Trimmer Lines

[kutnkru]

We are getting ready to order our spools for the season so I did a search on Trimmer Line and didnt find much so I was wondering what the majority of us were using for trimmer line?? Does any particular shape (round/star/hexagon/etc)work more effectively than another??

Thanks for the input.
Kris

[Eric ELM]

We use Echo Cross Fire .105 String. It has 8 edges on it and does a great job of cutting.

[Edited by Eric ELM on 02-06-2001 at 01:13 PM]

[VLM]

I used the multi edged trimmer line for several years and noticed a definite improvement in it's cutting ability. The drawback I found was that it wears down much faster (due to fences, bricks, etc.) and you wind up replacing spools much more often. I'm back to the round line now.

[Grassman]

We use Cross Fire too. It's the best nylon string in my opinion. I bought some titanium based string yesterday that has segments about a 1/2" long that are supposed to break away if you hit something like a chain-linked fence instead of grabbing and pulling out a bunch of line. I let you know how it works in a couple of days. My dealer says it should last about 3 times longer than nylon and its only about $2 more per spool.

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

We have switched around a lot during the last year and ECHO's CrossFire seems to cut the best. We also use fixed line trimmer heads, for what its worth.

[Runner]

I never cared much for the star or hex shaped lines. The ends just don't seem to cut as precise. A round string of .095 is what I recommend. .105 is just to blunt. It doesn't have that real clean, crisp feeling that helps you go faster from getting a cleaner cut faster. I know that .105 is alot heavier too, and when you run a little longer string, it really affects the power.

[Shack]

We use .095 also. 105 seems to be heavy.

[kutnkru]

So far echo crossfire seems to be the way to go. Guess i'll have to check into it.

Thanks to those who have responded thus far.
Kris

[Garry]

What type of line matters little as long as an Echo is spinning it.
G. William Lamar

[moonarrow]

I use a round line I got from Mowmor, at bargain last year it work just fine, and I got a whole(24) case for just $10 dollars a 3# spool so guess I'll be using it for a while

[kutnkru]

I have their catalog moon. Here is their website for those interested.

http://mowmore.com/

Kris

[bob]

I like the round line, for my fully-automatic heads. The line seams to advance easier than the multi-sided lines. I bought a 5lb roll of Veri brand line on eBay last year for $5.

[Randy Scott]

I picked up an ECHO Rapid Loader over the weekend. Any of you guys use one and what do you think? It holds line from .095" to .155". Whichever size I choose.

[kutnkru]

Never heard of that one before. I take it its a bump feed head?
Kris

[65hoss]

I use Stihl round line. The only color I use is GREEN! The reason is, because it matches the grass color and you don't see it. Nothing worse than seeing a bright color piece of line on a nicely cut lawn.

[mowerman90]

I use Viper Round .105 by Desert Extrusion Company. Tried square and the Echo stuff but the square feels like it's always out of balance and doesn't seem to cut any better to me.

[Randy Scott]

It's not a bump feed. It holds three individual pieces of line so, obviously, it has the three lines doing the cutting. The lines are 8" long and they push in to the head about a half inch, then when they are worn, they pull out through the center and you throw away. I know that probably made no sense and I don't know how well they will work but my dealer said they are starting to get popular. It takes like 10 seconds to load all three lines, it's pretty quick. I bought it for a spare and I think it should work pretty slick. I'll find out I guess, it cost $30 so that wasn't too bad I guess.

[visions landscape]

We use the Cross fire and the round 095.

[Cutter1]

I think I am the only one!! I use .065. I can't stand that thick stuff.

[Paradise Yard Service]

Hello Randy!
You will probably like the ease of use with the easy feed echo head. The simplest fixed head to load. I bought one when I picked up my Honda 4-stroke as it was the only fixed head design that is compatable w. Honda. I've used only fixed heads on my wackers since they were first out. I find they cut closer to the ground on southern turf, which is the only turf that grows in Hawaii. Also, the fixed heads I've used (Shindiawa) will never need replacing. With the new Echo head you can always cut a little longer line and reuse, simply pull out and reload when it gets to the point where RPMs go to high. When I picked up my new T-270 it came with the fixed head from Shindiawa. The dealer said thats how they come to him in Hawaii as fixed head set-up overwhelmingly popular here. If customer wants bump-head, they can exchange at no cost.

Kutnkru,
I use Veri when I can get it, but my last purchase was Trail Blazer as my dealer was out of Veri. Seems like I can get more out of Veri. I been using 105. I use my trimmer for edging so usually the light stuff grinds out a little faster and with fixed head set-up,and refueling line is a little time consuming. However, I've had my share of plastic bumper head nightmares to stear away from using and as I mentioned fixed heads work closer/flatter to low growing grasses for me. Used most of the multi edge stuff and it is not even as clean as I like on my edging, and it does not last as long as round.

[kutnkru]

Hoss
That is something that I have never even thought of, always took it for granted as a part of operations that pieces of whips may occasuionally surface. To be truthful I have even seen clients pick up the debris upon occassion if its a sizeable amount (2-3"). Definitely food for thought.

Randy
Thanks for the info I will be checking into them.

PYS
I too am not a fan of bump feed heads and have not tried anything other than round lines. Thus this post. I find that by using our manual feed heads we have saved on wasted trimmer line as well as loss of profits due to unnecessary waste.

Kris

[Randy Scott]

Thanks Paradise, It's good to hear someone has good luck with those heads. I was getting a little leary when nobody had much to say. My dealer seems to be qiute genuine and I don't think he'd stick me with something useless.

Your welcome for the info. Kris, anything I can pass along I will. I've been soakin' up all of you experienced guys knowledge, time to give a little back!

[kutnkru]

Is the rapid loader available online??
Couldnt reach the local guys.

Thanks,
Kris