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Gas Trimmers
I am looking fo advice on which gas trimmer would be best. I have about an acre of grass surrounded by trees. The trees at the front just have grass around them but at the back and left side I have underbrush. Which one would best be suited for this?
The whole area is flat without any steep slopes to worry about.
I am looking for something that is easily maintained and has good reliability.
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Gas Trimmers
It all depends on three things. How thick is the underbrush, how hard do you want to work at it, and how much money do you want to spend.
1. You can purchase an inexpensive (light duty) string trimmer from a box store that accepts interchangeable heads. You can also purchase a separate head to do light duty brush trimming. I would think you could trim up to about 1/4" diameter brush or up to about 3/4" diameter thistle and red or rag weed. The trimming attachment has a rough time if not impossible to cut if the stuff isn't green. I think a trimmer is about $120.00 + $75.00 for the attachment.
2. The same approach is available through Stihl. They have their own quick-change system which is more of an industrial/commercial grade. I would consider this to be (medium duty) and about 1 1/2 the cost of topic 1.
3. If you have really dense underbrush you may want to rent or purchase a DR trimmer. These can be heavy duty on two wheels for balance. I think they have models that will cut up to about 1 1/2" diameter wood.
I have option 1 and use an axe or machete to get the big stuff under control. The exercise is good for you (doing it the hard way) and keeps your heart rate up and keeps your arteries clean.
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Gas Trimmers
Cut the brush and it will come back up. It's extra work to dig it out, but once done, the back trees will be like the front ones, and a plain string trimmer will suffice.
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Gas Trimmers
We have a consumer grade 'echo' line trimmer. I wouldn't buy another one. It runs and works fine but the fuel tank and corresponding fuel supply tubing is a constant source of leaks. I have to wear hip waders when using it to keep the fuel off my pants. New parts haven't helped.
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Gas Trimmers
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We have a consumer grade 'echo' line trimmer. I wouldn't buy another one. It runs and works fine but the fuel tank and corresponding fuel supply tubing is a constant source of leaks. I have to wear hip waders when using it to keep the fuel off my pants. New parts haven't helped.
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Ditto on the Ryobi I have. Need more parts for same problem again.
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Gas Trimmers
Buy a Stihl - many good models, great reliability, good service.
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Gas Trimmers
The price is somewhat of an issue but not the main point. I would trather spend a little more now than have to buy a new one in a few yaers buut it couldn't handle the job. A little heavier now can save a few hundred later.
the brush is not thick and is mainly a woody type of bush. I'm looking mainly to keep it in the trees and not let it take over the grass.
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Gas Trimmers
Do you use such as Round Up to help control or only a trimmer. I find a combo such as Round Up makes for only light grass timming. That and a zero turn mower.
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Gas Trimmers
I gotta agree with KT. We probably hgave four or five dead string timmers in the back of the shed that need to go to the junkyard. If anything has ever caused me some loss of reigion it has to be those #@%&*@@@ trimmers. Roundup is the gratest thing since canned beer.
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Gas Trimmers
A lot of people ask me about turf maintenance, including trimmers.
I often get asked what trimmer is the best one, my answer is always the same; "none.".
Seriously, we go to a lot of trouble to have things arranged such that a trimmer is not needed. They are, IMHO, the single biggest waste of time, money and labour there is in turf care. Not to mention likely the most likely to injure a worker.
Mulch, edge, glcosulfates (Round-up, etc.), pave, anything except having to use one of those infernal contraptions.
Best of luck.
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