Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Bolens Trimmer - Never Heard of It - Opinions?

Saw them at Lowes today. 2 gas-powered trimmer models on display. Never heard of Bolens. I would guess its stuff lasts a couple of years then dies, or am I off-base here?

Update: Belay that! 100-or-so posts back I found what I was looking for and it substantiates my feelings about Bolens.

Todays Bolens is just another MTD with a different name.

Once upon a time , long, long ago... when engines were made of cast iron, and garden tractors ruled the land, Bolens was a respected and revered name in power equipment. But Bolens got aquired eventually by MTD and has been reduced to just a paint scheme on MTd equipment, just like Troy-Bilt. Kinda stinks that MTD trades on the old reputation of these good old brands, but I guess business is business.

I'll second that opinion. It's flat out deceptive IMO. Business is business like you said...good and bad, but if it puts money in a pocket, it will be done.

Let me see if I understand:

Nowadays Bolens edgers are MTD edgers painted to look like it was made by the original Bolens company, and Troy-Bilt lawn mowers are MTD lawn mowers painted to look like it was made by the original Troy-Bilt company, right?

And I assume that MTD (whatever that stands for) doesn't make particularly good equipment, right?

It isn't really fair to say MTD doesn't make good equipment, it's that the quality that is expected from the name you're buying such as Bolen or Troy-Bilt is not the same as the "original" manufacturers, however, as with any business there are three factors, Quality, Price and Service of those listed you can get only 2(two) from anyone, pick your 2(two) and the one not selected will suffer. Have a good one. Geo

Let me see if I understand:

Nowadays Bolens edgers are MTD edgers painted to look like it was made by the original Bolens company, and Troy-Bilt lawn mowers are MTD lawn mowers painted to look like it was made by the original Troy-Bilt company, right?

And I assume that MTD (whatever that stands for) doesn't make particularly good equipment, right?

Modern Tool and Die Company is what the letters stand for. Garden way (parent company of Troybilt at the time) aquired Bolens, Troybilt was eventually purchased by MTD. MTD does make some decent equipment (high end Cub Cadet), much of what they make are price point units, which are built cheap to sell cheap.