Weed Eater trimmer line or alternatives and other experiences...

[TomSeller]

I modified my husky trimmer to use 1/8" twisted wire cable.
Works quite well as I soldered the ends to delay fraying.
The downside is when it sheds wire strands and they hit your calves as wire is not very forgiving.
It becomes a must to wear high boots or some sort of leg protection.

On the other hand a 10" blade not only cuts grass and twigs but also handles fair sized saplings even up to 2" or so with practice.

Sounds dangerous. One of those shards could end up getting past eye protection and lodge in the eye

 

[ArlyA]

Seems I've said this before?? We run string and steel heads for a living. For string we only will use Oregon heads that hold .155 stings (not spooled) and done quite will with them. Quite durable, low cost, cuts small trees well and we can train someone to run them in seconds. With the steel heads we'll do large tree shoots and small trees. Since we have rock everywhere here, we used them much less.

 

[mfridenmaker]

Seems I've said this before?? We run string and steel heads for a living. For string we only will use Oregon heads that hold .155 stings (not spooled) and done quite will with them. Quite durable, low cost, cuts small trees well and we can train someone to run them in seconds. With the steel heads we'll do large tree shoots and small trees. Since we have rock everywhere here, we used them much less.

Arlyn, which Oregon head are you using, the Jet-Fit? I'm interested in finding something better than the standard heads I have been using on my Hondas.

Thanks.

Mark

 

[ArlyA]

Seems Oregon may have discontinued them but Echo has them.

A couple of notes, if you use .155 string, you can't switch to other sizes. The cams seem to take the shape of whatever particular size.

These take power and won't work will with lower HP machines. For the same reason, you can't increase your string lenghts. We pre-cut ours to about 6" and if someone adds longer ones, it bogs the machine down and its slower speed doesn't cut worth a hoot.

Amazon.com : ECHO 3-Line Rapid-Loader Head : String Trimmer Lines : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[mfridenmaker]

Seems Oregon may have discontinued them but Echo has them. A couple of notes, if you use .155 string, you can't switch to other sizes. The cams seem to take the shape of whatever particular size. These take power and won't work will with lower HP machines. For the same reason, you can't increase your string lenghts. We pre-cut ours to about 6" and if someone adds longer ones, it bogs the machine down and its slower speed doesn't cut worth a hoot. Amazon.com : ECHO 3-Line Rapid-Loader Head : String Trimmer Lines : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Arlyn,

Thanks for sharing your expertise and experience, I really appreciate it. I will be looking into the Echo head.

Mark

 

[ArlyA]

Mark, We've been running these heads for around 8 years now and yet to see a failure of one. We did try other of types and styles of heads and they all ended up in the recycle bin. Seems we might have 4 or 5 of these Echo heads in use today. We do run them right against the ground but since they are round shaped and made from HDPE plastic, doing that has no effect. The biggest grief we have is when operators install new string and don't leave enough sticking through to the inside of the head. Then when there string breaks off, you have nothing to grab on and pull the remaining string out. Needing to get the stud out is a bad day .

Hope that helps..

 

[ArlyA]

For anyone who might care. Here is 2 photos of the Echo .155 string head, roll of string and some already cut to lengths. The length is 8".

For knocking the weeds and the young tree's down. This is how we do it.

 

[two_bit_score]

Just reporting back on the steel cable trial. I couldn't get braided cable so went with the twisted. It works great as long as the weld bead stays on the tip..

Next test up is using a crimped feral on the tips.

Sounds legit. Let me hold your beer.......and stand way back.


I thought about crimping a ferrule on the end of the cable but when you said the weld bead came off I thought the ferrule would also wear down and eventually come off and might be dangerous.

Hope it works.


TBS

 

[CCWKen]

Sounds legit. Let me hold your beer.......and stand way back.


I thought about crimping a ferrule on the end of the cable but when you said the weld bead came off I thought the ferrule would also wear down and eventually come off and might be dangerous.

Hope it works.

It does work but I would caution against it. Just today I ripped a hole in the side of my barn. But the SS ferrules are still on.

Here's the report: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-trimmer-line-alternatives-5.html#post4541431

 

[sklunk]

I actually like the string "spools" where you bump to feed since I can always have enough line out. Of course refilling them is a chore but I am about to try this:

ECHO Trimmer Videos | ECHO USA

It can handle heavy-duty line and should be much quicker to refill.

I use line for most chores, have a head with 3 plastic "blades" for taller weeds near rocks, and have a saw blade for the thicker stuff. It only takes me 2-3 minutes to switch out the heads (Echo PAS system) and so far all 3 have served me well!