trail clearing technique and tools

[Val Padana]

Experience is your friend.

Be aware that the thicker the trimmer line the quicker your clutch will wear out, and more fuel will be used.

I use 3.0mm Stihl line on my Honda b/c, and wear out clutch shoes. OEM shoes are expensive, aftermarket shoes from evilBay are not and perform just as well if not better. Best to inspect the shoes for wear regularly and replace before the clutch drum gets scored.

 

[dodge man]

My problem was I bought two rolls of Oregon trimmer line from Amazon several years ago, something like 400 feet of it. I just don’t go through that much line so it got old. If you go through a lot of line quickly, trying to keep it wet is probably a waste of time.

 

[ArlyA]

My problem was I bought two rolls of Oregon trimmer line from Amazon several years ago, something like 400 feet of it. I just don’t go through that much line so it got old. If you go through a lot of line quickly, trying to keep it wet is probably a waste of time.

We buy it in rolls as well and it takes us a 3 or more years to use up.. Maybe it being kept in our basement is helpfull?

 

[Bearsixty7]

I did read up on nylon and see it does indeed absorb a micro amount of water. Nonetheless, when we are whacking our way through whatever weeds-n-shoots, green juice gets flung everywhere. So trying to keep them wet in advance was not worth the hassle so we don't do it.

I believe the intent is to store it wet to keep it from drying out during storage over time, not for it to be wet during use.

 

[ArlyA]

Be aware that the thicker the trimmer line the quicker your clutch will wear out, and more fuel will be used.

I use 3.0mm Stihl line on my Honda b/c, and wear out clutch shoes. OEM shoes are expensive, aftermarket shoes from evilBay are not and perform just as well if not better. Best to inspect the shoes for wear regularly and replace before the clutch drum gets scored.

We've not worn out a clutch on any of the various machines we've operated over the years, including Honda's All using .155 string in them which is much larger than 3mm. Now I'm jinxed?

 

[ning]

We've not worn out a clutch on any of the various machines we've operated over the years, including Honda's All using .155 string in them which is much larger than 3mm. Now I'm jinxed?

We've used .155 for 20 years, no clutch issues either?

 

[Val Padana]

Have you actually had a look at the shoes? There's no noticeable difference in performance, sound, feel when the friction material is completely worn away, and the drums are very tough but will get scored eventually if it's just metal to metal.

Happened to my Huskys and one of my Hondas (so far), but I really give them a workout with line and metal blades, tackling rough brush and attack ~ 5 cm saplings with a vengeance. And wear down blades on rocks, and cutting weeds down to ground level or below.

Toughest blades I've found are Stihl's BrushCut which fit the Hondas. I sharpen them after every use, they work best when very sharp, but of course they shrink in diameter fairly rapidly - I consider them as consumables.

Have a look on eBay, there's several versions of aftermarket b/c shoes and drums for the different brands, it's not just me wearing them out

For Hondas there's aftermarket Heavy Duty shoes available, that's what I've bought.

Easy to check the wear, just undo the screws holding the housing to the motor.

 

[ning]

Happened to my Huskys and one of my Hondas (so far), but I really give them a workout with line and metal blades, tackling rough brush and attack ~ 5 cm saplings with a vengeance. And wear down blades on rocks, and cutting weeds down to ground level or below.

yeah it's crazy that the equipment may get worn out doing the *checks notes* things it's not designed to do?

 

[ArlyA]

yeah it's crazy that the equipment may get worn out doing the *checks notes* things it's not designed to do?

We've not worn out a clutch on any of the various machines we've operated over the years, including Honda's All using .155 string in them and/or steel cutting heads........

 

[2manyrocks]

I've not had clutch problems, either. The biggest problem is me getting worn out.