Trimmer String recommendation

[dirtydeed]

Does anyone have a specific manufacturer/type of weed trimmer string that you just can't be without? I do not relish replacing the string on my trimmer 2x/2 hour outing. I've been using the same old echo trimmer for about 15 years and still have not found string that would last a whole tank full of gas.

I'm currently (rapidly) working thru a spool of Shakespeare "Ugly Twist" 0.095 gauge. This is a heavier gauge than what I used to run but I think there's still room for improvement. I have lots of trees, so, my usage is pretty rough on trimmer string.

Recommendations (other than just paying someone else to do the trimming)?

 

[RCW]

I've been using Stihl 0.105" line for 20 years or so. Plain ol' round stuff, nothing fancy with edges/shapes, etc. Seems like a medium spool is about $9+ at my local Stihl dealer.

I'm very rough on line. I still don't get as much run time as I'd like, but found .105 seems to last better than .095 or .130.

.095" is a little light for some of the stuff I chop up, and oddly .130" seemed a little brittle to me and seemed to break quicker than the lighter line.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Take the entire spool of trimmer string and soak it in a pail of water, you'll be amazed how long it will last. I keep mine submerged in water all the time, in a can with a lid.

Little tip from my Stihl dealer.

 

[bcp]

I make two long pulls off the reel-about 12 ft, for each fill. It lasts so long I forget when I changed it last. Probably use two fills a year. The original round line that I had lasted one or two trim sessions.

 

[Creature Meadow]

I have several industrial straight shaft trimmers and with them bought self feed heads.

I run .155 diameter string on them. I had to drill out the holes as only .105 would fit through them.

I put a new piece in and cut a piece to go in my back pocket.

One key is not to hold closer than necessary to trees, posts, fences etc. I ease into so the string does not beat against the hard items. I edge my borders with the same string turning the trimmer side ways, dirt and sand does wear it down though.

I run mine about 8" long on each side out of the head. Depending on cc's of trimmer this may need adjusting, mine spin it fine.

The trimmer heads are Shindaiwa brand and ran me about $20 each.

Been using the heads since late 80's when I worked on a golf course during the summers.

 

[dirtydeed]

thanks guys. maybe next time I'm out of line I'll get some stihl branded stuff. I did see husqvarna brand too that I almost picked up. SF- I'll try the soaking line trick as well as the stuff I'm using does seem brittle. You'd think a company like Shakespeare would know what makes good line (well, for fishing anyway )

 

[BruceP]

The guy with "Project Farm" seems to do pretty objective tests of all kinds of products. (drillbits, saws, lubricants...etc)

Here is his testing of trimmer-line ==>

 

[D2Cat]

I buy our weed eater line from a shop called "Dangerous Toys". Owner has worked in saw and weed eater business for years. I'd have to look in the shop, but it's made from nylon. The same product the odd Nylon 66 rifles were made from (they had the lifetime guarantee on the stock). Look for a string that is: made of nylon 66 copolymere. Looks like black licorice.

 

[RCW]

Bruce- thanks for the link. I enjoyed his objective analysis.
Just before I watched it I found a small spook of the Husqvarna line he tested. No idea where I got it....

dirty - this is the Stihl line I’ve used for years.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I have one of the Stihl 3 plastic blade 'tri-cut' heads for my FS66 that I use most of the time and how I found out about soaking the string and blades in water.

 

[bcp]

You'd think a company like Shakespeare would know what makes good line (well, for fishing anyway )

Even the Shakespeare fishing line label doesn't tell you it works better when wet.

Bruce

 

[WFM]

I'm not sure about the string. But being the tree hugging bastard that I am. Last year I bought a cordless wacker from Lowes. 24V. It came with one battery. I already had a couple batteries for other Lowes stuff I had bought. Like the impact driver, 5 yr replacement on the tool, 3 yr on the battery. But anyway.
I'm good for about 30 minutes of weed wacking. By then my hands are ready for a rest. But the cordless works good. Its quieter and cuts good, pleanty of balls on the bigger weeds to cut them.
And I'm saving the earth of course.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Save away, I'm happy for you...

Don't think I've used the string head in 10 years now. Once I found out how good the Polycut was, I never went back. It's a mini brush hog.

 

[NHSleddog]

Stay current. Most of the 20 year old brands have changed their mixture through the years. Polymers change and improve all the time. Rarely do they change to make the base product better or last longer, it is usually just to be manufactured more cheaply.

The Husqvarna line with the spiral pattern works well on grass and lasts a long time. It seems to work the best in our honda 4-stroke trimmer.

Ask a landscaper that has some full day needs.

 

[dirtydeed]

RCW- I've seen the Husqvarna string at Lowes. I was very tempted to grab it but got the other stuff I have instead. I think that was a mistake.

 

[lugbolt]

I bought some Razorback 095 line the other day and so far I love it. Quiet running too.