Edging after getting tired...

[LoneStarLawn]

My edges have been off lately as I have been getting tired on the job (physically tired). I edge with my trimmer and have a walk-behind edger when needed. The thing is I only like using the walk-behind about twice a year on a lawn (takes time). So my question is will a stick-edger help my edging even when I'm tired or will it just be a hassle and may cause more problems?

I really get angry at myself when the edging is off...:angry:

[evergreenlawn]

Alan,

I use a smaller trimmer Echo SRM 2400 for edging. It's lightweight compared to the heavy duty ones and it does just as good of a job. I hate the stick edger's. I use the walk-behind to get a good edge and then try to maintain it with the trimmer.

[Lawn DOG]

We use the walk behind edger if taking over a new job and it has not been done before. It is very easy and fast to use a stick edger if you keep it done regularly. We have the stihl and echo stick edgers. Personally I prefer the echo. You can do it with your string trimmer but you can tell the difference. We go threw alot of edger blades but they are cheap when you buy fifty in a box.

[Freetime]

Your weedeater/trimmer is a two task piece of equipment you can edge with it and then flip to trim around trees and bed edging then back to trim that sidewalk or drive no back tracking.

Dedicated stick/walk edger is only one job machine, edging and that is it, meaning some times (most of the time) you will have to go to an area twice with two different pieces of equipment eating up time and money. As far making you tired, I would rather go to an area once with a piece of equipment that can do two jobs instead of one.

How it looks= Some people want the steel blade edging, a lot can not tell the difference as far residential it is just what the customer prefers steel/line trimming or what looks good to you.

Hope this helped?
:cool:

[trimmer]

I have sthil stick edger and works nice. I like to use it to edge larger properties. I also use my trimmer to edge, it gives a more defining edge. I would reccomend going ahead and getting the stick edger that way you just have it as an option.

[script]

Alan I've been using a stick edger for a few years now and toward the end of that long hot day when I'm tired and fatigued, I can still put down that perfect straight edge just as fast as the first yard of the day. It's much lighter than a walk behind and easier to transport.

[65hoss]

I agree with Trimmer. We have the new Stihl and it is a Hoss(pun intended). The trimmer will give more defined edges. The stick edger makes larger areas quicker. It cuts as fast as you can walk forward. I haven't used a w/b edger in years. Mine sits in the shop.

[GreenQuest Lawn]

get the stick edger. I have a shindiawa, it just rolls on the wheel (no holding you just follow it) IMO edging is easier than trimming (less work)

[CSRA Landscaping]

Alan,
Stihl just came out with the coolest thing. It's a straightshaft, solid driveshaft stick edger. You CAN'T bog that thing down. I would recommend going that route. Go to the dealer and ask to demo one. My favorite was when I stuck it to the telephone pole outside ...

[Runner]

It's funny that this thread came up tonight, because I was going to dig one up on stick edgers and post on it. I have the Stihl FC85, and I about wore myself out today using it! This was an initial edge, and the ground was really too wet for optimum results, but for the high areas, I had a HECK of a time holding the blade down into the curb. I had only wished at that point that I had brought one of my wheeled edgers. SO much easier! I realize the stick is a handy little item to have, and that it's fast keeping up existing edges and all, but for doing initial edgings like this, the power unit itself had enough power, when run at higher rpms, but MAN!, holding that thing DOWN so it would CUT was te worst. I moved my loop handle down a bit for more leverage, but the wheeled edger would have just been so much faster and less fatiguing.

[David Gretzmier]

wonder if that "EDGIT" gadget would help you? any body got one? Dave g

[lawnman_scott]

I think runner is right, if your not edging all the time, then i would use a walk behind one, i never used one , but the stick edgers do make it rough if you dont edge alot. I use a stick edger stihl, but i edge every week.

[MJB]

Lone Star Check out the Edgit at http://www.edgit.com
If you have a trimmer that the edgit will work on try it.
I have to edge every property each week, it use to wear me out.
But with the Edgit I can walk backwards with 1 arm fully extended just running the throttle and using the edgit guide it doesn't bother me anymore at all. In fact it's much easier on the body than flat trimming. Plus you don't need but 1 machine, instead of a stick edger and a trimmer, you can do both. Check out the video at their website. I switched 4 yrs ago and will never go back. PS I use Echo and Redmax trimmers.

