Newer grass shields

[lawnkid]

I noticed that on most of the newer trimmers, the grass shield is hard to use when edging. I held up an Echo 260S and a Stihl FS-85 X-treme in the eging position , and it is hard to see head of the trimmer for sidewalk edging. On only the Tanaka brand trimmers that I run, can I actually somewhat see where the line is going and iff I'm edging bad. Just wondering if anyone else is bothered by this.Do you guys just take off the shield?

[SUNSHINE LAWN]

We Take off shield, wear sun glasses and ear plugs.

[plow kid]

Originally posted by SUNSHINE LAWN
We Take off shield, wear sun glasses and ear plugs.

Removing safety devices can lead to a lawsuit if anybody gets hurt and your insurance company gets a whiff if what you did, plus if you take them off our local dealers wont honor the warranties. ~NaTe

[Hobart]

Nate, time to find a new dealer.

[plow kid]

I don't buy stuff in Toledo anymore, I drive to Bowling Green, about 20 minnutes away.~NaTe

[SUNSHINE LAWN]

PLOW KID is correct on the safety issue, however, by using the trimmer so that clippings and discharge are spun away from user has always worked for me. As far as voiding the warranty, I don't think the dealers around here would nullify the warranty for a safety shield but I could be wrong.(never had the need to have trimmers in for warranty work) From a practical standpoint removing the shield helps see what you are trimming better, does not bog down shield in tall, heavy or wet grass, do not tap out line as frequently because you see it better (reducing the times to replace line), and trimmer weighs a little less. Also, I quess it kind of depends on what you are trimming (rocky areas and such or just grass). If you remove shields, adjust the handle to rebalance it because of the weight removed from the front and be careful.

[PaulJ]

Try an EDGIT. It's a guide and a shield.

[CS Lawns]

Dont have that problem with my RedMax

[plow kid]

they gave me some bullchit story about how having longer line legnths wore out the clutches because the shield didnt cut the excess off to produce less drag, like I said, a bullschitt story, I have used weedwhips without shields and they do give you a better view of what you are doing but it does compramize safety, and I am a small buisness and cant afford a lawsuit so I wont take my chances.~NaTe

[CS Lawns]

I totally agree with you Plow Kid!

[1grnlwn]

I have new echo pas260. I would like to know who calls that little eye brow thing a safety shield? Its just there to cut the string. Every thing I hit with the string hits me. I suppose it might keep you from trimming your foot but I have even done that. I don't have problems edging with it on though.

[yorkpaddy]

think about it, spinning more line is more weight and drag, its going to put more wear on the clutch. also I read an article a while ago in an echo newsletter saying that people running super long trimmer lines were hurting the engines. something like engine life is cut by 10% for every 1000rpm off peak you bog it down

[Runner]

I don't think I'd necessarily agree with that. Sure, running exCESSively long string might do something like that, as it can pull the clutchsprings out up by the power unit. But, that long of string won't cut, anyway. On the pther hand, running longer string than what the guard allows you to, actually gives you MORE cutting power at the head, as there is a variable in there for tip speed vs. rotation resistance. Now, this isn't saying this is giving you more power by means of ENGINE power, because actually, it takes more engine power to do this. But, for most applications, not only do you have a wider swath, but also better cutting results with a bit longer string. You don't have to run such high rpm's for the same blade tip speed. But, again, there is a variable compromise there, while it works good for normal conditions, sometimes, if you come into something heavy, like a thick ditch or something, power is compromised, and you may want to wind some string back in, or re-cut it. I don't know what most everyone else runs, as far as heads go, but I run bump heads, but cut the string manually with a pair of hand pruners that I carry in my back pocket. I find the bump heads are just too easy and fast to work with to not use them. If I need string, just bump, if I need to shorten, well, I just cut or wind it in one notch. Many of times, I jjust quickly wind it in one notch befrore I cut it, so I can cut an even length on both sides, then just bump it out one time.

[lsylvain]

I say take the sheild off. All they do is get in the way and don't stop rocks etc from shooting out. The only difference is without the shield you know where the rock is going to go. Just make sure there isn't anything breakable(human or otherwise) in the line of "fire"

[lsylvain]

haveing a $100,000.00 insurance coverage is a good idea though

[digger1]

Had an employee years ago that refused to use a guard. He got more trimmed without it but did go through clutches. I beg to differ you guys on keeping the line cutoff but the reason for "eating" clutches was from the lack of rpm's and bogging the machine.

[Turf Technologies]

Why dont you use an Edger to Edge?Thats what there for. The edge looks nicer.