TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Tool Talk Discussion Forum

weed whacker with saw blade

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

amertrac

04-22-2008 17:07:11

Report to Moderator

has anyone used a weed whacker with a saw blade? i would like to cot mountain laurel close to the ground. the stuff is from pencil thin to two inches. do the saw blades work? what is a good one ? is there much kickback when using one ? thanks bob

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

SuperHank

05-01-2008 11:22:37

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

With my two sons we cleared a one acre lake lot up to 3 inch trees with a Husqvarna chain saw and Stihl brush cutter. My 2 boys, each 6'3 and young, could use the brush cutter they called it the "wheel of death" and move some brush. It took 3 full days but the brush cutter worked great.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Sam from WA

04-25-2008 09:29:20

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

We use the BIG Stihl Brushsaws at work for cuttin small trees and assorted brush. Stihl makes a couple different saw blades we use quite often, mainly the chisel tooth and "scratcher" blades. They work very well, but hate grass. To make the most out of the blades, we run them only on the big brush saws and only at full speed.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

tiresntracks

04-24-2008 21:30:52

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

About 25 years ago I cut several acres of brush with a Husqvarna 165R (I think) brush cutter. It was basically a heavy duty, straight-shaft weed-eater with a 66cc engine and a saw blade on it. The blade was specially designed to cut brush, and you could sharpen it with a round file like a saw chain. The harness went over both shoulders and around your waist. If you had it hooked up, there was no way that you could cut yourself, but you wanted to stay away from other people. It would throw a lot of chunks at you, so we wore screen face shields. They protected your eyes and face, but didn't fog up.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

fepo

04-24-2008 12:03:53

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

you need a good straight shaft with a SOLID shaft, be sure to ask if the shaft is solid and not the spring type. Also if you need to use the saw blade for thicker stuff then need a higher end unit with heavy duty clutch. Stihl minimum would be a FS 220 I think. The 'bicycle' handle bars on the shaft is recomended and shoulder strap.

Once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze, you figure out where on the blade is the sweet spot for cutting and learn what not to do!

I find a firm quick gentle whack in the sweet spot of the blade is better than a slow cutting motion. You need to use the blade speed to your/machine advantage.

I prefer the saw blade, it will go through all sticks/trees, keep away from grass as it will clog the blade.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

RegoR

04-23-2008 12:11:48

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

Hi amertrac,

I use a Echo SR2110 (I think that's the model #) Trimmer/Brush Cutter. It comes with a circular blade and blade guard and cuts up to 3" diameter. The trimmer uses .090 string. I've used it in both modes for about eight years and it works great. The only thing I've had to do is rebuild the carb, but that's with any yard equipment engines.

Regards,

Roger

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

PJH

04-23-2008 06:20:04

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

40 years ago I was a kid on a surveyors crew. They had a Homelite Brushcutter - a heavy duty weedeater-like machine with a saw blade on it. I think it used the XL chainsaw engine. It had a harness you wore to help carry it, and a huge fuel tank. It was a man killer. We each used it 'til it ran out of gas and then traded off. Soon we were all walking partially stooped because of back trouble. After a few weeks, we voted to go back to machetes and axes. Broke the bosses heart. (I guess it was an expensive gadget back then.) It worked good, but all day on it would kill your back. Come to think of it, my weedeater kills my back too. I think I must be too tall to use it without stooping a little.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

don t.-9n180179

04-23-2008 05:33:51

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

My neighbor has a Christmas tree farm. He uses a Stihl weedwacker and a circular saw blade. Cut 8" pine at ground level in no time. He claims he's been doing this for more than the 10 years I lived here. Wears all sorts of safety gear. I've watched him a few times, not for the timid. HTH.....play safe.....don t. .....

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

guido

04-23-2008 05:31:15

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

Hello AMERTRAC.
I have a straight shaft that I bought for the same kind of work. You need to buy straight shaft unit, the one I have has different attachments you can buy A brush cutter attachment with the blade. Mine has a B@S 4 cycle engine as well. You can even get a blower attachnemt. Guido.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

dave2

04-23-2008 00:20:17

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

Cut gazillions of multiflora rose as a kid with a Homelite and a skilsaw blade that we filed the diamond hole round enough to fit. Was it story book safe? No. Would OSHA let it happen? No. Did we get hurt? Yea, cause it made cutting the stuff so easy that we'd get ourselves trapped and have to fight our way out. Yes it worked. I'd suggest a lower quality steel in the blade so that it'd be more apt to bend than shatter. And I wouldn't wear bermudas and shower shoes while cutting.

Good Luck,

Dave

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

TimV

04-22-2008 18:38:22

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

amertrac: they're just perfect for doing what you want to do, but be prepared to spend some money to get a good one. Any of the professional-grade companies (Stihl, Robin, Echo, Shindaiwa, etc.) will have models capable of handling a blade, but don't expect to skimp by with a cheap unit--you'll need a straight, solid shaft, a heavy shoulder harness, and full safety gear--these are NOT toys or "weekend warrior" equipment. A good commercial rental place might be one way to go about this, as a decent unit will be several hundred dollars. With the right setup, they will do an excellent job, though cutting close to the ground usually means rocks, which will dull the blade to the point of uselessness in short order.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

RayP(MI)

04-22-2008 18:32:46

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

Yeah. I have one - 17" homelite, installed a 10" saw blade on it - carbide tipped. Ise it for cutting heavy growth of weeds, and thistles in the pasture. Also cuts small trees, limbs. Works great! NOW< I GOTTA WARN YOU - IT ISN"T THE SAFEST TOOL AROUND< AND YOU NEED TO USE EXTERME CAUTION> I haven"t had any safety issues, but I"ve been extremely careful.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Aaron Ford

04-22-2008 19:36:13

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to RayP(MI), 04-22-2008 18:32:46

Not the first time I have been accused of that...

