I have been using Echo Black Diamond .105 for years on my own home and recently on my part time lawn care business. I recently ordered some darwin grips and was sent a sample of some Ballard Phantom MAXX Twist Line .105 so decided to give it a try. It works much better than the black diamond. The cut quality seems the same, but it didn't break as quickly as the black diamond. I didn't have to bump the speed head as often. I've read that the Husqvarna Titanium XPRO line is pretty good too so might give it a try. Any of you guys tried the Ballard or Husqvarna line? As of now the MAXX Silver will be replacing the black diamond for me.
Trimmer Line (Echo, Husqvarna, Ballard)
PearlWhiteGT
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Same here, Echo 2620T. Also, considering a RedMax BCZ260TS. Looked at one on Monday. 1 lb. lighter than 2620T, more compact design motor, solid shaft. Does not come with speed feed head. In hand it felt much better than my Echo, weight difference, very obvious. Do you have any experience with Redmax? Ridin the Green swears by them.
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I have no experience with RedMax. Always used Echo and have a Stihl FS 111 RX as my backup. Can't see why there would be any issues with RedMax. I've always read they produce good stuff.
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2,186 Posts
Echo crossfire. gives me the cleanest cut and feel. i like echo bd also but prefer crossfire. ran husqy titinum and nothing great. Stihl round and another stihl nothing great. I do want to try the square stihl line thats 3 colors but seen people say its nothing great
Is the Crossfire the round orange line?
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28,190 Posts
No, it is orange in color, but + shaped in design. It doesn't cut nearly as fast as BD. I used Crossfire almost exclusively until BD came out. I still have about a third of a large spool sitting in a bucket in the garage. It isn't bad line at all IMO, but BD cuts way faster.
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630 Posts
Do you guys prefer .095 or .105? Yesterday I did a commercial lot that was overgrown. I used the BD .105 on tall thick growth around tree stumps and the fence line. It did a great job but wonder how the .095 would have performed. I'd like to try the .095 on my regular maintenance lawns and see how it compares to the .105.
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28,190 Posts
I run .095" almost exclusively.
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4,643 Posts
for heavy duty use -i like to use .95 square line. BD for day to day use
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28,190 Posts
The Silent twist used to be Shindaiwa. I have used a little of it and it was ok, but didn't last for what I need line for. BD has been my go to ever since I discovered that letting it dry out a few months makes it last a lot longer.
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28,190 Posts
zJLH52, have you ever tried Red Max Cable Twist? That is some very tough line and it stays straight due to how stiff it is. Cuts pretty well too.
Never tried it.
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630 Posts
Any updates yet?
I received the .105 from Ballard but I'm still using the .095 Phantom Blue Twist. Still not impressed with the .095, it really hesitates in heavy dense tough grass. May remove it soon and try the .105 Silver twist.
I also have a roll of Echo Crossfire which I've never used. I may try it also to compare with Black Diamond.
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Please report back after using the .105 Silver Twist. I plan on trying some .095 Black Diamond and compare it to the .105 Silver Twist and Black Diamond.
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1,043 Posts
I run the silent twist stuff on my electric trimmers, but I've been running this diamond edge line that a local dealer carries for my gas stuff for years.
It's a square shaped line thats more durable than anything I've used from the name brands like Echo, stihl, Husqvarna etc.
As far as cut quality, I never noticed a difference between round, square, twisted etc until I started running some of my trimmers without a guard for clearing banks, gullys, or overgrown empty lots. The serated stuff like echoe's black diamond definitely cuts better than square or round lines when you're running a mile of string for that type of work, but even the .105 stuff constantly breaks on anything like blackberries or small shrubs. I was always a trade off between how well the line cut and how long it lasted for that type of work until I discovered the high torque gear heads. Any 30cc and up trimmer with a high torque head will cut well while running a lot of string regardless of the shape, so durability is the only thing I factor in with line for my gas trimmers anymore because I only use high torque heads and the only thing I use them for is clearing areas and light brush work without a guard. All my route stuff I do with electric unless I run into something I need more power or a larger swath for.
It's a square shaped line thats more durable than anything I've used from the name brands like Echo, stihl, Husqvarna etc.
As far as cut quality, I never noticed a difference between round, square, twisted etc until I started running some of my trimmers without a guard for clearing banks, gullys, or overgrown empty lots. The serated stuff like echoe's black diamond definitely cuts better than square or round lines when you're running a mile of string for that type of work, but even the .105 stuff constantly breaks on anything like blackberries or small shrubs. I was always a trade off between how well the line cut and how long it lasted for that type of work until I discovered the high torque gear heads. Any 30cc and up trimmer with a high torque head will cut well while running a lot of string regardless of the shape, so durability is the only thing I factor in with line for my gas trimmers anymore because I only use high torque heads and the only thing I use them for is clearing areas and light brush work without a guard. All my route stuff I do with electric unless I run into something I need more power or a larger swath for.
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630 Posts
Any update on the .105 Silver Twist?
No, I still haven’t installed the .105, grass growth is slowing down rapidly. I may not install until next spring. However when I do I will give my opinion.
BTW, did you ever try the .095 BD, if so how did it compare to the .105 Silver Twist?
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630 Posts
I have not purchased the .095 yet, my buddy has some and is going to give me some to try out. I will report back as soon as I do.
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