[Vibe Ray]

is one better than the other? What are the Pros and Cons of each type(mainly for trimmers I am wondering).

 

[bob]

A solid steel shaft is what Shindaiwa uses on all its trimmers. Their shafts also have hardened splined ends. Probably less chance of braking a solid shaft. I am also told that you shouldn't use a saw blade on a trimmer with a flex shaft.

 

[Nathan]

I have used both types on many different trimmers over the years and honestly don't see any difference. We have used attachments not made for the specific trimmers, blades to cut large saplings and zero maintenance as far as greasing the gear head with no problems, ever. So get whatever trimmer has the power that you need and don't really worry about anything else. I will caution about stihl's. They are fairly tricky to start even when warm. They make great blowers but haven't gotten the trimmers right.

 

[BUSHMASTER]

i wrok on my own stuff on am running a 5 year old fs 74 , the only thing is with a soilid shaft you can run metal blades for cutting woody type brush, where the flex saft won't hold up as well, also if you should ever get your shaft tube bent (and i have done this) you can unbend the shaft and keep on trimming i ran mine kinked for about two weeks until i finnally changed it , a solid shaft would be hard to get by doing that.

 

[Lawn Cruiser]

Solid shaft are a lot better because you don't have to maintain them. Flex shafts have to be pulled out and lubed occasionally. Also manufactures who do solid shafts alot of times will warranty the shaft for life, because you can't ruin them.

 

[Vibe Ray]

What about performance. Does it transfer power to the head better(more torque) prolong engine life??less or more vibration???weigh more or less...what are all the pros and cons of both???

 

[Lawn Cruiser]

Typically the solid shafts are found in the straight shaft trimmers. Very few straight shafted trimmers use flexable shafts. So the difference is the trimmer itself the straight shaft is a much more balanced trimmer then the curved shaft also it is more out in front of you and easier to get in under trees bushes ect. As far as performance I don't think that there is a lot of difference.

 

[Mid Rivers]

The shaft on flex shaft trimmers get very hot, and curved shaft trimmers are harder on my back. I have a Stihl curved shaft and a Shindiawa straight. You couldn't get me to buy another curved shaft.

 

[Vibe Ray]

In case you didn't know, like some of you sound, I am comparing flex to solid steel. Not Straight to curved.

 

[Mowman]

I HAVE USED BOTH. I HAVE A WEED-EATER FEATHER-LITE CURVED SHAFT WITH A FLEX CABLE AND IT HAS A LOT OF VIBRATION. THIS YEAR I BOUGHT A HUSKY 322L. IT HAS A STRAIGHT SHAFT WITH A SOLID SHAFT AND ONLY WEIGHS IN A 8.4 LBS. ALMOST NO VIBRATION. WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE. STARTS ON SECOND PULL AND RUNS GREAT. PRICED UNDER $300.00.
TRY THEM BOTH OUT FOR YOURSELF AND GO FROM THERE.
GOOD LUCK,
Mowman

 

[Vibe Ray]

Hey Husky, could you post a link to husky's home page please???

 

[bob]

Husky link, http://international.husqvarna.com/Folder_261/

 

[Dave]

Mowman:I believe the reason for your vibration in the weedeater is that the crank is only what they call a half crank,If the trimmer has the pullcord in the back it is a balanced crank,in which there is less vibration,most of the cheaper trimmers use half cranks,The solid shaft is much better as the cable will have a tendercy to break easier than the solid shaft,as i have changed a few to breakage to the cable,look for how many rings are on the husky as from what I have seen they only have one,goodpower but don,t last

 

[gorrell]

I'll Amen to the Husky 322L. Mine weighs in at just over 7# after taking the trimmer guard off. Starts and has almost no vibration. Good unit. Lynn

 

[Vibe Ray]

I wanted to bring this back up and see what the newer guys have to say.

 

[awm]

fellow posted on another forum. said he lived close to the husquevarna
plant i believe he said alabama. they put out more poulan pro saws
than husky,but they coming off the same line. now lets dont fuss.
i have the poulan pro 260 and it stays right with my two stihls.

 

[sdwally]

I just found out not long ago that Echo uses flex shafts in all their line trimmers, I was quite suprised! As noted before, flex shafts need to be removed, cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled on a periodic basis. As flex shafts age they tend to have more vibrations due to the metal fatigue and flexing(bending) in the shaft under load conditions. Solid shaft do not have the "flex vibration" problem until the shaft bushing wear out. Since most solid shafts are stainless steel, only the shaft housing has to be replaced unless the spline are worn out. Under heavy load conditions, such as brush cutting with a blade, flex will not last near as long due to the extra torsion stress place on the shafts. When cutting brush that has a large diameter that has a heart core the brush will cause shocks to the shaft. It not pretty to see a flex shaft that has been grenaded in the fashion.
If you are not doing brush cutting the flex shaft will probable hold up for a long time, if properly lubed on a regular basis. I recommend solid shafts units only when other people in my department ask me for my recommendation.
''As a note on line trimmers: Ask your local dealer for a demo on a Robin 4 cycle line trimmer. We tried one for a week and was very impressed. Same size fuel tank, ran 2 to 3 times longer on a tank of fuel. Massive power, used .105 line in it. Just slightly heavier than it 2 cycle counterpart, hardly noticable. Unit has a 4 ounce oil resevoir that need change every 40 hours of use. We thought the power outweighed the inconvience of the oil changes. Oh yeah, very quite, if you wear ear plugs you can hardly hear it.

 

[steveee]

Solid Steel Shaft - Weighs less, stronger
Flex Cable - Weighs more, not as strong

I'd go solid steel shaft!