I have had my 525 ls since it came out. Just yearly cleaning i have had no issues, until just last week. It fired right up ,revved up and shut down, would not fire back up. little later it did the same thing, my heart was broken. i run mine without the guard on, but keep a pair of clippers incase the string gets just a bit long. I have run Still and echo trimmers along the years, but my opinion this is my baby, no one touches my 525. You know all trimmers have there sweet spot,and i know this ones all to well. I love mine, ill have mine back running in the morning.
Got the 535LK and it's excellent, rubber grips, very easy to start, 2.2HP and a shed load of attachments! It is quite expensive but I've found it worth every penny.
I wanted the 525LS, but decided on the Stihl 94r instead, mainly because of dealer support. We just don't have a Husqvarna dealer that has the 525LS in stock, but we have more than one Stihl dealer with several units for every model in stock. The big box stores don't sell the LS model (only the L) and I don't like purchasing this kind of tool in a big box store anyway. Great video and good point about the exhaust heat on the 525 models.
Just got one today. It’s leagues better than the old, heavy Craftsman straight shaft I used to use. Love the light weight and easy starting. Hope is stays reliable for the next fifteen years or so.
I bypassed the cat muffler by drilling 4 5/16” inch holes in the middle baffle. Runs way cooler and I didn’t notice it being any louder. Most of all it doesn’t burn me anymore.
Spot on initial quality review! I hate those plastic handles also, switched mine out with an Echo SRM 225 handle. Much Better. Otherwise, an Awesome trimmer!
I will add that Husqvarna advertises that the 525's have a 19" swath with the new guard they have on them. It's different than the older guard that came on my 525lst. It's the easiest trimmer guard to use in my experience, but it still gets in the way for light finesse trimming. For heavier growth, it works great at keeping the line at just the right length to cut good without bogging out.
I agree with you about the handles. Brought mine back after I got it because it would bog down to much trying to run a 20” swath. Ended up buying a echo 2620 which is more comfortable in the handle and has no problem running a 20” swath with 105 line.
Love mine. I like the fact that they have the plastic handles. All the echo trimmers I've had the grips fall apart after a year or so. If you want more power then try the 535 it is what would compare to a 2620.
I bought 2 525ls trimmers last fall. Took advantage of a local dealers 20% off promotion. These are by far the smoothest trimmers I have run, and I've tried most of them on the market. When I first started my lawn care business, I ran strictly Echo. SRM-266T's. No guard. Only problem is Echo changed their throttle grip to the style they use now. I have carpal tunnel in both hands, but worse in my right. I ran them for 2 seasons, and sold them off and bought a Husqvarna 525lst. That new style grip absolutely killed my right hand, going numb and throbbing. That was 5 or 6 years ago. Still have and use that 525lst trimmer alot. Tough as nails, hundreds of hours, and still runs good. No problem running .095 at a 20" swath. The new 525ls's indeed don't like too long of a line, or they will bog. I've got the guards on them, and boy is it tough to switch back after running no guards all these years.
Head is low torque on LST so it don't bog Id say cause engines same. I use guard, they never bothered me since first green weedeaters came out, guessing it wont anytime soon..lol. I know Echo dealer won't warranty a bad head/clutch if the guards been removed. Doubt Husky will either. Personally I hate the rubber isolators on 525 models, just added weight & trimmer moves/shakes too much for my taste so I went over to RedMax. Much happier!
I have the same products as on your wall. the 2620's. I did buy the torque head trimmer for the PAS and omg love it. straight into 2 ft grass and that head never stops spinning. I leave my guards on for now. But if I mod the mufflers I guess i could take guard off if the muffler mod voided warranty.
@@LanierLawnCare I been trying to get my neighbor off his husky residential grade trimmers over to echo. I let him try the 2620 regular and he was impressed. but try running a 32:1 mix or richer then 50:1. it was a tip a repair shop gave my father and up close couldnt tell difference but my helper said from standing back the engine sounded better with the mix change.
