walk behind string trimmer: craftsman or swisher

[flusher]

right now craftsman has their high wheel string trimmer on sale from about 500 down to 340. TSC also has a swisher for 340. both are 6.75 hp and 22" swath cut. functionally they look the same to me.. engine, wheels, front cutter head. swisher has the head offset to the left a bit to get closer to an edge.. sears unit looks centered. swisher is a B&S engine.. can't tell on the sears unit.

any opinions between them?

I need something bigger than a string trimmer to cut some thick weeds that grow around the barn and metal buildings.. where I can't get a rider or tractor near. and I'm tired of using a swing fling!

opinions between the 2?

soundguy

I have the Swisher--bought it 5 years ago.
It works fine, but the B&S engine is hard to start. I have other implements with B&S engines that start easily. The one on my Swisher seems to be the exception.

 

[Soundguy]

I went ahead and got the swisher. I see B&S has redesigned the carb priming setup. added oil, added gas, set throttle low, 3 pushes onthe plunger and on 2nd pull she came to life.

ran her right into the thick of it after adjusting throttle.. cut like a dream.

didn't flip her over to see if the cutter head can be moved.. but situated to the left seemed to work good for fences and such.. only had a few minutes to play last night.. will know more wed afternoon

as for the husq dealer.. yep.. more than 3 hrs south of me there are dealer locations.. but having machines to look at locally was nicer, vs driving 6hr round trip to make a comparison.. etc.

soundguy

 

[J_J]

I have used metal blades on my Shindaiwa weed-eater to cut thick weeds, and I have used a hub assembly that had two # 34 chain about 4 in long, that did an excellent job on the thick stuff.

I have the Craftsman unit, 3.5 HP engine that uses .155 line, It does OK, but would rather use the weed whacker. You can also put a saw blade on it for small trees.

 

[Soundguy]

i've seen the one with the chain on it.. looks mean!

soundguy

 

[J_J]

Here is a picture.

 

[smstonypoint]

I went ahead and got the swisher. I see B&S has redesigned the carb priming setup. added oil, added gas, set throttle low, 3 pushes onthe plunger and on 2nd pull she came to life.

ran her right into the thick of it after adjusting throttle.. cut like a dream.

didn't flip her over to see if the cutter head can be moved.. but situated to the left seemed to work good for fences and such.. only had a few minutes to play last night.. will know more wed afternoon

as for the husq dealer.. yep.. more than 3 hrs south of me there are dealer locations.. but having machines to look at locally was nicer, vs driving 6hr round trip to make a comparison.. etc.

soundguy

How does the guard do in keeping the cut grass, weeds, etc. from slinging back on you?

Steve

 

[Soundguy]

Here is a picture.

exactly as i remember.. looks like a thin bike chain with 2 cutter ends on it. neat looking monster.

soudnguy

 

[Soundguy]

How does the guard do in keeping the cut grass, weeds, etc. from slinging back on you?

Steve

almost no sligback from under / rear of the machine.

some sling back from the front that actually travels up and over the machine.

no worse than regular weed eating though.. perhaps a bit better.

after weed eating it usually looks like I am wearing a grass skirt..

soundguy

 

[SandyTX]

I picked up the Sears Craftsman one on sale a few weeks back at $299 ($399 normal). I've used it about 25 hours I'd estimate and only went through about 10 strings. Its really a great machine and runs great. The only thing about them; is they are pretty hard to push if you have rough ground. I'm using mine on 20 acres to clear up areas around the point and fence (where the tractor cant reach). It cuts up to about 1/2 thick weeds with no issues at all. I'm pretty happy with my purchase and it did include a 2 year warranty.

I've been thinking of mounting a front wheel about 1ft in front of the machine to allow additional front support so its easier to push around.

 

[Soundguy]

ditto that on my 13 ac... clean up where tractor can't get.. and 1/2" or less weeds.

soundguy