OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Trimmers and Brushcutters Ryobi Trimmers & Brushcutters Upgrade from Ryobi

So after using pretty much exclusively Ryobi whipper snippers I would like to use a whipper snipper that is more reliable in terms of starting and doens't give the fuel issues that Ryobi does. I've looked at some other forums and they suggest Stihl, Echo is also mentioned and Honda. You guys know your small engines and if you were looking for reliability time after time and ease of servicing, which one would you suggest? I don't need to use if often and don't have a big place but I do need it to be reliable.

Well 12 years ago I took the plunge and got the most expensive model from Bunnings, a Mitsubishi TU-26 powered Kaaz straight shaft weed wacker. (American I know but I like that name!)
It has been mechanically flawless and surprisingly quiet and smooth, with ideal power delivery for the job. More high end power than the Ryobi Weed Hornet I relied on beforehand.
Only issue has been a faulty fuel cap seal that drips fuel if you tilt it the wrong way. I don't fill the fuel tank so I just haven't bothered trying to fully rectify it.
I would recommend a Japanese made two stroke of 26cc capacity, based on that!!
My mate was given (!) a Stihl bent shaft domestic model and he says it has been very good and has a well designed bump feed head.

I use a Tanaka Japanese quality, light weight and quiet with the Purefire engine series, works great it's reliable and also easy to work on. It has a Walbro carburetor which I personally find a lot easier to service and tune than anything with a Zama carburetor.
All domestic Stihl models have a zama carburetor. They work fine as long as you use it regularly and don't let old fuel sit in it. Otherwise you pretty much change the whole carby. Works out cheaper than buying a carby kit.
Stick with Japanese and they go a long time, Kawasaki, Mitsubishi, Honda, Tanaka, Echo, Shindaiwa, many contractors use Shindaiwa power.

I have a Tillotson carburettor (made in Ireland) on my old Ryobi lawn hornet. The mower shop I took it to last time was surprised. He expected to find a Walbro or Zama.
It runs well and make a great sound, especially with the leaf blower attachment, which is it's main use now.

Well, Tillotson are after all, the originators of the diaphragm carby.

And for small OPE size engines at any rate, I reckon they may have been matched by Walbro et al, but they have not been bettered.