Walk Behind String Trimmer ??

[coobie]

Looking to but a decent walk behind string trimmer.Any ideas of which brand?Not looking for self propelled models.Thanks.

 

[Bird]

It was a long time ago when I bought the top of the line DR trimmer/mower, but it was sure a dandy. I sold it to a friend when we moved back to town. For several years I didn't really think too much of their later models, but the new ones now look great. If I were going to buy a walk behind trimmer again, the DR would be my first choice.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I heard someone raving about the DR recently, I've never tried one, but would like to.

 

[coobie]

It was a long time ago when I bought the top of the line DR trimmer/mower, but it was sure a dandy. I sold it to a friend when we moved back to town. For several years I didn't really think too much of their later models, but the new ones now look great. If I were going to buy a walk behind trimmer again, the DR would be my first choice.

Thanks bird,I will check them out.

 

[Soundguy]

I have a swisher.

it eats stuff up good. just keep it out of wire fences, and nothing bigger than yer lil finger and green. IE. no tree sprouts.

oh yeah.. wear ear, eye protection. dust mask too.

 

[coobie]

I have a swisher.

it eats stuff up good. just keep it out of wire fences, and nothing bigger than yer lil finger and green. IE. no tree sprouts.

oh yeah.. wear ear, eye protection. dust mask too.

Thanks soundguy,local TSC has the swisher walk behind trimmer on sale for $279. Headed there tomarrow to check them out.

 

[Soundguy]

i do believe i got mine from TSC.

I also loked at the sears model. very similar, looked at one with no offset.. didn't like that as much.

 

[bcp]

If I was buying another, I would get a centered head, if the cut was as wide as the wheels. Or a swinging head.

The ones that are offset to one side only really limit what you can do if you have hills and obstacles. For example, one fence can only be trimmed by pushing the trimmer uphill. Obstacles can only be trimmed in one direction. If I have to go clockwise all the time, I tend to get wound up.

I would also tend to choose according to engine reputation.

Bruce

 

[Bird]

I heard someone raving about the DR recently, I've never tried one, but would like to.

I would never have bought one without seeing one first if it hadn't been for their 6 month money back guarantee. Needless to say, I did NOT send it back.:laughing: My wife has never used any other string trimmer, but even she used the DR with electric start. And the guy I later sold it to was also buying something even his wife could use. I also took down some good sized saplings with the Beaver blade.

 

[2458n]

I have had the weedeater brand and several others all bought at auctions and given away to older friends who would not consider a string trimmer and a harness. You have 2 wheels and a motor. Get a motor that you feel comfortable starting and your half way home. Most have a second handle that pulls back against the main handle and disengages the whip end from turning. Mine all had a simple line hook-up that just used two lines, One on each side of the front cutter. You hooked the line in the middle and pulled it forward to lock it in place. In this manner you had 4 lines to do the whipping. The line is just the same as a regular string trimmer only larger like a,.15 instead of a .085 string trimmer. If i recall correctly the length on the sears model came in a tube precut at 24 inches. They work great when cutting at one height; around trees I sometimes needed to bevel the line to cut closer to the dirt. They are not made to do this. I do not know what the more expensive machine would offer as the three models I had all appeared to do the same thing.

 

[Soundguy]

guess if you had an old push lawnmower, extra pulled and hub.. you could make one heck of one.

 

[ecbaatz]

The DR trimmer my mother has allows you to offset and lock it either right or left or lock it in the center. Really nice but you have to get use to the offset.

Eric

 

[Bluest]

I've got an older DR. I don't know the exact model but it has a 150cc Kawasaki engine. The engine is the easiest thing start and has plenty of power. It has the swinging head that works by dislocating the axle so the chassis swings to one side or the other.

It'll slash through more or less anything. Is very easy to operate and low maintenance.

The only negative for me, is it that it is very hard work on slopes or rough ground, due to it being a heavy machine, not self propelled. The wheels have a big diameter, which should help, but they are quite narrow so it tends to follow ruts and holes. Needs wider wheels like on a golf trolley or something in my opinion.

 

[Ken45101]

While I do not have a self propelled one, I certainly agree that the self propulsion is necessary. I have one that has to be pushed by hand and it's virtually worthless to me with rough ground and slight hills.

Last year I even tried creating a rig to tow it with the ATV or tractor. That didn't work either.

 

[TCowner]

I've had very good luck my DR trimmer. Mine is over ten years old and has the 6.5 hp Kawasaki ohv engine. Its unbelievably smooth and fast starting. I have the electric start model but use the recoil start from time to time. Its a first pull every time.

I think what I like the most is the trimmer head that was redesigned several years ago. Its nearly impossible to plug the head even in tall quack grass. I use the heaviest cutting cord they make and buy it by the roll. But as others have said you need eye protection as the grass and weeds being cut "explode" off the trimmer head. The trimmer mounted shield helps considerably though.

I am a big fan of the DR. Yes, they are more expensive but I believe the better designed cutter head makes it worth the money. When it is time to replace mine it will be with another DR.

 

[Retired Iron Peddler]

My father in law bought a DR trimmer in the mid-90s to use at his lake house. I used it helping him clear weeds and small brush and was impressed with everything but the price. A year or so later I bought a Cub Cadet brand that was much less expensive and was very disappointed. It was not even close in mowing ability and was a real PIA to keep the string on the hub. If I hit a post or any solid object the string would pull out and the cutting height wasn't adjustable. You get what you pay for applies....

When we moved to our new house, I bought the commercial model DR with electric start to use and have been very pleased with it. I mow tall grass, weeds, green briars, privet, and honeysuckle sprouts with ease and keep my fence rows clean and the shore around my pond trimmed. No problem with the string at all, mowing height is adjustable, and the adjustment stays set during mowing. It has been well worth the extra money. BTW, I gave the Cub Cadet trimmer away... live and learn the expensive way.

Bill

 

[Gem99ultra]

I have a Husqvarna wheel-trimmer. Performance is simply great. It uses the quick attach 0.15 string, adjustable cutting height. Super easy to start, and uses straight gasoline; no oil mix. Cost was something less than $300.

BUT - it is not self propelled. Next one I get will certainly be self propelled. Not being self propelled makes cutting on steep slopes or rocky surfaces an experience that you only need or want to have once. The nice thing is that I can run it up against a rock or fence with no string breakage.

On the other hand, I would not want the electric start due to the extra weight is would require.

 

[k0ua]

I have an old DR from the 90's and while it works very well, it is nearly worthless to me here in Branson. It was great when I lived in flatter lands, easy to push and did a great job, and of course with loads of power, it would cut through anything. But down here, it is just too steep to push up hills, and wants to pull out of your hand going down hill. I have to use a carried trimmer.

 

[coobie]

Thanks for everyones input.I ended up going to TSC (farm store) today and buying the swisher/countyline walk behind string trimmer they had on sale for $279 has the 6.75 briggs motor.I was looking for a trimmer more for weeds than brush cutting as I already have a self propelled billy goat brush cutter.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Thanks for everyones input.I ended up going to TSC (farm store) today and buying the swisher/countyline walk behind string trimmer they had on sale for $279 has the 6.75 briggs motor.I was looking for a trimmer more for weeds than brush cutting as I already have a self propelled billy goat brush cutter.

Have you had a chance to try it out?