Weedwacker - string vs nylon "blades"?

[wihakowiSteve]

Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

I need some advice regarding the best way to doing heavier duty trimming with my weedwackers. I have always used the three "free spinning" nylon head apparatus on my Stihl for heavier trimming and it has worked OK for me. That is what I originally intended to get for my 21cc Echo trimmer but got talked into the type of head that you insert pre-cut lengths of string into. It will take up to .150 string which seems pretty heavy duty and I would think would last langer than the .095 that I run in the regular wind-up head. Here's my questions:

Is pre-cutting (8") the lengths of string and continually inserting them into the unit (although it is an easier process than some I have seen where you have to literally thread the length thorugh the head) going to turn into an exercise in frustration?
Doesn't the trimmer lose effeciency as the string gets shorter? Both in width of cut and ability to cut well (tip speed or something)?
Am I going to have enough power to drive a .150 string with the little Echo (21cc - I think their 2nd smallest model)? If I have to drop to a .095 string in the thing, I'll continue to use the tap-n-feed head.
Is a "free spinning" blade type head a better choice all around??

All help appreciated. Thanks, Steve

 

[Thomas]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

I have found out when the string{.095} get shorter the horse power will increase,but the shorter the string the less reaching cut you shall have which means more movement.

Heavy duty weed wacking I like the nylon,for it does seem to last longer...anything around 12"or about w/berry bushes,golden rods etc..I use a blade.. much quicker.

 

[PhilNH5]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

Steve,
I have a Homelite trimmer with the precut line. I hate that head. To much work. I live in NH with lots of stone walls. The string goes pretty quick. then stop the engine. Insert a new piece. start the process over. As you and Thomas both noted as the string shortens the trimmer becomes less effective. I wind up throwing away a piece that is 40 -50% of the original lenght. That seems like a lot of waste to me. The precut string has a flat spot at the midpoint to facilitate insertion and removal. If I cut my own pieces of string they lack the flat spot and I need needle nose pliers to get the used piece out. I brought a bump head but it never worked well so I use the precut string head.

I just brought a Toro proline weedcutter/brush trimmer. I had them replace the pre-cut string head with a bump feed. I love it so far.

I have a Sears high wheel string trimmer which uses the precut string. Very heavy gauge though I don't know the exact number. That string lasts much longer than my over the shoulder Homelite string.

By "free spinning blade" do you mean the brushcutter one piece saw blade. These work great on both the Homelite and the Toro but you definitely can't trim the stone walls with them. If you mean the gizmos with the little individual blades on the head I would steer clear. They took the ones with chainsaw links off the market. imagine the damage when one of them links broke loose. Around here they still sell those with individual nylon or plastic links. But I imagine a piece of the "blade" flying off would still be incredibly dangerous.

Phil

 

[Steelfan]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

Hi Steve,

I bought a Grass Gator head for my Weedwacker, and I love it. I've only changed blades once since I got it. I got sick of the string not coming out of the head properly with the original head. I recommend the nylon free spinning blades.
Just my $.02.

Kent

 

[Mosey]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

I recently bought a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.xcaliburtraps.com/grass-gator-4650.html>grass gater</A> head. I haven't tried it yet though. They come in either nylon or metal (I got the metal). I bought mine at Lowes. I have some heavy stuff to cut that I can't get to with the bush hog and this head should do the job!

 

[PhilNH5]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon

Looks like a few votes for the pivoting blades. The link to the metal headed grass gator didn't show the pic. Is it just like the nylon blades? As I mentioned I thought the metal ones were off the market. Don't see them around here.

Does anyone have an idea of longevity when trimming around stones or stone walls. The string gets eaten up pretty fast. If the nylon blades last longer they would be worth a look.

Phil

 

[Mosey]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon

Phil - "The link to the metal headed grass gator didn't show the pic."

Did you scroll all the way down the page? The pic shows up for me.

