Best Machine To Edge With

[steviepowers]

What should I get to edge with? Have already dropped @ 7K and wanting to keep my startup as low as possible. Can you get by with a good string trimmer or do you need an expensive edger. Thanks for your input.

[out4now]

Don't edge with a string trimmer. Buy a stick edger or if your budget is tight buy a cheap Mclane walk behind used for now. Should be able to get one at a yard sale for around 50 bucks. Personally I'd get both if you can.

[29 Palms Property Management]

Stick Edger!

[stroker51]

What is wrong with using a trimmer to edge? Everybody around here does it like that, and if the operator is any good you can't tell any difference in the final product. If you are trying to keep expenses low, I would buy at least one good trimmer, maybe a backup, and do your trim/edge all at once, instead of having to go back to the trailer for a different piece of equipment to finish a job you can do with the one in your hand.

[grassmanak]

if i were you id buy something higher end that you can get both ends for. probably gonna be around 400 or so though.

[out4now]

What is wrong with using a trimmer to edge? Everybody around here does it like that, and if the operator is any good you can't tell any difference in the final product. If you are trying to keep expenses low, I would buy at least one good trimmer, maybe a backup, and do your trim/edge all at once, instead of having to go back to the trailer for a different piece of equipment to finish a job you can do with the one in your hand.

The cut isn't as clean. The kerf gradually becomes wider and wider, You can get an edge that way but over time it will start to look bad. You can almost always tell when a blade has been used. Also when you are using a string trimmer to try and cut in an overgrown edge for the first time it turns into a PITA quickly. I learned it the hard way myself.

[Carolina Cuts]

hmmm... how bout' a shovel? :p that's cheap enough.

invest the money man!!! Work smart, not hard. Stihl Stick 280.00+some change

You will never... NEVER EVER NEVER get the edge you want from a string trimmer... at least not for a 'first time' edge.

[Carolina Cuts]

hmmm... how bout' a shovel? :p that's cheap enough.

invest the money man!!! Work smart, not hard. Stihl Stick 280.00+some change

You will never... NEVER EVER NEVER get the edge you want from a string trimmer... at least not for a 'first time' edge. Most of my properties get edged once/twice a month with the stick... sometimes I cheat and use the trimmer, but only cause they've been pre-edged with the stick.

[29 Palms Property Management]

and if the operator is any good you can't tell any difference in the final product.

If the operator is any good, he/she would know there was a difference. I agree with 'out4now'. Just not as clean as an edge. Not saying not to use a trimmer for both for awhile, but don't tell me there's no difference.

[daveintoledo]

if your really good atit you could get by with a trimmer, but if your new, youll tear stuf up.... get a stick edger, the difference is very appearent to me....and easier to use with out making a mistake and having to fix the lawn.....:)

[K&L Landscaping]

Get the edger! Using a string trimmer to maintain an edge is just cutting corners to me. The trimmer will eventually turn the tips of the grass brown and will look terrible. It's similar to mowing with dull blades.

[steviepowers]

Thank you all very much. I will be getting the edger. Learning everyday.

[nograss]

Most people that use a stick edger can't use a weedeater. The reason for taking dirt is simply not having ability. pure and simple. I'd wouldn't like to use a stick edger everytime i mowed. I edge every week and have no problems with my 52 lawns, and they are all high end.

[daveintoledo]

like i said if your a beginner, use a stick edger... :)

[65hoss]

What should I get to edge with? Have already dropped @ 7K and wanting to keep my startup as low as possible.
Kind of late to be thinking about keeping startup as low as possible.

Regardless, get the stick edger and a dedicated one at that. Not the break apart trimmer/edger combos.

[grass_cuttin_fool]

Kind of late to be thinking about keeping startup as low as possible.

Regardless, get the stick edger and a dedicated one at that. Not the break apart trimmer/edger combos.

You dont like the combi units? That would of been a suggestion of mine, to buy something like a stihl combi-system and have a trimmer and edger. The downfall of that is if the engine goes down then you have lost 2 tools. But for start up I would think that would be the way to go the 1st year and then in the 2nd year buy a new trimmer and keep the combi-system for edging and a back up trimmer in case the 2nd goes down.I quess Ive gotten off topic some, But If I was going to just have one edger I would go with a good stick edger. ( I have and use all 3, stick, walk, edgit) I have found where I need all 3 at times and no one is perfect all the time.

wayne

[TJLANDS]

You will never... NEVER EVER NEVER get the edge you want from a string trimmer... at least not for a 'first time' edge.
I agree, first time has to be a blade. After that any good worker could use a string trimmer for 3-4 cuts.

[65hoss]

You dont like the combi units? That would of been a suggestion of mine, to buy something like a stihl combi-system and have a trimmer and edger. The downfall of that is if the engine goes down then you have lost 2 tools. But for start up I would think that would be the way to go the 1st year and then in the 2nd year buy a new trimmer and keep the combi-system for edging and a back up trimmer in case the 2nd goes down.I quess Ive gotten off topic some, But If I was going to just have one edger I would go with a good stick edger. ( I have and use all 3, stick, walk, edgit) I have found where I need all 3 at times and no one is perfect all the time.

wayne
Glad you asked that question...I guess I should explain why.

