I am just curious about some advantages and disadvantages of having your guard on or off your strung trimmer. I have mine off on both of my trimmers because i cant stand how short the line is with the guard on. Are there any disadvantages to do this?? Thanks
Guard on or off on your string trimmer??
scagdude
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I am just curious about some advantages and disadvantages of having your guard on or off your strung trimmer. I have mine off on both of my trimmers because i cant stand how short the line is with the guard on. Are there any disadvantages to do this?? Thanks
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4,907 Posts
Don't be a fool keep guards and all safety devices intact..... Do you really need someone to explaine why?
The main disadvatage is it's a stupid practice. You're asking to get hurt, hurt someone else or damage someone else's property. It's also a topic that's been beat to death.
Only a moron removes a factory safety device from a piece of power equipment. If you're offended by that...... too bad.
Only a moron removes a factory safety device from a piece of power equipment. If you're offended by that...... too bad.
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14,898 Posts
Mine are off and have been for over a decade. Trimmer guards are marginally effective at preventing accidents at best. Most of them cover way less than half of the rotating trimmer line. They're good for keeping grass off of your ankles though.
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439 Posts
I personaly dont think 4 inchs of plastic is going to make that much of a difference...I use one with and one without a guard and with either trimmer i get hit with debri or they throw debri...either way they are dangerous and should be usd very carefully....just my 2 cents...
I use one of the biggest ones they ever made for Echo. I don't know if it was for blade use or what, but it's easily twice the size of the current shields. I keep it for these reasons - and yes, this has been beaten to death -:
1. I learned how to edge/trim with one on and simply continue to do it like that.
2. When I take it off, it seems I have to use more force to hold the head down, so you could say it serves as a partial counter-weight to the engine. Especially when working on slopes and trying to "one arm it."
3. I love the blade to cut the line. Mine came with two sets of holes and I use the closest to the edge. There's room for a third set, but just have never gotten around to drilling the holes to give me that extra inch of line.
4. It gives added protection to close to the ground shrub growth when edging a bed. It's not perfect but I mutlitate a whole lot less shrubbery/plants with it on than off.
5. Deep down, while I know it probably would mean nothing, I feel if I were to break a customers window or passing cars' window, I could at least point to the shield as an example of me trying to follow the suggested safety guidelines and use it safely. Like I said, this may mean nothing, but...
6. I think I get hit less than without one, but if you get hit 10+ times a day, preventing a couple of more just doesn't seem like that big a deal.
7. No one else in my company likes them, so I can rest assured the little ******* will never grab mine "by mistake."
1. I learned how to edge/trim with one on and simply continue to do it like that.
2. When I take it off, it seems I have to use more force to hold the head down, so you could say it serves as a partial counter-weight to the engine. Especially when working on slopes and trying to "one arm it."
3. I love the blade to cut the line. Mine came with two sets of holes and I use the closest to the edge. There's room for a third set, but just have never gotten around to drilling the holes to give me that extra inch of line.
4. It gives added protection to close to the ground shrub growth when edging a bed. It's not perfect but I mutlitate a whole lot less shrubbery/plants with it on than off.
5. Deep down, while I know it probably would mean nothing, I feel if I were to break a customers window or passing cars' window, I could at least point to the shield as an example of me trying to follow the suggested safety guidelines and use it safely. Like I said, this may mean nothing, but...
6. I think I get hit less than without one, but if you get hit 10+ times a day, preventing a couple of more just doesn't seem like that big a deal.
7. No one else in my company likes them, so I can rest assured the little ******* will never grab mine "by mistake."
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517 Posts
I have an FS 90R just like you.
ON!!!!!!!!
Keeps stuff from flying up, is safer, and easier to use.
Unless you are using the trimmer in place of a 21", then you could take it off.
Removing guard usually voids warranty.
ON!!!!!!!!
Keeps stuff from flying up, is safer, and easier to use.
Unless you are using the trimmer in place of a 21", then you could take it off.
Removing guard usually voids warranty.
