trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

I've seen them but always figured they were a total pita the have to re string all the time instead of a bump head.
Are they worth it time wise. It's already annoying winding a spool of 105 every 20 min of cutting

Gee Elven, we need to get you updated with a proper string head. Like you, I hate re-spooling those coil string heads and will never-ever go back to them. And more important that .155 thick string can cut serious weeds and tree shoots. Bad thing is they'll shoot rocks like bullets and can damage house parts. My spouse knocked the glass out of a our truck that was parked near by. Seen below is a string bundles we go into the field with and we can change out strings, in less than 60 seconds. We use a line-men pliers to do that.

 

[Elvenhome21]

My dad had one of those 4 wheeled weedwackers prob 17 years ago and it had a head that used strips of strings like that and it was a pita to change them. Granted good quality string has come a long way in durability but the memory is still there.

 

[ArlyA]

My dad had one of those 4 wheeled weedwackers prob 17 years ago and it had a head that used strips of strings like that and it was a pita to change them. Granted good quality string has come a long way in durability but the memory is still there.

There are quite a few varieties and stiffness of string out there. We found the more flexible stuff lasts longer, but cuts slightly less. Nonetheless, we buy it by the roll and it costs little and we sometimes go all day with the same string. Then on other days, it last 2 hours. Trees and rocks chew them up fast. In the above photos I didn't change any string but I can't guess what your weeds and shoots are like..

 

[ArlyA]

This is me cutting and making new string bundles. The sharpie marks are the length.

 

[airbiscuit]

Fun times.

 

[lennyzx11]

Gee Elven, we need to get you updated with a proper string head. Like you, I hate re-spooling those coil string heads and will never-ever go back to them. And more important that .155 thick string can cut serious weeds and tree shoots. Bad thing is they'll shoot rocks like bullets and can damage house parts. My spouse knocked the glass out of a our truck that was parked near by. Seen below is a string bundles we go into the field with and we can change out strings, in less than 60 seconds. We use a line-men pliers to do that.View attachment 701876View attachment 701877

I’m also in need of an update. Running a bump head with .090 line on a Stihl Kombi KM90.

Any specific recommendations to the head and line replacements?

 

[jmc]

Gee Elven, we need to get you updated with a proper string head. View attachment 701876

Anybody ever try aircraft cable? (Quick search shows .093 and .125 diameters.)

 

[kenmbz]

isn't that covered metal ?

 

[ArlyA]

I’m also in need of an update. Running a bump head with .090 line on a Stihl Kombi KM90.

Any specific recommendations to the head and line replacements?

Here is the two string heads we run. The one on the right is a Stihl head we just got and so far, seems fine. I was worried its lager diameter with 4 strings would drag the engines HP down but it works fine.

The left one is what Echo sells and lots of other company's sell and all look and work the same. We run these right against the ground. Does that cover all your questions???

 

[two_bit_score]

Is that the .155 line?

 

[ArlyA]

Is that the .155 line?

Yes, we had hoped to switch to .170 but Sthil has yet came out with the new head.

 

[ArlyA]

Anybody ever try aircraft cable? (Quick search shows .093 and .125 diameters.)

I'd suggest you try 155 string first. Having used 155 for many years and limited time with 170, we are not looking for cable.

 

[two_bit_score]

Which head do you use for the .170 line?

 

[Liquidsilver]

I don't take any string into the trails because I'm dealing with taller grasses, blackberries (thorns) and 3/8" face-slappers.

I found a blade like this for my Echo trimmer and it's extremely helpful. Rocks don't seem to bother it and it will take out stuff just under 1-inch. It's been great for me.

 

[ArlyA]

Which head do you use for the .170 line?

We tried them in the in the "standard" three string heads but they came out to readily. They'd stay in, then loose one so it wasn't worth it. But i'd guess the manufacturer didn't plan on someone using that large of string. This is why we are excited to use the new 170 head from Stihl.

 

[two_bit_score]

I use the Stihl version of that 3 point blade and it cuts through some tough stuff very well.

 

[ArlyA]

I don't take any string into the trails because I'm dealing with taller grasses, blackberries (thorns) and 3/8" face-slappers.

I found a blade like this for my Echo trimmer and it's extremely helpful. Rocks don't seem to bother it and it will take out stuff just under 1-inch. It's been great for me.

View attachment 702121

We discontinued the use of steel blades due to the rock problem. Like they are everywhere here! Plus we couldn't run them against the ground and there cutting radius is so small. Today we hope to completely swtich over to .170 string which will take out pretty large shoots and doesn't care if you have rocks or not. We have used .155 for years. This new and larger string really works well on tree shoots and if it doesn't outright cut them off, it beats the life out of them anyway.

 

[two_bit_score]

We tried them in the in the "standard" three string heads but they came out to readily. They'd stay in, then loose one so it wasn't worth it. But i'd guess the manufacturer didn't plan on someone using that large of string. This is why we are excited to use the new 170 head from Stihl.

Ok, but you don’t actually have a .170 head yet, right? Because they are not available.

 

[ArlyA]

Ok, but you don’t actually have a .170 head yet, right? Because they are not available.

Correct. None are available at this time.

 

[ArlyA]

Suggestion for all people who'd like to knock down heavy weeds and tree shoots. Even bushes in some cases. Get a .155 string head for your power head. These cut much quicker and more safely, than steel blades do.