Walk Behind String Trimmer

[Rendabay]

Hi. I was widowed last year and have taken up the yard work on my half acre. I can't really carry a string trimmer around too much and yanking on the pullcord is difficult. On top of that, my gas trimmer is in the shop again and my weeds are gettin' way too tall I have to do something quick. I was considering purchasing a wheeled string trimmer and budget is a BIG factor. Home Depot has a Ryobi for $199. Would it be a bad investment? Are there better alternatives for the money. Would it maybe be a little easier to start than the shaft-type 2-cycle trimmer I have? Thanks for your help. I feel kind of lost.

Rendabay
Alvin, TX

 

[rekees4300]

Hi. I was widowed last year and have taken up the yard work on my half acre. I can't really carry a string trimmer around too much and yanking on the pullcord is difficult. On top of that, my gas trimmer is in the shop again and my weeds are gettin' way too tall I have to do something quick. I was considering purchasing a wheeled string trimmer and budget is a BIG factor. Home Depot has a Ryobi for $199. Would it be a bad investment? Are there better alternatives for the money. Would it maybe be a little easier to start than the shaft-type 2-cycle trimmer I have? Thanks for your help. I feel kind of lost.

Rendabay
Alvin, TX

Perhaps a better alternative would be a self propelled mower with electric key start? My niece bought one at Sears a couple months ago for $250.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Mess for IllMarty1.

How do you like your new DR ?

I've been contemplating getting one also.

The DR folks have been real helpful . I'm concerned about the self propelled trimmer speed.

Is it too slow ??? Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks !!!

I am starting my third season with a DR self-propelled string trimmer. I have been very happy with it. I do not find the speed to be too slow when using it.

 

[Rendabay]

Well, I have a nice mower. A mower won't help me trim against the fence and such. It's a weedeater I need, but thanks.

 

[Skyview]

2010 String Trimmer Report

My $.02 - I purchased a Troybilt 6 hp walk behind in 2004 and as far as I can tell, it is identical to the DR unit but it was $200 less. I used it for 6 years to trim grass on 1 acre of rocky uneven terrain around the house until the clutch-pulley bracket broke in half. Otherwise, it was a great little machine. The engine still runs. I need to search for a new bracket and fix it if I can.

Meanwhile, I went shopping for a newer unit. Troybilt no longer sells one but I found a Swisher at the local Big Box store. It appears to have the same identical 6.25 hp Briggs and Stratton that is on the Troybilt. Looked reasonable, so I took it home. If you are so inclined, I will recommend that you not bother. Here's what's wrong with the Swisher:

1. The rock guard is plastic, not metal. In first use, small pebbles thrown up pretty much disintegrate the sides of it. Might as well not even have a guard.

2. Unlike the Troybilt/DR designs, there is no clutch pulley. It is a direct drive belt. Therefore, the "engage" bar does not activate a clutch, rather it allows the engine to run or not run. You can't start the engine without gripping the engage bar and you can't let it idle when you need to let go of the bar and move something that is in the way.

3. The string attach is a very poor design. It doesn't matter how you tie the string, or what size string you use, the metal loop is too large and you're going to lose the string long before it wears out. Replacing strings is a constant nuisance.

My neighbor bought a Sears unit and is very happy with it. Get that, or get a DR, but avoid Swisher if you can. Pics below show worthless plastic rock guard and string attach of Swisher. The much superior Troybilt string attach is shown for comparison.

 

[2manyrocks]

Sorry for your loss.

I had a walkbehind trimmer sort of like you are thinking about. It was sort of a beast, and I'm not so sure that you'd find any of these type machines fun to start or push or store. I sold mine--so that tells you what I thought of it, and I'd be hard pressed to recommend one to a lady.

Seems like these 2 cycle trimmers either start well or they are a pain. A balky walk behind trimmer is no less of a pain than a balky 2 cycle trimmer. For less than $199, I'd think you could get a good lightweight 2 cycle trimmer.

Depending on what you are trimming, you might find it easier to spray certain areas with roundup to keep your weeds down instead of fooling with a trimmer.

 

[Skyview]

2010 String Trimmer Report

My $.02 - I purchased a Troybilt 6 hp walk behind in 2004 and as far as I can tell, it is identical to the DR unit but it was $200 less. I used it for 6 years to trim grass on 1 acre of rocky uneven terrain around the house until the clutch-pulley bracket broke in half. Otherwise, it was a great little machine. The engine still runs. I need to search for a new bracket and fix it if I can.....

Follow up - I received parts today from Troybilt to repair the old string trimmer. Their website has all the assembly drawings and part numbers - just enter your model number. Good deal!

 

[FlaDon]

Ariens/Gravely also sell push type units.

 

[rockymtair]

because i am losing strength in my arms it is hard for me to use my hand held string trimmer. i was in a big box store and saw a walk behind string trimmer for around $400. i went online to check out string trimmer prices and found this site. the DR trimmer was totally new to me. the closest dealer to me was colorado springs (40 mi. away). i called them and they were very helpful, gave me a good price and an extended warranty. the 8.25 pro-xl was what i ended up buying - more than i had wanted to spend but i have a friend that gave me a sign for my shop that says "buy good tools and cry once-buy cheap tools and cry every time you use them". that was certainly good advice in this case. my 5 acres is mean to maintain and this machine has done everything i have asked it to do and more. with my other string trimmers i spent as much time changing string as i did mowing. the blue line that comes with this machine is amazing. it cuts pine cones, yucca, cactus, tall thick grass and edges around concrete walls without having to be replaced. i would take this thing to bed with me if my wife would let me! it is quiet and the electric start is straight forward. there was a whole lot of good engineering going on when they created this machine.

 

[froggy]

I just bought a self-propelled DR Trimmer and have returned it to the dealer after using it once. The self-propelled system was a joke. My old Honda push mower pushed easier than the DR. Will look at Bearcat because has a 3 speed self propelled version.