Plastic Blade Head for Gas Trimmer

[Jandrews]

Anyone use one of these things? Seems like a no brainer compared to replacing the string all the time, especially if you are in an area where there are not a lot of obstructions.



If you have any experience with these, is there a particular brand or design you would recommend? If not, do you recommend a specific "heavy-duty" non-bump style line head?

For whatever it's worth, I have a Stihl trimmer, so it has good power.

Thanks in advance.

JA

[Zeke]

Anything has got to be better than the bump string.

[Hugh R]

Different tool. String is great for grasses, but you need the plastic blades for brush and heavier stuff. If the plastic blades hit your foot, it really hurts.

[id10t]

my MIL got me a set with metal blades ... not sure what she meant by it..

replaced w/ plastic set. Whatever you get go ahead and get replacement blades ... whichever one i get goes unobtainable every 3-5 years

[azasadny]

Tried them, they were garbage. I switched to an Echo trimmer that uses short plastic "whips" and it's reliable and does a good job...

[Jandrews]

Art,

Can you post a pic (stock photo fine) of what the "whips" look like? Are they more durable than the standard string?

Thanks,

JA

[azasadny]

John,
Here is my string trimmer:

ECHO GT-200R Lightweight Curved Shaft String Trimmer - ECHO USA

Here is the string trimmer line that I use..

102222105
50 Count 8" Length- .105" Cross-Fire Trimmer Line

[gr8fl4porsche]

I got tired of using and reloading the bump line.

I buy the biggest cord that fits on my trimmer - the size of cord is imprinted on the piece of plastic you wind the cord around. Then I cut a 10" piece or so and tie a knot in one end. Repeat for a few minutes until you have a little pile of pre-cut pieces. Take the bump head apart and feed a knotted piece of cord through each hole. Place a couple extra pieces in your pocket and head out to cut. When the cord wears down too much, replace with the pieces in your pocket and get back to work.

[M.D. Holloway]

I have tried that blade and it didn't work very well at all.

[Hugh R]

Metal is really dangerous to your feet, and can start a fire.

[89911]

I have been looking at other ways other then nylon cord also. There is something to be said about the nylon in that is is gentler then the plastic blades. Too much trimming with these around the trees and you will remove all the bark and possible kill some trees.

[drew1]

I like the blades, but the metal ones get bent up going against masonary walls, etc.

[A930Rocket]

My pos 4 cycle (what was I thinking?) trimmer uses the individual strings. Takes a second to swap out, but they also wear out quickly.

The bump string was a nightmare.

[peppy]

JA, I have a Stihl trimmer also, fs-45 and I would have to put line on several times during a mowing. The thing would hang up and just feed one line, I was ready to give it away.
I bought a new bump head and it is the best trimmer I have ever used. I can now do the yard about 3 times before I have to restring the trimmer.

Also the Stihls can get the head so hot that the string melts and sticks together.

[Shuie]

The plastic blades will destroy fence board, stucco on the side of the house, etc... Dealing with the string isn't that bad. I've never dealt with anything in my yard that the heavy gauge serrated gator string wouldn't cut down.

[Rob Channell]

Someone's little girl was either hurt badly or killed by some similar product many years ago. It seems the plastic can shatter and become shrapnel if it hits something hard. Keep kids and pets far away if you use one.

I had one and it was OK, but I got nervous and bought a fixed (non-feeding) string head that used much thicker string instead. It worked almost as well.

[Evans, Marv]

I have a 34cc, Craftsman 4 stroke I bought several years ago to take down the wild grasses around my property. It's pretty heavy duty and uses the same type of heavy duty nylon pieces Art's Echo does. In this area you have to knock the grass down or the fire department does it for you. I really like my weed whacker because it cuts down everything with a stem up to the size of your index finger.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Different tool. String is great for grasses, but you need the plastic blades for brush and heavier stuff. If the plastic blades hit your foot, it really hurts.

Safety shoes Mr R, what was it you did for a living again?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by peppy

JA, I have a Stihl trimmer also, fs-45 and I would have to put line on several times during a mowing. The thing would hang up and just feed one line, I was ready to give it away.
I bought a new bump head and it is the best trimmer I have ever used. I can now do the yard about 3 times before I have to restring the trimmer.

Also the Stihls can get the head so hot that the string melts and sticks together.

Maybe all Stihls aren't the same? I have an FS 80R, and I've never used the bump feed as I just remove the "cap" by hand, then manually unwind half a spool turn, put the line in the groove, and pop the cap back on...takes me about 30 seconds, and I only have to do this a few times if I go through a whole tank of gas, so it's painless imo (for me). Of course, make sure the cap is snapped back on...the ONE time I didn't, and it popped off, I was clearing around a pond, and they don't swim or float ...$14 lesson. I can run mine all day long and never have a problem with heat?

ps: How/why are some of you going through the line so fast...I don't think brand matters much, but I'm using Echo .080" line, and it's a "beast" of a trimmer.

[peppy]

ps: How/why are some of you going through the line so fast...I don't think brand matters much, but I'm using Echo .080" line, and it's a "beast" of a trimmer.


Evidently the weed eater is like a pair of post hole diggers and just doesn't fit my hands very well.