Thread: Wipper Snippers

G'day Saltbox.

When I had a lawn mowing round several years ago I had all 2 stroke and they were virtually indestructible. Victa mowers (2str had better torque at low revs) Shingu w/snippers and Stihl blowers.

W/s was a straight shaft ( I was told were the best but cant remember why) which is still going strong despite being hammered most days. I made sure the spool head was regularly greased, filters cleaned and changed the spark plug regularly.

Pros & cons
- 2 stroke engines give out lots more pollution than 4 strokes and it's a pain to mix the petrol & engine oil.
- The disadvantage of 4 stroke engines is that there are very few around for whipper snippers (plenty for lawn mowers) and they are the more expensive brands (Honda, perhaps Stihl??) but of course if your budget permits, these would be beaut machines.

I was told that straight shaft ones are better, but I'd think that either would work well.

Other things to look out for
- weight (IF you are not big or strong, then some of the brands/models may make using them a heavy task literally )
- noise level
- vibration level
- how often you'll use them - if you use them frequently and can justify coughing out the budget, both of those you mentioned (Honda & Stihl) are excellent, and between the two, it would pretty much boil down to personal preference & perhaps the specific model you like.

For lower end budget, Ryobi is supposedly quite good vis a vis the money.

So bottom line, if budget permits, go for 4 stroke, if all else is equal perhaps choose the straight shaft. Re brands, there are some other professional brands out there, but you can't go wrong with Honda / Stihl.

I recently bought the bottom of the line Honda 4-stroke, and couldn't be happier. It is an awesome machine, very quiet, and starts second pull every time! First pull, choke on, second pull choke off, and away she goes!

The difference between the bent and straight shafts is that the straight shafts are brush-cutters, so you can put a solid cutter on it and do some slashing if you want.

Straight shafts are kinder to your back as well as being mechanically stronger.

I had a Ryobi trimmer but eventually it became a PITA to start. I bought a Makita trimmer as there was a remainder in the local Mitre 10 that was too good to pass up. It was a very good buy. It usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull once you know how. The trick is to make sure you prime the carb first using the bulb.

G'day All.

I have a Husky 22Lr straight shaft brushcutter. Line trimmer and steel blade. As a brushcutter it cannot be beat. But as a line trimmer, it is a pain. no bump feed, spins toward your feet. thus throwing gravel and schit at you (shins look like a war zone afterwards). Heavy. and after trimming an acre block with paths and 22 metre concrete driveway edges, my upper arm kills me.

Santa brought me a Talon Grass Hawk bent shaft with bump feed. It replaces a Weedeater bent shaft that wont run anymore.

The Talon was used yesterday for the first time.. Bloody fantastic .
For a cheap machine it works great. Starts first pull after priming.
And it spins away from me. no more bleeding shins

I did a job about 18 years ago when we hire the brush cutters with solid blades to clear an embankment. We snapped the shafts of three machines before they refused to hire us any more!


I just seized the motor in my Dolmar..POS thing ....like all 2 strokes AFAIK. replaced it with a 25hp..(or is it cc?) Honda 4 stroke what a nice bit of kit!

As spelunx points out starts second pull, quiet, very responsive from idle to full throttle...and I dont have to worry about the jets gumming up when its not used over winter.

BTW it was advertised at $625 but I got them down to $500.....trade special or something.

Thanks I think you made my mind up for me.Honda or Stihl it is!!!! just have to check the weight on both,got some back problems.(heavent we all???)

Dear Saltbox,

I've got a Stihl FS36 trimmer at the moment: 2-stroke, curved shaft, brilliant. Bought it because she's a 50:1 mix ratio, which perfectly matched the mix ratio of the Suzuki 2-stroke motor in my Rover XL mower, which has also been brilliant (except for the Suzi's "Achilles Heel" - the dreaded leaky petrol cap!).

2-stroke are generally good for lightweightness and fuel economy, and if you're doing a lot of lawns, because you never have to worry about changing the sump oil, because there isn't any. Having said that, a lot of the Pros take a different approach and go for the 4-stroke Hondas in order to get good reliability, reduced noice, and less vibration - and therefore less "Tennis Elbow". As regards the oil change, the Pro's end up doing so many lawns that they simply get into a maintenance routine, and they end up getting the oil change "Down Pat", so to speak. I had a feel of a Honda 4-stroke mower with an alloy base yesterday, and I don't think she was any heavier than my Rover...

