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

[oosik]

I have a Stihl FS350. I have more "heads" for that whacker than you can round up in a cabbage patch. My situation is that I never just whack grass. Its always a little grass, some tall weeds and usually a few saplings. There simply isn't "string" tough enough to handle this for long.

I bought a head the had three free swinging nylon blades. It worked fairly well until you make contact with something really solid - then the nylon blades chip & break. So-- I took one of the nylon blades to the local machine shop and they made me two sets (6 blades) of high carbon steel blades.

Now, I don't have to stop the unit and pull string - no more bouncing the head for new line and it cuts much better than my head with the carbide tooth saw blade.

 

[ultrarunner]

I notice this too with the nylon blades... cuts like butter until it hits a rock or old barbed wire...

 

[QRTRHRS]

My Stihl FS200 that I used with either the 3 bladed head or a steel blade died. A friend happened to be thinking about selling his FS90 because it was too heavy for him so I bought it just to get by for now. He had a bounce type of head loaded with .105 Ugly Line sold at Lowe's. Triangular in shape, I was surprised on how well it worked. It seems to wrap around metal T-posts cutting vegetation that I could not get to with the plastic blades. It's no match for the plastic blades on something like mature pokeberry but I find it faster to do my routine maintenace work.

The steel blades sound good but I would wear steel toes and keep an eye on the screws holding them on the head.

 

[PJSprog]

My Husqvarna 128C is in it's third season now, and still going strong. Very easy to start, every time. Wife got me a shoulder strap for it, and that's made a world of difference. The only thing I don't like about it is the curved shaft. I wish I'd bought the straight version.

 

[ArlyA]

We use Echo's and Honda trimmers. I personally don't like the Honda's because of there increased weight and when in the field, we like to bring just one type of fuel with use. (I have had people along and confused about the difference) Our Echo's are the power unit types so ends can readily be switched out. For head styles, we bring several types along so we can handle whatever type of weeds or brush we encounter. Most of the time the heads we use hold three .155 strings and are made by Oregon. These hold strings via cam locks and we've had very good luck with them. We have about 5 of these in use today. I'll attach a photo on one. We also bring steel cutting heads that work well for small brush and trees. Sorry but I can't find a photo of these. We also bring chain saw type heads along.

 

[2458n]

Using the Stihl flat blade with four cutting areas. Dealer talked me into using it. Cuts well- just not as big of area as the line. Have to swing it a little more, but you have more time to use it without messing with the line. If you really are running it hard and it gets dull flipping the blade over has you new edges. Makes short work of the thistles and saplings

 

[TomSeller]

they cut like butter until hitting a rock... then it is toast.

Did someone say butter and toast? Making me hungry for breakfast.

 

[ArlyA]

Same as you, we found the steel cutters have a much smaller cutting radius which really increases our work time. Plus, everywhere we work, the ground is strewn with rocks and steel blades are sparking off like the 4th of July. This forces us to cut everything taller while using the steel blades. This is the reason we love the Oregon heads with the 155 strings. We run them right against the ground, rocks or not, makes no difference. And there cutting radius is much larger, plus we can train someone to switch out there strings in 60 seconds. We still need to steel blade for the pen sized shoots (and larger) but the strings are used 90% of the time for the reasons mentioned above.

Using the Stihl flat blade with four cutting areas. Dealer talked me into using it. Cuts well- just not as big of area as the line. Have to swing it a little more, but you have more time to use it without messing with the line. If you really are running it hard and it gets dull flipping the blade over has you new edges. Makes short work of the thistles and saplings

 

[Maxify55]

Try this on those pesky woody weeds.

Then change it back.

DIY How To Turn Your Weed Trimmer Head Into A Brush Cutter Blade To Clear Land And Property - YouTube

I run a Stihl FS-110 with handle bars out here in the Florida bush.

 

[CCWKen]

I'm about to try steel cable on a DR walk behind trimmer unless someone can show a reason not to. And no, it won't fray because I'll put a weld bead on the tips. I'm using the green 155 Mil cord now and it just doesn't last more than a few minutes of cutting. I should mention that I repowered the trimmer with a larger engine.

They make "chain" and saw blades for trimmers. I don't see why cable wouldn't work. Any thoughts?