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What to do about trimmer vibrations?

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mowthewind

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a Ryobi Electric 40v trimmer and after about 30 minutes I can feel the effects of the vibration. I went electric because the 4 cycle trimmer also caused issues with vibrations. I'm working on starting up a lawn care business and I want to ensure that I take proper safety precautions. Can anyone recommend something to minimize the impact of vibrations for someone who would be doing this 5-8 hours a day?
I have the Milwaukee Anti Vibration Gloves and while it does minimize it a bit, it's still really bad. I would appreciate any replies.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
#6 ·
Spend $4-500 on a true commercial trimmer. My Stihl FS94r 2-cyclr produces far less vibration than my Milwaukee cordless string trimmer. Far less.

Look for a true commercial 2-cycle from Stihl (FS94r) Redmax, Echo or Maruyama.

Also, make sure the trimmer has a speed-feed head. They will be more inherently balanced as they keep the string even on both sides, internally.
 
#7 ·
My DeWalt cordless trimmer vibrates a little.

So does my Stihl FS90R commercial gas trimmer. I guess more than a little.
If I'm running it a while (20 mins?), I need to stop for a minute and shake my hand around to make the tinglies go away.
 
#8 ·
My 90 does the same thing. I hate that about it. It sucks as a trimmer, but works well for many other attachments. I never have a single vib issue with my RM 260. I would have though the 2 stroke would bother me and not the 4, but it is just the exact opposite.
 
#9 ·
Ridin' Green said:
My 90 does the same thing. I hate that about it. It sucks as a trimmer, but works well for many other attachments. I never have a single vib issue with my RM 260. I would have though the 2 stroke would bother me and not the 4, but it is just the exact opposite.
Click to expand...
Good to know.
I just thought it was a combo of "getting old" and 13 years of doing this.
 
Discussion starter · #10 · (Edited)
OakNut said:
My DeWalt cordless trimmer vibrates a little.

So does my Stihl FS90R commercial gas trimmer. I guess more than a little.
If I'm running it a while (20 mins?), I need to stop for a minute and shake my hand around to make the tinglies go away.
Click to expand...
I'm a proponent of proper tool safety and taking the necessary precautions to mitigate risks. Look into Raynaud's disease / HAVS, it's what initiated the topic of the thread. I bought a shaft dampener and will see whether or not it yields any results as-well as looking into anti-vibration handles. I'll also do some research on the commercial tools that were recommended.
 
#11 ·
I second the fs94r

Not too long ago I had a thread asking about what to do regarding the effects of vibration. Long story short I tweak out how I handle the equipment and started getting more massage work, which has help significantly. I also stop using my sthil rx111 as my go-to trimmer.

If you're going to get into this line of work don't be cheap and get the proper equipment from the get-go.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
CrazyBlades said:
I second the fs94r

Not too long ago I had a thread asking about what to do regarding the effects of vibration. Long story short I tweak out how I handle the equipment and started getting more massage work, which has help significantly. I also stop using my sthil rx111 as my go-to trimmer.

If you're going to get into this line of work don't be cheap and get the proper equipment from the get-go.
Click to expand...
Any recommendations on electric equipment?
 
#14 ·
mowthewind said:
Any recommendations on electric equipment?
Click to expand...
I tried an electric trimmer earlier this season, I hated it. it was too heavy on the head because that's where the motor was.

We run redmax 230's mostly, with a couple old 260's still being used occasionally, we also run the guards on the trimmers, not much vibration unless the motor isn't warmed up.
 
#17 · (Edited)
Ridin' Green said:
My 90 does the same thing. I hate that about it. It sucks as a trimmer, but works well for many other attachments. I never have a single vib issue with my RM 260. I would have though the 2 stroke would bother me and not the 4, but it is just the exact opposite.
Click to expand...
My KM131 + trimmer attachment produces WAY more vibration than my FS94. I'll attribute a slight amount to the attachment coupler introducing a couple more bearing points into the machine. At each juncture, you're subject to a little more vibration.

But I think a lot more comes from the nature of the 4-cycle engine itself. Remember, a 2-cycle engine has only (3) moving parts. Piston, connecting rod, crankshaft. Much easier to achieve a full dynamic balance there, vs. the extra moving parts in the 4-cycle engine, PLUS the nature of having the ignition & exhaust pulses spread father apart, and with more intensity in the 4-cylcle.

The 2-cycle will have more consistent vibration pulses introduced into the machine, with less intensity of each one. Much easier to dampen those vibrations, plus, a better balance physically, mechanically, from the reduced number of moving parts in the 2-cycle.
 
#18 ·
mowthewind said:
Any recommendations on electric equipment?
Click to expand...
Not really. There's a lot of users on here that have dabbled in the cordless tools.

Those of us most happy with them, are probably using the true commercial tools from Husqvarna, Stihl, etc. And those are going to be very expensive cordless units. Plus the cost of the multiple batteries. They're going to be much more difficult to track down for demo purposes at dealers.

The traditional 2-cycle trimmers from these commercial manufacturers are far more proven, from an engineering/development standpoint, and from a field-proven, user base standpoint. I'll say it again, but these trimmers are going to be your safest bet probably.

-Stihl FS94r
-RedMax 230s/ts or 260s/ts.
-Echo/Shindaiwa 2620
-Maruyama 230 or 270

The Maruyama is not as well known as the others, but feedback on them is exceptionally positive, specifically related to how smooth they feel in the hand.
 
#19 ·
mowthewind said:
Any recommendations on electric equipment?
Click to expand...
I have a couple fs94r gassers and also a kma130r battery Kombi head with string trimmer attachment. Echo speedfeed 400 installed and Darwins grip. Definitely far less vibration with the battery unit versus the gas. Not completely vibration free but I don't think it will cause reynauds etc. The D handle is a softer/flexible rubber than the gas units as well. The other thing is you won't need shoulder surgery for rotator cuff after the fs94 fails to start during peak summer heat.

The kma130 uses a cord so I mount the AP battery bag in a hydration daypack and use ap300s and ap500s batteries. Can get about 4-5 decent sized yards trimmed from each. There is also a kma135r with built in battery slot but I don't want to be carrying 4 lbs of battery weight in my hands so went with 130r and outboard battery. I'd go with knobi battery power head as that then let's you get into hedge trimming, edging, pole saw etc.
 
#20 ·
Andrew H said:
I tried an electric trimmer earlier this season, I hated it. it was too heavy on the head because that's where the motor was.

We run redmax 230's mostly, with a couple old 260's still being used occasionally, we also run the guards on the trimmers, not much vibration unless the motor isn't warmed up.
Click to expand...
Yes I tried the fsa90r horrible horrible balance way too front heavy. Garbage, returned for refund within 7 days.
 
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