In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Trimmers - discussion/pics

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by RCBS, Apr 25, 2023.

  1. SKEETER McCLUSKEY

    SKEETER McCLUSKEY

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2015
    Messages:
    11,853
    Likes Received:
    58,868
    Location:
    Taconic Range
    My trimmer been running good! 20240804_091630.jpg
     
    Ron T, Deererainman, Horkn and 3 others like this.
  2. Ohio

    Ohio

    Joined:
    May 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,802
    Likes Received:
    17,013
    Location:
    Not Ohio
    I was tempted to get the SRM-410U, it has a solid drive shaft. It also weighs 20lb and the replacement gearboxes are $250. 43 cc is tempting but at the price and weight I’m good. This is a bump up from what I have anyway.

    Dok440 has a 3020 and I’ve never seen a mention of the drive cable breaking. If anyone can break it, it’s me.
     
  3. Dok440

    Dok440

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2021
    Messages:
    751
    Likes Received:
    4,954
    Location:
    NorCal
    I know what you mean about the handle. It is more centered than Stihl or Husky. After an hour I don't really think about it. Should be a good machine for you!
     
  4. Rickyblazin

    Rickyblazin

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2021
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    4,282
    Location:
    Pottstown PA
    I got the 535ls it is a beast also this is my favorite string image.jpg image.jpg
     
  5. Ohio

    Ohio

    Joined:
    May 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,802
    Likes Received:
    17,013
    Location:
    Not Ohio

    I moved the handles over to the left and it’s way better now. After the first tank my right arm was worn out. It looks weird but it’s what works.

    IMG_2427.jpeg
     
    Haftacut, Chvymn99, Horkn and 2 others like this.
  6. Horkn

    Horkn

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2014
    Messages:
    27,608
    Likes Received:
    154,613
    Location:
    SE Wisconsin
    brenndatomu and eatonpcat like this.
  7. Czed

    Czed

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2016
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    22,798
    Location:
    Wv
    .170
    IMG_20240813_194716.jpg IMG_20240813_194720.jpg
    I was surprised this larger trimmer only takes .155 line
    I'm trying to enlarge the opening IMG_20240815_121000.jpg
    I reversed it on the spindle but I'm not running it this way.
     
    Dok440, JD Guy, Chvymn99 and 3 others like this.
  8. Ohio

    Ohio

    Joined:
    May 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,802
    Likes Received:
    17,013
    Location:
    Not Ohio
    The SRM 3020 is a bit more thirsty than the FS110 but I’m really liking the power. The throttle response is much better. I definitely am not on the trigger the whole time like with the fs110. I’ve got three thanks through it so far.

    IMG_2472.jpeg

    There’s always more of this garbage hiding in the treeline.


    IMG_2473.jpeg
     
    MasterMech, Horkn, eatonpcat and 5 others like this.
  9. Skier76

    Skier76

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2014
    Messages:
    2,524
    Likes Received:
    13,220
    Location:
    CT and SoVT
    I believe I now have the FSA57 trimmer dialed in. Finished the line in the new Stihl spool I bought and reloaded it with .80 line I had picked up awhile back. Reloading was a snap and it’s feeding just fine. So the new spool/head made all the difference.
     
    Dok440, MasterMech and brenndatomu like this.
  10. Skier76

    Skier76

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2014
    Messages:
    2,524
    Likes Received:
    13,220
    Location:
    CT and SoVT
    I picked this string mower up right around the time the pandemic hit; so before prices got nutty. I bought it mainly to mow the back part of our yard in CT that gets very wet in the spring. I’ve gotten the 48” walk behind stuck before and it’s not fun trying to get that out. It works great in that area and when things dry up, it spends the summer in VT to deal with the non lawn part of the property.

