Walk Behind String Trimmer ??

[2manyrocks]

My experience with the walk behind trimmer when I had one was that the line was really tough, but not suited to cutting brush. I ended up selling it because it was a bear to use on a hillside, and because I found that a metal weedblade was superior to any line for cutting through thick material.

Seemed like there used to be some kind of wheel attachment you could put on a handheld weedeater. Has anyone used one?

 

[cdavid1944]

I have an old DR and a new Stihl string trimmer. Both have the nylon (plastic) blade attachment and eliminate the string problem altogether. I cut grass in my ditch that was 3-4' tall with the Stihl and it didn't flinch. They don't cut next to chain link fence very well but everything else is fair game.

 

[DrRod]

I have an old DR and a new Stihl string trimmer. Both have the nylon (plastic) blade attachment and eliminate the string problem altogether. I cut grass in my ditch that was 3-4' tall with the Stihl and it didn't flinch. They don't cut next to chain link fence very well but everything else is fair game.

I have an old [mid 80's] Stihl hand held and it came with plastic finger blades and a metal disk. Since I have more brush than grass I hardly ever put the plastic gadget back on. The metal disk cuts anything -- even woody stuff -- up to and beyond the diameter of your thumb.

I also have a late 90's DR Field and Brush Mower. I have never purchased anything that so exceeded the claims of the manufacturer. It cuts anything you can push over. As long as the belt is tight and the grass is dry it never bogs down at all. Grass over four feet can wind around the blade hub especially if wet but that is a pretty extreme application so can't complain.

I think the engine is 8.5 HP and it can be a hard pull when first getting it started. Also, it is heavy. It pulls itself and I can even "lean back" while holding the handles to get a little pull on me going up hill. But wrestling it through a turn at the end of a row -- especially on a hill -- can be quite tiring. I tend to mow in loops so I don't have to do a 180 turn each time. If I ever get another I will get the model with reverse. Of course, if you're younger than me that might not be an issue.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

As noted above, by HappyGilmore, the Shakespeare Yellow .155 line works very well. If line breaks its takes only a few seconds to replace. Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Definately a noticeable difference,

 

[lostcreekranch]

Definately a noticeable difference,

Cuts better / lasts longer! What's not to like about that. Wish our TSC Swisher was self propelled.

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[2manyrocks]

I don't recall ever seeing a self propelled walk behind string trimmer. Is there one?

 

[lostcreekranch]

I don't recall ever seeing a self propelled walk behind string trimmer. Is there one?

I think that the high end DR units are self-propelled. But, at 5x what I paid for my TSC / Swisher.

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[Haoleguy]

Late to this party but my spouse purchased a Husqvarna HWT625. It has been a great workhorse but it has it limitations. It uses precut trimmer line that is easily changed when needed but to be honest it lasts through most weedy material. The limitations are that on uneven ground and ground with small stones one has to use pivot the unit. If it had air tires instead of hard tires this would not be an issue. I might change these out later. Another negative note is that the throttle line can get sticky when powering through lots of vegetative matter as the plant juices coat the line. My spouse has been happy with it and anything that keeps her happy keeps me happy.

 

[MrWhippy]

My Echo/Bearcat is self propelled. To be honest, it's the weakest part of the design. The slip clutch mechanism starts slipping at relatively low levels when working on uneven ground, but there seems to be no risk of the actual chain drive getting damaged. The Bearcat uses precut (I cut them from star shaped line) and is very easy to do. The string lasts a long time until you start cutting woody stalks (like Floribunda).

 

[Soundguy]

I think that the high end DR units are self-propelled. But, at 5x what I paid for my TSC / Swisher.

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i agree..