[bobbygedd]

do you run your wackers and trimmers full throttle? i have very little mechanical ability, but someone told me a long time ago, that running them full throttle "beats on the machine." it made sense, i only run them as hard as i have to. my wacker guy though, he runs it balls to the wall all the time. a few weeks back he took out a window. listen to this...thursday while we were mowing, i look across the yard, and he's just standing there, wacker laying on the ground. i though he was too hot, taking a break. after he didn't move for a few minutes, i went over. it seems, he was wacking, full throttle, and kicked up a rock. the rock, went into his nostral. the rock, was bigger than his nostral, but had so much intensity, that it split his nostral open, and went inside. he was stunned for a few minutes, had a bloody nose, was able to get the rock out, and had a small tear on his nostral, no stitches required. wack full throttle, or not?

 

[lqmustang]

I had a discussion with my dealer on that a couple months ago. He said it was actually best to run the trimmers and blowers full throttle, as they are designed to run best that way. Never running full throttle can lead to plugged screens and such as the machine doesn't warm up as much. I tend to agree with him as I always run the blowers full throttle, and have never had a screen clog on them, but I usually only run the trimmers as fast as needed, and have had screens clog in the past.

 

[jtkplc]

i run my blower full throttle, my trimmer on the other hand, i only run as fast as i need it. i hardly ever get it up over 1/2 throttle. i run amsoil 2-cycle mix, and i know i will never have a problem with a screen getting plugged. i will, however, on occasions, maybe once a week, rev my trimmer up all the way for a minute or 2.

 

[mtdman]

My dealer has always told me to run all that stuff full throttle as much as possible.

 

[Kelly's Landscaping]

I run the string longer then I would if the guard was there and I run the trimmers as slow as I can to get the job done I hate getting hit and there is no need for it. I think it does foul up the plugs and stuff but replacing them once a week is a small price to pay for quick starting quieter running trimmers. I can not stand when I hear one full throttle they can do way to much damage that way windows which I have never broken yet you hear about them all the time here and lets not forget vinyl siding and fencing that crap can not take those hits nor can young bark on small trees slower is safer and better.

 

[Woody82986]

I don't usually run my trimmers full throttle, more like 1/2 to 3/4 throttle. I don't feel a need to run mine at full throttle all the time. I think the important thing about trimmers is that you use fluid trigger actions and avoid revving up the engine constantly. To explain a little further, a trimmer engine will last alot longer if you keep the trigger going at a constant pace instead of pulling the trigger, then letting off, then pulling the trigger, then letting off...etc... This creates alot of wear and tear on the engine and can ruin the engine or at least take some life off the engine. I would say that keeping the trimmer going at a constant speed, whatever the speed is the important thing to keep in mind.

 

[Drew Gemma]

lqmustange is right run all trimmers blowers at full throtle as much as possible! they are meant for it.

 

[OMG]

If it's running, it's wide open......otherwise it's cut off.

 

[burns60]

My dealer also recomends full throttle for trimmer, but it is just not practical all the time. Too much danger from full throttle, I think. I can change plugs and exhaust ports, and even at that I haven't had to do this more than twice a year.

Also wonder if they aren't trying to get you back for repairs sooner.

 

[1MajorTom]

Depends upon trimming conditions.
If you are wacking down a hillside 20ft x300ft of 3 ft tall grass and weed, run it wide open. Matt just did a hillside like this and burned 3 tanks on the stihl 4 stroke. But if he's trimming alongside vinyl sided houses, tree lines, fence lines, driveways, he will go 1/4 to 1/2 throttle.

 

[South Florida Lawns]

I let them scream. Have not had any problems even on the old stuff.

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

I let them scream. Have not had any problems even on the old stuff.

I let mine scream too when I am in areas where I can.

But I must admit that my stuff gets "feathered" more than anything.
Rarely do I let them scream wide open full throttle.
Just enough to keep them blown out.

I also run the opti-2 oil and I have never had a problem with gunk or carbon.

However, I do wonder how the new Stihl 4-Mix stuff will like my operational habits when it comes time to buy the new Stihl stuff???

 

[topsites]

I've ran trimmers both ways, my stihl I ran full throttle always until it didn't run no more, in less than a year it was out. It SHOULD've been ok, I suspect I got a lemon of a trimmer by pure chance, but still.
Once I took the 300-dollar bite I also bought another brand, the Echo. Now with this one I decided to try a different tactic and like most the guys who don't run full throttle, I only turn it up as much as I need to, anywhere from 1/4 to 3/4, just depends.
I like running a long line about a foot either side of head, and it does just fine now in it's 3rd year, still going strong.

I find the reason dealers tell me to run it full throttle is because they know this shortens the lifespan (more money) BUT it is also better than an unsteady noob's throttle (like one person said, you need to keep it a steady rpm). Still, I strongly feel that running it just as much as I need to not only prolongs the life of the engine (less heat) but also conserves considerable fuel (one tank full trims 8-10 yards). Far as carbon build-up, I run Amoco Premium and never have the common issues allocated to stinky, cheap or dirty fuel.

I DO run it full-throttle for about 20-30 seconds about once/day just to open it up and also I run it like that when the weeds are too heavy for anything less.

 

[dishboy]

Running Shindaiwa's T270's full throttle, part throttle, revving up and down does not seem to effect engine longevity one bit. I have never wore the engine out, only every other part on the trimmers.

 

[dcplace2004]

is if there is something big that needs a quick powerful cut...the 110R is so powerful, that I cannot run it at full throttle all the time or it will fling debris and knock someone or something out! I am sure the other commercial ones like Redmax and the others are the same with the power...when you hear the clutch go ching on the Stihl, you better be watching around you, that is for sure...the other day I was tired and trimming and looked over and there was a toddler on the sidewalk...I went over to the parents and said it would be best if he went in for a little while I finished...I had a cheapo echo from HD and even that could fling rocks pretty good...I had no idea of the power of a commercial one...

 

[RobH]

For my wacker I rarely run it at full throttle. I basically run it just enough to get the job done. It uses less string for if or when you do hit a rock or wall or tree, you will do less damage and less string will be worn away.

 

[sheshovel]

I was told when I bought my Echo I was told run it full out or don't run it at all.Still runnin strong,and I use it for alot of heavy weedwacking not lawns.

 

[Remsen1]

I run the string longer then I would if the guard was there and I run the trimmers as slow as I can to get the job done I hate getting hit and there is no need for it. I think it does foul up the plugs and stuff but replacing them once a week is a small price to pay for quick starting quieter running trimmers. I can not stand when I hear one full throttle they can do way to much damage that way windows which I have never broken yet you hear about them all the time here and lets not forget vinyl siding and fencing that crap can not take those hits nor can young bark on small trees slower is safer and better.

I agree with this guy. I only run it as fast as I need to.

 

[Pro-Scapes]

As fast as needed only. In big open areas (parking lot islands and extreme slopes) full throttle is fine because you can move it around faster. My husq and echo both just eat gas at full throttle. I save more in gas than a fouled plug will cost me. Running on 3 years with the husq. The echo is new. Will likley go 4 stroke when replacements are needed.

 

[lawnguyland]

For my wacker I rarely run it at full throttle. I basically run it just enough to get the job done. It uses less string for if or when you do hit a rock or wall or tree, you will do less damage and less string will be worn away.

goes for me too- less pain