1. You have the combi-system safely in a trimmer rack and locked. How safe is it? All you have to do is twist in the middle and pull each part out...thief gone in a matter of seconds. If you keep it for a backup later on, its the easiest for them to steal.

2. Time. It takes a little time to change out. Probably close to the same and getting another piece out of the rack and started, but still a little slower. Over the course of a week or even a month it can start to add up. What about if you have a day with a helper? Only one person can be edging and trimming.

3. Its a wear point. The more you take it off and on...2 times each property...the faster it will start to wear.

4. DON'T BUY IT TWICE!!! This is a huge issue with me. Buying a piece of equipment and then knowing you will need to spend the money AGAIN later to get you the same results is a HUGE waste of cash flow. If you are buying more trimmers and edgers it should be because you are growing and using them...not buying it again to replace what you already bought in the first place.

Spending $7k to get started and he didn't even get a trimmer and edger is kinda nuts. Now he's on a quest to do everything from this point cheap. While a trimmer and edger seem expensive to him right now...in reality they are not. I never let a trimmer slow us down. At $300 for the trimmer and we do 3+ times that every day, they are not that much.

But here is my suggestion to get you started...buy a new trimmer when you are ready to start working. On the day you head out for the first time with a number of clients to do...go by the shop and get a stick edger. Don't outlay all your cash right now.

[cleancutccl]

I want to oppose stroker51 comment of everyone in his area uses trimmer. Every new customer I get from another company I have to replant every edge because they destroyed it with weedeaters, some edges even set back 6" from cement. These accounts come from large companies and small companies. I doesn't matter how good you are with a trimmer you will destroy the edge, and not ever get a straight line. Edger, follow the concrete, done. Less training when it comes to employees, and less worry about pissed off customers.

[steviepowers]

Hey Mr. Hoss,
Who said anything about cheap? I believe I said: "keep my startup as low as possible"... possible, without being cheap. Also, who said anything about not owning a trimmer? I currenly own a new Ferris 48" dual hydro walk-behind, a 10' x 6' dove tail trailer, a new shindaiwa pro trimmer and backpack blower, and a 20" non-commercial push mower. Actually, I have stayed extremely economical for what I have purchased and what my goals are. ECONOMICAL... not cheap. Cheap is what people named Hoss look for when they're buying wine and liquor. Might want to read the threads before attacking them. hell, it was only two lines... thats #2.

[gslawncare]

Does a stick have enough power for the first time? I have one of those mclanes, and the only drawback is changing blades@3 a pop, and bogging down when cutting beds and extremely over grown edges. I just can't see the same exact motor a string trimmer has handling anything more than touch-ups.
comments please

[grass_cuttin_fool]

Does a stick have enough power for the first time? I have one of those mclanes, and the only drawback is changing blades@3 a pop, and bogging down when cutting beds and extremely over grown edges. I just can't see the same exact motor a string trimmer has handling anything more than touch-ups.
comments please

I cut in a few new ones last year with a stihl fs 85, It had the power but would of been easier with my craftsman walkbehind. MY craftsman and stigl uses the same blade, maybe a dollar each

wayne

[stroker51]

cleancut, allow me to correct myself. Very few people around here use a stick edger. I have worked for 2 or 3 other companies who have been at this a lot longer than either of us, with VERY good reputations, and they have never touched a stick edger. I am not trying to get aggressive here, just pointing out what i have learned/noticed. Look around at everybody else's trimmer racks, and there are not a whole lot of stick edgers on there. I'm not saying they don't do a good job, esp. on a first edge, i probably shoulda said that at first, and there have been times in my former employment that i wish we woulda had one, for those situations. There is only one account i have where the edge is going back away from the concrete, and it was that way when i acquired it, if you're careful while you do it, i can honestly say none of MY lawns that i have been the only one to mow have an issue with this, and never a pissed off customer. Once again, not trying to be aggressive, just my .02.

[mow2nd]

If u want to save your money just use the string trimmer to edge

[Shawninfl]

We went with the Shindiawa M231 Multipurpose Tool (gas) and added to it the trimmer and edger heads. They pop in and out easily. There is quite a BIG difference when you stick edge around trees and also beds. It leaves a nice clean cut and also prevents the grass from growing into the beds. SWEET!

[Shawninfl]

We just purchased the M231 Multipurpose Tool from Shindaiwa and added the trimmer and edger attachments. A stick edger makes a big difference especially when you edge around trees and beds.

[Shawninfl]

We went with the Shindiawa M231 Multipurpose Tool (gas) and added to it the trimmer and edger heads. They pop in and out easily. There is quite a BIG difference when you stick edge around trees and also beds. It leaves a nice clean cut and also prevents the grass from growing into the beds. SWEET!

[huskymower]

even though you want to keep start up costs down if your going to buy an edger you might as well get a good one and not have to worry about it.

[nograss]

Better yet learn the business and how to use a weed eater to do the proper job. No additional outlay of $. It is only one persons opinion, however I remain steadfast that a lawn care specialist shoud be able to do the all around business or stay away.