Is a pretty good idea to match fuel types and ratios between your trimmer and your mower, because unleaded fuel can go "stale", and using one mix for both devices helps you to get through a can of petrol quicker. Don't think you can get 50:1 mix 2-stroke mowers brand new anymore, just 25:1. My Rover's getting a bit long in the tooth, but for the Stihl's sake I'll keep her going until I can reduce the number of lawns I have to mow to just one or two. Then I'll be looking at replacing both with 4-stroke Hondas - both mower and trimmer.

I had a feel of the Honda trimmer yesterday, and in spite of the usual weight penalty for going to 4-stroke, the thing was definitely no heavier than my 2-stroke Stihl. If your just doing some edges, all you'll need is the bottom of the range domestic garden-variety curved shaft Honda (RRP $399). If you need to do some brushcutting, though, you'll have to step up to a straight shaft, because you're not allowed to put solid blades on a curved shaft trimmer. I find curved shaft to be the most comfortable.

Hope this helps,
Batpig.

G'day All.
What is the problems from using 50:1 for everything?

My Husky Chainsaw is 50:1
Victa Mower 25:1
Talon trimmer 25:1
Husky Brushcutter 50:1

I've been using 50:1 for all of them.

Is this a no-no? If so, why?

Originally Posted by markharrison

Straight shafts are kinder to your back as well as being mechanically stronger.

I had a Ryobi trimmer but eventually it became a PITA to start. I bought a Makita trimmer as there was a remainder in the local Mitre 10 that was too good to pass up. It was a very good buy. It usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull once you know how. The trick is to make sure you prime the carb first using the bulb.

Dear markharrison,thanks for your reply.
Have you heard of a Whippersnipper ZENOAH KOMATSU,currently on e-bay
also on e-bay MACHTIG saw Brush cutter chain saw & whipper snipper(Made in Japan) anny comments on both would be appreciated

regards Harry

Originally Posted by Batpig

Dear Saltbox,

I've got a Stihl FS36 trimmer at the moment: 2-stroke, curved shaft, brilliant. Bought it because she's a 50:1 mix ratio, which perfectly matched the mix ratio of the Suzuki 2-stroke motor in my Rover XL mower, which has also been brilliant (except for the Suzi's "Achilles Heel" - the dreaded leaky petrol cap!).

2-stroke are generally good for lightweightness and fuel economy, and if you're doing a lot of lawns, because you never have to worry about changing the sump oil, because there isn't any. Having said that, a lot of the Pros take a different approach and go for the 4-stroke Hondas in order to get good reliability, reduced noice, and less vibration - and therefore less "Tennis Elbow". As regards the oil change, the Pro's end up doing so many lawns that they simply get into a maintenance routine, and they end up getting the oil change "Down Pat", so to speak. I had a feel of a Honda 4-stroke mower with an alloy base yesterday, and I don't think she was any heavier than my Rover...

Is a pretty good idea to match fuel types and ratios between your trimmer and your mower, because unleaded fuel can go "stale", and using one mix for both devices helps you to get through a can of petrol quicker. Don't think you can get 50:1 mix 2-stroke mowers brand new anymore, just 25:1. My Rover's getting a bit long in the tooth, but for the Stihl's sake I'll keep her going until I can reduce the number of lawns I have to mow to just one or two. Then I'll be looking at replacing both with 4-stroke Hondas - both mower and trimmer.

I had a feel of the Honda trimmer yesterday, and in spite of the usual weight penalty for going to 4-stroke, the thing was definitely no heavier than my 2-stroke Stihl. If your just doing some edges, all you'll need is the bottom of the range domestic garden-variety curved shaft Honda (RRP $399). If you need to do some brushcutting, though, you'll have to step up to a straight shaft, because you're not allowed to put solid blades on a curved shaft trimmer. I find curved shaft to be the most comfortable.

Hope this helps,
Batpig.