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1,325 Posts
I tried using my trimmers with the guards off for one yard, at the next they were back on. They keep rocks from flying off and hitting someone or something and they keep the line at the proper length to avoid engine stress from having to spin the extra resistance of the extra line. It's true that guards are pathetic at keeping you clean but if you are worried about that then this is the wrong line of work for you (no offense meant by that just a generalization). My guards stay on.
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253 Posts
Off, you will save time, and string. Everytime you bump out more string with a sheild on it clips a little bit off. It may be marginal but after a couple of weeks you will notice your going through less string and saving time by not changing spools out as much. To me there was no difference between having the sheild on or off when it comes to debri flying at you. Either way you get hit.
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384 Posts
Off here there easier to use and don't weigh as much.
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i took mine off as well then after using it for awhile i purchased a new weedwacker and tried to weedeat with guard on it was no way i was use to it off alot faster save your string too especially when you got the backyards and ditches back saver fore sure
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114 Posts
Little bit of info....I've been told that the cutting blade on the guard does serve a real purpose.............For every extra inch of trimmer line that is out beyond the blade you lower your trimmer engine by 500 RPMS.....Just a little knowledge!!
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2,449 Posts
Definitely ON. Insurance reasons for one, and while it does not keep debris and rocks from flying into my eyees, it clearly reduces the safety risk. Sure, I use more line... but is line really all that expensive?
I also use a RedMax stick edger for my beds and edges, and say what you will, a stick edger at least for ME is much faster and prevents those ditches that were supposed to be edges on the new accounts I pick up. You use a line trimmer for edging, I don't care how good you are, you will eventually screw that edge up, sooner or later. But.... keep doing it, I get new accounts for this reason alone. Then I get to add soil and seed in the fall to get these WWI trenches filled back in so I can make an articulated edge. Mo money fo me.
I also use a RedMax stick edger for my beds and edges, and say what you will, a stick edger at least for ME is much faster and prevents those ditches that were supposed to be edges on the new accounts I pick up. You use a line trimmer for edging, I don't care how good you are, you will eventually screw that edge up, sooner or later. But.... keep doing it, I get new accounts for this reason alone. Then I get to add soil and seed in the fall to get these WWI trenches filled back in so I can make an articulated edge. Mo money fo me.
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53 Posts
Removing the guard causes extra strain on the shaft, transmission, and engine. So is the extra time or string you save worth having to repair or replace a burned out trimmer more often? Things are engineered the way they are for a reason, modifying them to get some sort of perceived advantage will cause nothing but problems in the long run.
I have first hand experience with this, when i started as supervisor at the first large LCO i worked for the guys that were working there burned out at least three trimmers every year because they would remove the guards on one really big contract (2 day job with 3 man crew) so they could run a mile of string to do the ditches faster. After i started supervising and stopped them from doing this only one trimmer died in three years (running exactly the same makes and models as the ones that were burning out yearly).
Another thing, WSIB up here in Canada would thoroughly ream you out if they ever did an audit and caught you removing safety guards on equipment, i imagine it's much the same for you guys in the states. Also if an incident happens and your Insurance gets involved the minute they find out you did something that dumb your coverage would be instantly canceled and you'd be 100% liable for the incident.
I have first hand experience with this, when i started as supervisor at the first large LCO i worked for the guys that were working there burned out at least three trimmers every year because they would remove the guards on one really big contract (2 day job with 3 man crew) so they could run a mile of string to do the ditches faster. After i started supervising and stopped them from doing this only one trimmer died in three years (running exactly the same makes and models as the ones that were burning out yearly).
Another thing, WSIB up here in Canada would thoroughly ream you out if they ever did an audit and caught you removing safety guards on equipment, i imagine it's much the same for you guys in the states. Also if an incident happens and your Insurance gets involved the minute they find out you did something that dumb your coverage would be instantly canceled and you'd be 100% liable for the incident.
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114 Posts
If you don't mind me asking, how does the guard being off affect trimming around fences and fence post
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Off! 
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345 Posts
Mine are all on. I wear shots and it might not stop all the rocks from hitting me it does stop some which is enough to make me keep wearing shorts.
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