I use Husqvarna Titanium line on my FS130. I rarely brag about the performance of something, but hands-down this line is the best there is- buy and you won't be disappointed. Some blackberries require a bit of effort, but for the bulk of them this setup will rip through them, and do so without the vibrations that one can get with blades (especially if you hit really hard stuff).
Seems they don't make Titanium line in .155 size. We are actually tying to bump up to .170 size but Sthil havn't yet built the heads to hold it.
I was mentioning in response to folks dealing with blackberries: I have a few years of experience with these
If your line keeps breaking off, you need stronger line. Years ago we tried 095. then 130 and ended up with .155. Now we are trying to switch to a larger size. Do you see the pattern here? For those who haven't tried a cam lock string head before, it takes less than 60 seconds to change strings. They do cut swamp grass, weeds, tree shoots and berries. And since they are strings, they don't care if you hit a fence or rocks. We rarly use steel blades any more.I was mentioning in response to folks dealing with blackberries: I have a few years of experience with these
As to size, I believe it's .105, spool line. Strength is a big factor. I need length and strength for cutting larger swaths of grass, so spooled line is a requirement for me.
That's one possibility. MATERIALS, however, matter.
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No not really cheating, but you have more $$$ than we do!
You also can't use that on single track trails which we do miles of each summer.. If you go back a few posts you'll note, we are trying to get a tow-behind flail mower for logging roads we do.
(sometimes my dog will help by chewing, though I don't encourage her to chew on blackberries- she just feels like she needs to help).
Maybe a little history would be good. We started running large string when another club borrowed us there old husky they had put a 2 string head on it that would hold .155. This was about 20 years ago. After using that we got our own and used it alongside steel blades on other units. And over the years we tried every string diameter and style was tested and found the larger was better and we could cut much more as the sizes went up. We typically would have one steel and two string units running at the same time. Since we had volunteers with us using machines, the steel balded ones would be knocked into rocks all the time, sparks go flying so we didn't like to give them to some folks.That's one possibility. MATERIALS, however, matter.
I have to cut large swaths of grass (between fence and ditch): if not for the ditch I'd be running a tractor. Thicker and stronger material is going to beat the snot out of my fence: the .105 line is more than a match (at speed) for the metal fencing! (while it's not going to break the stays it DOES bend them- which is why I pulse trigger when running right up along the fence; also swing the trimmer so that it's rotating in the same direction I'm want to cut as this reduces the overall, apparent, speed to soften the inevitable blow to the fence's vertical stays).
And, yes, I understand how to use a string trimmer. Thick stuff you drop down on: but if it's really hard/thick, you're going to have to saw- one could hardly think to drop a chainsaw on top of a tree!
Over those years, we pretty much tried all string types and manufactures. Some would cut better, but might last less long, so its a trade off. Today we stick with string we get in 3 pound spools and its pretty reasonably priced in bulk. Like this.
Yeah, the offset flail was spendy but not that much more than the old brushog I had to replace anyway. The flail does double duty in the pasture as well as the trails. It also makes quick work of the side & overhanging growth which the brushog wouldn't.No not really cheating, but you have more $$$ than we do!
here is the one most likely we'd get. trail clearing technique and tools
The Champan mower sure looks heavier duty than that one. Cost about twice as much too.
To the best of my knowledge, Champan just started selling mowers in NA this past year, so I expect few reviews. They only build tow behind types. Yes its a risk it might be poor but it still "looks" better built than many others.
Do note that pole saws, are chain saws. We are in the northern hardwood forest here so it must be different that yours woods. Nonetheless, pole saws are under utilized by many folks.
