High Wheeled Weed Trimmer vs Mower?

[steensraven]

Howdy. Brand new here.

I am trying to decide what the heck to buy to keep my abundant weeds in check, in a 2-acre area. I cannot use a handheld weedtrimmer (bad back) and the weeds are now high and tough.

I have tried to buy a wheeled trimmer twice this year, the first was defective so I had to send it back, then they were out of stock. With the second one my order was cancelled with no explanation by Amazon (!!!). This will be my third try. Pretty soon I won't be able to find the driveway, for the weeds.

But now I am wondering if I should try to get a high wheeled mower rather than a wheeled string trimmer. Anyone have experience with both? I will need to do the maintenance on both myself (except for major breakdowns), so it seems the string trimmer would be easier. I know what it takes to remove and sharpen mower blades. Not real easy for us mature folks.

Thanks for any info! I have looked through the archives but much of the info is awful old.

Raven in Oregon

[gone-a-milkin]

I have used both and by far prefer a mower to a string trimmer. The mower blade needs sharpening ~true. But those string trimmers need their line replaced far more often.

I never get too far into my trimming before I have to fiddle with the string reel. Gah.

Also, if there is any poison ivy (or other allergy invoking weed) I sure dont like having to handle the business end of the trimmer.

Maybe you need to get some goats. Welcome to the forum, by the way.

[Harry Chickpea]

Too much depends on the lay of the land and what else is growing to make any real good answer. Having someone bushhog might be an option. A couple of goats might be an option, and if you can get it under control a riding mower might be an option.

[steensraven]

Thanks for your input. I think I answered my own question though, as soon as I posted. Seems to happen that way, often.

I just ordered another string trimmer. Nope no poison oak, invy or sumac here. Thank God!

Goats have been suggested by others too... But in the area that needs to be weed whacked I have this spring planted 22 trees and shrubs and a 50X25 veggie garden! The goats would looooove those I bet.

Ah well. Wish me luck with this order. I DID order a Swisher brand this time, based on the archives here.

THX agin
Raven in Oregon

[steensraven]

The ground is fairly flat but is uneven due to previous excavations for septic, drain field, water lines yadayada. Would a mower have had difficulties with that? I hope so since I have already ordered the string trimmer!

I also was not sure I could get a mower that would cut high enough to not sling gravel and small rocks at me. I understand the powerful string trimmer will do that anyway!

Raven

[KMA1]

A high wheeled mower is a lot easier to push than a string trimer. I would not suggest a trimmer for mowing a large area unless that is your exercise regime and you want it vigorous for arms chest and body.

[Jenn]

I like my DRTrimmer despite string fiddling issues for weeds and underbrush and tight spots mower can't go. For lawn though it is very uneven a cut (or my hands are unsteady ;> ) and the mower makes the grass look much nicer, no scalped areas.

Consider the tougher lines of string meant for thicker brush- lasts longer but more dangerous if you touch it. On the DRTrimmer those come in precut lengths which are easier to replace than cutting/installing the other line.

[steensraven]

Into exercise!

Yes this trimmer uses the heavy line .155 I believe.

AND I do have a lot of maneuvering to do around plants mostly.

Well, there IS no perfect solution, that's for sure.



It's nice to hear from all of you!
Raven in Oregon

[PyroDon]

In my opinion it would depend on how clean the area is .
rocks or a chunk of fire wood can kill a mower, bend blades and be a real pain. for areas like that a string trimmer has its advantages.
if theres not much debri to run over a mower is the better choice.
Of course Im redneck and tend to buy old snapper riders to brush hog with

[steensraven]

Good debate!

Ahhhhh bent blades. I believe I made the right decision. The ground is pretty rough. Rocks, native gravel, weeds, lumps and bumps. I will wear shin guards, ear plugs, heavy boots and eye protection!

Whacker should arrive next week. Weeds should be waist high by then

Well, need to go plant raspberry bushes. Guess I will PULL the weeds in the area.

