weed whacker advice, please

JHinCA · #1 07/30/08, 12:09 PM

We are looking for a heavy duty weed whacker to use keep weeds down along electric fences. Any suggestions as to brands and models?

Thanks in advance.

Jean

THETOOLMAN · #2 07/30/08, 12:43 PM

STIHL - EVERY TIME - Every time you are done & are ready to put it up, drain the fuel and start it untill it cuts off= out of gas-- every time.

Stephen in SOKY · #3 07/30/08, 01:46 PM

Stihl, any of the Pro Series.

Mutti · #4 07/30/08, 02:51 PM

Stihl....don't waste your money on some cheap-o machine. We have had ours for over 15 years with no repairs and it is used heavily keeping up this 120 acre farm.
And if you have the bucks get the new Easy-Start one...what a dream. Tried one at the dealer...son has the easystart chain saw and no more swearing necessary to get it running on a cold morning! DEE

Darren · #5 07/30/08, 03:01 PM

I'm a long-time Stihl user. I've got an older FS85 which is probably 8-10 years old and still going strong. I recently bought an FS250 which has the most power before you get into the forestry models. The FS250 easily takes the .105 sting which lasts longer than the lighter stuff and the extra power means it will cut as fast as I can swing and walk.

Both are handlebar models. With the harness setup, I can cut all day without the weight becoming bothersome. I think the handle bars also make it easier to cut on hill sides and ditch banks.

JHinCA · #6 07/30/08, 07:01 PM

Thanks for the responses. DH was thinking of Stihl, so this confirms it.

foxfiredidit · #7 07/30/08, 08:20 PM

My last was a Stihl, my new one is an Echo.

jross · #8 07/30/08, 08:32 PM

I never drain fuel from weedwhackers, chain saws, mowers, tractors. I use Stabil in the gas all year round. The weedwhackers are used with Machete blades in the winter for brush cutting. Chainsaws are used year round. Mowers are not used in the winter and they start up ok in the spring. Tractors are used all year round.

js2743 · #9 07/30/08, 09:03 PM

i use roundup on my fences and its much cheaper than a good high quality whacker only have to use it once every 2 months.

okiemom · #10 07/30/08, 09:38 PM

We also used roundup but still have to use the wheeled wacker every so often. DH will never use a non wheeled weed eater again.

JHinCA · #11 07/31/08, 12:01 AM

okiemom-
What kind of wheeled whacker do you have?

Quint · #12 07/31/08, 12:46 AM

I had one of the DR wheeled string trimmers and it beat the tar out of any of the conventional string trimmers I had including the stihls.

It's hard to find a conventional string trimmer with a 6 hp motor on it and the wheeled model was far easier on the body than the conventional ones I had. less vibration. easier on the hands and back. it also used heavier trimmer line than any of my conventional trimmers and had the capability of using a saw blade for heavy brush cutting.

They're more expensive but in my experience the extra expense is worth it.

indypartridge · #13 07/31/08, 04:55 AM

With four non-working whackers in my barn, I went and bought a Stihl this year. Not so much because of the name/reputation but because it's what our local, family-owned hardware store sells & services. Just like chainsaws, I want something I can get serviced locally by folks I know.

I also use roundup along my electric fence lines, but there's always plenty of weeds that need whacked!

bowdonkey · #14 07/31/08, 07:20 AM

Round-up type chemical.

Sammy · #15 07/31/08, 09:05 AM

Stihl .......... The One !

FL.Boy · #16 07/31/08, 09:40 AM

Why do so many people use round up? I don't want all that stuff in my drinking water.

js2743 · #17 07/31/08, 12:59 PM

roundup has no effect on the soil, and its much easier to use than a whacker thats putting out tons of blue smoke into the air that you have to breath.

myheaven · #18 07/31/08, 01:08 PM

We use a swisher wheeled string trimmer and love it, love it, love it. I was not happy when dh purchased yet another string trimmer. My dh has had the stihl sucked, got a huskvarna too heavy, now he has a swisher and the kids love using it for mowing. My kids are 9 and 7 who use it. I rake the trimmings and feed to the animals. Just watch around sappling you want to keep it will cut them right down. I learned that the hard way. I vote for swisher.

nathan104 · #19 07/31/08, 01:19 PM

I also have a Swisher two wheeled trimmer and love it. I have a bad back so a regular weedeater killed me. I can cut forever with the wheeled model. And, it is very heavy duty and cuts through thick vines and small saplings. Its great. Only problem is that it is a little too heavy duty for around the house. It will strip the paint off of the house and tear up wooden fences if you get too close. I need to buy one of the light duty light line trimmers to use around the house. But the heavy duty swisher is great along fence lines, around the pond and everywhere else Ive let grow up real bad.

FL.Boy · #20 07/31/08, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by js2743

roundup has no effect on the soil, and its much easier to use than a whacker thats putting out tons of blue smoke into the air that you have to breath.

If a weed eater is smoking you mixed the oil and gas wrong, weed eaters made in the last 10 years don't smoke anymore.