Mower Mounted String Trimmer

[ScottH]

Got some info in the mail yesterday on an electric string trimmer that mounts to any mower that has a 12 v charging system. Controls are operated from the seat. Looks interesting and we are considering becoming a dealer. Specifically, it is a 4m Trimmer unit.

Would appreciate any feedback from anyone that's seen and hopefully used this unit or a similar one.

[Russo]

It's just a gimmic. You can't squeeze any mower deck into the corner of a building and you can't mow or trim properly and efficiently when you are trying to both at the same time. I might consider dealing them for the homeowner market, but for commercial use, forget about it.

[Doc Pete]

Just like the Flex-deck gimmick thing, just think about it and use your head. If you mowing at 5/7 mph, you can't possibly trim too. Or, if you slow down to trim, your are losing time that should be for mowing.
Furthermore, if you are trimming like you should be, it takes care not to cut flowers, hits trees trunks and get "ALL" blades of grass, not to mention edging.
However, they are "other states" that don't bother trimming, or trim that way it's needed and demanded. As far as I'm concerned, trimming "for trimming's sake" must be done with a dedicated unit, and a good trimmer operator can trim faster and better than something stuck on a mower.
Pete

[Scraper]

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com
Just like the Flex-deck gimmick thing, just think about it and use your head.

Not nice picking on a sponsor. There have been great reviews on this product. You are comparing apples and oranges on this one. Have you ever tried the Flex-Deck? Probably not...so read the guidelines for posting again.

[Runner]

This reminds me of these "DR" things, or the other brands that are the string trimmers on wheels. Give me a break. With those things, how are you going to contour? Or feather? What do you have to do, "mow" around a rock? Just a gimmick,- and does sell to the homeowner market. Another dust collector to be sold at a rummage sale 5 years down the road. As far as the Flex-Deck, I've heard too many good things about this product, and see where it's applications would be greatly useful. It also seems to be built rather well. :)

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Scraper


Not nice picking on a sponsor. There have been great reviews on this product. You are comparing apples and oranges on this one. Have you ever tried the Flex-Deck? Probably not...so read the guidelines for posting again.


So, FWIW, or IOW, I'm not allowed to voice a constructive opinion??? OTOH, just how many reviewers of the flexdeck were "in someway" associated with the product? From the reviews I read, most of the people were on a first name basis with each other.

Pete

[Scraper]

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com



I'm not allowed to voice a constructive opinion???
Pete

Not if you haven't actually used it.

FWIW the Flex-Deck is a novel idea. Turning your 52" deck into a 60+" deck can save you much time and maaake you more efficient. As for the trimmer...I'll agree with your opinion.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Neither one of these will eliminate trimming as a whole.

Flex-Deck should not be compaired to an electric motor mounted to the deck with trimmer line.

If this trimmer thing was used for what it was designed for it should work.Switchless@aol.com, if you slow down to trim, your are loosing time that should be for mowing.

So slowing down to trim a tree or whatever while you are mowing is going to kill your time?

What about walking back over to said object without the mower a second or third time.

All these add-on have their place.

Don't worry dude, these are not for you then. After using the Flex-Deck I may have to try one of these also.

As far as first name basis, this is an interactive forum:rolleyes: So we should call you Switchless and not your first name when you sign your posts Pete?

I don't know which one to try first, the Peco or the 4M.

[chariot]

I can see where the trimmer would be beneficial doing commercial or industrial sites. I think it would be a good time-saver when you have a huge building to trim around. I have reviewed information from the 4M one mentioned and the one by peco. I emailed 4M to request information and was told what all I would receive, including a video. The video was poor quality and the information did not include price list. I felt like between numerous emails that I was pulling teeth just trying to get a price. When I did get the price I realized why they were being this way, overpriced!! I think if I were to get one that I would go with the Peco. I called Peco to get literature and the man I talked to was very informative and not in a hurry to get off the phone with me. All the literature from Peco was nice looking and there was no question about what the price was, also about half the price of 4m.

