String trimmer recommendations?

[IMCA38]

I'm thinking I need a new string trimmer to compliment my new tractor and RFM. I presently have a Weed-Eater brand that I bought at a year end sale about 9 years ago for $60-something. It works like a champ, I have never changed the plug, or even drained gas in the winter for that matter, and last night it still started on the 4th pull and ran great. My problem though is that when working on big weeds, or close to hard objects, the line will break off and go back inside the spool. This necessitates shutting the motor off, removing the cover off the spool, and re-threading the line out the hole in the side of the spool. This is annoying when it happens four or five times. The only way to combat this is to continually release more line as you cut, but then a spool of line will hardly make it once around the yard.
I notice that a lot of new trimmers have two lines coming out of the spool whereas mine only has one. Is this better, worse, or no different? How hard is it to re-string a two line spool as opposed to a single line spool? Does anyone have any recommendations as far as brands to look for or to avoid? What about the metal "ninja" brush cutter blades, is it desirable to get a trimmer with this option?
Any responses are appreciated!
Todd

 

[slowrev]

I have the same or similiar trimmer as you, at least 12 years old and works like a champ. If you use the star shaped line the breakage problem is much less, and it cuts better too. Also check for any rough spots or burrs in the metal guide where the string comes out of the spool, had that once and it would really break line off bad. Polished it up and all was well again. I am currently using Grass terminator brand of star type line. just about out and not sure if any more is out there. Have to try another brand I guess.

good luck

 

[Bird]

Todd, I've owned two electric and two gas string trimmers (in addition to the DR trimmer/mower) and I've used several others. There may be a better one out there, but the Stihl was the best I've used. I've noticed that lots of the commercial operators use Echo, and I understand they're really good, too. Of course you'll pay more for a Stihl or Echo but probably be glad you did. The two strings do work better than the single string, and it's really no harder to restring them. I assume you also know that the string comes in a variety of sizes (thicknesses) and the bigger stronger machines also use the heavier string.

 

[Will_C]

Todd, I just picked up a Stihl FS 85 a couple of weeks ago. It will handle normal trimming faster than I can walk! It also has done a great job reclaiming the back corners of my property from some heavy growth. The double line tap system that it has on it is a bit more complicated to string than a manual feed head (my favorite) but not unbearably so. I also have a lighter weight Husky trimmer than have used for 10 years.

 

[Timex]

I bought a top end Stihl several years ago which accepted the plastic blades. I got tired or replacing those everytime I caught a rock, so I made some quite effective blades out of 1/8" steel strap. Each of the three blades is about 4 inches long and 5/8" wide. That was 6 years ago. I have not had a problem with the blades - I DO have problems when I catch a piece of wire fence at 8,000 RPMs! I just had to learn to be careful. Those blades will girdle a tree in a heartbeat. I can go through a 1" weed tree if need be. Timex

 

[kubotasaurus]

I have an Echo 260 - works great with it's "Crossfire" line. For big weeds I just spin the engine up to maximum revs and it cuts them down. On my last go around the yard there was only one weed that it wouldn't take down in a neglected corner - had a very thick, fibrous stalk (prob 1/2"). I took many others down this size, but this seemed to be a mutant.

I am looking into the plastic blades to replace the "string" when I exhaust the current supply of string (still have over 200' on the spare spool). Really nice machine though - this is my second season and it always starts easy and has low vibration.

Has a good muffler guard too - have never had a burn. Spool head is easy to remove / tinker with and put back on. You will have to occasionally do that as no-one has designed a foolproof way to get line on the spool perfectly. It's a commercial grade trimmer though - and is reflected in the cost of around $300.

 

[gsganzer]

Buy a Husqavarna or a Stihl. I bought a Husky about 6 years ago and love it. Husky has one out now, that has interchangeable heads. You can swap between a string head, blade, edger, hedge trimmer etc. I saw it at NH Tool. I don't know how much weed wacking you have, but the ones with a harness and the handlebar configuration are a lot less tiring and more comfortable to use.

 

[rback33]

I just bought a new Toro trimmer at Home Depot. For $200, I got a the trimmer and blade and all necessary tools. It can also accept an edger, a pole saw and small tiller. It always starts right up if you follow the instructions. ( couldn't get it to start one day and figured out I did everything backwards, fixed it and it fired right up) Has more power than I could have imagined, especially since I had been using a Weedeater Featherlite. How did I ever survive?

 

[Docsknotinn]

I now use a Stihl FS85. Its amazeing, saves time and line. It can also use the steel blades for brush cutting, has sort of take down feature, I have the edger attachment as well. I had Ryobi in the past and killed two. Then a echo, a nice machine but it ate line like crazy. I had to replace the line every other week. The still takes heavier lines and I only have to change it a few times per season but I expect thats all relative to what you do with them and how much you use them. Dave

 

[gotrocks]

Hi Todd,
If you haven't already purchased a new trimmer. Consider the route I took.
Bought a new "cutter head", with a spool of extra heavy line.
When the lines wear out or snap off just stick a new cut section into the hole provided that has a "one way" hold. Takes just a moment and keep on trimming.
The kit I found also had a metal 4 tooth blade for real heavy blackberry stalks and the like.

Since you say you old trimmer is still running like a champ this would be something to consider.