walk behind string trimmer: craftsman or swisher

[kenstrac]

Had an offset many years ago believe it was a snapper and it would adjust left and right,but I don't remember ever using the offset feature I think the HP was 5.
When I sold the farm it was sold at a yard sale,6 years ago walking into Sears I noticed a 6.75 HP for sale $229 they both cut very good I think you would be pleased with the Sears and if you don't like it you can always bring it back.
One think to be aware of is with the engine down by your cutting area you have to clean it off more often.

 

[Soundguy]

Seems like any time i string trim I'm covered head to toe.. so I guess that don't matter.

here's an excerpt from the TSC description of the trimmer. Mind you.. they could be wrong.

"謬rimmer head fixed to the left allows close trimming to fences and shrubs"

With what it says.. I'm expecting it to be fixed. if it turns out it is moveable with bolts and all.. that will be a bonus.. though I'm not expecting it.

this one also uses the 0.155 in square line so it looks like it will cut darn good.

the craftsman looks like an ariens.. and neither of them have any more substantial looking guards than the swisher.

so fart.. those 3 models are all I can find locally.. can't find anyone carrying the Husqvarna HU625HWT .. would be nice though

soundguy

I have the Swisher Trim-N-Mow, bought it at Lowes a few years ago, exact same model sold at TSC. The head is *not* fixed (at least, not on mine). Out of the box it was centered. It has bolt patterns for left, right or centered. I put mine to the left because it's easier to get under our fence line that way due to the pattern I walk around our property with it, which is clockwise more or less. To me it's much more useful in the offset position. I bought some heavy-duty line for it, which is square in cross-section, giving four cutting "edges" to each of the two lines.

A word of caution on the Swisher: it really, really throws weed debris, small pebbles, brush, thorns, etc., all over the operator. It has one small plastic guard underneath and that's it. Some of these machines, possibly the Craftsman version, have better plastic guards which extend out to the sides a bit. It throws to the right, so maybe if I changed it to right offset, perhaps I wouldn't get hit so much as I do on the left offset. As it is now, I have to suit up to run this thing -- long pants of course, boots, long sleeve shirt, safety glasses, bandanna and hat -- because it just covers me in clippings and pelts me with pebbles.

I bought it because I needed it and the local Lowes had it in stock. It has consistently been the best running and most reliable machine of all my powered outdoor gear. And it cuts very well. However you might want to look into the Husqvarna HU625HWT walk-behind trimmer, which has a 6.25hp B&S plus the better brush guards and at $300 is less expensive than the Swisher or Craftsman models:

HU625HWT - Lawnmowers

 

[furnitureguy]

We are on our second craftsman string mower. The first one lasted about 6 years of really hard work and was used by probably 1/2 dozen different people on our ranch some of them have personally killed mowers. In that time we replaced a couple of wheels , the cutterhead and a belt. We replaced it last year since it had finally started to fall apart, but for the money it was well worth it and was the first mower to last that long around here.
We bought the 3 year extended warranty which is a really good deal $80 or so and they will give it a tune up every year and replace parts that are worn. It always pays for itself when it gets a batch of bad gas or the cutterhead wears out.
Tom

 

[CenTex Chris]

I'm expecting it to be fixed.

Well to make sure I wasn't "mis-remembering" this, I just ran out to the garage and photographed the bolt pattern on the bottom of the Swisher so you can see how you can put your offset left, right or center however you want it. I really don't think Swisher has changed this model since I bought it; most likely this is a case of an incorrect TSC product description.

can't find anyone carrying the Husqvarna HU625HWT

You're in central Florida, right? I just checked their dealer locator using the link I posted before and looking around south of Orlando there appear to be several "preferred"-caliber Husqvarna dealers throughout that area...? Just saying, I have a preferred Husq. dealer not far from me who can order anything they make and usually get it within a few days. Not trying to sell you on it, but I thought the Husq. price was much more attractive than the others for essentially the same B&S-powered walk-behind trimmer (with what appears to be a better brush guard layout).

 

[Bird]

Personally, I would NOT want one with a fixed position head. I used the DR straight ahead and swung left. However . . . when the DR was swung to the left, it was also tilted down to the left; worked great for trimming under fences. I guess if one stayed level when swung to the left, that wouldn't be so bad, but I still wouldn't like it. The DR would use either .155 or .130 line and I tried both a good bit, but even in heavy cutting, I found that I preferred the .130 line.

 

[jwstewar]

I bought one of the Craftsman ones earlier this year. It was one that someone had returned. Looks like they didn't use it. No grass, no signs of gas or oil in the engine. Got it for about $225 or so. First time I used it I used the original line it did pretty good till I got into a tree and it litteraly sucked itself into the tree and broke the line. I then purchased some string from Menards (same size .155) and that string is junk. Can't cut anything w/o it breaking. Bought some more from Sears and it is back to cutting good again. It'll give you a bit of a work out, but not as bad as swinging a fairly heavy trimmer back and forth. So far no problems with mine. One thought, I thought it was "hard" on gas, turns out it just has a small fuel tank.

 

[CenTex Chris]

I'm using .155 and usually take along three or four extra pair in my back pocket. The heavy stuff we've got growing down here (everything's bigger in Texas) can really use up even the toughest string... huisache, etc. Next step is to start spraying my fence lines like I should have done a long time ago.

 

[Tennessee 8n]

Here's a suggestion that no one has come up with, chemical mowing! I recently picked up a 15 gal sprayer for the atv for $79 from tsc and 2.5 gal of 41% Glyphosate from co-op for $39 and you have what it takes to kill everything on your whole farm! Does a great job around the barn, bldgs and ditches, fence lines too. the 12 volt sprayer beats the heck out my old backpack sprayer. I'm a believer

 

[jimmysisson]

Soundguy, the 3-lobe steel blades (I have an old Stihl trimmer/cutter) uses a lot less power than the string, probably a third or less in heavy going. You still have to carry the thing, but it allows you to get many places where you couldn't with a wheeled rig. Also you can take down woody stems up to maybe an inch, not possible with string. Just a thought.
Jim

 

[HeyNow]

I had purchased the Toro model that Lowes had 7 or 8 years ago. I think it was a 6.5 hp. Loved it. I trim around my 10 acres and around the pond. Last year the motor bit the dust. Searched high and low for another Toro model. I think they stopped making them. I purchased a Swisher from Lowes and it must have been assembled on a Friday or Monday. Vibrated like crazy. Took it back and went to Tractor Supply and bought one of their Swishers. Works pretty good, but I still perfer the Toro model. You can't beat the power of these units compared to hand held string trimmers IMHO.

I also bought a Stihl 110 trimmer this year. Got a blade so I could cut the cattails down around the pond (better reach). The only issues I have with the Stihl is that it lacks the power and the blade scares me a bit. All you would have to do is hit a large rock and you have shrapnel flying. I personally know of a gentlemen that was using his blade on his trimmer and it shattered and he lost his leg below the knee.

Be careful out there.