[GroundKprs]

Mower mounted string trimmers have been touted intermittently for a dozen years or so. One Louisville Expo years ago I saw 3 or 4 different ones. Every few years they have to try to hawk them again. Just another fluke idea that never dies; but maybe someday someone will make a go of the concept.

But before you waste your time buying, installing and trying one, first try trimming your properties with your string trimmer held in a fixed position. If you can actually do 90% of your daily trimming with the machine held in this fixed position, then maybe you'll want to try one. Or try 2, how do you trim on other side of deck, or do you waste time turning around? LOL!

[FrankenScagMachines]

From what I saw at Louisville EXPO last year, the 4M would be better than Peco because you can control it with a lever or pedal. The Peco one is non adjustable when operating it, so you need to move the whole mower. I guess the Peco one would probably not need to worry about missing lines between trimmer and deck that way though.. but I don't think I'd run the mower and trimmer device at same time unless it was a long fence line and I could do it effeciently w/o streaking between deck and string.
The Flex Deck looks great as long as you have the power to turn that extra 18". My only concern is stripes because it bugs me to see a lawn w/o stripes!!
Using 2 string trimmers mounted on a rear discharge (or round sided mulch deck) now that's an idea...cool....I like it! As far as getting a deck trimmer into corners, if you had a short mower and a trimmer that could be extended into the corner (such as 4M's one) then it would work.
I think it's a good idea, but it would not hurt to have one with a 20 cc or so gas engine on it. Electric would still be good though, power on or off easily and quiet and small.
It's a concept toy like most things that we can't live w/o now, but were concepts when they first came out.
Eric

[Russo]

Originally posted by BushHogBoy

It's a concept toy like most things that we can't live w/o now, but were concepts when they first came out.
Eric

Well said Bushy. Only time and the market will truly tell. But you don't need to be some kind of expert or actually use some of these products to make a valid assesment. I'd refer you to an older post " Put your trimmer on wheels." You want one of those too, LGF ?

I'm always willing to admit that my opinion isn't the word of God. But let's be real. If it waddles and quacks, I'm guessin it's a duck.

[Russo]

Here's the thigamajig from the older post I was refering to in case any of you want one.


Trimmer Gimmick Do-Dad (http://www.trimmertoad.com/index.htm )

[Flex-Deck]

Good conversation going here
1. The Flex-Deck is a mower that due to its unique Forward and Lateral positioning allows you to get into very narrow areas, inside corners etc with a blade - (which by the way in my country, the blade does not bruise grass like a string trimmer does)
2. We talk about saving trimming time (string trimming) - we do not say we can eliminate it.
3. When you get done with the Flex-Deck setup mowing, you only have very narrow strips of grass (Ever notice city parks people swing out around all the no parking signs close to the road leaving an 8' x 2' V shaped area to be string trimmed) - Here is what we do
http://52-Between Post

[gogetter]

Hey switchless, have YOU personally tried the flex deck? NO, so how can you possibly review it?

As far as reviewers being on a first name basis with the owner of flex deck that's because they communicate here all the time!
And some have met him in person.

Go to Louisville and try it yourself, then you can make all the comments on it you want.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Peco one.

http://www.lawnvac.com/P7170012.jpg

After using the Flex-Deck, these little tool have opened my eyes to new inovations.

But see I do alot of common ground and they would be ok for trimming around trees, we don't trim them every week, but would if this thingy worked.

If you trim a foundation, tree, or any object that protrudes up from the ground it gets trimmed in a fixed position/fasion.

I like to have these things trimmed to the same height as what the grass was cut at.

Just trying to find ways to slash payrole and make a higher profit.

[FrankenScagMachines]

Now that I think about it, I remember at EXPO last year I drove a DC 60" with a F-D on it through their outside driving course. They were pretty nice and didn't mind letting a 'kid' drive the DC with F-D. It wasn't too hard to drive with but it kinda offset the deck so you misjudged your swing sometimes and it would be easy to not realize that it was there.... looked to be good if you got used to it though. I just remembered that I drove that one. I didn't want it I wanted one without the F-D but they were in use already. No big deal. The DC was alot nicer than the JD M655 I was using at the time at the JD dealer I worked for. I liked it!
Eric

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by gogetter
Hey switchless, have YOU personally tried the flex deck? NO, so how can you possibly review it?.


