Re: [Brushcutter] Need trimmer head for big cords

Good morning

<news:bp@www.zefox.net> wrote in rec.gardens:

Michael Uplawski <michael.uplawski@uplawski.eu> wrote:

Good morning from France
>
I need a new trimmer head for a Honda 435 UMK-E (four-stroke)
brushcutter. My favorite cord size is 3mm. I can look that up in
inches but do not really want to. Let's say big cords, the bigger
the better.
>
The problem is not that I do not find any.
>

>
What are you cutting, and what are the obstacles?

The obstacles are the first thing, you hear, feel, then see. Stones
and remains of old stone walls, invisible under and in the high
grass. That is for this time.
Otherwise there are (will-be) trees that I want to keep, and the
fields, here, are borderd by hedges on low ramparts. Most of this
must stay as it is, I have to live with it and want to, most of the
time. No blades.

I am cutting bramble, burning nettle (higher than myself) and
everything in between. But remember: No blades.

I use blades where I can, though.

Three millimeters is very close to one-eighth of an inch,
or .125". The heaviest cord I've seen in the US is .093"

I saw trimmer-heads for cords of 4mm but never used one.

I've a  spool of .093" Echo cord with four longitudinal ribs
having sharp corners that cuts quite well on any but woody
material. I suspect most folks use a saw blade if .093" cord
won't cut acceptably.

In the end, I might choose to keep my current head and try round or
smaller cords. There are cords with metal-cores which should last
longer, too. But I have no experience with those.

Speaking of which, a portable circular saw blade of about
7 inches works wonderfully.

I would destroy it in minutes, and my machine would suffer, too.

It has to be kept away from pavement and rocks, and out of
dirt if possible

… well.

One option is a flail head. I've tried them and didn't like it,
but your conditions and preferences might be different.

I find these only on big machines or mounted on tractors.

Gator is a brand found in the USA, Europe must have its own
flavors. Flails cut cleaner than cord but react more violently to
obstacles. They're also much more destructive if they get away.

This is worth some research and I will ask around in our
agricultural environment.

Thank you very much for all your remarks.

Michael