Category: Weed Eater

Introduction

The 128DJX is one of the most popular string trimmer/brush cutters on the market today. It’s very similar to its brother the 128DJ.   Husqvarna, a Swedish power tools company, certainly did their homework on this model.

128DJX vs 128DJ – The Mutant Gas Trimmer

Just to set the record straight, the DJX takes Husqvarna parts only, and the 128DJ takes parts from other manufacturers.  So if you do not like the bump head unit that comes with you can replace it with a Tanaka bump head.  The benefit to the DJX is that the Husky parts are often better quality than other manufacturers.  To our knowledge this is the only “X” variant in the Husky line.  Let us know in the comments if you know another one.

Specs and Assembly

This engine is a two-stroke and 28 cm³ that puts out a solid 1 horsepower.  That power is transmitted by a  straight shaft. Like we said in our guide, we generally prefer straight shafts.  Curving the shaft means losing power and increasing the chances that something will break.  Not saying to use a brush cutter or string trimmer is to abuse it – but sometimes those weeds do not want to be whacked.

Guiding the unit is done via a loop handle.  And the handle has vibration dampening features.

 

The downside to this straight shaft is that it’s a two piece. The bottom half is detachable which allows for adding on your attachments.   It comes with a  “D” loop handle.  This is a brush cutter site, so we prefer bike bars for their  maneuverability during long jobs.  But if you are not going to be taming the Amazon, a J handle or “D” Loop will do the job.

Some were unlucky in the unit ships with a bad packaging. Sometimes they’re missing pieces or even missing handles. With that in mind one user found that they drop the unit is still work after they dropped.

In the box, you get a bump head for string trimming and a grass blade.  A grass blade is not the same as a brush cutter blade, but this unit is designed for lighter duty than a full-on brush cutter.

Once everything was checked, many found that the unit was easy to assemble.  The manual…well let’s just say that people were mixed on how good the manual is. Mechanically inclined folks should be able to put this together and use best practices to get it running and keep it running.

Operations

In general, the 128DJx is easy to start and cuts well.

The unit has a vibration dampening handle, but the reviewers were pretty happy with it.

Many found the 128DJx to be heavy.  Heavy is always relative, but 10.8 pounds of metal, fuel, and fumes is something that’s always at the back of our minds.  Tall users did not have to hunch over to use this.

Engine wise, all 2 strokes require a break in period. This does not happen with your car, because they break in the engine at the factory typically. If you’re familiar with them, you don’t run the trimmer/cutter too hard for your first ten hours.  Sometimes even with that, the overall performance might not be to your liking.  Most users found that the break in was fine in this unit, though you can find reviews where it did not seem to work.

This unit is carb compliant in a requires spline tool to adjust the carburetor.  The carburetor needed adjustment in some reviews. You will need a special tool if you find the engine running lean or rich. The same fuel rules apply to this 128DJx.  Always use 100% pure gasoline. Absolutely no ethanol.  Add a fuel stabilizer to your mix that you keep in the garage. Ethanol will clog the carburetor

When it comes to whacking weeds distributor works very well.  It did not bog down and did not hesitate.

In terms of power,  the unit was able to cut through wild parsnip and could handle the brush in an orchard. Some users liked it enough for regular farm work.  If you really want to get the most out of this unit is a heavy duty line.

Long Term, Repairs, Maintenance, Service, and Warranty

For the people dealing with overheating problems they found it would not start. Manual is online and so are the service center locations.

When it comes to the warranty, the main problem most people have with string trimmers are related to fuel line/carburetor issues. This is a 2 year limited warranty, and they limit what they cover.

Conclusion

This is a great string trimmer for your typical needs.  If you do not own one, put the 128DJx on your short list. If you do have a string trimmer and other accessories, consider the 128DJ so that you can get further value from the equipment you already have.

Introduction

The TBC 255PF is a commercial grade unit straight from the good folks at Tanaka, a division of Hitachi.  We’ve had concerns about other Tanaka models, so going into this review, we want to pay close attention to issues out there.  Also, this unit has been discontinued, though you can still find vendors carrying it.

Specs, Assembly, Start

This unit was made in Japan.  It has the things we like inn a gas trimmer, but not necessarily a brush cutter. There’s a two-stroke engine displacing 25 cm³ and pushing 1.3 horsepower.  There is a straight shaft going from the motor to the head.  So far so good.

As with all 2-stroke engines, pure gasoline must be used.  No ethanol can be used. The gasoline has to be mixed with motor oil.  On top of the mixture, it’s also a good idea to add fuel stabilizer to the refill tank so that there are no problems during the season. And finally, the unit needs to be drained at the end of the season.

