New Shindaiwe trimmer=ouch

[Ken in Tn.]

Just bought a new Shindaiwa trimmer and used it for the first time today and have a nice red mark on he bottom side of my right forearm from the engine. Anybody else experienced this?

[cruelsummer]

I know several guys who have that problem, I have run shindaiwas religiously for 9 years now and it is a nuisance but well worth it for the dependability and performance these machines provide. I have five T-230's and 3 shin blowers. It is the little black plastic not on the engine cover that gets hot and when you rest your elbow on it to stabilize the machine you get burned well first of all, after you have had it a while you may not need as much stabilizing as when you are getting used to the machine but anyway I have seen several guys simply put something over that annoying little hot nut, such as weatherstripping or even a little piece of rubber floor mat ,that is duct taped over the engine cover nut,sounds tacky but not really noticeable. I have used stihl and kawasakis and even the new hondas and NOTHING compares to the performance of my oldest most abused shindaiwa so hang in there , you'll make friends with the machine soon enough,just move your elbow a little to the left off of that nut I sure hope your not left handed as I hear its worse for the leftys

[steve-o]

not related to your problem, but i got an echo and the last few weeks my arm keeps hitting the sparkplug boot and keeps on with the same message, do not touch or i wll bite! lol

steve

[Woody]

This is the exact reason why I only buy RedMax equipment. Besides being top-notch equipment, starting on the first pull, and having outstanding power, they have a nice, durable cage around the motor, which keeps you from getting burned. It works remarkably well, and, with a rear exhaust, they make ideal units for left-handed people.

When you get tired of having barbequed arm, have a look at a nice RedMax, like the BCZ2600S. I personally feel it is the best made trimmer on the planet.

Woody

[Ken in Tn.]

I was thinking of maybe wearing a forearm pad like the one in my old high school football days.

[Allan]

I have a Shin and I was thinking as I read your post "I don't remember getting burned" then while I was out mowing yesterday I found out why. I do not operate my trimmer at max throttle. I think that this keeps it a lot cooler. My arm is always by the exhaust.

I hardly ever need to use the full throttle. It seems like kind of a waste. If you can get used to using part throttle except in the heavy stuff, your experience should be better. Using part throttle will do the following:
- use less string
- no arm burns
- less noise
- longer equipment life
- less fuel used

[hardboiled]

You could wear a heat sleeve by Mechanix Wear or Ringers. How about adjusting the grip down the tube a bit, would that throw the balance off too much?

[1Chavez]

Easiest thing I've found to rid myself of the heat from a shin trimmer is to have someone else do the trimming.
I have felt the heat generated by these trimmers, but it has never been enough to stop me from trimming. As stated above, easiest is a helper, or get better and do string trimmer work faster.
-Rich