Dear Batpig,

Thank youl your reply was very helpful,have you heard of ZENOAH KOMATSU & MACHTIG whippersnippers???

Regards Harry

Dear Harry,

Sadly I've got to say - No, I haven't heard of either of those two brands, at least in the trimmer department. I have seen Machtig mitre saws going through on e-bay, though. I'm not certain whether they are a real brand, however, rather than a GMC or Ozito type of thing, where the closest they would come to owning their own factory would be to own something more like a sticker factory (ie. to make all of the different shaped stickers to go on the sides of all of those generically produced Chinese tools). I could be wrong, mind you. Komatsu itself is a well known brand, but in the Earthmoving department. The brand you quoted containing that name might be trying to ride on their coat-tails.

But the long and the short of it is that I haven't heard of either brand of trimmer. Me-thinks you would be treading on quite thin ice if you bought either brand, especially from a spare-parts point of view. You can't go wrong with Stihl or Honda. What sort of mower have you got now? 2-stroke or 4-stroke? If 2, what's your mix ratio? Do you have much lawn to mow?

Regards,
Batpig.

Originally Posted by Batpig

Dear Harry,

Sadly I've got to say - No, I haven't heard of either of those two brands, at least in the trimmer department. I have seen Machtig mitre saws going through on e-bay, though. I'm not certain whether they are a real brand, however, rather than a GMC or Ozito type of thing, where the closest they would come to owning their own factory would be to own something more like a sticker factory (ie. to make all of the different shaped stickers to go on the sides of all of those generically produced Chinese tools). I could be wrong, mind you. Komatsu itself is a well known brand, but in the Earthmoving department. The brand you quoted containing that name might be trying to ride on their coat-tails.

But the long and the short of it is that I haven't heard of either brand of trimmer. Me-thinks you would be treading on quite thin ice if you bought either brand, especially from a spare-parts point of view. You can't go wrong with Stihl or Honda. What sort of mower have you got now? 2-stroke or 4-stroke? If 2, what's your mix ratio? Do you have much lawn to mow?

Regards,
Batpig.

Dear Batpig,Thanks for your fast reply.
I just bought a VICTA 4 stroke MULCH OR CATCH What a beauty it is(OK its new)but I couldn't get enough of looking at my lawn LOL the mulching is absolutely a delight there is no bits of grass laying on top it gets blown right in.Having said this I'm leaning towards the Honda 4 stroke no need for any oil mixing.Your reply made a lot of sense to me,you should stick to BRAND NAMES gritt your teeth and pay the extra.What are CREDIT CARDS FOR????LOL

P.S.I got a level double block to cut approx.every week

Take care & thanks
Harry

Yep, go the Honda Harry...

It's the UMS425 that you're after. As stated, RRP is $399, but maybe cash will talk a little for you. Curved shaft, but that's all you need. Curved shaft on my Stihl makes it easy for me to "Bevel" my edges by virtually "sweeping" the lawn up and off the concrete paths by walking along the concrete side of the edge and holding the trimmer at a particular angle that just gives the lawn this nice bevelled edge. Your left hand would be holding the upper-right side of the Honda's handle upwards, with you pointing the whole thing at the grass at an angle of about 45deg in plan (ie. from above) with the cord flicking everything up and away from you. If things are too tight to walk along the concrete side of the edge, you can get approximately the same bevel by walking along the grass side of the edge, but holding the upper-left side of the Honda's handle upwards with your left hand, in a sort of "Backcut" mode, wherein you usually walk backwards, sort of "pulling" the thing along the grass (again at angle of about 45deg when viewed from above), and everything gets flicked back at you. All the little pebbles bounce off your shoes and the ground, so make sure you're wearing long pants and goggles! Backcut should be your default mode when you are doing the edge along the kerb out next to the road, so that you don't get run over by some Knob on a Mobile Phone. At any rate, the bevel edge that is achieved by the combination of these methods is "Sweet As..." so to speak, and much nicer than that "Trenched" look that you get from a lot of the contractors.

If you do get the Honda, maybe you could start a new thread down here in a couple of months, just to let us all know what she's like when you've had a bit of experience with her.

Best Wishes,
Batpig.