas Powered Curve Shaft String Trimmer With Detachable Shaft

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Trying to replace my Ryobi trimmer which decided to quit after about 6 yrs. Never had a problem with the Ryobi and I had all the attachments and didn't want to buy everything over again. The Troy Bilt is the exact same trimmer as the Ryobi. Also wanted to stay with the 4 cycle instead of the mess of gas/oil mix with the 2 cycle. The trimmer is a little heavy, but does seem to be pretty balanced. Starting is very easy. The only recommendation I'd make is the difference between the curved and straight shaft. I'm 6'2" and now have both types. I really notice a difference with the curved shaft--much more bending which my back notices by the time I'm finished with the trimming. Taller people should lean toward the model with the straight shaft. If you have been shopping, this is the exact models that Lowes sells. The price difference is much less on Amazon. Lowes wanted $169 for this model. When I bought on Amazon the price was $83 with free shipping. The price has since increased, but is still much less than Lowes. If you're looking for a trimmer with capability for attachments, I would recommend this trimmer.

I bought this trimmer after my 2 cycle Ryobi finally died. It has functioned very well although I haven't had it very long, only about 1 month. I wanted something that would accept the edger and blower attachments I used with the Ryobi and this one met the criteria. In addition, I wanted a 4 cycle.

The positives: Easy process from box to use. Also, it starts quickly with minimum effort. I like not having to mix gas and oil. Also, much quieter and uses less gas.

The negatives: Not as much horsepower as a 2 cycle. Horsepower contributes to the speed the trimmer spins, so it doesn't have as much power. However, there's enough to get the job done as a trimmer. My blower attachment creates noticably less MPH of air. Still, I get the job done. Another thing to be aware of: The machine seems to perform much better when the humidity is lower. Living in NC, this is a problem since it is normally very humid in the summers. I paid about 132 dollars including shipping for the unit and overall have been happy with it. Time will tell if this was a good investment.

Well balanced and rather light weight for a 4-cycle engine. Plenty of cutting power and extremely quiet. I am probably the most satisfied with the Troy bilt of any string trimmer that I have ever owned.

...but that's one too many. I purchased my Troy Bilt from Lowe's last year, and wish I hadn't. Have experienced the same problems that others have pointed out. The little gas engine runs well, once it warms up, but finicky to get started. Had to adjust the idle setting to keep it running. My biggest gripe is with the 'Speed Spool' head. The first time I had to re-string it with line, I followed the instructions to the letter. But on restarting the trimmer, the line spooled out uncontrollably. The faster the engine ran (and the head rotated) the faster the spool emptied. I went through this 3 times before I finally gave up. Only tonight, after reading some other reviews did I find out that someone else figured out what the problem is. Even though the instruction manual tells you to reload the spool with line by turning clockwise, this won't work. You have to spin it counter-clockwise. What sort of quality control do they have at Troy-Bilt?? This may seem like a minor oversight, but something as critical as reloading the spool? Inexcusable. How very sad that a once proud American brand name that was once synonymous with quality...especially their tillers... has sunk to this level.

There could be some healthy debate about whether or not the fact that Troy-Bilt trimmers are assembled in Mexico has something to do with all these problems. But I do know that nothing with the Troy-Bilt name will enter my home again. This trimmer has just been too much trouble. But I'm too heavily invested in it to just junk it. I also have the heavy brush cutter and the pole saw attachments, so it will still get some use. Considering my old Ryobi 775r 2 cycle is still going strong after 9 years, that says a lot about their quality versus Troy-Bilt. If you watch the professional lawn care guys, nearly all of them carry Echo or Stihl, one of which will be my next weedeater. You couldn't GIVE me another Troy-Bilt.

Bought this one at Lowes 3 weekends back. Starting the trimmer was a very smooth operation. Just followed the procedure exactly the way they had described. It vibrates quite a bit, but you get used to it. After exactly 3 feet of trimming the string broke. I tried bumping the head to release the line but that didn't do anything. Opened the head to find out that the string had welded inside to the plastic and wouldn't move. So had to remove and wind both the strings again. After about 20 feet more the string gave way again. Again, followed the instructions to release the line, by bumping it on the surface, didn't work. I opened the head again and found out this time the string was just stuck and wouldn't move.
After about an hour of fighting around I gave up.
Started the trimmer the next weekend and had to stop 3 times to fight with the string release. On the 4th try, I emptied the gas tank, drove back to Lowes, and got my money back.
I am now again on a lookout for a 4-cycle trimmer.

It took at least a hundred pulls on the starter cord to get the trimmer running, I thought it would be easier the second time I used it, but it took just as many pulls. Even when the engine is hot it is hard to start. I return the 1st trimmer and replaced it with another figuring it must be defective. I've never been able to get the second one started and will be returning it tomorrow. I'll be replacing it with another brand.

I had been looking to replace an old 2-cycle trimmer fro some time, but prices for 4 cycle models were holding me back. I was looking at some year end closeouts on Echo brand trimmers but they were still too expensive. Got this model for $70 shipped from Amazon. I order before a trip and it wasn't supposed to ship until I returned, but it was shipped and deliverd before I got back!

The trimmer itself is fine, I saw the exact same model at Lowe's for ~$170. It's a little tricky to start, you have to follow the directions exactly. Idle speed required a little adjustment or motor stalled when idling. Has clutch so trimmer stops running at idle.

One annoyance: to disconnect the spark plug for winter storage, the protective cage around it required loosening about 6 screws. But for the price, I'll do that once a year.

I've had this product for almost 3 years now and deeply regret not returning it the first year. I thought it was me - didn't know how to start it. Well, after I've had couple of my friends try it and have as much luck as I did, I am now convinced that it is NOT operator issue, it's the product. I like the fact that I don't have to mix fuel & oil, and I like the fact that I could buy other attachments and have a multi-purpose tool. However, none of that has any value when I can't start the darn thing. It looks like new, but I will be forced to trash it and buy another one. Does anyone have a brand & model to recommend? I would like to stay with 4-cycle gas models - but something that starts easily and reliably. Many times I got myself all ready to trim, with long pants, longs sleeves, eye goggles, gardening gloves, you name it, only to come to the same sad conclusion as the last time - the darn thing will not start. I think this is the last Troy Built tool I'll ever spend my money on.

I bought this and brush cutter attachment the from Lowe's and love it. We have 11 acres of land and can't afford a riding lawnmower. So we got this and it has done a great job. I've use the brush cutter and in one day, cut over 400 ft long by 6 ft wide tall grass (grass is 3-4ft tall) and briars. It cuts small saplings (1/2 inch) with ease. The grass trimmer is great too. I must be doing something wrong because I can't seem to get the line feed to work properly. I bought a quick line change adapter it it's great. I can buy large spools of cutting line and cut pieces to replace the line as needed and it's a heck of a lot faster than messing with the spool. Again, it's operator error because I have an electric weed wacker and I have the same problems. I've had the Troy Built gas trimmer for about 3 months now and it hasn't failed me yet. I also love the fact that I can use straight gas and not have to deal with mixing the fuel. One gas can and that's all I need.

We first bought this at Lowes two years ago. It worked great for two years, wonderful attachments, runs great, etc., but after two years the clutch broke so we bought it again at amazon. We still really like it and it had a rebate.