Did same to mine.. Question, Do you have problems with yours not cutting the line off? I used the supplied spacer because of the bevel gear but now line runs below the line cutter
Reason I don’t like rubber over molding on gas tools in particular is that if you get any oil or gas on your hands (like you often do when refueling these things), then touch the rubber over molding it will start to degrade the rubber. The rubber will look like it’s rotting off, and when it finally does come apart it’ll leave hard edges where it used to be and a skinnier grip, which will destroy your hands after holding that for a while. Then you gotta either replace the handles, or start trying to wrap them with something yourself. Either way, really annoying. If you don’t like the plastic feel of the handles I always recommend something like tennis racket grip wraps - they are soft, sticky, and breathable, and you got so many options for them.
Agreed. I know it's just a matter of preference but these machines have served me so well over the years that I can't help being biased. Also I'm a bit jealous over that sweet Milwaukee setup behind his back.. I'm looking at that Milwaukee hedge trimmer for a long time but I just can't make myself part with 400-500$ right now.... I'll be going with Dewalt hedge trimmer. It's like 250$..
Love my 525LST hate the plastic grips. Took the guard off for first time and did not see the big deal. Guess I will try no guard on one my other trimmers.
Agree with ya. I stand on the left (m right handed) and everything is thrown right back at me. Maybe it’s a rookie move, stand on the right and I wear much less of what’s cut.
I like it without the guard so far. Totally agree on the cheap plastic handles for as much as they cost they be rubberized. I wrapped mine in baseball bat handles grip...but shouldn't have to for 300 dollars!
I was looking to switch my trimmers over to husqvarna. I’m done with the stihl 4mix stuff except maybe the br800 blower. I was set to go with the 430 husqvarna only to find out they are being replaced with the 535. 535 is to heavy. Not sure what I’m going to do now. I love the husky backpacks ran my 570 for 4 yrs now. Waiting to see if an all new 590 comes out to top the echo 8010 an br800. My stihl 800 got stolen. So running with the trusty 570 for now. But I was really hoping to go all husqvarna hand heads until I learned of the 430 trimmer going away.
jew0182 I’m definitely not a fan of the husqvarna price or cheap feeling. I sold this and got the redmax. Way better in my opinion but I still love my echos
I love the trimmer, it doesnt burn me because I wear long shirts. I dont like maintenancing them. They come apart like a space ship and I can handle it all but damn did they make it tough to maintenance! Been swingin' my 525L for two years and Troybuilt has an easier maintenance than Husky. I still love my husky 525L more because its light weight and easy to maneuver. LS and LST are heavy.
That Toro looks super shiny! You must wax that sucker! I like that you mention the stuff that you like about equipment as well as the stuff you don't. I've never meet a piece of equipment that I 100% love everything about it. Hopefully these manufacturers listen to normal guys like you....and improve their products. Great video man.
I’m only 13 but I’m my experience with Echo and Stihl Equipment I find that Echo makes better trimmers, edgers and Hedge trimmers than Stihl and Stihl makes better handheld blowers. I have the SRM 225 and just like you said it has a more quality, comfortable smooth feeling when I use it versus trying a used old Stihl FS80R. Also the best thing about Echo is they ha e the speed feed head. Best invention ever. On the stihl I had to replace the bump head and then soon after the whole thing kinda broke which is why I sold it. Also it can be frustrating to load string in itTomorrow from Home Depot I’m going to buy a PE 225 so I can upgrade from a Ryobi. I also feel Echo makes some of their products more affordable. For example the PE225 is 229 and the FC56 is 249. The Echo has a 5 year warranty and the Stihl has a 2 year. Another example of Echo beating Stihl is Sthil’s Hedge Trimmer HS45 has a 2 year warranty, 18 inch blade, Made in China, and costs 300. Echo HC152 or now it’s the HC2020 I think (sold at Home Depot) only costs 289 comes with a 5 year warrranty and has a 22 inch blade. And made in USA. But I got a used PB250 and was not happy with it. It had almost no power. Did all the possible repairs to fix it and still weak. But the main reason I chose the Stihl BG50 is thats it’s the world’s lightest gas blower at 7.9 pounds. The Echo is close to 10 and can slow you down. Also it feels more powerful and is more easier to start. But overall I’m very satisfied with Echo and think they make some of the best equipment ever
I run all husqvarna trimmers n blowers,chainsaws,hedge trimmers and have. Ever had one issue with any of them . Personally I'll never run anything els.