[jnjnlc]

I have a stick edger that I use only when the lawn has not been edged in a long time. I normally use my trimmer (Husquavarna) to do my edging. No complaints so far. The stick edger is a Ryobi quick link with the edger attachment. Not as powerful as the commercial brands but it gets the job done. I would get a commercial brand if I used them more often.

[racerdave]

Alan, Stick edger.
David

[TLS]

LoneStar,

Go with a stick edger. The Echo split booms are real nice as it will allow for a hedge trimmer, pole pruner, and numerous other not so usefull attachments. I got mine when it came free with the weedwacker attachment and it was extra for the edger. Has been problem free. It has the older smaller engine and still has plenty of power. Like Runner said, the real heavy stuff is better left for the walkbehind edger and a flat shovel!

As for the Edgit, it must be a real tough learning period, as I took mine off after a few days. With my .105 line and the thickness of the disc, the groove was almost 1/4" wide! Not to mention sloppy. Plus when you weedwack with it, it creates a suction and sucks the head down into the grass and taps the autofeed button and then your strings too long! On paper its a nice piece of equipment, however, you must re-learn how to trim, and muscle it around.

[Runner]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dixie1


the real heavy stuff is better left for the walkbehind edger and a flat shovel!

Tom, I'll tell you what works even better than just a flat shovel, is one of those "hula-hoes" or also called an action hoe. These are the ones that have the long handle and the square shaped loop blade at the end. Perfect, because it cuts it away from the curb AND the existing sod - runs right through it with very little effort.

[Mid Rivers]

I use a Shindaiwa stick edger. Had a walkbehind edger and returned it. Too bulky and heavy

[ron]

Before my accident I have been using the edgit on my echo stick trimmer,have had some problems with it,1. you go through a tank of gas really fast 2. I had trouble when trimming around orange trees in back yards not cutting through these st.Augustine grass that slowly reach across the bare ground by the trees.3 it does get heavy after doing several lawns.4 the round circular disk had cracked on the edge and is getting bigger after every other use.when I return to the lawn care business next month I will be not be using my edgit anymore and will get a new stick edger maybe the new sthil.....

[CSRA Landscaping]

;) Good lick, Ron. Just don't risk your health. Get more accounts so that you can pay someone else to do it. Happy managing, God bless. :cool:

[MJB]

Too bad some of you are having such a hard time with the Edgit. I've picked up more jobs than anyone else in town because of my stringtrimming and edging. My Echo will run for over an hour in most cases on a tank of fuel. There are a few tricks to using it. In many cases I only run 1/2 throttle, especially when edging 1/4 to 1/2 throttle. In heavy grass obviously you need more RPM but don't let out to much string. The one thing it will do is slow you down in grass over 6 inches, but in normal times trimming 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches it works great. If it is suckng the head down back off the throttle a little drag the back side of the trimmer just a little bit.

My wife runs one of these and does a great job both edging and flat trimming. She just learned it in the last month. She picked it up in about 3 days. Once you learn it you will appreciate the efficiency of it.
Being able to edge in different angles with just the tilt of you wrist, letting the guide do all the work. Less flat trimming.

If they wear out to fast or break either your string is rubbing the disk to hard, or your working in sandy soil. They edge thin as any blade, if there set up right.

Just my 2 cents worth, someone has to stick up for the Edgit ........ I had several employees who totally changed their mind about using the edgit after a week or so of using it. Now they won't use anything else. But I made them learn the right way.
Sorry if this is toooo long.

Mikes Lawn Care

[Craig Turf Management]

I edge all of my properties twice per year with a walkbehind edger. The rest of the year I use a dedicated stick-edger. I like the edge that the stick edger leaves. Using a string trimmer to edge, I find that the edge begins to wander away from the concrete a bit over time, and not look as crisp. I also dislike using the trimmer to edge because it tends to throw rocks, debris towards my face.

Just my opinion, Bill Craig

[siclmn]

I use my walk behind Power Trim edger each and every time. People who want a perfect edge get one. I can spot a string trimmer edge a mile away and I don't do that kind of work. The Power Trim edge is easier to do because you are just pushing a wheeled motor around instead of holding the string strimmer up in the air on it's side.

[CSRA Landscaping]

Just out of curiousity, what's so bad about using a string trimmer to edge with, if the soil is soft enough?
:confused:

[LoneStarLawn]

Like posted I am getting tired near the end of the day so my edges are not straight as they should be...