Troy-Bilt 17" Curved Shaft Trimmer Tb25cs

Pros: Cost
Cons: POOR edging ergonomics, weight, questionable startup mechanism

What I really wanted was an edger, and with my Ryobi electric trimmer starting to show its age, I thought a trimmer/edger combo would be perfect. I got a great deal on a combo kit from Lowes (technically, a TB25ET, but the only difference from the CS ...

Pros: Easy to Start. Lots of power and torque. Easy to find On/Off switch.
Cons: A little heavy.

After owning a Weedeater Featherlite for three years, it became time to get a new gasoline powered edger. MY Needs - A medium duty model to perform the following cutting/clearing tasks: 1) Monkey Grass - around the sidewalks and driveway. Very ...

Pros: Versatile, easy to start, powerful
Cons: Not ergonomically designed

I purchased this machine from Lowes it is the 31cc model that came with a weeder and I purchased the edger attachment for an extra $69.00. The weeder was easy to assemble. The attachments are very easy to interchange. You just loosen one knob and push a...

Pros: Easy start, dependable with excellent low end power.
Cons: Replacement trimmer heads must be bought as a complete unit.

Have a shop full of very kind of string trimmer made, my Troy-Bilt has out lasted them all. We use this on a small ranch and we put at least 200 hours per season, we've completely worn out 8 trimmer heads, the amazing thing about this trimmer is, while heavy compared to others, is that per tank of fuel we can clear about 3 times the area without refilling, which makes a big difference.

Pros: NONE!!!!
Cons: Cheap construction, loud, vibrates excessively, heavy, breaks easily.

I used this trimmer a few times last summer and once this summer and now the string won't return. It will go in the garbage. For a trimmer this size, it is loud, heavy and it vibrates enough to give you nerve damage in your hand. The construction is cheap and will break if it is used for any amount of time. My brother-in-law had an identical one and melted it by cutting some small brush.

Pros: Trimmer interchangeable with edger
Cons: Inferior and defective product which is difficult to repair

I purchased the TB25ET from Lowe's May 2003, because it had the trimmer and edger attachments. I started having problems with the gas trimmer starting/running within 12 months. Within the last 6months I had to have it repaired several times, taking it to two different small engine service centers. I've contacted the corporate office for guidance and they were not helpful since the unit is a couple months past the 2-year warranty.
I took the Troy-Bilt trimmer to another local Troy-Bilt website certified service center, and was informed they no longer work on Troy-Bilt products because it is an inferior company (late paying of warranty work) with inferior products.
I sent an e-mail to the corporate office about my defective trimmer and to inform them that the authorized service center Troy-Bilt recommends refuses to work on their products. Since I have not received any communication from the company I am convinced they are not concerned about customer satisfaction and I will not spend any more money on repairs for my Troy-Bilt, therefore, I plan to purchase an Echo Gas Trimmer.

Pros: Pretty to look at.
Cons: Won't start!

Hardest thing to start I've ever seen. Don't waste time going to their website for help, you can't find it there!

Pros: EZ-Link
Cons: The EZ start lasted a month; poor/cheap construction

I received the TB25ET, the same as this, but with an additional edger attachment. It was a Christmas present and b/c I have bermuda grass, I didn't use until April. However, it lasted all of four months when the gas line blew out of the gas tank and spayed me and my yard with gas. I went to the authorized service dealer in my area and spoke to the store owner. He noticed that the plastic cover over the muffler was melting and deforming due to excessive heat and vibration. He also informed me that at least a dozen people return these every month or so, usually because the driveshaft is poorly designed and melts or deforms. He told me that he could fix it, but most likely would have other problems. Instead, he told me to get a refund and by a better trimmer (Husqvarna, Echo, Toro) b/c it would be worth the 20 extra dollars. Also, in case you have problems, don't by a ryobi...Troybilt and Ryobi are owned by the same company, so you will have the same problems.

Pros: Troy Bilt name.
Cons: BREAKS EASILY WITH NORMAL PRIVATE HOME USE, ATTACHMENT HAS POOR CONNECTION.

We bought ours May 5th, it was broken (head of trimmer broke, 3 feet below exchangeable attachment spot, it FELL off while trimmer was running) in under 60 days. We had also purchased the hedge trimmer and edger attachments.

Though the design seemed good for the attachment point, it never did fully tighten up and there was a 1-3 inch "play" at the blade area for the edger attachment. This made it unreliable at best, and dangerous if used next to concrete. In the end, we returned all the items to Lowe's... Thank GOODNESS for a 90 day return policy at Lowe's, or we'd have wasted $400 total on the three items.

I would not buy another Troy Bilt trimmer or other small lawn equipment. The mower I have is also Troy Bilt, so far it's working ok. But we just bought it in May also.

Pros: Cost, attachments seemed like a nice feature
Cons: Performance, durability

I purchased the trimmer with an edger attachment-around $220 for both. Of the 6 or 7 Troy Bilt trimmers offered, mine was the 3rd least expensive. So not the top of the line but not the bottom rung either. Turned out to be a very poor purchase.
The machine did fine trimming grass. I switched to the edging attachment and within 10 minutes of use the trimmer began to emit smoke. Shut it down and resumed 45 minutes later. Same story. When I tried to start it later the start cord would not retract after I tried to start it.
Fine-I just got a fluke unit that slipped through the cracks. Returned it, got a replacement of the same unit and I'm good to go.
Not so, the second trimmer did the same thing. I got a refund on the trimmer, stuck with an edging attachment however. This is a horrible product.
Good luck Troy Bilt. You need to rethink some product design or dump your lower end trimmers before more guys like me are forever turned off by your products.

Pros: Attachments. 4 stroke no mixing oil
Cons: Inner connecting shaft wears out fast rendering the unit (and the expensive attachments) useless.

Run away from Troy Bilt trimmers

This is a terrible product. Troy Bilt shaft inside piece that connects the attachment is made of extremely cheap material. When the attachment inner rod turns fast it wears out this cheap inner rod connection. I had I replaced within the warranty. Then it went off again 4 months after the warranty. Now I am stuck with several attachments and cannot use it. (Because the connection is worn off again). What’s the use of a motor that works Attachments if at the connection point is totally worn out?

Certainly a big risk and a waste of money to buy Troy Bilt with so many attachments costing many $$$$.

I think it’s made for less than 40-50 hrs of work.

Go for a commercial grade Echo. True that it will be two stroke & you need to mix oil & a bit expensive. But you won’t need to buy another for many years to come.

If you don’t believe me ask any professional lawn care person!!!

Pros: None
Cons: Cord will not retract. Useless!

Purchased TB25CS. This is my third season. Last season used very little. Mostly in storage. Cord won't go back in. My father (who is very good with small engines) coulnd't believe the gears were plastic. Melted....plastic. The cord will not retract. What a waste of money. DO NOT PURCHASE!!!

Pros: None
Cons: Poor quality, service, warranty, and response.

My experience with this product is awful. Bought the product for power and versatility of attachments. Out of owning it for a year, it has only been used 2 weeks, as the other weeks it was in service.

Troy Bilt customer service and warranty response is the worst experience I have ever had. Net effect is no trimmer and I'm out $200 for a trimmer used 2 weeks out of a year.