Need to replace edger blade

[Por_sha911]

Troy-Bilt / MTD gas edger with a 9" metal blade. Works great but time to replace the blade.

The edger came with a solid blade but now the replacements look like this


I found this:


Has anyone used this 'tri-star' blade? Is it better?

[MBAtarga]

Never tried a 3 blade. I'd expect it has more mass than the 2 blade - might cause "quicker" bearing wear due to that?

[cabmandone]

I would think that second one would require a bit more power due to the third edge causing more resistance

[Por_sha911]

That's a thought.

I was thinking that the extra weight and extra blades would cut faster. My concern was that the blade stops spinning if it goes into a solid object and I hear a screech like a slipping belt. I wondered if the extra weight would bog down the system and if would stop more.

It might be worth a try if someone has used one and it has proven to be more effective.

[Scott Douglas]

How many HP is your edger?

If it's 3 or above I might try the three blade, if less I would stick with the two bladed one.
All that rotating mass takes a lot to turn it at speed. My 2.5HP McLane works fine with the two blade cutter.

[Por_sha911]

It doesn't say HP
Its 29 cc 4 cycle that rotates at 6800 rpm.
I guess the extra mass may cause it to not work as well.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

It doesn't say HP
Its 29 cc 4 cycle that rotates at 6800 rpm.
I guess the extra mass may cause it to not work as well.

Have you noticed small engines are no longer rated by horsepower but cc’s, torque or something like that?

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

It doesn't say HP
Its 29 cc 4 cycle that rotates at 6800 rpm.
I guess the extra mass may cause it to not work as well.

If the calculator I just used is correct, it's about 2.75 hp.

Edit: FWIW, I think I'd stick with the two edge blade. I had lawn trimmer that I installed a head on that had four replaceable thick "strings". If I put all four on, it was enough to cause the engine to bog down. If I just use three of the strings, it would run fine. What I'm getting at is, I think you might actually cost yourself trimming time because the blade alone might put more stress on the engine and once you start edging, it might cause more stalls.

[Por_sha911]

I think you are right.
I was hoping to boost the edger performance but as the old adage goes,
'there is no such thing as a free lunch'.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

I think you are right.
I was hoping to boost the edger performance but as the old adage goes,
'there is no such thing as a free lunch'.

Or "no replacement for displacement!"

[cabmandone]

Solid plan Steve! Add a CAI to that edger, a tunable carb, and a fart can. That ought to getcha over the 3hp range. And if you put a racing stripe on it, that should be good for another 1/2hp. I think Nitrous might be a bit overkill.

[masraum]

Turbo POWWAAAAA, FTW!

[cabmandone]

^^^
Might be easier to just do a LS swap and be done with it.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

^^^
Might be easier to just do a LS swap and be done with it.

BAM! Genius!