Wow,
I never thought such a little comment of mine would bring the house down :eek: At the moment the flexdeck just isn't my cup of tea. As I tried to suggest what might work great in one state would be useless in another.
For me, most of my trimming is edging beds, decks, driveways, and belgin block. Trees, and other stuff that might need the flexdeck "all" are mulched. In NJ it's either edged or mulched.......:p
Pete

[Flex-Deck]

Switchless- the model 2199 flex-deck is totally mulching - would be glad to send you one. - Special at $999 - new belt system included.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Flex-Deck
Switchless- the model 2199 flex-deck is totally mulching - would be glad to send you one. - Special at $999 - new belt system included.

If I ever get a lawn over an acre I might give you a ring. Thanks for the offer.........
Pete

[Jimbo]

I hear alot about the Flex Deck on this site and have even saw some photos, plus the banner which runs across the screen and takes you to a site that isn't even ready yet.

Does the Flex Deck bolt to any walkbehind? Or only certian models? where can one get more information?

Thanks
Jimbo

[Fivestar]

Don`t waste your breath or time. We field tested a Peco Z trimmer and the thing was a pup. Never could set the thing to trim right due to constant grade changes. It also drew alot of amps from the charging system, up to 30 amps in heavy weeds or grass (6-7 in high). ????? Hard on the alternator???? Battery.
It might have it`s place in the future but the manufacturers first need to perfect a way for a mower mounted trimmer to reach into corners,be fully ajustable from the seat with little effort, and they need more power as Tim Allen would say. Maybe a 31cc or bigger!!!
JUST MY TWO CENTS
FIVESTAR

[ScottH]

Thanks for all the input gang.

I received a video yesterday of the 4M trimmer. On the Z model, it is controlled by a foot control which can move the trimmer head in and out relative to the mower. The forward speed looked kind of slow which is my biggest concern.

Also, just so you know, I never expected this type unit to fully replace a hand held trimmer. And, yes building corners cant be reached with either the 4M or Peco. The 4M does look like the better unit. But, it is almost twice the price.

I'm would still be interested in seeing one operate. Havent been able yet to find one anywhere near Western PA. I will check for a booth @ Louisville. I've also asked 4M to arrange some sort of demo. They said they will consider it.

I'll post a review if i can arrange a demo.

Thanks Again Scott

[g888642]

I wonder why one of these type units wouldn't be good for the "In row" tombstones in cemeteries??????

[digger1]

g888642
we mow and trim 55 acres every week in our cemetery. i really do not think that these types of "trimmers" would work. this is especially true on flat lawn level markers. might possibly work on the upright ones however, i have cut and trimmed my share of markers over 20+ years and have yet to see anything new come along that can beat doing it by hand.
all the cemetery owners i know still do trimming the "old fashion" way with the string trimmers. up until the late 70's, "trimming" was done with push mowers. our first string trimmer was the "weed eater" brand name and was a 3.5hp B&S with a curved shaft that hung from a shoulder harness. what a beast!!
you could handle it only for 3-4 hours and it whooped your a**.

for all you "inventive" types, if you can develop a "trimmer" for cemeteries that mounts on ZTR's, and one that works, you could retire a wealthy individual.

[Albemarle Lawn]

Has anyone tried these, the Peco or the 4M unit?

Would be interested to know how they handle fencelines.


We have a big job that involves 5+ MILES of fenceline, 2 times per month.

Ken

[Flex-Deck]

What kind of fence line? - Chain link-barb wire-other?

[Albemarle Lawn]

Basically, just trimming the poles, 1st board is about 14" above the ground

[jseamster]

Could be a beneficial product for cemetary work. Assuming ofcourse that the mower itself fits between headstones.

I thought of a product like this as a joke at first. "Wouldn't it be funny if we could mount a trimmer to the side of the mower"

Interesting to see that it's actually a product!

[Turfcutters Plus]

When i tried gateway mower,it felt unbalanced when operating it.I imagine flex deck would also.