Propane String Trimmer

Borrowed a friends Lehr string trimmer, which is a propane powered wonder. He doesn't like it, but I have to say, so far I do. Yep, it's heavy. And the ergonomics are a bit weird. But it runs superbly, is pretty powerful, and simply works well. All in all, I like it enough to either buy his, or buy a new one.

The problem with hard starting is handled with a paperclip and 3-5 seconds. When you first hook up the tank, the lines and regulator and carburetor are all filled with air. Yank on the string all you want, there's nothing combustible going into the engine. So it doesn't start. But, poke a paperclip into the tiny hole in the regulator cover, push against that metal cup in there, let it hiss for 3-5 seconds as it pushes propane through everything, and it will start right up.

Honesty dictates I tell my friend this. So I hope he still doesn't like it and will sell it to me cheaply. But, if not, I can buy a new one for $127 off ebay.

It would be nice to sell the shed full of balky 2 strokers.

I had no idea propane powered trimmers existed.

Most notably the troublesome reviews of those indicate the engine is wonderful but the rest of the trimmer is low-middle build quality. I can live with that, and I'm going to get one before next spring myself.

Lehr makes a nice outboard I am thinking about for my boat.

I can't say I find anything cheesy or poorly built about the unit. I've read the comments too. I don't see them holding water. The socket where you plug in the string trimmer head (or other attachments) is cast, not rolled sheet metal. The hoses on this one are several years old, and there's not a crack to be seen. The plastics are all still straight and true.

Throttle response is probably worth mentioning. In a good way. There is no bog or lag. It acts more like fuel injection than carburetion. Very easy to modulate the spin, which makes working along a wire fence much nicer.

propane powered four stroke string trimmers are cool, but a small turbo would be icing on the cake.

Does it take the standard attachments from Ryobi & Toro? If so, definitely looking at it when the Toro wears out.

Should. Seems to be a universal standard. I swapped the head from a Troy-bilt onto it without any trouble.

and off to ebay to look these up...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEHR-ST025DC-LP-GAS-Curved-Shaft-STRING-TRIMMER-25cc-/171120303337?pt=US_Outdoor_Power_Equipment&hash=item27d7909ce9

i wonder, does lehr make any larger engine products? something in the 100CC range? twin 100CC propane engines on a homebuilt go-kart sounds like a frigging blast...

So, a bit of an update.

First, not all propane or cans are the same. Saved a buck and bought something that is not Coleman in a green can. The knock-off can is a little smaller, so it doesn't fit securely. And most importantly, the engine does not run as well on it.

Next, in the cold, at full throttle, the regulator slowly ices up and eventually seems to freeze, then the engine dies. Interesting. Not that I normally run a week wacker with snow flurries, but sometimes I do.

Got two accessories for it. A chainsaw on a pole, and a hedge trimmer on a pole. Love them both.

The hedge trimmer makes a dandy light weight sicklebar mower. It did a great job at cutting down tall grasses and light brush like roses and raspberry that grow along the creek and the fences. Easily flipped up so I can cut down the roses in the fence and up into the trees.

The chainsaw pole did fine on things up to about 4" in diameter. Beyond that, and some struggling took place. I was surprised at how well it cut into and through the wood. No leverage problems. Was able to knock down lots of in the way branches and such. The pole saw I got had an additional extension bar which really helped.

Neither were heavyweight commercial grade tools. But both seem like the type that would keep a land owner happy for many years.

Fwiw, these are the two tool attachments I got:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Universal-Hedge-Trimmer-Attachment/22084843

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Universal-Pole-Saw-Attachment/19611683

jmthunderbirdturbo wrote: i wonder, does lehr make any larger engine products? something in the 100CC range? twin 100CC propane engines on a homebuilt go-kart sounds like a frigging blast...

they are working on a 10hp outboard.. they have 3 and 5 hp

I take it the LP fuel is to satisfy emissions laws?