Ryobi PLT3043YE Petrol Strimmer

Have had a 25cc Ryobi strimmer for some time. Initially very difficult to start, so much so that the plastic pawl rotor in the recoil starter wore out after not much use, but out of guarantee. So replaced and bought a further spare just in case. Key to that is plenty of WD40 in the works as the pawls stick. Starting - use medium choke and pull through 5 or six times before turning on ignition to flood carb, then try. Still a poor starter though, then runs for only 15 mins or so until hot, cuts out, have to leave to cool down. Other 2 stroke appliances I've got start and run fine. This one is utter rubbish, I'll not be buying Ryobi again.

Three hours use saw the units drive shaft round off and leave the Ryobi PLT3043YE Petrol Strimmer out of action. Clearly poor componants and dreadful quality control. I could have kicked myself, there is a reason Makita, Stihl etc are more money, they work!

for the price i paid 12 months ago, around £80 it does its job,

would not buy one again, not happy with the quality of the cutting

i had a japanese make cost me £250, that was superb cutting quality and stronger, when i bought the ryobi it would not start had to phone the helpline,who tried to say the petrol was old, even though i just bought it. had to de flood the engine, when the engine is hot it will not start, would not endorse it at all. rather put the extra money together and buy a better make.

I have to plan my work without turning off the machine as my Ryobi PLT3043YE Petrol Strimmer won't start when hot - this includes changing heads - which is a potential danger. I have the strimmer & hedge trimmer attachments - I have just bought a Mowerland Multi cutter to use as a pruner & brush cutter for the same price as buying the Ryobi Brush cutter & Pruner Attachment. I now have two machines that I can switch between when the Ryobi won't start.

I don't see why the plastic bump head can't be manufactured from steel as this seems to be a weak point.

Decisions, decisions, do I have it repaired again, by which time I will have paid more in repair costs than I paid for the m/c or do I buy one from another manufacturer.

This Ryobi PLT3043YE Petrol Strimmer is a 30cc 2 stroke brush cutter - part of the ryobi expandit range. it accepts all the expandit fittings - brush cutter, hedge trimmer, chainsaw pruner etc.

I have had this for over a year and use it once every two weeks or so for about 3-4 hours each time. When I first bought it it was difficult to start because like all men I did not read the instructions. I can now start it within two or three pulls.

I have read reviews of similar machines where people say it is impossible to start - read the instructions and use the correct oil petrol mix and you will not go wrong. When the motor fires up on cold you need to hold the trigger slightly for the next pull - then you will be away.

The brush cutter is quite brutal and it is easy to shred the cutting cable. I have had no problems with the cable feed mechanism - push it down on a concrete slab slightly and more cable will come out automatically.

The hedge trimmer is superb. Very powerful and has a good reach. You can also buy an extension bar if you have really high hedges. I always spray with WD40 before use.

The pruner is also very good although I wish they had allowed the bar of this attachment to be removeable to make close work easier.

I do not have any other attachments but I guess they would be equally as good - although why would you buy an edger and a tiller to use with this kit?

Overall a well built bit of equipment that can be easily stored on the garage wall.

highly recommend