Straight vs. curved trimmer

13 years ago

I've been looking at string trimmers, and have seen that the more "advanced"/pro models typically have a straight shaft rather than curved at the end.

Is there an advantage to this style over the "homeowner" style with a curved shaft?

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Comments (3)

rcmoser
13 years ago
IMO yes the straight shafts alow you to get under objects further, easier, and with less bending. Also, IMO the straight shaft covers more area with less bending or reaching. I would take straight shaft over curved every time.

Only advanage I see with curved shaft don't have the 45 degree joint gears to wear out, but I have never had problem with gear joint. had one long enough to regrease, but the gears/bearing/housing inside looked very good for 7 years of use.
Greg Goyeneche
13 years ago
Original post is just what the mass market manufacturers wanted to hear. Twenty years ago, all of the cheaper trimmers were curved shaft, and all straight shaft were professional. The cheap guys (MTD, McCulloch, Homelite, Weedeater, etc.) then figured out how to make a straight shaft for a few dollars more. Now people think they're getting commercial when they buy straight shaft, but they are getting hosed.

Echo, Stihl, and Shindawa make high end curved shaft trimmer. Tanaka (TAS) and TMC also made high quality curved shaft trimmers, but TMC is straight shaft only now. The Tanaka TBC-225C is also the longest (52") curved shaft made. Price is about $180 vs $200 for TBC-225 straight shaft. Stihl also offered a long curved shaft.

Also, $90 to $130 won't get it done. That price point leaves you with cheap, mass market curved or straight shaft equipment. Either machine is basically a throw-away.

Pro quality curved shafts will cost you $180 and up. Next step is straight shaft, but with flexible drive shaft, about $25 to $50 more. These are good for trimming, but most manufacturers don't recommend using a blade. Top of line commercial will be straight shaft with solid steel drive shaft. Figure $250 to as much as $500.

As for gears wearing out in a straight-shaft, that won't happen if you maintain cirrectly. The pro straight shafts use hardened steel gears and ball bearings on the shafts. The cheap curved shaft machines only use a bushing, which needs even more maintenance (on a per hour basis) and will wear out even if lubricated.

Lastly, almost all trimmer engines rotate the same way, so a curved shaft will rotate clockwise at the trim head (looking down from above), while a geared head rotates CCW. Not a big deal, but some people have trouble going back and forth from one machine to another due to rotation differences. I think Tanaka was the only curved shaft to have engine rotate opposite so their curved shaft head spun same as their straight-shafts.
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There are a lot of feel good factor buying a more expensive piece of equipment!!! I can attest to that!!! The TroyBilt work just fine but I have to go spent $400 for the HOnda. I read someone use Ryobi to do commercial and he consistantly get 500 hours out of each one. I use Ryobi cordless tool to do earthquake retro work. They hell up pretty well. Much more than I can say for the more expensive DeWalt. For the money, they are good tool, I have not break one yet, just two batteries worn out. But the cost of the battery of a DeWalt is more than the Ryobi tool with two batteries and charger!!! I see contractors using Ryobi cordless tools also. If I ever need to buy a trimmer again( I doubted ever), I would consider the Shindaiwa T272. You can change gear box also but the most important for me is they have the power brush head which I really want. I have a lot of moss growing on the brick floor and I can use one for cleaning. I have the M242 but they don't suggest to put on a small engine. But that one is expensive though. The Echo multitool have dethatching tine attachments also.
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Comments (4)
Curved or straight is generally a matter of preference, and generally professional machines are straight shaft, although there are exceptions. More and more cheap straight shaft are entering the market, because manufacturers know customers believe straight shaft are somehow "professional". On the other hand both Stihl and Tanaka make excellent curved shaft trimmers. Curved and straight shaft also usually tun in opposite directions. Most engines turn clockwise when viewed from the far end, meaning a curved shaft will cut on the inside (when held on the right), while a straight shaft will cut on the outside. Not necessarily a problem, but one you will have to get used to. A couple of manufacturers have their curved shaft machines rotate the same at the head as their straight shafts, so their entire family of trimmers are the same. Tanaka does this, and there may be others.
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ewalk
13 years ago
Rather concise overview GG . :)

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Straight vs. curved trimmer

Comments (3)

rcmoser

Greg Goyeneche

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