Advice/recommendations - line trimmer accessories

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Lizard1977

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#300866 10-Oct-2022 11:55

I have a petrol-powered Masport (?) line trimmer which I tend to avoid using because I have endless trouble with the line. It tends to break off easily (necessitating stopping the machine, disassembling the head to re-feed the line) and doing that every 5-10 minutes. It has a bump-head but I've never been able to make it work, despite watching several videos showing how it is supposed to work.

While in Bunnings a couple of weeks ago I noticed some alternative lines/trimming accessories, and wondered if they would be a better option. One was a trio of plastic blades (presumably needing a new head that is compatible with my machine) which looked more durable than the nylon cord. The other other was new head with a different system for attaching fixed lengths of cord (i.e. no winding). The benefits of this is presumably faster re-loading when the cord breaks - but still susceptible to breaking cord and the frustration of having to stop all the time to re-load.

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/saber-cut-power-cut-trimmer-3-blade-head_p3400319

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/saber-cut-strike-force-trimmer-head_p3400320

Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions/advice/recommendations? With summer coming up I want to try and tidy up my section, and it seems so wasteful to not be using this line trimmer for the purpose it was intended. I have an 800sqm section so there is a fair bit of property to edge around the fences, and it will be much faster if I can use the line trimmer and not have to stop all the time to reload it.

mentalinc

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#2980037 10-Oct-2022 11:59

I've used these before:

https://littljuey.com/

Just get normal line, (proper Stihl or similar brand, wondering if you're buying too cheap trimmer line) and then I just cut it to size.

Looks like Bunnings stock them

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pih

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#2980061 10-Oct-2022 12:18

Yeah, cheap line will always break easily. Get good quality line and you'll most likely find it lasts much longer. Make sure you have the correct diameter line for the head: too narrow and it will snap easily.

Personally, I use this: https://www.bunnings.co.nz/oregon-2-0mm-x-63m-square-trimmer-gatorline_p0014863

Also avoid going too fast or making too much contact with concrete and other abrasive surfaces, and get the bump thing sorted out - if you let the line wear too short, it will retracts back into the head and you're up for an annoying job refeeding.

I have a bump feeder and I find that once the line gets down to about 4-5cm long, spinning the head up to speed and giving it a firm but not aggressive hit on the ground is usually enough. If that doesn't work, the head may be damaged, incorrectly wound, or there's not enough line left to let the centrifugal force do its thing.

johno1234

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#2980067 10-Oct-2022 12:25

Used to have a petrol line trimmer and it was a real PITA. The bump feed didn't work very well. Worst of all, the line would often break off at the point it exits the spool so you had to stop, open the thing up, which mean the spring would fall out, unwind, try and get it all together again.

Now have an EGO Powerload battery line trimmer and it is great. The bump feeder works, the line wears away at the tips, and when you do need to reload it there's no need to open the spool - the Powerload feature just winds it in. Note: if you put in the wrong spec line, the Powerload won;t work. I put in 3mm line and it wouldn't load. 2.4mm line loads fine.

It is quite powerful, at least as powerful as the old petrol one. Runs the same batteries as the lawn mower.

I need to buy the multitool for the same battery ecosystem, with hedge trimmer and pruning saw attachments, but am still getting over the cost shock of the mower and trimmer. They're expensive, but worth it.

timmmay

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#2980083 10-Oct-2022 12:49

I got an Alex Brushcutter Head from Australia for my electric line trimmer. It works well, the line still breaks fairly regularly because I whack it on concrete and such, but it is quick to reload - unscrew one huge easy to access bolt with my hand, push new cut line in, close it up. Takes about a minute, probably less.

neb

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#2980154 10-Oct-2022 13:48

Lizard1977:
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions/advice/recommendations?

I would be wary of fixed plastic tabs, the thing about the line is that it's an expendable item, you can just play out more of it as it frays. With the plastic tabs, once you hit something with them and they snap off, they're gone.

Another thing with anything that has more durable blades or similar, because they are quite solid they'll turn into nasty missiles if you hit something and they break off. It depends on what you've got around your property but if there's a chance you'll hit concrete or rocks you'd want to be very careful what it is you hit them with.

Bung

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#2980156 10-Oct-2022 13:50

If you just want short bits of replaceable line I think I'd go for one of the alloy disk types. They keep the inboard end of the line further apart and maintain some of the flywheel effect you get from a normal head. On my Echo I tried a Liljuey but replaced it with a Husqvarna bump feed that works well. If I was to buy another I'd probably get a Shindaiwa Speed Feed as it is easier loading. The Husqvarna head holds 2 x 4m so it does last.

I've seen several references to line becoming brittle as it dries out so some leave their bulk roll in a bucket of water. I've had good results from Hitachi/Hikoki brand from M10.

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1101

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#2982443 13-Oct-2022 20:14

mentalinc:

I've used these before:

https://littljuey.com/

Thats what I use. It also has less rotating mass than some line heads , so less strain on the motor.

I never had any luck with bump feed heads .