Echo Srm-210 Trimmer: A Weed Eater Review

Described by Echo as a "medium-duty commercial trimmer", the Echo SRM-210 is a reliable performer. This weed eater makes an excellent lawn trimmer, voraciously attacking even the toughest weed. When conditions call for something with a little more oomph, the SRM-210 is aggressive, but should not be relied upon exclusively for clearing large tracts of land.

The Specs

Features include a 21.2cc gasoline engine, 59 inch straight shaft, Echo's i-30 starting system with a Pro-fire Electronic ignition, a 17 inch cutting swath, and a standard 5 year consumer warranty. The Echo SRM-210 has slightly less power than a comparable Stihl trimmer, but it also carries a lower price tag.

The Field Test
After two years of light-duty professional landscaping and one year of abusive brush cutting, the Echo SRM-210 continues to start easily and run smooth. The trimmer bogs down while clearing patches of thick pasture grass, but with proper technique gets the job done.

Using an attachment with three metal brush cutters, or a saw blade, the trimmer will slowly cut through vine maples as large as 2 inches in diameter. The engine on the Echo trimmer is not designed for this workout, but has proved itself capable when the need arises. Where typical lawn grass is concerned, it's like a hot knife through butter. Ease off the throttle near landscape timbers, siding, and anything else you don't want destroyed. The Srm-210 will cut into expensive fence posts and shred a mobile home skirt with reckless abandon. With regular maintenance this engine should continue to run solidly for
several more years.

The Verdict

This trimmer is an average weight for its class, and could benefit from a harness (not included). The straight shaft makes it less ergonomic than its curved cousins, but more maneuverable for edging. These aspects aside, If you prefer a long straight shaft trimmer, you should be reasonably comfortable with the included U-handle for moderate periods of time.

In the hands of the average home owner, the life of the Echo SRM-210 trimmer should well exceed the 5 year consumer warranty. This machine is priced at the upper end of the consumer scale and the lower end of the commercial scale, and the performance is slightly better than the price reflects. "Medium-duty commercial trimmer" proves to be an accurate description. The SRM-210 grass trimmer excels at edging and weed control, and steps up to the plate when faced with more difficult cuts.