Echo X-Series String Trimmer Produces Eye-Popping Performance
When Echo announced its X-Series line we wanted to give each of these tools a thorough workout. An opportunity arose when our resident rancher, Eli Mosely , called me up. He needed a string trimmer that could handle long days and tough conditions. This seemed like a great opportunity to discover if the Echo X-Series string trimmer (SRM-410X) could handle the tough work of cleaning up a fenceline at a Central Florida ranch.
Pros
- Ample torque and speed
- Large 33.8-oz fuel tank
- Speed-Feed 450 trimmer head
- Made in the USA
- Harness included
Cons
- Heavy
- Head invites grass winding
Echo SRM-410X X-Series String Trimmer Field Notes
To create the SRM-410X, Echo took their commercial-grade SRM-410U brushcutter and removed the U-handle. So this Echo X-Series string trimmer has the power of a brushcutter—but with a string trimmer head. A happy side effect of this development also yields the ability to use a brushcutter blade if you so desire.
While the X-Series string trimmer started quite easily, the way Echo did the on/off switch confused us. As a rocker switch, when flipping it to the off position, it remains off. A better design would be for it to cut the engine and then flip back to the On position for restarting. Perhaps they feared accidental combustion and restarting. At one point, we pulled the cord several times before realizing the switch was in the off position.
We’d also like to see a tool-free system for checking and replacing the air filter. Currently, you need to use a screwdriver to remove the cover.
Additional Features
- Commerical-grade pleated air filter (not tool-free)
- 62-inch steel straight shaft
- Made in the USA!
Echo X-Series String Trimmer Performance
Echo dropped a 42.7cc engine on this X-Series trimmer. That motor would make Tim Allen grunt in satisfaction. Compared to residential models with 25cc to 30cc engines, the Echo SRM-410X achieves a completely different level of power.
When you use an engine that large, weight comes into play. On top of that, the 33.8-ounce fuel tank adds around 1.6 pounds of additional weight when filled. So you have a dry weight of 18.4 pounds. Fill up the tank, and you’re carrying just over 20 pounds as you trim.
For this reason, Echo includes a harness that connects directly to the trimmer shaft. This eases the burden considerably and transfers some of the weight off your arms—moving it to your legs.
The 42.7cc engine provided plenty of power to keep the wide 20-inch cutting swath going—even through tough weeds and brush. The Speed-Feed 450 head let us load up 0.105-inch line (it actually supports up to 0.130-inch). Echo ships the string trimmer with some 0.095-inch Black Diamond. That diameter should do wonders on residential jobs, however, we quickly switched to 0.105-inch for the ranch.
Trimming Thousands of Feet of Fence Line
The ranch has thousands of feet of fence line to trim. Bahia grass grow up around this line up to several feet in the air. You have to trim the actual fence line as well as each post. As we worked, the Echo X-Series string trimmer moved as quickly as we did. The line easily cut through and the motor had no trouble whatsoever keeping up the speed of the head—even when tearing into thicker patches.
We wore the harness. Between that and a design that minimized vibration, we worked on and off for several hours without getting exhausted.
During our testing, we did notice a potential hangup. This Echo X-Series trimmer has a fairly large gap above the trimmer head. It repeatedly let tall grass wrap around the head. We’d need to detangle it each time that happened. We’ve used other models that didn’t twist up so easily.
Echo SRM-410X X-Series String Trimmer Price
You can get your ranch hands on the Echo SRM-410X X-Series string trimmer for $549.99. Echo covers it with a 2-year commerical/5-year consumer warranty.
The Bottom Line
If you need a powerful string trimmer to handle tough grass species and brush cutting in neglected environments, the Echo SRM-410X X-Series string trimmer gets it done. It’s exactly what we were looking for to keep our ranch fence lines in check. While certainly capable of working on residential jobs, the weight might hold you back. Crews likely want a lighter-weight tool when they need to carry it around all day to use with basic grass trimming.
Echo SRM-410X String Trimmer Specs
- Engine Displacement: 42.7cc
- Shield: 2-in-1 shield for trimmer head or blade use
- Carburetor: Rotary
- Drive Shaft: Steel
- Fuel Capacity: 33.8 fl. oz.
- Dry Weight: 18.4 lbs.
- Shaft Length: 60.2 in.
- Cutting Swath: 20 in.
- Starting System: Recoil
- Cutting Head: Speed-Feed 450
- Warranty: 2-yr commercial/5-year consumer
- Price: $549.99
