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Single or Dual line string trimmers?

11 years ago

Hi All! been awhile since I asked any silly questions. here's one!
I had a very nice Ryobi Electric string trimmer 25 years ago. I let too many people use it. it's in the string trimming harp playing yard Heaven tool in the sky.

here's my question: it was a dual string. I hated that. I simplified it 'FOR ME' any way by turning it into a single string bump feed trimmer, and it worked great. till I let too many idiots borrow it. now its gone.

if i buy a new el cheapo ( name your brand, but with at least 3.5 star reviews) can I once again turn new trimmer in to a single as opposed to a dual? the dual string trimmers have always knotted up inside the spool terribly, taking the joy and Nirvana out of of getting the bloody job over with.

any thoughts? thanks much!........Bill

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Comments (8)

loger_gw
11 years ago
IMO! I would think for residential use you would get a lot of use from a Duel Line String Trimmer using one line. I have a gas mid grade Echo (10 yrs old) with dual feed but I only use one due to frustrations. I feel it would have better balance cutting and wearing with two lines.

I have experimented with two independent lengths of heavy duty lines vs a spool with fair success vs a Weed Whacker, Etc. Such as, a Ã¢ÂÂExtra Heavy LineÃ¢ÂÂ twice the needed lengths with two knots tied inside the spool to maintain lengths.

Trimming is my Nightmare! I can cut this small City lot (70Ã¢ÂÂ X 120Ã¢ÂÂ minus house and drives in 30 minutes but trimming is 1 - 1.5 hr. A hard blade due to so much concrete saves and trimming ever 2-3 cuts (at about a 45 Deg angle vs straight up).
bilmo
Original Author
11 years ago
thanks a lot loger! much much appreciated. it will make life MUCH easier. my old old ryobi was a dula line. I strung it for single and it worked great. plus, I never had to take the spool of and untangle it 20 times in an hour. I just wanted to make sure the newer units would work the same way. ryobi was 20 years old but worked great till I loaned it to a neighbor no more loaning. I think I'll buy a toro 51480 or some model number like that. hey thanks! that's what I needed to know! you have a great day and we'll talk some more later. cheers!
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I feel the best would be hard to define or defend. I use the heaviest line and pre-cut it to give me a fixed dual line (with 2 knots inside the spool to hold it until itÃ¢ÂÂs too short). I followed the suggestion of a Small Engine Dealer, Sales and RepairmanÃ¢ÂÂs Advice (in about 2000). His info was based on facts on the Professional Yard Crews clients. He said Most Preferred the Mid Range Echo SRM-225 I believe at that time. He said that his were in the 220.00 range. Or! I could save a few dollars at Home Depot, Etc Big Box Store, with the same trimmer and two Year Warr then. I did and it starts today as easy as the guarantee then (2 pulls I think). Being honest it d/n solve my problem of breaking the string 8-10 times per my full small yard. The string problem was me personally IMO vs the trimmer. I like the straight shaft reach vs bending my back. I still use it in tight areas and guessed 3 hrs per yr but I feel itÃ¢ÂÂs more like 6 hrs per yr (72 vs 36 hrs over 10 years at least trouble free and no replacements maintenance vs checking). My primary trimmer has a straight shaft, hard blade and wheel att. Due to all the concrete I have. Tilted at about a 45 degree, I bevel the grass to the dirt at the concrete and trim about every 3rd cutting. It is a modified Green Machine with a longer straight shaft to save bending my back.
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For anyone searching i want to let everyone know what i did. I end up going to my local Stihl/Echo dealer and telling them about my dilemma. They suggested if i'm unhappy with my spool and happy overall with my trimmer just to get a new head/spool for my trimmer. They had a head which is almost identical to: http://www.amazon.com/Maxpower-5101PT-Pivotrim-Universal-Straight/dp/B002BFT7R4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334014708&sr=8-1 But different colors. Its amazing head. Very easy to cut existing line i already have and use it in the spool. No need to buy special line. My friend has the cheapest stihl trimmer with the curve shaft and he said line is pain to change in his trimmer too. The only thing is my 31cc bolens seems to bog down slightly from the head. But not that bad. Its definitely still usable. In the future i will probably buy an echo or stihl trimmer but for now i'm happy with what i have. I think some of you though are to hard core on the stihl vs echo. I think both of them are damn fine trimmers. I won't narrow my decision in the future though to the spool since its so easy / cheap to replace. And i bet a lot easier to change than my bolens (why i had my dealer swap it instead of me).
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thanks loger! for question 1: yes, amazingly, I did have it going the right way. I am not being sarcastic, but I had to get a small magnifier (with my glasses still on) and get right up under the bench light. but yes, it was the right way. number2: no, I could not get it to work manually either. when you say here or there, can I assume that everywhere would ok too? anything that looks like it may move? what about the single string idea? should I abandon that? it's supposed to be a dual line machine
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loger_gw
11 years ago
Good Luck! I started with a Sears/Craftsman Electric by Etc in1973. Got about 15 yrs and thought that was the only way back then. The electric cord and damp weather sent me to gas since but starting and fuel/mix makes it a toss-up. The Bottom Line Is, I Question TodayÃ¢ÂÂs Quality. One concerned user is a "Known Plus". Let me know in 20 yrs. LOL.
bilmo
Original Author
11 years ago
oh, I don't expect 20 years out of ANYTHING any more. not even a rolls royce. and I'm hopin for 2 years max from my new toro corded electric trimmer with one line :)
and no more tool loaning to deadbeat neighbors. never again. we all have to learn eventually. my new answer is "NOPE!"
brandman
11 years ago
Might be worth going to the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas this May. I have seen a very cool looking line trimmer/brush cutter on the show's web site under the exhibitor section. It is called a Yard Tamer.
bilmo
Original Author
11 years ago
thanks brandman! that thing looks pretty cool alright :)
only a few places online give a ballpark price. out of my league with no baseball pun intended, but it worked good! I'd love to have one. just couldn't afford it. I'm lookin to spend 60 bucks on a disposable one for 18 months or so. thanks for the tip though!!
nod702
11 years ago
Glad i found this post about using a single line on a dual line trimmer. I tried using a single line on my dual line trimmer today and it worked great. I'll never use two lines again. Thank you for the info.
bilmo
Original Author
11 years ago
thank YOU nod, and all the other folks for confirming it! yard tools seem like plumbing. not really evolved much since the Roman Empire. or maybe it's just me. single line is bad enough. who needs 2?

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