Speed tips needed for wacking

[vdeegan]

Hi,
Haven't posted in quite a while. 2nd season in the business, so still somewhat of a newbie.
Last year, I asked for tips for getting done with my residentials sooner. Among the answers were to get a better weed eater and more practice at wacking since my wacking time was taking from 30-40 min. I now have an Echo and love the feel and handling of it. However, although wacking time is better now, I'm still taking too long getting it done. I remember hearing a rule of thumb that your wacker should be able to keep up with your normal walking pace. Well, only in some cases am I able to do that. In too many cases, I have to frequently go back and get some grass blades that are missed. I'm holding it as steady as I know how. Have tried cutting at various angles and with no angles; yet there's still too many blades being missed (at least in my opinion). There's got to be a trick I'm missing here. Any wacking tips would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Vince

[Ric]

Vince

Weed eating is the most misunderstood process of all the machines used to cut grass. There is more damage done to turf and other property with a weed eater than all the other equipment combined. The major reason for this is lack of botanical understanding. 99% of the Idiots cutting grass, scalp with a weed eater. Do not try to cut the grass you are trimming down to nothing.

When you finish weed eating the grass should be no Shorter than the middle of the yard where you mow. Use an edger to give a defined line on bed boarders and side walks. Use a sprinkler head cutter to keep the spray heads clean. Yes this requires two additional machines, but the quality of well trimmed yard will be your best advertisement. Just add some good slow slow release fertilizer and you will beat the customers away.

Now when you final understand how grass should be trimmed, it will take a while to get it growing back to the point where it looks good. Years of scalping has stunted it. However once you master the art of proper weed eating you will be a true professional and not another hack like the other 99% of the lawn boys. You will never again ask the question, "How do I get Customer"

[highlander316]

yeah, in my opinion weedeating is more of an "art." Most homeowners don't understand it correctly. When you actually learn how the string throws the grass, how to manage the throttle correctly, and how to angle the head, your set for life. It's funny to watch homeowners try to weedwack, they kill the grass along their sidewalks.

[turfSurfer]

Check ou www.edgit.com (although designed to let you use your trimmer for edging, it also provides a good trimming guide, especially around chain link).

[grassroots_in_ab]

When I started I worked for a guy who said "The difference between a good trim job and a bad job is that you can't tell a trimmer has been used on a good job." In other words, the trimmer cut the grass to the same height as the mower and you can't tell that it was used. I've always done it this way. Must say though my helper is driving me NUTS at not being able to trim right. It's gotten to the point where it is faster and easier for me to trim that go back and redo everything he's missed.

[vdeegan]

Thanks you guys. Today, I tried keeping the trimming at the same height as the mowing and now the trimmed areas are actually still green! :p I also tried the Edgit web site and it gave some great tips, especially going right to left for a more sure cut. Great stuff. Any more tips are certainly welcome.
Thanks again.
Vince

[hardboiled]

Maybe you already do this....rest the top of the engine,the little guard, against the elbow of your throttle arm, to help keep it steady. This may not work in all situations and angles. You can always try moving the handle and throttle to different positions for comfort and balance. Try different size lines and see if that makes a difference for you. You'll get better at it in no time, it aint rocket surgery .

[mariner]

[QUOTE= Must say though my helper is driving me NUTS at not being able to trim right. It's gotten to the point where it is faster and easier for me to trim that go back and redo everything he's missed.[/QUOTE]


I know what you mean but we have to understand that there is a learning curve. From one week to the next, I can tell me helper is getting better and faster. He's almost to the point that he is following right behind me with the blower which is exactly what I want him to be doing.

[locutus]

If you want to increase your whacking speed, you need to use some sort of lubricant. Like baby oil, or something.

[RRS]

That's funny, I'm suprised you're the first one to say something to that extent.

[ivenholt]

Yeah but if you trim it low, you wont have to trim it every week when the grass slows down.

[Ric]

Yeah but if you trim it low, you wont have to trim it every week when the grass slows down.

Welcome to the forum. However from the above statement you need to spend a lot of time reading here. Scalping with a weed eater kills the grass. You are missing the whole point of this thread.

[ivenholt]

thanks...and I didnt say I scalped it. I said I cut it low. And I thought the title of the thread was saving time on trimming which, if I don't have to trim everything every week I can save alot of time. And since I'm doing this by myself and have more work than I can handle, anyway I can save time is a plus.

[Ric]

Welcome to the forum. However from the above statement you need to spend a lot of time reading here. Scalping with a weed eater kills the grass. You are missing the whole point of this thread.

Ignorants is Bliss.

[BCSteel]

Ummm, I think thats "ignorance".