Weed Wacker - Have you thought of this? (Page 2/4)
Fats FEB 20, 06:39 AM
We swapped ours out for a guy that shows up once a week with his own truck and a trailer full of lawn tools. The first thing he did was kill the grass with some spray around most of the obstacles, cutting his time likely in half.

I've yet to run out of string.

This year I'm going to try and add one of those robot mowers for the dog yard, but inflation may put that off for a bit.
LitebulbwithaFiero FEB 20, 08:42 AM

quote
Originally posted by Fats:

We swapped ours out for a guy that shows up once a week with his own truck and a trailer full of lawn tools. The first thing he did was kill the grass with some spray around most of the obstacles, cutting his time likely in half.

I've yet to run out of string.

This year I'm going to try and add one of those robot mowers for the dog yard, but inflation may put that off for a bit.




My dad did the kill the grass thing. I don't think he did it right. It looked like crap with a 1 foot dead area by the fences and trees. I do the weed whipping for him, so I just have to do it more often so he doesn't try it again.

Fences on both sides of the yard, where the neighbors don't take care of their sides. So kinda have to go up and down the fence to get what sticks out.

But anyways, I have a Stihl that takes .035" string. You cut two 6' lengths, stab them into the holes and wind it up.

My dad also has a Stihl, but his takes the .05" string. It supposedly last longer but is harder to spool. I never used it as my brother permanently borrowed it.

[This message has been edited by LitebulbwithaFiero (edited 02-20-2022).]

82-T/A [At Work] FEB 20, 01:27 PM

quote
Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:
“Hey, what if I took an empty plastic spool and put in bicycle brake cable?” Or, SOMETHING that is more robust than that dreaded nylon line?

Have you tried something like this?
Thanks, Kit




This is actually quite common. There's a special chain for it, but yeah, a lot of landscaping companies do this.

The problem though is that it can be very damaging. You can't go around trees, or concrete, because it'll literally strip the tree bare and possibly kill it all together. It'll also break concrete. But they sell several industrial sized weed whackers that are used primarily for actually clearing weeds that have this. Different is... you just can't use that kind as an "edger," like so many people do.
maryjane FEB 20, 04:54 PM

quote
ou can't go around trees, or concrete, because it'll literally strip the tree bare and possibly kill it all together.


And that's where take advantage of the fortuitous situation and shoot just a couple of squirts of 50/50 diesel/triclopyr in there and walk away knowing you'll never have to rake leaves or weedwhack around that tree again. my work here is done....

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 02-20-2022).]

Patrick FEB 20, 05:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

...knowing you'll never have to rake leaves or weedwhack around that tree again. my work here is done....



What, you've still got trees to weedwhack around?

maryjane FEB 20, 05:32 PM
No. My only trees have needles and grass doesn't grow under the conifers here. Makes the soil pH too acid. If I did tho, a good chemical program would insure I never have to weedwhack around them.

My Stihl has a saw blade on it. No wimpy string for me.
Patrick FEB 20, 05:43 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

My only trees have needles and grass doesn't grow under the conifers here. Makes the soil pH too acid.



Same situation here with cedar trees. It's like a nuclear zone under every tree.


quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

My Stihl has a saw blade on it. No wimpy string for me.



That's fine out in the open. Not so fine trimming along a chain link fence!

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 02-20-2022).]

maryjane FEB 20, 06:23 PM
I've used a string trimmer along a chain link fence before. The chainlink is no less damaging to the vinyl string. In both string and blade, the trick is to get under the bottom of the fence.
(I don't have to worry about grass growing up under my fences. The cows stick their heads under it and eat it down, even if they have to get down on their front knees and do it)

these aren't mine but I've seen mine do this more times than I can count. Always greener on the other side...

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 02-20-2022).]

theogre FEB 20, 09:04 PM
yes, Gas powered Straight Shaft like above can use steel disk cutters of many designs.
Most also say straight shaft w/ 2 handle "T bar" to control the torque when hits bigger things.
Quick Example: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Li...sh-Cutter/5001955419 (Is just First T-bar type listed at lowes)
I had that years ago cutting out brush to small trees.

Not a good plan for most people...
Will cut many wire fences etc or tangle them around the head.
Can throw things very far too.
You can hurt or kill anything or anyone and Faster then a "blink of your eye." And expect to be Arrested for hurting anyone.

You can't run them on Gas units w/ Bend Shafts, 20v - 40v DC and 120VAC units sold to most of the public.
Should Not run them on Gas Straight Shafts units w/o T-bar and harness shown in example.

They make Plastic Blades for "commercial" units sim to Ryobi example above that is stronger then line but must less dangerous then metal blades. Even they can kill a tree and small animals easy. But if a blade breaks, the plastic doesn't have mass to hurt/damage after a few feet. Or be really bad stepping on them.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 02-20-2022).]

82-T/A [At Work] FEB 21, 05:09 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

I've used a string trimmer along a chain link fence before. The chainlink is no less damaging to the vinyl string. In both string and blade, the trick is to get under the bottom of the fence.
(I don't have to worry about grass growing up under my fences. The cows stick their heads under it and eat it down, even if they have to get down on their front knees and do it)

these aren't mine but I've seen mine do this more times than I can count. Always greener on the other side...







LOL, that's hilarious.