Push Trimmer

[Whiskeymike]

I have a 400' fence and brush around a small pond that I'd like keep clean. I'm wondering how useful a string push trimmer is. I have a gas trimmer, and it's pretty tiring after trimming 6 acres, the fence line, trees, and I don't even mess with the pond any more.

From the reading I've done, complaints are that the string breaks often and you have to stop and restring. With the gas trimmer I have, it has 10' that autofeeds, so not sure if that ends up trumping the push trimmer.

Can you mount a blade to push trimmers like you can the hand held trimmer to cut larger brush?

Any recommended models?

 

[tymbo]

I have a DR trimmer. I use it exclusively with a 12" "beaver blade" (chain saw chain wrapped around the disc) cuts up to about 3" diameter stuff.

 

[lolaetype]

I've got one, made by Swisher. Works well. Takes 0.155" line. I buy the line in rolls rather than the tubes of precut lengths. It's much cheaper that way.

Early on I tried substituting multi strand steel cable figuring that would last much longer than the nylon line. Surprisingly it didn't last much longer. .

 

[MACbox]

Submerging your trimmer line in water for several days will keep it more “flexible”. Sounds strange, but it’s true.

I have a Poulan Pro. Works well, but the rear wheels are slightly smaller than some other makes. Makes it get stuck in holes more easily. I do like that it has a “brake” that does NOT kill the engine when I release the handle. The trimmer head stops, but the motor keeps running.

Saves me lots of pulling on the starter rope..

 

[MACbox]

I have a 400' fence and brush around a small pond that I'd like keep clean. I'm wondering how useful a string push trimmer is. I have a gas trimmer, and it's pretty tiring after trimming 6 acres, the fence line, trees, and I don't even mess with the pond any more.

From the reading I've done, complaints are that the string breaks often and you have to stop and restring. With the gas trimmer I have, it has 10' that autofeeds, so not sure if that ends up trumping the push trimmer.

Can you mount a blade to push trimmers like you can the hand held trimmer to cut larger brush?

Any recommended models?

The Echo Bearcat has a blade attachment. Some of the DR models may, also. The rest seem to be string trimmer only.

 

[Ton ton]

Submerging your trimmer line in water for several days will keep it more “flexible”. Sounds strange, but it’s true.

I have a Poulan Pro. Works well, but the rear wheels are slightly smaller than some other makes. Makes it get stuck in holes more easily. I do like that it has a “brake” that does NOT kill the engine when I release the handle. The trimmer head stops, but the motor keeps running.

Saves me lots of pulling on the starter rope..

My Husqavarna has a brake as well.

 

[MACbox]

Yeah, I think the Poulan Pro and Husqy were the same unit. Looks like they may now be discontinued. The DR “Premier” seems to have that same feature. Their cheaper one doesn’t.

I don’t know much about the Cub Cadet, Swisher, or Remington.

 

[Ton ton]

It's no great loss, my Husky is a joke.

 

[SARG]

I found they are useful for a specific chore such as around a pond....... but beyond that the hand carried jobs are preferred.
I sold my DR last year when the property with the ponds was gone.

 

[lolaetype]

Yeah, I think the Poulan Pro and Husqy were the same unit. Looks like they may now be discontinued. The DR “Premier” seems to have that same feature. Their cheaper one doesn’t.

I don’t know much about the Cub Cadet, Swisher, or Remington.

My swisher doesn't have the brake. Release the handle and the engine quits.