Has anyone here ever tried to simply bolt a saw blade onto your string trimmer head to make a brush-cutter? A friend of mine says he has done this and didn't need to go out and buy a new Stihl specifically made for brush-cutting............. seems like it might be dangerous to depend on a single bolt holding the blade???
String Trimmers
- Thread starter Big Al
- Start date
- Views: 21772
cherron
New member
Your friends name wouldn't happen to be Pegleg, would it? 
Regards,
Regards,
clarksvilleal
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2007
- Messages
- 74
Big Al - I know you said $150 is your limit, but I highly recommend looking at the RedMaxz BCZ2600S. RedMax is a brand I never heard of until I started reading the forums at Lawnsite.com, which is a site that professional lawn care and landscaping people flock to. I really learned a lot from their forums, and that's where I first heard about RedMax. Of course many pros also recommend Stihl and others. I don't remember in detail, but I think Echo was out of favor for some reason. I also remember comments like "Anything you can buy at Home Depot isn't any good," paraphrasing loosely,
Anyway, I got my RedMax two years ago and love it. It was a little pricey, though, up around $300 or so as I recall. I have nothing against Stihl, and in fact got a Stihl BR600 backpack blower even though the big Redmax blower got rave reviews. Both were real powerful, but the BR600 was about 4 pounds lighter and had the much quieter 4-Mix 4-cycle engine, which so far I like real well. On the other hand, last year I got a RedMax Hedge Trimmer, with a rotating handle and plenty of power, which I also really like. So for me, RedMax and Stihl are definitely my brands right now for small outdoor power equipment.
Anyway, I got my RedMax two years ago and love it. It was a little pricey, though, up around $300 or so as I recall. I have nothing against Stihl, and in fact got a Stihl BR600 backpack blower even though the big Redmax blower got rave reviews. Both were real powerful, but the BR600 was about 4 pounds lighter and had the much quieter 4-Mix 4-cycle engine, which so far I like real well. On the other hand, last year I got a RedMax Hedge Trimmer, with a rotating handle and plenty of power, which I also really like. So for me, RedMax and Stihl are definitely my brands right now for small outdoor power equipment.
Big Al said:
vrman
Silver Member
exNCite said:
Which model Ryobi do you have? Would you like me to check to see if I can get the same model for you at the local store here? I can ship it out to you then. Let me know.
npaden
Platinum Member
I'll bring this thread back up from the dead. I'm looking at a Troy-Bilt trimmer with the pole saw attachment on my local craigslist. They say they paid $340 for it a year ago and have only used it a few times. They said their lowest price they would take is $175.
I have a brand new Husqvarna 345e chainsaw and so I don't plan on using it for significant chainsaw work, but I think it would be good for overhead trimming.
I currently have a Homelite string trimmer that I got as a gift when I got married almost 15 years ago. It was the cheapest one they sold at Home Depot at the time. It is finally getting hard to start but it has taken some amazing abuse during that time. At one point I was mowing my entire yard with the thing because my new push mower had carb problems.
I'm trying to decide if the $175 is too good of a deal to pass up or not.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Nathan
I have a brand new Husqvarna 345e chainsaw and so I don't plan on using it for significant chainsaw work, but I think it would be good for overhead trimming.
I currently have a Homelite string trimmer that I got as a gift when I got married almost 15 years ago. It was the cheapest one they sold at Home Depot at the time. It is finally getting hard to start but it has taken some amazing abuse during that time. At one point I was mowing my entire yard with the thing because my new push mower had carb problems.
I'm trying to decide if the $175 is too good of a deal to pass up or not.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Nathan
Baucom
Gold Member
Just food for thought...but $340 sounds a bit high for a yr ago. I don't recall these things dropping drastically in price, but right now Lowes lists the most expensive Troy Bilt 4 stroke trimmer at $189 and the pole saw attachment at $100, for a new total of $289. Open a new Lowes account and take 10% off making a new trimmer and pole saw $260 + tax. The cheapest straight shaft Troy Bilt is $125 so with a pole saw it's $225 and a new account brings it down to $202. Finally, if a curved shaft doesn't bother you, then you can get their cheapest 2 stroke Troy Bilt plus pole saw for $180 brand new with a new account!npaden said:
If this price is for a 4 stroke, then I'd consider it pretty fair, but he'd have to come down to around $140-150 for me to bite. But that's just me. FYI my co-worker has a 4 stroke Troy Bilt he bought last year with a pole saw attachment, and he loves it--quiet, smooth, and powerful. He's even considering buying a second unit so he'll have a spare for his son to use.
npaden
Platinum Member
This is a 4 stroke unit. Thats all I know. $340 sounds a little high to me also. I've thought about offering them $150 and letting them make my decision for me. It is good to hear that your friend is happy with his.
I've had my straight shaft Stihl trimmer for over 25 years now. I swear I have never replaced the spark plug in that thing. I've been talking about replacing it or over 10 years but it still starts fine and has plenty of power. I beat the heck out of it, and half it's use has been with the steel blade on it for chopping trees and brush. The fuel lines finally rotted out last summer, but my dealer sold me new some cool clear super rubbery fuel line (bulk) which worked great! He also greased it while I waited and the total repair bill was $2. I'm loyal to him (saws, blowers, etc) and he pays me back. I'll admit it though, when I do have to buy a Stihl replacement part it is many times more than $2. Still worth it to me.
RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,885
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
My Ryobi 4 cycle bit the dust after about 6 or 8 years. Bought the cheapest Lowes had in 2 cycle (wanted a lighter weight than what the Ryobi was) one that would accept my Ryobi implements. Think it was a Troy Bilt (which is MTD now; I think). Started fine the first time. Wouldn't start after that; had no adjustment. Took it back and bought their next line, a Cub Cadet. It has a real choke, and (I think; haven't used them) adjustable jets). It starts and runs fine. Had it a couple years now. It takes all the Ryobi implements. You HAVE to start these little beasts (even an Echo or Stihl) at full throttle. Only one I've used that wasn't this way was a friend's newer Stihl chain saw. Think it was set up to automatically open the throttle in "start" position for the dummies who don't know this.
Thought about getting a Shindawa or Stihl, but thought about the waste of having those unusable implements from the Ryobi.
You couldn't go wrong with a Stihl. My 009L chain saw is 35 years old. Took it to the shop recently (I'm too tired of pulling on that string trying to figure what's wrong). All they did was replace the spark plug. Think that's about its 3rd one. Started first pull for the next 4 uses of it. Wouldn't start yesterday. Pulled out a newer Craftsman. It wouldn't start either. Think it was 2 cycle no start day.
Ralph
Thought about getting a Shindawa or Stihl, but thought about the waste of having those unusable implements from the Ryobi.
You couldn't go wrong with a Stihl. My 009L chain saw is 35 years old. Took it to the shop recently (I'm too tired of pulling on that string trying to figure what's wrong). All they did was replace the spark plug. Think that's about its 3rd one. Started first pull for the next 4 uses of it. Wouldn't start yesterday. Pulled out a newer Craftsman. It wouldn't start either. Think it was 2 cycle no start day.
Ralph