[toac]

i only use the stick edger about 3 times a year, beginning, middle and end. between that i just use a trimmer

[nograss]

I can see an edger used that way!

[PMLAWN]

Stick edge each week but we bought a Cheap push one for doing the new customers. It does not get used much so being cheap does not hurt us. But if you use it a lot the Mc Clain is great. We love the Combi tools for hedge trimming but I agree with Hoss about everyday use. The cost of another tool will take about a month to recup.

[PaulJ]

Like I said in another thread. For me the best is a good trimmer with an EDGIT on it using it the way the edgit recommends. I keep straight clean edges on everything all season. If the groove gets to wide I back off for a week or two.
Ive used sticks I have used trimmers alone and I've used wheeled edgers and the edgit works best for me.
I do have a wheeled edger for new accounts with overgrown edges. I bought it used for about $34 otherwise I would probable just rent one for the once or twice a year that it's needed. Once the edge is established I can maintain it with the trimmer/edgit combo.
I will not have a trimmer without an edgit on it.

[trent515]

Well, I can tell you from working on an 80+ acre hospital and clinic grounds crew, that we ONLY edge with string trimmers. I've never used a stick edger, but know they do give a nice look. However, when we edge, we tend to hold at about a 45% angle rather than cutting straight off. As the grass grows out over the course of the week, the edging job STILL looks good. Once you do this a little bit, you get pretty good at it, and the lines are perfect. I too am starting a small lawn company this spring and plan on edging with my string trimmer. Maybe along the line, I WILL get a stick edger.

[salandscape]

Personally I start out with the stick edger and mantain with line trim. If I could recommend a good in expensive piece of equipment to by it would be the Echo PAS 260 this is a power source (looks like a big line trimmer) That can use various attachements, such as a stick edger, articuticualting (sp)hedge pruners, power broom etc. If you are only using it to clean up exisiting edges in the spring. I f you opening beds and using the stick edger reguraly i would recommend a three wheel edger, take your pick.

[65hoss]

Hey Mr. Hoss,
Who said anything about cheap? I believe I said: "keep my startup as low as possible"... possible, without being cheap. Also, who said anything about not owning a trimmer? I currenly own a new Ferris 48" dual hydro walk-behind, a 10' x 6' dove tail trailer, a new shindaiwa pro trimmer and backpack blower, and a 20" non-commercial push mower. Actually, I have stayed extremely economical for what I have purchased and what my goals are. ECONOMICAL... not cheap. Cheap is what people named Hoss look for when they're buying wine and liquor. Might want to read the threads before attacking them. hell, it was only two lines... thats #2.

Best Machine To Edge With

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What should I get to edge with? Have already dropped @ 7K and wanting to keep my startup as low as possible. Can you get by with a good string trimmer or do you need an expensive edger. Thanks for your input.
Notice the reference in post one to expensive. The opposite is inexpensive or cheaper. Settle down junior, just because I used the word cheap didn't mean I called you cheap. You also didn't mention you already bought a trimmer, you asked if you could get by with a string trimmer. I interpretted it to mean you haven't bought one yet. Glad you have.

I've been around lawnsite longer than just about anyone here. I have done probably 100's of posts about expenses and keeping them low on startup. I don't have a problem with that at all. That is the only way someone starting will make it. What I did question was someone already spending $7k on equipment and now worrying about and "expensive" edger. A $350-$400 edger after $7k is really immaterial. I've seen many many many "startup" questions over the yrs and I learned to make my posts about things like this not just for you, but for all the others that are researching this industry also. That is why I usually give more explanation to my answers based on the bigger picture of others. Don't get yourself so worked up over the word cheap, I wasn't calling you cheap.

[Runner]

Ok...We've been through this 100 times, (so Stevie, listen up) and in the longer threads of this, the majority of the people end up agreeing on this. Some have already touched on it within THIS thread.
If you are going to have any ONE edger, get a quality WHEELED edger. A wheeled edger will handle ALL your edging needs. The problem with a stick edger, is that while some do have adequate power for doing initial edges, they are not as efficient as a larger heavier wheeled edger. If you are edging any jobsite that has any distance at all, you will thank yourself for having a wheeled edger. You can do these edges with just SO MUCH LESS fatigue. With a stick edger, you are working to keep it jammed down into the ground...especially on harder ground. As far as the blade price, that is why we have suppliers such as JThomas and others. Use them both...the wheeled edger is like magic for how easy it is. The real advantage of a stick edger is its handiness - the ability to get it quick, and move down many (lighter) edges fast.
As far as those that claim that a string trimmer edges as well as an edger, I don't know WHAT planet THAT happens on, but it doesn't happen here on Earth. When edging Earth soil, if we have 100-150 linear feet of curb or sidewalk edging to do, 1 inch deep, and 1 inch thick (or thicker), you take your string trimmer and start cutting. I'll do it with an edger. After I get my scraps cleaned up, I'll ask how your hack job is doing You should have about 20 feet by then (probably not cut thorough). Bottom line: Use the right tool for the right application.