Strengths Relatively the same as the TB575SS that I purchased in late May,2008!! It's 4 cycle and Troy-Bilt, supposedly.

Weaknesses The SpeedSpool SUX. Started feeding line on it's own before the first 10hr oil change! THEN, I find it's a fraud .... a lowly MTD! Suggested replacement spool and bump started within 20+ minutes. I can go to Yard Sales and get usable weedeaters for the cost to replace what's required for a new SpeedSpool unit. I find that an old Ryobi is almost identical and with an easily replacable trimmer head. The last Troy Bilt Tiller my Dad and I bought was in the early '60s. Quit running in '96 when magnets came loose in flywheel. This piece of junk malfunctioned in less than 2 months.

Overall I am 65/retired, auto mechanic, weldor and millwright by trade. I built many performance engines and meticulous cleanliness was a habit. This SpeedSpool was continually cleaned during use. Also, so far, I have been unable to find any information/diagrams to aid in the possible repair of this supposedly damaged spool! There will be no more Troy-Bilt units purchased by me.

Strengths Starts every time without fail, on old gas, and has plenty of power to get through the tough stuff. Light, easy to swap attachments. Comfortable easy to adjust handle and strap.

Weaknesses None that I have found yet. (4 years)

Overall I am very pleased with this purchase and have used the trimmer and attachments on average 1 hour per week for the 4 years I have owned it.

Strengths The engine runs fine.

Weaknesses The top drive shaft is defective; as others have mentioned here and other places on internet, it wears out after only about 2 years, right when the warranty quits. I called customer service and spoke with Van (800-800-7310). He claims that the unit worked as it should for 2 years under the warranty; that the drive shaft is designed for 2 years worth of service and that it is a wear and tear item that needs to be replaced from time to time. I told him that is ridiculous, then he hung-up on me. Nice....

Overall With a defective driveshaft ($45+shipping), the rest of the unit is useless. I will have to throw it away and purchase a non MTD related replacement. There are other machines for same money that are better. I would certainly stay away from anything Troy-built, or under the umbrella of MTD Products. Customer service will stonewall you forever; they must go home everynight worried that their company will be there in the morning.

Strengths East to start when new-Good torque-quick change for impliments- fairly quiet.

Weaknesses Carburators are junk-I have 2 of these and they developed the same hard to start problem. Both have carb problems, the local shop won't even try to fix the carb, they replace them. I keep the air cleaners very clean, just a poor design carb.

Overall Sorry I bought it, I got suckered in by the Troy Built name. The engine is a Ryobi!

Strengths no mixing fuel with oil

Weaknesses tubes that feed the fuel supply and return line just fell off one day (after 2 years). Looks like they should have used better quality material. Now they want three bucks a tube and 6 bucks shipping for something that should last the life of the trimmer. (in my opinion)

Overall quality seems to be lacking

Strengths good power,easy to start

Weaknesses I used the first one about 20 hours when it wuold not run abve idle.Exchanged foa new one.The second one had the same problem after about 20 hours of use.After working on it ,got it torun again.At this point,the drive shaft wallowed out and was useless.

Overall p.o.s.

Strengths Power and easy to start with no fuss mixing oil with gas.

Weaknesses Upper drive shaft end wallowed out, so attachments do not turn. Poor design, Troy-bilt not owning up to design flaw. Cost $50 for redesigned shaft assembly. Used at residence.

Overall Good tool if new shaft assembly addresses coupling problem.

Strengths Easy Start, no gas mixing, 4cycle engine, heavy cutting line .095, curved shaft, light weight all this makes it a very good, easy to use string Trimmer.

Weaknesses Used approx 1 time a week, for 3 months. The cable that turns the cutting head broke. It was well lubricated. Seems to be a defect in manufacturing as it was in no way mistreated. Normal use about 1.5 to 2 hours per week.

Overall It seems to be worth the purchase price, if they could correct this one defect. I gave the reliability as a 1 considering the defect.

Strengths Flexibility of use. Easy starting, 0.95 line easy to reload spool. This trimmer did it all, until...

Weaknesses Drive Shaft attachment design. Other review suggest weakness at flexible shaft...never saw it. However, made fatal error and did not fully engage attachment then started moter. The lower drive shaft stripped receiver end...where drive shaft mates with drive shaft. Its a squared off receptical that receives the male end of the drive shaft. The parts diagram for this area is vey poor and I spent $35 ordering the wrong part. This should have been better engineered and clearly repairable.

Overall I loved this trimmer for 2 years, but a simple error, poor engineering, and part failure le...look for another.

Strengths Quiet, clean 4-cycle engine produces loads of torque. Lightweight when compared to many 2 cycle units. Prime bulb makes for easy cranking

Weaknesses Lower unit flexable drive shaft broke after about 18 hours. Driving to the nearest service center cost more than a new shaft. I welded a new end on the shaft, but it broke in another place after about 5 minutes. The high torque engine has more power than the drive shaft in the curved models will handle.

Overall Good product, but the lower unit drive shaft needs to be stronger, or better yet, just get a straight shaft model. A new drive shaft at $30 after just 15 hours raises the overall price to nearly $200