So - MTD Products is the mega-monopoly of ALL lawn and garden machines.

[Atlas Mugged]

MTD Products manufactures Cub Cadet, Yard Man, Troy Built, Ryobi, Yard Machines, Bolens, McColluch, White Outdoor and MTD Corporate.

http://www.mtdproducts.com/home.jsp

So much for competitive shopping. Why even bother with brand names when you fucking manufacture ALL of them and you've got a complete monopoly?

I didn't know this until just now, when I was trying to research something about my Cub Cadet Wheeled String Trimmer. Suddenly Husqvarna (or however you spell that) is looking better, in spite of the horrible orange color.

[liberal N proud]

1. Almost everything but the DEER!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. All your crabgrass

All your crabgrass are belong to us.

[orwell]

3. And...

they all suck.

Since MTD took over the quality of all these brands has fallen-Troy Bilt especially.

I wouldn't buy any of them.

Ditto for Weedeater/Poulan...now owned by Electrolux. They are garbage. They are designed to fail or at the very least require extensive repairs. These used to be good brands, destroyed by a bottom line mentality that pushes short term profit over long term engineering.

I just purchased a Stihl weed wacker and it is like night and day over the Ryobi and Weedeater, both of which were pieces of crap. The Weedeater lasted all of one season before it became useless. And this was almost their top of the line model.

Motto... Don't buy any lawn and garden equipment from a major chain (other than Echo).

Just my 2 cents...

[Atlas Mugged]

4. Thanks for the input

At least there are some alternatives.

[orwell]

5. You're Welcome

After extensive research in the purchase of my weedwacker, the names Stihl, Shindawa, Honda (for four stroke), Echo, Husqvarna, and DR (aka Country Home Products) keep appearing as good choices.

In essence, buy what landscape contractors buy. It may cost you more initially, but it is well worth it for longevity, ease of use, and effectiveness to the task at hand.

For example - the Stihl works 50% faster than the weedeater, starts every time, uses far less trim line AND gas, and only cost about 30% more.

...And I am not vibrating for hours after an hour of trimming.

[Atlas Mugged]

6. Good list - I'm saving it

I can get anything wholesale because of my association with a fantastic nursery. I supply them with rare & unusual plant material (I have an import liscense) and they sell to me wholesale.

Thanks to an idiot bus driver, I'm currently disabled. But I'm doing some serious planning right now for post surgery and recovery. It's driving me insane to be limited at the moment, but at least I can put some serious research into my next equipment.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. Hey Orwell..good to see ya posting!

:hi:

[orwell]

9. Hi

Hi NSMA. I've been posting for the last few weeks, mostly on Econ stuff.

I'm slowly regaining consciousness after the Bush Crime Family Theft II.

Always good to hear from you...

:loveya:

[miss_kitty]

7. Honda, Ransomes, Skagg, Briggs and Stratton

just off the top of my head.
On Edit: Echo. I love me the Echo 2 stroke string trimmer.