Brandon Lee you must be nowhere close to professional or love throwing your money away. This is the cheapest feeling (commercial grade) on the market. Should be no more than $200 as cheap as this plastic feels and as much as it rattles
@@LanierLawnCare Name a trimmer that has the power and durability of this one and weighs so little for $200.00. I dont need to wear gloves with this trimmer and I get ZERO numbness after extensive use. Cant say that about any other trimmer I have ever used. I prime the bulb twice and depress the choke at the same time I pull the starter cord and it starts on the first pull every time. Echos always burn my elbow including the shafted Echo hedge trimmer I have (I like Echo too by the way but I like Husqvarna better)when it touches the housing and this trimmer is insulated from all of that. The rubber on the Echo grips feel nice but that rubber will wear away and besides if I cant stand a handle that bad I'll just wear impact gloves. Not sure how you're managing to burn yourself with this machine. I used Stihl trimmers and backpack blowers in lawn service for 3 years. I like them but I like Husqvarna better and I love my 525ls. Having said all of that you cant really go wrong with Husqvarna, Stihl or Echo.
525lst withnout the guard it the way to go if you want a larger swath. It’s become my go to, every day trimmer. Runs that longer line with plenty of torque and weighs nothing. Plastic grips are durable, but not comfortable.
I dislike everthing Husqvarna except for the chainsaws... But there is a reason...when I first started off I had a Husqvarna trimmer and mower...the mower died on me within the first season the trimmer died on me within the second... They were replace ... Cub cadet and Stihl trimmer 10 years ago ... P.s great video
The L, Ls, and LST are all very similar but also have some significant differences. The only difference I can tell between the LS and LST is that the LST has Husqvarna's X Torque motor and the LS has their standard 2 stroke motor. The L has the least power and also does not have the metal skid plate on bottom but it does have the X Torque motor. To me the LS and LST are superior and it only really comes down to whether you want the fancier X Torque motor.
@@jonescompanycustoms7208 they all 3 have the xtorq motor the l is just detuned a little bit while the ls and lst the difference is the lst has the torque gear head on it
Great review mate. I have used a 525lst before and it was undeniably super light and well balanced. Easy to start and all that yes very good. Almost felt TOO light though, where there was very little resistance in any movement i made with it because it just followed along so quickly. I love my Stihls for their easy start, auto choke and automatic return stop switches. Those things are awesome. I've found that my current Stihls actually have pretty nice handles. They're rubber and the D handle on my FS91R is as well, though even the plastic one on my FS94RC is still comfortable enough. Also found that the Stihls seem to keep more heat away from you, or maybe that's just with how I use mine, but I basically never find myself getting burnt by the exhaust side of the cover. Only reason I haven't gone out and bought a 525LST and/or 570BTS to try is because all the Husky dealers around me are awful. Just not interested at all, so I don't bother giving them my business. My local Stihl dealer on the other hand is absolutely awesome, and until a brand with dealers better than him in my area come in I think I'll be staying with Stihl :D
My first thought was "Why the hell wouldn't you wanna use the guard"??.. Why do you people remove the guard anyway? It's there for a reason. It cuts the line to a specific length that the engineers who designed the machine intended to. If you loose the guard you are destroying the machine and I personally don't see any benefit.. Sure the line is longer but you don't have that little knife on a guard that cuts your lines so they are the same length... I don't know man.. I would never use it without the guard..
