radios1
Elite Member
they forgot to add they use a plastic camshaft gear so the engine don't last too long before it needs service!. and what happens when that fails?. new gear, new valves, new piston is needed?..:thumbdown:
So what do you know about backpack brush cutters?
- Thread starter tomplum
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I've not heard of cams failing in these myself. Possible. Do they? Not a lot of stress here. Their use isn't unheard of in larger engines w/ little issues. The larger Kawasaki twins get some press. Not many on the little Briggs fail.
radios1
Elite Member
there's plenty of info on that here. plastic camshaft gear failures - Google Search
Guess that it's like anything else you search for on the tubes. Plastic timing gears. Plastic camshafts. The failure rate still seems quite low. They build WPM engines with a decal on the top which states no oil change needed. Deere's 30 second oil change. This is where we are now.
coobie
Super Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2004
- Messages
- 6,302
- Location
- S.Michigan
- Tractor
- Kubota RTV 1100c, JD 740,Kioti DK 40 with KL401 loader .
I have a honda model for the last 12 years that gets a lot of use flawless so far.
oosik
Epic Contributor
I have the Stihl FS 450. With the OEM shoulder harness it's not to bad. Used w/out this harness - it will KILL your back pretty quick. I have many different heads & blades. The best head - the one with the three free swinging nylon blades. I took one of the brand new nylon blades to the local metal shop. They made me two complete sets of high carbon steel, duplicate blades. They are heavier than nylon, cut better and looks like one set might last forever. Their operational limit - around a 2" sapling.
I agree on the head. I bought the Home Depot Rhino. The better blades for that could be a good idea. I suppose that I should check the Oregon catalog. I've used several shapes, reversed saw blades and one that my local shop had which was kind of a saw blade w/ 3 tipped out blades at the bottom. Had high hopes for that one.
2manyrocks
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2007
- Messages
- 8,675
Practically any steel blade will far outlast plastic blades and can be resharpened with a file. Steel will shatter if you hit a rock and will cut up fences or tires or the tree bark of desirable trees or vinyl house siding.
Whatever you cut with, eye protection and a good pair of gloves are recommended.
Whatever you cut with, eye protection and a good pair of gloves are recommended.
One could surmise from your user name that you know of what you speak! Thanks!
oosik
Epic Contributor
I have that tri-lobed steel blade also. I had high hopes for it - but it didn't work out well. I've banged my free swinging steel blades off rocks & my concrete house foundation. No ill effects to the blades.
I ALWAYS wear safety glasses, a safety face shield and gloves when using the FS 450 Stihl. I even tried using the Stihl while wearing shorts - not the brightest of ideas.
At the end of any cutting job I'm always covered from the waist down in "green chaff". I find that chicken wire and garden hoses are fair game.
It's similar to using a brush cutter, I guess. Best to surveil the area being cut, first.
I ALWAYS wear safety glasses, a safety face shield and gloves when using the FS 450 Stihl. I even tried using the Stihl while wearing shorts - not the brightest of ideas.
At the end of any cutting job I'm always covered from the waist down in "green chaff". I find that chicken wire and garden hoses are fair game.
It's similar to using a brush cutter, I guess. Best to surveil the area being cut, first.