walk behind trimmers

[Runestone]

I need to find a decent way of trimming around the dog fencing and also the overgrown burr bushes that are trying to take over. I have a gas trimmer but I don't find it that easy to use.

Any recommendations on a good walk behind trimmer would be appreciated.

[vallyfarm]

My father has a Troy Built walk behind with a Kawi engine in it. Runs great, pressure lube. He loved that thing for years until he borrowed my Echo trimmer (hand held). Hasen't used the TB ever since...2 yrs ago. I would sugest getting a GOOD trimmer. They are ballanced, well built, powerful, and easy to manuver. The key is always buy quality. Mike

[EDDIE BUCK]

Originally Posted by Runestone

I need to find a decent way of trimming around the dog fencing and also the overgrown burr bushes that are trying to take over. I have a gas trimmer but I don't find it that easy to use.

Any recommendations on a good walk behind trimmer would be appreciated.

I have a 5 hp push mtd string trimmer which does good on large grass, weeds and brush but I don't think it would work very well close to a fence. My opinion is you would either be cutting the fence or replacing the trimmer string every couple of minuites. If the fence is off the ground like electric fence it would work good. What I would do is Round-up it, along the fence line. Then use the trimmer away from the fence a tad. Eddie

[tamsam]

As EDDIE says a string trimmer and fence is bad news. I used to mix round up and malethon[sp] and spray the fence and around the house. Kept the bugs out and made weed wacking simple. Sam

[Quint]

I've got a DR walk behind string trimmer. Pretty decent piece of equipment. Has a 6.5 hp briggs and stratton quantum engine that is simply the best lawnmower type engine I've ever used. That engine is flawless and I can start it with one finger pulling the handle. The trimmer itself works quite well. The cord is much heavier than anything I've ever used in string trimmers and there s no complicated feed mechanism to fuss with and wind. You simple lace it into the trimmer head and go. When it gets short you can quickly replace it. You can also equip it with a saw blade for heavier stuff.

I was pretty impressed with it. It will really tear through the weeds and never lacks for power. It shouldn't though with a 6 horse engine. I've never had a string trimmer with 6 horse before. I've even used it as a lawnmower and cut the grass in my back yard with it.

It has it's problems though. The wheel adjusting system on mine needs a bit of adjustment after some hard use I've given it. The other drawback is the price. Their models of string trimmer/mowers run from 600-1100 depending on which model you get. I got mine substantially cheaper since it was used and factory reconditioned.

If you're in the market for a string trimmer and can't handle a big gas powered one for whatever reason the walk behind models are just the ticket and will probably work better than a conventional string trimmer anyway for most purposes.