Later!



Raven in Oregon

[fordson major]

Originally Posted by PyroDon

In my opinion it would depend on how clean the area is .
rocks or a chunk of fire wood can kill a mower, bend blades and be a real pain. for areas like that a string trimmer has its advantages.
if theres not much debri to run over a mower is the better choice.
Of course Im redneck and tend to buy old snapper riders to brush hog with

if yer lucky ya bend the blade! give me a mower any newer than came off the titanic and i can give the crank a couple of new bends! (brand new honda high wheel mowers even faster!) i'm a real red neck and git my mower from the curb side on trash day! (hands off pyro i seen it first!)
hey, welcome too the forums raven!

[Harry Chickpea]

Heh! Same mower, replaced three engines, two decks. Gotta find a forth engine. Using it to level the gravel in the drive probably dint help...

[PyroDon]

Originally Posted by ford major

if yer lucky ya bend the blade! give me a mower any newer than came off the titanic and i can give the crank a couple of new bends! (brand new honda high wheel mowers even faster!) i'm a real red neck and git my mower from the curb side on trash day! (hands off pyro i seen it first!)
hey, welcome too the forums raven!

gotten a few of those myself .
still have a hard time beating those old snapper riders cut open the front and back of the decks and they will mow about anything . better still if you cut the blade and make it a free swing

[JHinCA]

Has anyone tried a Sarlo brand high wheeled string trimmer? It looks like the best followed by DR. I don't want to buy one of the various ones out with plastic wheels.

Has anyone tried a self-propelled model? Can the speed be adjusted?

DH of JHinCA

[BeeFree]

We bought a push trimmer from Sears. First time out it tore up. We took it back and they gave us another new one. It has worked fine for about 3 years and the other day it just quit while Hubby was using it. He said he thinks it is a plastic pulley inside that has come apart. Anyway, I am going to have to call Sears and see if it is still under warrenty. Probably just run out.

If you can keep them operating the trimmer does the best job in tall weeds. I don't have a high wheel mower, so can't say much about that.

Glad you are on here. Hope you enjoy your stay.

[Big Dave]

How about useing a goat.

[Maura]

Consider getting a scythe. I am 4' 10" and have a bad back. I find the scythe works better for what you are dealing with. Get a European style, not American. The Scythe Company makes good scythes, they are on the net and I think are in New England. After you scythe area, it will be much easier on your trimmer. Oh, and don't get the grass blade, get the next heavier. I bent the grass blade on some tough weed stalks.

[Stephen in SOKY]

I have the Troy Built wheeled string trimmer. I bought it to keep a cemetery here on the farm as the foot stones won't allow even a 30" rider to be used. Starts good although the electric start no longer works. I do however go through quite a bit of the .155 trimmer twine. The mowing height is adjustable on mine. I use a regular Stihl straight shaft trimmer under the fence though. Even with the offset head the wheeled trimmer doesn't work well for me under the plank fence.

[steensraven]

Well, the machine arrived yesterday while I was out fishing. Hope to get it going today!

I thought, in the middle of the night, "Does that trimmer have adjustable trim height?" The description of the thing was so sketchy, I won't know until I open the box.

Back atcha later.


Raven

[steensraven]

I am VERY impressed by the wheeled trimmer! I whacked down some of the worst weeds, easily. The thing is so light that it is easy to push, no fighting it.

But when I unpacked it, the first thing I noticed is that is looks like better quality than the Sears machine. It cost maybe $80 more and is worth every cent. It is FAR better quality than the Sears Trimmer.

It started on the first pull. The cutting height IS adjustable.

It is the best solution for my lumpy but nearly flat land. I am a 60-year-old woman and can run the thing for hours without it pooping me out.

Thanks again folks for all your help. I am sure I will be using this web site again. I am, after all, a pioneer woman.

OH BTW the trimmer is the SWISHER Roll-n-Trim Model No. SST22625N.


Raven in SE Oregon