    IMG_0345.jpeg

    Bought a spool of this line on Amazon and I have a feeling it’ll last me for years:
    IMG_0347.jpeg

    Here’s what I was dealing with today:
    IMG_0346.jpeg

    And the after. The string mower makes short work. The areas I didn’t hit are extremely wet; it’s easier to come back with the hand held string trimmer and get those spots.
    IMG_0348.jpeg

    And speaking of the hand held…..Here’s an impulse buy from a local VT hardware store I made years ago as our lawn at the VT house was actually worth trimming. It never ran right despite my best efforts to adjust the carb. It was good for edging and lawn work, but really stumbled at higher RPM for any type of brush work. I picked up a carb on Amazon a few years ago and it it really woke it up; it runs better than it did when it was new.
    IMG_0349.jpeg

    Here we are all cleaned up:
    IMG_0350.jpeg

    Need to talk to my neighbor about that mattress set on the property line.

    Next week, I’ll be doing another area higher up back and somewhat near the wood stacks.
     
  11. Ohio

    Ohio

    Joined:
    May 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,802
    Likes Received:
    17,013
    Location:
    Not Ohio
    Finders keepers.
     
  12. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    20,001
    Likes Received:
    104,032
    Location:
    KC Metro

    I got that string in my new Echo (can’t remember the number) but using. .105 diameter string. Grass decent. Thick stuff :hair:
     
  13. Ohio

    Ohio

    Joined:
    May 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,802
    Likes Received:
    17,013
    Location:
    Not Ohio
    Try soaking the line in bucket of water for 24 hours. After soaking the line that is the best it’ll ever be. I definitely hit some Russian olive branches and way thicker stuff than the line can withstand.
     
    Horkn, Skier76, eatonpcat and 2 others like this.
  14. Czed

    Czed

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2016
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    22,798
    Location:
    Wv
    Screenshot_2024-08-31-22-14-45-448.jpg Anybody need any .95
     
    eatonpcat, Chvymn99 and Horkn like this.
  15. Czed

    Czed

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2016
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    22,798
    Location:
    Wv
    IMG_20240831_130401.jpg
    This stuff was 11.00 seems to do good so far
    The .170 was too stiff to run on that trimmer.
     
  16. Greenstick

    Greenstick

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2014
    Messages:
    2,367
    Likes Received:
    11,973
    Location:
    Carrington North Dakota-aka-Dakotah Territory
    Had a guy at work telling me he was ready to throw his Stihl FS50C string trimmer in the dumpster because it started getting doggy and continued the downhill slide until it would barely idle and no matter what direction he adjusted the carb it didn't do anything. I'm no big 2 cycle mechanic but told him to bring it in. I ran both the H & L screws in then backed them out 1 1/4 turns to get it at least close to set. Then I thought before I try it what are the chances he had it so buggered that the spark arresting screen in the muffler is plugged. Once I got it out and looked at it the screen looked like asphalt. Took it to a torch and burned the spark arrester clean put it back in put new fuel in and 2 pulls later it popped off. The guy was dumbfounded and said that it has never ran that well. I wonder if it wasn't set right when new and was carboning up because he said it was bought new and slowly over the 4 years he had it, it kept losing power and this fall was the first he started messing with carb. Just glad I got it going for him.
     
  17. isaaccarlson

    isaaccarlson

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2014
    Messages:
    1,133
    Likes Received:
    5,796
    Location:
    Colfax, WI
    What does the water do?
     
    Horkn, T.Jeff Veal and John D like this.
  18. Ohio

    Ohio

    Joined:
    May 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,802
    Likes Received:
    17,013
    Location:
    Not Ohio
    Trimmer line loses moisture and elasticity over time, making it brittle and less effective. Soaking it in water restores some of that moisture.

    Trimmer line could have been on the shelf for years and dried out. I’ve noticed less breakage after soaking.
     
    T.Jeff Veal, RCBS, eatonpcat and 5 others like this.
  19. SKEETER McCLUSKEY

    SKEETER McCLUSKEY

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2015
    Messages:
    11,853
    Likes Received:
    58,868
    Location:
    Taconic Range
    soaking plastic trimmer line in water restores moisture???
     
    Horkn, T.Jeff Veal, RCBS and 2 others like this.
  20. Ohio

    Ohio

    Joined:
    May 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,802
    Likes Received:
    17,013
    Location:
    Not Ohio
    Yes, it also works with the poly blades.

    From Husqvarna:

    IMG_3305.png


    From Stihl

    IMG_3303.png

    IMG_3304.png
     
    Horkn, T.Jeff Veal, RCBS and 6 others like this.