Lightweight Strimmer recommendations

Hello,

Im just getting into gardening and landscape work...

I was using a fairly powerful petrol Makita Strimmer, but having experienced rather disconcerting effects of vibration on my nerves and reading about Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome, I decided to stop using it.

I actually started to get on pretty well with a fairly tough scythe and sickle, and feel like I can do without the strimmer for a large part.

But it feels I need a strimmer to finish off, tidy up and shape and am looking into getting a more lightweight, or lower vibration strimmer.. It seems realistically only battery/electric strimmers have significantly less vibration.. (i noticed the most 'lightweight' stihl petrol strimmer has pretty awful vibration figures, worse than the makita I had)

I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts of recommendations about battery strimmers, .. or if anyone knows of a petrol strimmer that could be possible.. with low vibration of central importance

as i said it would be more a finishing tool, than any extensive hardcore clearing.. but I would still want decent enough power.

Thankyou,

Matthew

Hi dan ,

I'm really impressed - it doesn't look or sound as industrial as my old tanaka but in use it performs well,the engine though smaller (than Tanaka) is quite torquey, its very light and well balanced and generally nice to use for edging or strimming small or large areas .

I haven't tried it on any grass over 6 inch yet but thats not what i got it for as i still have my other Tanaka 270 and a Stihl backpack strimmer

It starts very easily from cold or hot - generally just 2 or 3 very light pulls from cold or to date first pull when in use and its away!

Fuel wise i used it for 45 mins non stop on one of my larger strim only gardens without running out so not bad for 0.5 litre ish tank and did not notice any issues with vibes at all

The trigger handle is connected to the shaft via rubber mountings, this gives a little play in the handle which must be how they keep the vibes down.

Only time will tell with durability but all in all i am very impressed

Andy

Replies

This reply was deleted.
- Matthew Moore August 27, 2016 at 6:50pm
  
  Thanks billybop, ill consider those.. looks like the fsa85 and 65 look good from a vibration point of view, the 90 is getting a bit high...
Andy Mason August 27, 2016 at 1:43pm

Hi,

Have a look at the Husqvarna 525RJX

I have just purchased one for the same type of work you are doing and although not as powerful as the Tanaka TBC270 it replaced i am very happy with it.

You can pick one up on internet for around £360 with free delivery and a 2 year manufacturer warranty.
- Matthew Moore > Andy Mason August 27, 2016 at 6:45pm
  
  Thanks andy, I checked it out, and the vibration is really low, comparatively.. I would rather petrol than battery, so I'll definitely consider it..
PRO

dan August 27, 2016 at 7:21pm

andy

can you now confirm what the husky strimer is like ? the stats look amazing
- Andy Mason > dan August 28, 2016 at 10:48am
  
  Hi dan ,
  
  I'm really impressed - it doesn't look or sound as industrial as my old tanaka but in use it performs well,the engine though smaller (than Tanaka) is quite torquey, its very light and well balanced and generally nice to use for edging or strimming small or large areas .
  
  I haven't tried it on any grass over 6 inch yet but thats not what i got it for as i still have my other Tanaka 270 and a Stihl backpack strimmer
  
  It starts very easily from cold or hot - generally just 2 or 3 very light pulls from cold or to date first pull when in use and its away!
  
  Fuel wise i used it for 45 mins non stop on one of my larger strim only gardens without running out so not bad for 0.5 litre ish tank and did not notice any issues with vibes at all
  
  The trigger handle is connected to the shaft via rubber mountings, this gives a little play in the handle which must be how they keep the vibes down.
  
  Only time will tell with durability but all in all i am very impressed
  
  Andy
  - PRO
    
    dan > Andy Mason August 28, 2016 at 2:47pm
    
    thanks for that andy -- keep us posted --
    
    i need two strimmers next year and this looks ideal for the small - mid sized catagory -- vibes look excellent