I need a gas trimmer that can drive a weedblade and sawblade.

S

Squashfan

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Jun 6, 2012
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I need suggestions for a weedeater that can run a metal weed(grass too) blade and also a brushcutting saw blade. I have a couple of acres that I am trying to clear. They are overgrown with blackberry and brambles. There also might be a a few saplings mixed in.
I have a Homelite ST-275 but it is not designed for metal blades. I tried buying a replacement head from lowe's. This is it: http://yardgear.com/node/20 But, the head only comes with reverse threaded nuts for a counter clockwise rotation and my Homelite is standard threaded because it rotates clockwise. So what trimmer could I buy to run metal blades? 25cc would probably be enough power. 2 cycle much preferred over 4 cycle. No computerized parts!!! I can do some of my own work on 2 cycle engines so I want a relatively simple design.
I want the carb to have adjustment screws because, again, I have adjusted a carb before. Should probably have a shoulder strap too but that would pretty easy to put on if it didn't have one. I can get a dedicated bicycle handle 25cc brush cutter from husqvarna for about US $400. But I am wondering if there is a cheaper option because money doesn't grow on trees.

Any help is appreciated! If you you guys want more info or if I left something out just ask.
 
Just my $.02, but if you are going to be using the blade a lot, you will probably have to spend around $400 to get a decent one. Check out the Echo line of brush cutters. They are powerful and reliable, based on my own experience.
 
Husqvarna is solid. If there is a dealership nearby even better. Any tools eventually need a little TLC from a professional.

If the price is too high to buy (and the clearing is a one time affair) you might rent or borrow a brush saw. Heck you could probably even get someone to do it with a large mower if the ground is level. An acre doesn't take long with the right tools.

Oh and if you were thinking about planting something there are herbicides that will get rid of the bushes and leave you with workable dirt.
 
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I have a Husqvarna 325 RJ that is about 10 years old. Best trimmer I have ever had,no problems at all except replacing the head a couple times. The string heads for them are around 30.00 and are about the easiest to refill I have used.
 
Oh BTW I have never needed to put the saw blade on mine. I can start at the top of fairly good size brush and go down,the .95 line takes it out quick. I believe the head will also accept the .105 line as well.
 
Rent a machine to clear it, then your Homelite should be able to maintain it. Otherwise, it all depends on your budget. Stihl, Husqvarna, Honda, or any solid brand would be a good investment, and all the decent brands have attachments galore, though they may not come cheap. Maybe a used ride on mower from a reputable source? Makes maintaining an acre a breeze.
 
Plenty of good ideas here. This lot is more than a single acre. Some where around three acres of uneven ground. Part of it is now forested with small trees, about the size of a man's thigh. Anyway, the front of the lot is a long slope up and levels off for about 100 feet then drops down a long slope, below the level of the front, into a creek bottom. There is an old barn that takes up about a quarter of the front slope. And the whole lot it is full of ground hog holes. It is not what I would call riding mower friendly. I wish I could use my rider. The last time my family tried to mow it with a rider some part that holds the deck on got broken off. I think That a couple of years ago. The best method would be a tractor with a bush hogger. My family has been paying somebody to hog it for us but that doesn't seem cost effective in the long run. If I get the same guy to hog it at the same price, two bush hoggings would pay for the cost of a Husky 323R. I think the most cost effective way would be to work until I make the land rider friendly. But there will still be places that the mower won't be able to go and the brushcutter would be needed. Hmm, thinking this post out has helped me see this in a new light! Thanks folks!!!
 
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A couple of goats would make short work of your brush and then youd have meat to eat.
 
Slightly off-topic... At the beginning of last year, I bought a Sears/Craftsman 4-cycle whacker. Appeared to have a lot of good features... Powerful, easy starting, quick and easy trim-line change....
But, third use and the pull-start broke. Took it back fully expecting to experience Sears' excellent service.... I expected a replacement, frankly.
Not so. "Gotta send it out. Two weeks". Ok....
6 weeks later I got the trimmer back. Seemed OK but I had my doubts, I used it through the rest of the Summer.
This season I got it out and again, on the third use the pull-start broke again. Exactly the same failure.

I sent an e-mail off to their customer service dept. last week ("normally we reply in 8 hours!" ) Haven't heard anything yet.
 
My local small engine repair guru that is now retired steered me to an Echo SRM-266 several years ago and it has been excellent and weeding with a .095 or .105 string and clearing brush with an 8" 80 tooth brush blade. I don't have the handlebar kit but if I did more brush work than I do now I would definately get it. I was considering a Shindaiwa, Husqvarna and Stihl and my multi-brand dealer that carried them all agreed with his recommendation on the Echo. I have other powered equipment from Stihl, Husqvarna and Honda that has served me well and I wouldn't hesitate to buy those brands again. You might want to consider who the most reputable dealer(s) are in your neck of the woods and what brands they carry and service.

BTW, my Father-in-law has one of those DR Brush Trimmer/Mowers and I hate that thing.
 
Brisket said:
My local small engine repair guru that is now retired steered me to an Echo SRM-266 several years ago and it has been excellent and weeding with a .095 or .105 string and clearing brush with an 8" 80 tooth brush blade. I don't have the handlebar kit but if I did more brush work than I do now I would definately get it. I was considering a Shindaiwa, Husqvarna and Stihl and my multi-brand dealer that carried them all agreed with his recommendation on the Echo. I have other powered equipment from Stihl, Husqvarna and Honda that has served me well and I wouldn't hesitate to buy those brands again. You might want to consider who the most reputable dealer(s) are in your neck of the woods and what brands they carry and service.

BTW, my Father-in-law has one of those DR Brush Trimmer/Mowers and I hate that thing.
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I like the look of that SRM-266. Echo makes a 266t which is supposed to have more torque. I would have to buy some extra parts but it has the immediate advantage of being a brush cutter and weed eater both. I can't say that about all of the competitors. Seems that there are plenty of dealers in my area. Now to find out which are reputable. There is also a place near me that seems to be a dealer for almost all the major brands. I might do well to check them out.
 
One thing I would do is walk around with it at least 10 min to see how your back takes it. I have some trouble with my lower back just like 99% of everyone else. My Husky does not bother it much as well one model of Stihl I have used. My father has an Echo that is a fine weedeater but it kills my back.
 
Stay away from Sears & the big box stores. Buy from a servicing dealer. If you're clearing a large area, get one w/bike handles instead of a loop handle.
 
I have a Stihl FS90 that has been reliable for the last 7 years or so. Make sure you get one that has a solid shaft and not a cable shaft if you run a blade.
 
Klutz said:
I have a Stihl FS90 that has been reliable for the last 7 years or so. Make sure you get one that has a solid shaft and not a cable shaft if you run a blade.
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So that is why there are two different types of drive shaft. That knocks Echo out unless I find a solid shaft model from them. I wonder if the Husqvarna 323R has a solid shaft? I am going to look into Shindaiwa too. Supposedly, all of there models are solid shaft but that was from an older site.

BTW, is it comfortable to hold a bicycle style handle without the harness? Even on my Homelite I use a shoulder strap but I am wondering if it would be hard to do trimming and edging with bicycle style grips.
 
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