In our review of the user data, most found this unit easy to assemble. Which is what you would expect since the unit was practically fully assembled when it comes out the box.

Most found that  the unit was easy to start.

So far so good.

Idle, Ergonomics, Usage

With that good start, we could not find any complaints about the idle, or needing carb adjustments.

When it came to usage, many found the unit was not ergonomic and was very difficult to use for long periods of time. The handle is not padded, so the vibration can get to be a bit much.   It does not come with a harness, so adding a strap is a good idea.

And as a trend with this manufacturer the trimmer head was not very good. The line is supposed to feed when the head is bumped.  Further, adding more line to unit should not be difficult.  Many users complained that either or neither of these things happenened.  And it’s not very clear whether you can replace the stock head with the Tanaka “No Brainer”

With respect to fuel, some found the unit to be fuel efficient.  But others found the tank to be inadequate, the fuel lines to be poor, and common sense features like a gas cap keeper were not present.

Concerns

As with all power tools, they’re great when they’re running.  But wear and tear leads to maintenance and repairs. For this particular unit, there were a few frustrated users who could not get through to customer service, nor could they find service centers to take the unit.  It is important to locate factory approved qualified service personnel in your area anytime you make a purchase like this.

We’re still waiting for more information about the long term viability of these units, but since they have been discontinued, that information is hard to come by.

Conclusion

 Overall, we feel that the TBC 255 PF is a decent trimmer, but the vibration is an issue.  We would definitely add an aftermarket harness if there is going to be a lot of use.

Introduction

We like this as a string trimmer more than as a brush cutter.  Shame it’s been discontinued.

Specs, Assembly, Start

This unit with 9.7 pounds. It is a two-stroke engine with 21.1 cm³ of displacement making 1.2 hp of displacement. You cannot use ethanol in his engine since it is a two-stroke engine.  Ethanol will gum up the carburetor and corrode the fuel lines. And two strokes require the same maintenance, pre-mixing the fuel and motor oil, adding stabilizer to the fuel, and making sure to drain the tank at the end of the season.  Speaking of fuel, you might not be in love  with placement of the gas tank. One user found that the design did not make it dead simple to fill.

For gas trimming needs it has a loop handle and a straight shaft. We’ve discussed earlier the benefits of a a straight shaft versus a curved shaft for brush cutting.  When it comes to trimming weeds, what you lose in the power and reliability of a straight shaft, you make up for in maneuverability.

Out of this box this does not include a brush blade or a harness.  It’s definitely a string trimmer, but a swap out of the bump head with a blade could get you in business.

It was very easy to assemble and the manual was actually useful for a change

Starting, Idle, and Ergonomics

Most found it was easy to start some even said it was good for women.

If the idle is not to your liking, given your environment and climate, to adjust the carburetor yourself you need a new special tool.

Once it’s up and running users found that

• Good for tall and short people. (Undoubtedly helped by the straight shaft)
• Using the unit it vibrates heavily when it’s actually cutting the brush.
• There was a mixed discussion over whether it was heavy, light weight, or had a good balance.  That may be something that is dependent on a user’s overall strength and tolerance
• Oddly, many found the unit to be quiet. (Well as quiet as a gasoline motor strapped to your back can be)

Usage

Overall, most uses found the unit to be quite powerful.  Users cleared 1 acre, 1.5 acres, 2 acres, 2.5 acres, 6 acres,  8 acres and 10 even acres.With good power comes a decent amount of debris headed back their way.  The unit has a small shield in comparison to other units, so as usual always wear protection when using.

The main issue with Tanaka string trimmers is the bump head.  This unit is no exception. Many people had issues with the bump head and resolved to buy the quick load head instead.  Seems to me Tanaka could have just shipped it with the quick load in stead.

Running the unit for a while, one has to be aware of the exhaust gas.  All two strokes are noisier than 4 strokes and put off noxious exhaust, but on this model the user has to be careful so that they do not leave a body part in the exhaust stream.  They could get burned if they do not follow the manufacturer’s guidance.

Indeed, the issues were so serious with this model that the factory issued a recall.

Longevity, Repairs, Service and Warranty

With respect to longevity, the warranty is good for two years of  commercial use and five years for residential use.

This unit has a seven year warranty overall.

Conclusion

You can still find these in stores.  When it works, it works well.  The bump head limitations and overheating issues are something you should take note of before purchasing.