what are we talking about here???

 

sorry i ment to put weedwackers and edgers

 

The way they turn and the shafts in them. Curved have a spring looking shaft while straight have a tube shaft hollow or solid depending on model. Curved spin opposite to the engine because of the gears.

 

so what makes a straight shaft better?

 

so what makes a straight shaft better?

Whoever said it was better? Its a matter of opinion for most. You get more power to the ground with a straight shaft. If your talking about edger most prefer curved because of comfort and speed/direction of the blade. With a string trimmer you can only get a straight shaft for commercial use for the most part.

 

I've seen cheapie straight shafts too, they're designed like a commercial unit but are not commercial quality. To the best of my knowledge, no manufacturer makes a true commercial grade trimmer in a curved shaft. Curved shaft trimmers typically do not have a serviceable bearing or gearbox at the trimmer head, while a good straight shaft trimmer has a grease zerk there. I have also never heard of any trimmer spinning opposite the direction of the engine rotation.

If you are taller, like me, a straight shaft is a lot more comfortable to use. I have to crouch to use most curved shafts, with on exception, an old McCulloch Titan that refuses to die, takes many hours of abuse every year and still starts on the second pull.

 

Pretty sure a straight shaft trimmer spins ccw and a curved spins cw.

 

A curved shaft uses a cable to transfer power to the head. The cable flexes so there is some power loss. These cables are also prone to breaking. Curved shafts are for residential use

Straight shafts use a rod to transfer power to the head. There is barely any power loss. They are stronger and used more for commercial purposes

 

A curved shaft uses a cable to transfer power to the head. The cable flexes so there is some power loss. These cables are also prone to breaking. Curved shafts are for residential use

Straight shafts use a rod to transfer power to the head. There is barely any power loss. They are stronger and used more for commercial purposes

Said it perfectly. The straight shaft edger is harder to use for some though.

 

Said it perfectly. The straight shaft edger is harder to use for some though.

I've yet to see a straight shaft edger used here in FL. They just don't have the blade speed like a curved unit. In FL everyone edges every mowing so thats 40+ edgings a year for a normal yard and to be honest you spend more time on an edger than a mower here. I have yet to see a shaft break within 3 years of use. A straight shaft is good for really overgrown stuff but just doesn't leave a nice edge on the Augustine we have.

 

i prefer strait shaft. they seem much easier to use and control but it probably all depends on what your used to using

 

A curved shaft uses a cable to transfer power to the head. The cable flexes so there is some power loss. These cables are also prone to breaking. Curved shafts are for residential use

Straight shafts use a rod to transfer power to the head. There is barely any power loss. They are stronger and used more for commercial purposes

There are several straight shafts that have flex cables. Echo and Kawasaki have units that have flex drive cables--there may be others.

 

Are you serious? There is zero benefit of a curved shaft. I really have no idea as to why they are even produced. Complete gimmick trash.

 

Are you serious? There is zero benefit of a curved shaft. I really have no idea as to why they are even produced. Complete gimmick trash.

Cheaper, less complex, easier for shorter people to use.

I still have a curved shaft Mcculloch Titan I have been using since 2001, it always starts, cuts through anything I ask it to and refuses to die.

 

I have a curved shaft edger...gets it done, but sux compared to a straight shaft.

So basically, straight shaft is the way to go with both...trimmers obviously.

 

ok. Im sure the engines are just the same and they trim grass too. Soory to give the curve **** but there is no logigic behind the curve period

 

ok. Im sure the engines are just the same and they trim grass too. Soory to give the curve **** but there is no logigic behind the curve period

Edger straight shaft 4150 rpm at the blade
Edger curved 8500rpm
Same engines!!!

Do you research
http://www.stihlusa.com/edgers/FC90.html
http://www.stihlusa.com/edgers/FC95.html

But I guess its curved so its a piece of junk lol.

 

yea i know. that s what i said . same engines. the curve is the ******** part.

 

I run both. A straight shaft will give you better reach when trimming but rotates ccw so you have to walk backward.

A curved shaft puts the head closer to you so it takes less practice to be precise when trimming and it spins clock wise so you can walk forward.

I prefer the straight shaft for general trimming and the curved shaft for edging and for a back up.

Quick question for all involved here.
Will the Stihl Kombi system accept attachments from other brands?

The only reason I went with the Ryobi again (I know that what I use isn't on the same level as everyone else's but I have my reasons for doing so and I stand by my decision) is because I had the older version of the power head that I have now (both 30cc) given to me by a client who didn't want it anymore but I had to by the attachments for it (trimmer, tiller, articulating hedge trimmer) and when that one ate the piston last summer I went with Ryobi again because I needed something quick and I didn't want to have $250 of attachments sitting around that I couldn't use after spending money on the Stihl power head.

 

yea i know. that s what i said . same engines. the curve is the ******** part.

The logic behind the curved is position for the operator and that it pulls the dirt so it only cuts fresh growth and not running into the already cut turf as a straight shaft discharges forward. More Rpm leaves a cleaner cut. The lower rpm of a straight shaft is to gear it for more over growth and the discharge forward keeps it from getting clogged. For maintained lawns use a curved for crappy over grown yards use a straight. Get all three edgers if you want to have the right tools, curved, straight, and walk-behind.

 

i dont care about edgers! it s the trimmers Im talkin about. No one around my parts has an edger like that anyway. sorry for the mix up

 

Oh well straight shaft line trimmer is the only way to go. FYI a non-commercial unit (curved shaft) goes cw while a commercial (straight shaft) goes ccw. The gear box on the bottom changes direct on the straight while a curved is direct drive.

 

uh. i did not know that. good info. thanks. i think i like ccw better still. maybe an edger is a different story.

 

uh. i did not know that. good info. thanks. i think i like ccw better still. maybe an edger is a different story.

Yea its more pleasant to use because it throw the debris away from the operator.

 

Are you serious? There is zero benefit of a curved shaft. I really have no idea as to why they are even produced. Complete gimmick trash.

Seen some people around here using them dont know the brand. But they are pretty big operators. And they have their place. A cemetery is one place, they are easier to use around the grave stones with the curve. I thought the same thing till I used one. And I got all straight shafts!!!