ECHO SRM-2620T Review: 25.4cc High Torque String Trimmer Pros and Cons

A string trimmer spins nylon line fast enough to cut grass and weeds where a mower cannot reach. The SRM-2620T is best at the heavy end of that job: thick weeds, tall grass along fence lines, ditch banks and long days of commercial trimming.

• High torque. ECHO's high torque designation means gearing at the head built to keep line turning under load, which helps heavier line push through dense stems instead of bogging down.
• Straight shaft reach. A straight shaft reaches under shrubs, decks and fence rails better than a curved shaft, and keeps the head farther from your feet. See straight vs curved shaft string trimmer.
• Speed-Feed head. ECHO designed the Speed-Feed head to reload line without taking the head apart, which saves minutes every refill on a big property.
• Unlimited runtime. Refueling takes a minute, so there is no battery rotation on long days.
• Built for daily use. ECHO positions this model for professional crews, which is the durability standard owners pay for.

The biggest drawback for a homeowner is cost against need. At $479.99 it costs far more than the Husqvarna 130L ($279.00), which lists a 28cc engine and an 18 inch cutting width, and more than the EGO ST1623T battery kit, which lists a 16 inch swath and up to 60 minutes per charge. On a suburban lot trimmed once a week, you will not wear out a cheaper trimmer, so the commercial build goes unused.

The second drawback is the thin listing. It names the engine, head and shaft, but not the weight, cutting swath, line diameter, fuel tank size or warranty. You also take on 2-stroke ownership: mixed fuel, noise that calls for hearing protection, vibration on long sessions and carburetor trouble if fuel sits for months. Get ECHO's spec sheet before buying.

It is a 2-stroke engine, so it runs on gasoline mixed with 2-stroke oil. ECHO specifies a 50:1 mix for its 2-stroke engines, which is 2.6 ounces of oil per gallon; confirm the ratio in the SRM-2620T manual and use the two-cycle mix ratio calculator for other amounts. ECHO Power Blend Gold bottles each mix one gallon, and VP Racing SEF 50:1 premix avoids mixing and ethanol.

The listing does not state the line diameter the Speed-Feed head takes, so check the label on the head or the manual, then use the string trimmer line size chart. If your head is rated for .095 inch line, a spool such as MaxPower .095 in. twisted line suits thick weeds. Never fit metal wire or a blade the manual does not approve.

These are recurring themes in published owner reviews, summarized as consensus rather than our own use. Review volume and quality vary by listing, so read them as tendencies, not guarantees.

Praise themes

• Strong cutting power in thick weeds and tall grass.
• Durability that holds up to regular professional use.
• Speed-Feed reloading is quick compared with take-apart heads.
• Parts and service are easy to find through ECHO dealers.

Complaint themes

• Heavier and more tiring than homeowner and battery trimmers.
• Vibration and noise over long sessions.
• Hard starting or poor running after old or ethanol fuel sits in the carburetor.
• The price is high for occasional residential use.

Buy it if

• You trim acreage, ditches or dense weeds every week in season.
• You run a landscaping business or trim for hours at a time.
• You want a straight shaft and quick line reloading.
• You are comfortable maintaining a 2-stroke engine.

Skip it if

• You trim a typical suburban lot; the EGO ST1623T is quieter and simpler.
• You want gas power at a homeowner price; the Husqvarna 130L costs much less.
• You want a cordless professional trimmer; the DEWALT DCST972X1 lists a 15 to 17 inch swath.
• Noise ordinances or neighbors make gas equipment a problem.

Warranty: the listing does not state warranty terms. ECHO publishes separate consumer and commercial coverage, and commercial terms are usually shorter, so confirm the SRM-2620T coverage for your intended use with ECHO or a dealer and register the trimmer.

Engine certification: gas engines sold for outdoor power equipment in the US must be certified to EPA emissions standards, and equipment sold in California must also be CARB certified. The emissions label is on the engine. A model listed as 49-state compliant is not sold or shipped to California.

Recalls: check the CPSC recall database at cpsc.gov/Recalls for this model before you buy, and again once a year after you own it. Search by brand and model number, and register the product with the manufacturer so a recall notice reaches you directly.