 

[PhilNH5]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon

Danny,
Still no pic. It is only the brush cutter head that doesn't show. I can see all the other heads, the overfill funnel and everything else. Just not the metal bladed brush cutter.

Phil

 

[Mosey]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon

I detached the picture from their web site then attached it here. Hope this works! Sorry it took so long, I don't get to this forum as often as the others. I was actually going to try mine out last weekend, but the throttle cable broke on the Weed Eater. I got another one and got it put on, so hopefully this weekend I can try it out.

By the way, this is a BIG Weed Eater I'm running this on. We call it the Binford 2000 Super Wacker! I had to drill the hole out on the Grass Gator to make it fit. We usually run a circular saw type blade on it and use it to cut down small trees flush with the ground.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon

Mosey.
I have the cutter you show in the picture. Be very careful with the solid metal blades. If you put vertical force on them, they WILL break. There is a re-designed replacement blade that is a flat jagged metal blade incased in plastic. It is not as rugged as the solid metal, but doesn't break off. Also, neither nylon or metal blades last long when trimming against stone or field fence. In open grass, the metal blades work like a laser and will even cut woody stems 1/2" easily.

 

[Mosey]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon

I finally got a chance to test the Grass Gator with the metal blades. I bought it to cut brush in and around a pile of old broken concrete blocks and bricks (a surprise present left by the previous owners of my property). I certainly didn't want to go in there with my bush hog or I'd have had chunks of concrete all over, not to mention a banged up bush hog. A string trimmer head couldn't cut the thick thorns and trees saplings, and the saw blade would have gotten nicked up in no time, so this head did the trick. But, it's junk now! One of the blades broke within 2 minutes of use. As soon as I hit a concrete block, it broke one off. So, gspig was right on that one! The other 2 were broken within 5 minutes. But, the remaining part of the blades was enough to finish the job since the stubs were still able to cut saplings up to an inch in dia. It was an area about 30' square. It was worth the money, even though it broke right away, since I didn't have any other way of doing it short of crawling around on my hands and knees with hand pruners! I guess I'll keep the head in case I decide to buy new blades for it someday for a similar project.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

I've seen ones that used a i piece blade metal.. but was a comercial unit that could be setup to edge.. looked nice, and appeared to hold up well.
As for string, a buddy has some sort od dr brush cutter that uses very heavy nylon.. almost 3/16.. and it is precut... I would think that it wears out fast and is wastefull.

We use the nylon blades where I work, and they are fairly good and hold up nice.. but you need a medium sized gas or better to run it.. no electric/ rechargeables, or small lightweight trimmers.

I used to go in for the heaviest trimmer I could handle.. but have now completely reversed. I use a weedwacker featherlite.. can litterally weedwack with one hand. I also have a b/d electric one somewhere.. again 1 hand can be used.

Makes it easier on the back.

I use the tap-n-feed heads as well., and in fact, as I have gotten tired of winding line, You can get precharged bobbins that pop right in when the line runs out.

Soundguy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

I use a weedeater trimmer with bump feed line. I found I like the Grass terminator brand of line the best. It lasts much longer than the standard line and cuts better as well. I tried one of the replacement heads with the nylon blades and destroyed it in short order and went back to the Grass Terminator line. It is like the Star Line stuff, but a bit tougher. With regular line along a fence the line would break off about every 6 feet or so of fence With the Grass Treminator line it almost never breaks off.

 

[popeye]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

I have blade that has 6 chainsaw teeth on it that I bought at the local lawnmower shop. It is the best thing I have used yet for tougher weeds and up to 1" stuff. I have cut a 2" limb just to see if it wood do it. Beats the heck out of saw blades and string. I don't know what the name on it is, it's worn off.
Mike

 

[theboman]

Re: Weedwacker - string vs nylon \"blades\"?

I've used the nylon bladed wonder with great success on weeds and grass. I'm very imoressed. They do not cut stone or block very well, but they put a hurting on grass and cow weeds, milk weeds and all those things that grow along our creek and ditches.