Echo SRM-2620T

[Mike C.]

Hi guys,
I bought this trimmer 5 years ago,and as expected,it's 3 months over the warranty and it's falling apart.I converted this unit to bicycle handles because of a shoulder issue,and the left handle broke off yesterday.Cheap quality aluminum tubing,I guess.

Previously, I discovered that the plastic liner/cable support that runs the length of the main pipe and drives the gear-head ,is breaking apart.When I pulled the cable out to grease it,a bunch of broken plastic is in the grease.

I downloaded the parts manual and discovered they don't sell just the plastic "liner",they make you buy the whole assembly-the aluminum pipe with liner and caps installed.Why in hell do you suppose that is? I've seen just the liner offered for other Echo trimmers,I wonder why they don't offer that part for the 2620?

How difficult is it to remove that liner/cable support?If I can find one of the appropriate dimensions can I just install it and be done?

The complete assembly itself doesn't seem all that expensive,but they shove it up your backside on the shipping because the aluminum tube is considered "oversized".I live quite a ways from the nearest dealer,the local one folded with the deaths of the two owners,so I'll probably order on line.Would be nice if I could buy just the inner liner.

Any thoughts? Thanks. Mike C.

 

[EFSM]

Where is the plastic stuck onto the drive cable? If it is at one of the ends, it could be that the little rubber plug at the end melted from contacting the clutch drum or gear case bearings, and transferred onto the cable. depending on how the unit is stored, the plastic liner can slide up or down the shaft while hanging. There is not really anything to retain it other than the little plastic rubber plugs. Some of the fixed shaft pole saws use a lock ring to keep it from sliding. I wish Echo would use that on the trimmers as well.They do recommend greasing them every 25 hours of use. If you do need a new liner, all the echo straight shafts are the same length, it’s just that the holes are at different places, depending on the model.
By the way, Stihl solid shafts are not all roses. They are square drive ends tend to round off over time and ruin the clutch drum and gear case as well. Splined steel driveshafts like Redmax, Shindaiwa, Kawasaki, Husqvarna, and Echo have all used are much better.

 

[Brad Button]

https://sleequipment.com/products/echo-and-shindaiwa-genuine-part-c050003300-main-pipe-assy-srm-225-a?srsltid=AfmBOoosUwTJ41yKPIBiVbXjcUvni5-ZEXo_1Zb1qy35gZ5ME87vk5yU

$42.49 including shipping.