Earthquake 28463 M205 Trimmer with 150cc 4-Cycle Viper Engine Walk Behind String Mower, Red/Black

I really like this mower overall. It starts easily, runs smoothly, is easy on gas, relatively quiet, and cuts well. For the most part it seems to be sturdily built, without any critical parts being made of weak plastic. I've cut a lot of tall grass and heavy weeds with it on very rough ground and it has handled everything pretty much as I would expect. You do however have to know what you are dealing with.First of all, this isn't a brush hog. People who seem to expect a string mower to plow through waist-high grass or heavy brush are deluding themselves. Consider the mechanism by which it cuts: there is virtually no rotating mass, which makes it safer, but means it can't force its way through heavy growth. The answer is that you use the left edge and take small bites. Taking a half-width pass at a slow walking speed I can go through grass that is about 2 feet tall. The trick is to listen to it and not allow it to overload. The only thing allowing it to cut is the speed of the line tip. Every blade of grass it hits slows that a bit, be aware of how much you are slowing the line and you won't have any problems. By using the left edge it continually pushes the cut material out of the way and it doesn't clog up the cutting path. Know your machine and how it works and you won't have problems.There are, however, two areas where the Earthquake falls short. One is that it tends to wrap a lot of grass/weeds around the shaft and into the area between the "shield" and the shaft. This gets packed full and I'm sure is robbing some of the power because of the friction on the shaft. A couple times it actually got so packed it started smoking from the friction. A few minutes work with a knife to cut it clear helped, but in order to completely clean it out you have to remove the cutter head. Relatively easy to do, but you shouldn't have to and even after cleaning it out it just packs full as soon as you start cutting again.The second problem is with the width of the handlebars. I have very rough ground on a slope. I find it difficult to control the Earthquake because I can't get any leverage on the handles. I'm pretty sure they are designed the way they are to keep the overall width narrow for shipping and possibly storage, but it really needs the handlebars to be at least a foot wider so that you can get the torque you need to maneuver it. I'm probably going to be creating a bit of a home-brew modification to address this problem just to cut down on the cussing when I'm using it.Be aware that if you are cutting along woven wire fences or around rough rocks or concrete chunks you will go through line at a phenomenal rate. Just cutting grass (tall, with heavy weeds and some small blackberry vines) I can go for about 2 tanks of gas before I have to replace the line. Around the garden with the wire fence I replace the line about twice per tank of gas.I give this 5 stars despite the small issues because it seems to be the best of its type. None of the others have wider handlebars and they all have issues with stuff wrapping around and into the cutter head. Twine wear is just the nature of the beast.

I ordered my Earthquake Weed Trimmer on Aug 13 2019 and it arrived on Aug 19 2019 by UPS. I opened box and removed the machine and it was assembled including the trimmer line. I had to unfolded the handlebar and tighten the adjustment knob. I added 15 oz of oil out of the provided 20 oz bottle using a funnel and added 86 fuel with stabilizer added due to ethanol. I pump the bubble 3 times let it set about 30 seconds so the fumes could expand as it had not been started. I turned the run switch on and gave one pull of the cord and the Earthquake started immediately. It did smoke for about 20 seconds as the instruction foretold. The engine runs like a champ and is not as loud as my push lawn mower. The Earthquake is easy to push and maneuver and is very well balanced. The cutting platform is set from the factory at maximum height and I will probably lower it some. I cut some 2 ft weeds to see how the Earthquake performed and it was terrific. I lot easier than trying to cut with my push gas lawn mower. I will up date my evaluation as time passes but I am hoping for the best. I did register my purchase via internet but can not get getearthquake.com to allow me to sign in as a returning customer. Their system may need some time to update.UPDATE My Earthquake was manufactured according to the attached sticker in Oct 2017. The trimmer line that was installed at that time was very brittle and did not last long at all. I did order at the same time I ordered my Earthquake "Cyclone CY155D1-12 0.155-Inch by 105-Feet Commercial Trimmer Line, Red" and it was really good. I have run my Earthquake maybe two hours now and it is working very well and doing a terrific job. On my 4th tank of gas. Update 1-20-2020 Shawn (Ardisam) was able to reset my account so now I can access the website.UPDATE May 24 2020 ... I have reached out to Customer Service as the cutting lines do not quickly engage when I compress the Hand Bar/Clutch Bar. The cutting lines take a few seconds to many seconds to engage and begin to rotate. Sometimes I have to turn the engine off and hand rotate the dome and then start engine and try again. I will update again once the frustrating hiccup is address.UPDATE June 2020 ... Customer Service responded via email and with JPEG showing me how to adjust cable on Clutch Bar. Customer Service is good and responsive!! I am still enjoying the Earthquake. I still recommend it and have successfully helped a friend buy one for himself.

Have some high grass at our hunting camp and this thing really does a nice job whacking them down. Easy to start, multiple adjustments to position the handle and pretty easy to use. Also, the line used to trim was a great quality and almost looked like new even after an hour of trimming. Nice unit!

This is the first review I have ever written (usually just delete/trash the request). I read the reviews of this machine before buying it and there were some complaints (like with every panel of reviewers). I am very satisfied with this machine's ability to chop down 4-5 foot high, 1" plus thick stems, and 1/4 to maybe 3/8" saplings. If there are users having problems it is probably not the machine. It does take a touch of finesse when using the machine. It is not a lawn mower that you can push into what it is that you would like to remove. The swath is tremendous, just use it intelligently and tactically. The line is very durable (if you use the machine intelligently). I have cleared over a half acre of wooded land (littered with downed trees, rock and brick piles and more-again using the machine wisely) area. The 150 cc engine is incredible and the clutch engage and disengage make the use of the machine very controllable. With all that said, there is still the truth that, "If it is built by humans, there will always be a piece of crap (being nice there)" in the batch. This is an incredible machine and as a former heavy equipment operator, that is how I use it...to its limits but intelligently.