LEHR Eco Trimmer Review! Propane Powered String Trimmer
By Allyn Paul, filed under Video Lawn Tips.
Guys, this lawn care guy does not get impressed often, but today, I am really impressed, excited, fired up, …all of it. For once, I have come across a “green” “eco-friendly” product that delivers the results I expect at a fair price! To me, THAT is the perfect balance! Enough.. watch the vid…
If you are reading this blog post in the email newsletter, please click the article title to come to the lawn care site to view the vid. Get your very own quality LEHR Eco Trimmer below:
LEHR ST025DS 25cc Propane Powered 4-Stroke Detachable Straight-Shaft Eco Trimmer
May 21st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
What kind of attachments will work on the LEHR? Their website doesn’t offer any attachments.
Also how does service work. If something goes wrong do I have to send it in to the manufacturer?
Fred Bies
May 22nd, 2009 at 5:19 am
Hi Fred,
I don’t know what attachments you mean? Most string trimmers are just that, string trimmers. If you are talking about a blower attachment and sweeper attachment, etc, the LEHR eco trimmer doesn’t have those options.
If something goes wrong, it goes back to LEHR. They honor the warranties.
AL
May 23rd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Al,
The Lehr website does say the detachable shaft models handle all standard attachments. I saw this on the box as well. I was wondering what the standard attachments were. I can call I guess.
Also the 4 cycle engine might be a bit heavy for the slightly built person. something to think about.
Thanks,
Fred Bies
June 12th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Great concept, but a question on the 4-stroke. I have a gas powered 4-stroke and have to hang it upside down so the gas doesn’t leak out. However, by doing so with the 4-stroke which has a separate crank case for oil, the oil seeps into the pistons and fouls the plug so it won’t start. Does it matter which way you hang the Lehr trimmer?
Also, I’ve always used a curved shaft trimmer. Can you characterize the difference in feel or performance with a straight shaft?
June 13th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
you won’t have to worry about gas leaking out since the LEHR trimmer runs on propane gas, however, you still must store it upright to avoid the oil flooding you mentioned.
Curved shaft works better for short folks in my opinion, but really, it is just that, opinion or preference.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:41 am
AL, Fred and the rest I have also found that even though LEHR is a lil heavier than gas/oil trimmers in it’s class the adjustable strap provided balances the trimmer perfectly while trimming or just carrying. The unit does get hot and stop and seems to need a cool down after about an hour of good running. 10 mins or so rest and we’re back in the game. i wish they would come with a commercial line. maybe a 30cc engine, attachments, more concentrated propane perhaps. i think the canisters are recyclable but a way to reuse or refill the canisters would be good. if you got a small job or med to low grass defenitely better than it’s gas/oil engine competitors that sell for between $179.00-$229.00 i purchased my LEHR straight head on sale for 179.00 and tax. The trim cord that comes with it is a nice size but the cord gets stuck sometimes just like so many others. Good thing is you can replace the head easily for versions that will hold more trim cord and last longer. so far so good. Meanwhile…
July 6th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
So, I go to Home Depot to buy a trimmer. The associate shows me the EPA sticker on the ECHO SRM225 and it reads 300 Hours of emission compliance. The LEHR sticker reads 50 Hours of emission compliance. I understand the concept of a propane trimmer, but it would seem to me, something that has 6 times the emission compliance would be much better for the environment. What gives?
July 7th, 2009 at 7:22 am
@James,
well man, all I can tell you is that the emissions that come from the LEHR eco trimmer pass my “nose test” meaning that I HATE the smell of traditional gas powered trimmers and don;t mind the smell coming from the LEHR.
August 17th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
The enviro cost of manufacturing and distributing the propane cans is not obvious, but probably significant.
Still, the amount of gasoline (blend) and oil that must be discarded from conventional trimmers due to age spoilage, and the cost of replacing the vast number of trimmers that are screwed up by ethanol and varnished gas certainly exceeds it.
And we’ll never know how many life years are lost to the frustration of trying to start the gas-powered machines in the spring.
I suspect that city folks won’t use more than a can of propane in a summer, so this sounds like a super product.
August 17th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Hi Grant, great insights. I did that review a couple months ago, and i am still using the same can of propane that you see in the LEHR eco trimmer review video above! I have about 8000 sq ft of grass, so you can imagine that I don’t have that much “weed whackin” to do. I also throw my edger attachment on the LEHR and do the driveways and sidewalks.
I really love this product and if you are a regular reader of this blog, you will find that I AM NOT always too thrilled with so-called “green” lawn and garden tools. The LEHR, however, is a super product that I stand behind 100%.
AL
August 27th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Hey Allyn. I’m new to this site and the Lawn Care industry. I’m just launching my own Eco Friendly lawn care company in Cananda. Anyways, is it possible to re-fill the propane canisters? A dude on Lawnsite says he owns one and refills the canisters. That would make a big difference.
Also, besides reel mowers and electric have you come across any eco mowers? Propane or diesel?
August 28th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Hi John,
I am not sure if you can refill them or not. I have to assume that they do make the canisters that can be refilled. Check at Home Depot and see… look in the plumbing supplies section.
Also, LEHR does make a propane powered back pack blower, and the last time I talked to them, they were working on some more equipment. You should call them directly and see if they have anything in the works for you. Other than that, you could convert your mowers to propane fairly easily if you were so inclined. best of luck to you! Oh, and Dixie Chopper makes diesel powered zero turn mowers.
September 12th, 2009 at 7:04 am
The 16 oz canisters can be refilled from a larger tank. You need a MacCoupler or similar adapter and to follow the instructions to fill it correctly. Reusing canisters keeps cost down, getting the canister fully but not overfilled is a bit of an art.
Also standard attachments you can use would be items such as blade edgers, hedge trimmers, tillers, etc.
September 12th, 2009 at 7:06 am
I should add that canisters being refilled must be in good shape and have a pressure relief valve, which most do.