New project

[TMScouts]

Good morning!
I just joined this forum. I'm looking for "non-dealer" recommendations for a string / brush blade trimmer. This will be used on my new to me 10 acres that are mostly flat and fenced, has 2 orchards and some steep hillside brush, as well as about a 1/4 mile driveway. Any "experienced" recommendations appreciated. Not looking to drop a few grand at the local dealer.
Tom

 

[Muhammad]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[kensnelling]

HelloTom, welcometo the forums from Oklahoma. Not sure how big you're looking for, but in my own experiance the DR line is hard to beat, both product and after sale service. Little pricey, but worth it in my opinion.

Ken

 

[Bob77064]

Welcome Tom

 

[Baby Grand]

Welcome aboard, Tom.
Are you looking for a unit to trim or to cut large areas? I have been using a Stihl FS62 for the past 20 years or so for light trimming. I like it - it starts every year and I have never really done any maintenence. Maybe changed the spark plug once and always use Stabil in the fuel. I only have the bump feed string trimmer for it and it works well in grass up to 12", but really runs out of steam in heavier stuff.

I have a similar sized property to yours and I'm looking at the FS250 to handle a lot of barberry, multiflora rose, japanese knotweed and maple/hickory/oak saplings. It's not cheap, but if you spread that money over 8 or twelve years, it pays for itself and works out to be a bargain compared to a less capable/reliable unit that may or may not be readyto work when I am. Free time for yard work and good working weather are not things I can count on, so when they align a balky machine is just intolerable.

Jim

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[RBA50]

Welcome!

 

[Baby Grand]

Ended up with the FS130, based on another thread & dealer's suggestion. With 3 knife blade it does good work on rose & hardwood saplings. Windrows long grass nicely, too.