Trimmer line types

[We kick grass]

We have been experimenting with different types of line in our trimmers. Now besides all the pretty colors out there does anyone have some real insite into the best types of lines. Diameters are an issue and the shape of the line is always a selling point for manufactures. But what really works and is cost efficient to the contractor? Or is this a product that is more hype than a science?

[stslawncare]

i believe the thicker the string the better for thick/heavy stuff is the rule of thumb

[longslawn]

We use Sthil 105 string. Holds up well. Tried others but kept comming back to this one. The square type cuts good but seems to wear out faster.

[Fantasy Lawns]

echo cross fire .095

[mowerman90]

Reading all the hype about square, star, crossfire, etc lines I've never noticed a difference in the cutting ability. I have noticed that any of these lines, when used, all look the same after use. Therefore, any of the advantages of the shape seem useless and just so much BS. I like .105 line 'cause no matter what brand, it seems to last longer. One line that I'm trying now is Huskys titanium. It has dimples all over it that they claim will make it quieter. I don't know how, but it is in fact much quieter that other lines and it seems to last forever.

[_GUNNER_8]

Stihl .095, we use stihl 85 trimmers so .095 works well for us

[65hoss]

I use the Stihl .095 as well. I always use the green color. It blends with the grass so you don't see some neon color laying around.

[eslawns]

I've tried most of these and like the Shindaiwa .105 round line.

[_GUNNER_8]

I'm like you hoss it blends in well with grass, my guys swear up and down that it last longer than orange but dealer said their was no differance but i perfer green anyways.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Square green .095 from Lesco.

Like Hoss and Gunner blends in the grass.

[wildbilly1113]

I always use one size bigger than trimmer calls for. I use Shakespears Terminator [the fishing line people] from Wally World.Really good stuff! I am going to try Husquavarna Graphite.Heard good things about it.

[fshrdan]

Does anyone have any problems with the line sort of melding to itself in the spool? Whenever I've got a preloaded Stihl bump head, the smooth round line they use sticks on me. So I use a string with ridges. Still I have some problems. Does anyone not have problems occasionally with their line?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by fshrdan
Does anyone have any problems with the line sort of melding to itself in the spool? Whenever I've got a preloaded Stihl bump head, the smooth round line they use sticks on me. So I use a string with ridges. Still I have some problems. Does anyone not have problems occasionally with their line?

Not often but yes. I think it's caused by the line getting loose inside of the spool.

[walker-talker]

.095 square--hate it
.095 star--ok (this is what i used for most of last season)
.080 love it as long as i am not trimming around a lot of mason or chain link fences. It just seem to take down grass easier and gives me more control over the trimmer (less jerking)

How much power do most you guys give your trimmer? I think that I, on average, run the throttle at 50% (but never afraid to give it 100%).

MATT

[_GUNNER_8]

.095 square hate it
.095 star hate it
.095 regular is smooth you got plenty of power and speed,far as throttle depends what were doing,if on homes i seldom crank up 100% not to say i never do,if we on apartments ,we have over 800 rental units there is but 1 way and that is WIDE OPEN,if you running it wide open all day you should have small burn mark on back of forearm,you guys that trim alot know what i'm talking about.lol

[crew]

.095 echo crossfire, full throttle, no guard:eek:

[Grass_Slayer]

i use sqaure cut's gator line (.105) it is extremely hard and has a thin piece of wire in the center. it is supposed to last 3 times longer than normal line. i just got it at the end of the season so i havent got to use it much. my dealer told me that one of the guys in my area uses that stuff only and says it last a lot longer than regular. i like it

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by _GUNNER_8
.095 square hate it
.095 star hate it
.095 regular is smooth you got plenty of power and speed,far as throttle depends what were doing,if on homes i seldom crank up 100% not to say i never do,if we on apartments ,we have over 800 rental units there is but 1 way and that is WIDE OPEN,if you running it wide open all day you should have small burn mark on back of forearm,you guys that trim alot know what i'm talking about.lol

I know what you mean by it get's hot, but no burn marks. Tht'a what muffler guards are for.

Also I don't touch a trimmer to much anymore.

[HacMan91]

My friends dad owns a Husky shop and he gave me a sample pak of the titanium line. It seems to last longer. We quit using the square, for me it tends to grab and snatch a lot. The round tends to float across the ground better. I plan to get some more of the titanium, just need to see the price

[David Haggerty]

Originally posted by fshrdan
Does anyone have any problems with the line sort of melding to itself in the spool? Whenever I've got a preloaded Stihl bump head, the smooth round line they use sticks on me. So I use a string with ridges. Still I have some problems. Does anyone not have problems occasionally with their line?

Since switching to Shakespear I havn't had trouble with the string welding together at all.
Even with round string.
I threw out a 5# spool of some soft orange stuff I'd bought.
It welded together all the time.

Like wildbilly1113 I want to try that Husky line too.
Saw some at a trade show, it's really tough string.
Funny little bumps all over it, and it's silver colored.

I like to use the .080 line. It slices better than the big line.
It'll hold up well too if you get a good quality line.



Dave

[lsylvain]

I think Huskys Titanium last forever and it really does seem a lot more quiet than the others. But I agree with the green thing, I hate running around and picing up hot pink/orange stubs.

I've found that if you are w/e large area's the thinner the string the better it takes more sting and you have to reload more often but the finnal product looks better. Most of the time you can't tell if it has been trimmed or mowed.

As far as normal trimming the thinker the better.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I have tried that line you guys keep referring to.

It does "seem" to last longer, but it costs much more.

One of my dealer gave me 100' or so to try., it's doing a good job holding the cooler on the trailer.

The real test would to buy a spool of it, but it does cost a bit more than the Lesco square I use, but a 3 lb spool on each crew last's all season.

I have a spool I put on for bigginer trimmers that has a peice of PVC pipe glued on the tap part to keep them from scalping.

I always say what height do you trim at if we are cutting at 3.5"

3.5" not 2"!!!!

[jman00]

i found some .135 and it rocks! It will cut down just about anything i attack, it will even cut small oaks about an inch down without breaking inside the head. the only problem is its over kill on finer grass and it will strip the paint off a house if you are not carefull, another con is with that size you cant get as much on a spool.


if i get the mower stuck i could probably use it as a snatch roap. ha!