;-)

I rarely ever get hurt doing something I know is stupid, it is the usual mundane everyday stuff that bites me. You expect to get hurt playing catch with a large animal trap, not simply walking down the stairs.

Just me,

Aaron

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

04-22-2008 18:31:49

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

Get a good straight shaft trimmer, minimum of 25cc. Buy a reputable trimmer and a 4 bladed brush blade. A saw blade cuts trees only real good, a brush blade cuts exactly that, brush, what you are describing. Get an Echo, Dolmar, Redmax, Shindiawa trimmer, not soemthing you buy in a box store, unless you want to use it and throught it away. The person who put a skillsaw blade on one is not using common sense. A lot of circular saw blades have carbide tips, and they are like a bullet if they come off. Plus a circular saw blade is not designed for that kind of high speed application and are dangerous.
Jim

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

M Moline Fan

04-22-2008 18:26:51

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

I had a heavy duty McCollugh that came with a saw blade. Never used the saw blade for years. Was a great string trimmer- until I decided to use the saw blade. Pushed it too hard, stripped the drive line, ended up junking it. I think you'd be better off using something strictly made for brush cutting.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Davis SC

04-22-2008 18:26:34

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

I have a blade that fits a commercial-duty Robin trimmer. Works great, I wear a face shield, and clear all onlookers off to a safe distance.. It will kick back, until you learn where to cut at.. takes a bit of learning. BTW, my blade is similar to a skilsaw blade, many teeth. I have sharpened it several times, on a Baldor bench grinder (I have 30+ years exp as a toolmaker) Just be careful to keep the same angle, and take the same amount from each tooth.

This blade is great for saplings up to 2 or 3 inches. Keeping it revved up is the key to avoiding kickback. Try to position the trimmer so that any kick will move the blade away from you.. Good luck, and work safely.. HTH

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Kevin in OK

04-22-2008 18:00:17

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

My grandpa has one I used to use quite a bit, Stihl straight shaft with a small saw blade on the end, don't remember the model off hand.

It will cut through sticks and trees, but is almost useless when it comes to cutting grass. It will wear you out fast, and burn through fuel quicker than you think. If it's a large area, brush hog. If the stuff is too large to mow, get a pair of loppers (aka parrot bills) and lop them off at the ground.

He and I tried to install one of Stihl's three bladed units, I imagine it would do much better, but we couldn't figure out how it attached.

Kevin

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Aaron Ford

04-22-2008 17:53:13

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

I am sure all the previous reponses are true, but...

It works pretty good. Especially if you do not care much about the blade you are going to use or the weedeater you are going to use it on. I found a big Ryobi in a dumpster and got it running and bolted on a 10" tablesaw blade. It cut like mad. Once you got the thing up to speed, you just touched the stem and presto, it was down. I cut up to inch and a half stuff with it. There was no safety and an ambulance chasing lawyer would have laughed at me had I hurt myself, but it did work well. After clearing 1 acre of heavy scrub, the head wore clear out. I put it out for the trashman.

BTW, That blade makes an evil sound when it is spinning at mach 3.

Do be careful,

Aaron

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

jose bagge

04-22-2008 17:48:59

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

there WAS someone on here that said they put a Skil saw blade on a "dumpster dive" weedwacker...I don't remember who it was...

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Aaron Ford

04-22-2008 17:54:42

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to jose bagge, 04-22-2008 17:48:59

IT WAS MEEEEE EEEE!!!!! !

Just doing my best Jim Carrey impersonation...

LOL

Aaron

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

MarkB_MI

04-22-2008 17:39:36

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

Stihl makes a brush cutter blade. It looks like a three-pointed star. It will easily cut through anything up to about 3/4", and is much safer than a saw blade. I have one of these as well as a saw blade, and I never use the saw. Anything too big for the brushcutter I break out the chainsaw.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

RobMD

04-22-2008 17:33:23

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

Talk about holding death in your hands.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Uncle Ernie

04-22-2008 17:20:46

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

I have one for my 32cc Craftsman. It is not my favorite cutter. It does a fair job but does kick sidways and wraps up with grass.You have to trap heavy stuff between the guard and the blade to get a good cut.Might work on on the laurel. (I would use a hedge trimmer on that I think.Shearing cut) I find that a REALLY heavy line works dang near as good as the blade. Have a head with manually replaced line that is about as heavy as shoestring. Works real nice on blackberry. Had a head with chainsaw chain swinging from it. It was mean. then it threw a piece and I felt obliged to do the same with it. ...throw it that is!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

JoeK(WI)

04-22-2008 17:14:33

Report to Moderator

Re: weed whacker with saw blade in reply to amertrac, 04-22-2008 17:07:11

WHOA...you need a wacker designed to use a blade on,generally straight/solid shaft.You could prolly put a blade on others but would be unsafe and prolly tear up the wacker almost immediately.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy