Trimmer Line

[jclaudesanders]

I am still in the process of starting my Lawn Care business and was curious if any of you guys had a preference on Trimmer line. I would imagine if you went the wrong way and chose the wrong line you would go through alot of it...

[picframer]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by jclaudesanders I am still in the process of starting my Lawn Care business and was curious if any of you guys had a preference on Trimmer line. I would imagine if you went the wrong way and chose the wrong line you would go through alot of it... Depends on the unit you are using and what it is you are cutting, we use 5 different lines, from Stihl ( I like the four sided line) to a 155mm Cord sold By Dr Power Equipment, each has their place.

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Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia

[jclaudesanders]

Thats the other thing. I havent bought a trimmer yet, I was thinking about the echo 225sb but idk...I dont plan on doing very much commercial esp. in my first year, if at all. Should I go with that trimmer or a different one? I do know I want straight shaft and I hear that .95 is a pretty good versatile line but should I keep the stock head with it or get another one? and why wouldnt you get one of those heads with the three steel blades that would cut everything and not have to replace them? Am I over thinking this or what?

[mark123]

I was using the Echo .095 but it just seemed to get used up too quickly. I tried the Husqvarna Titanium Force .095 and it lasts a whole lot longer. I've been using the Husqvarna for 2 years now and am quite happy with it.

I also tried some .105 but it just seemed to hurl rocks like crazy.

Definitely go with the Echo trimmer. Much easier to start and longer lasting. I just replaced my 9 year old Echo GT2400 with a Echo SRM265. The curved shaft is much more comfortable to use but the straight shaft is more powerful and gets the job done faster.

[jclaudesanders]

Thanks Mark123 that was very helpful and I will def. be getting the 265...what about edgers? any insight into them? I know most Hacks just turn up there trimmer but nothing looks better than a freshly edged lawn...

[Steve]

we use 5 different lines, from Stihl ( I like the four sided line) to a 155mm Cord sold By Dr Power Equipment, each has their place.

What kinds of different uses do you find work best with different types of line?

[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

What kinds of different uses do you find work best with different types of line?

We use a .105 both round and square for general grass trimming around trees etc.

We use .155 for really heavy grass and small brush, I run the square in this unit

Then we have two of the Dr. Power walk behind commercial trimmers which use a cord type line that is .155

We have a Red Line and a Black line but I forget what size they are and I know they don't get used often.

We use a Stihl FS250 that has a brush blade and another FS250 that has a Brush Knife

It really depends on what the staff are doing

[picframer]

Originally Posted by jclaudesanders

Thats the other thing. I havent bought a trimmer yet, I was thinking about the echo 225sb but idk...I dont plan on doing very much commercial esp. in my first year, if at all. Should I go with that trimmer or a different one? I do know I want straight shaft and I hear that .95 is a pretty good versatile line but should I keep the stock head with it or get another one? and why wouldnt you get one of those heads with the three steel blades that would cut everything and not have to replace them? Am I over thinking this or what?

I am not honestly familiar with Echo, I can tell you the preferred setup by all staff is the bicycle handles, straight shaft and Stihl makes a super comfortable body hardness, the one that comes with the units is OK but this one is around $125.00 and worth every penny.

I run Stihl as that is what the local John Deere dealers sells, we have a lot of Stihl equipment, 7 professional chain saws, four backpack blowers, 6 trimmers/brush saws, Kombi system (which in your case is what I would suggest to start as it has so many attachments), I have never had any issues with any of the gear. They make what I and the staff consider the most comfortable landscaping boot going, I think all but one staff member wears them.

Stihl has the market here, if you drive around and pass lawncare companies on sites, almost always they will have Stihl trimmers, even the city here runs them.

On the chainsaw side, I live in an area that is very large in tree harvesting both soft and hardwood, Stihl is the saw of choice.

[mark123]

picframer, I hear the square line cuts the blades cleaner than the round. Do you find that to be true? If there is one thing I hate it's having a nice clean cut with frayed grass on the edges turning brown.

[majoe7]

JC
I use two types of string for my trimmers. Both do their job. I use Echo Orange .095 and a brand I buy from our John Deere Dealer which is made by Rotary, Vortex Professional Nylon line .095" for $27.95 a roll. 800' I think. It is braided and holds up very well. Last forever. I wouldn’t recommend using steel blade when trimming due to the fact you may cut cable lines, irrigation tubing in beds or like Mark said hurl rock at you or a house to do some damage.

When I first started out I went to Home depot and bought an Echo SRM 210 line trimmer $229 and a PE 200 Edger $249 and they both still work and run great after 6 years. I also have a Stihl combo like Andy has KM65r which is great. I have pole saw, trimmer and hedge trimmer attachments. Costly, about $750 all together, but well worth it. Echo commercial trimmer SRM230, great power little heavier. I also have a hand held Stihl blower $149 cost and a Stihl commercial grade Backpack BR380 blower $349.

Starting out you need to buy the proper equipment for the jobs you are going to do. If you are going to be in this for the long haul don’t buy the box store Troy Built, Ryobi, Paulson or Craftsmen. They won’t hold up and for the price spend a little more to last a little longer.

John