A question to strimmer/brushcutter users workers...

[RAPPLEBY2000]

(I reckon a few of us do strimming/brush cutting/hedge trimming!)

Hi just going to start a job that involves A LOT of strimming/hedge trimming(with petrol tools).

I obviously want to keep my back/shoulders in good nick.

I'm thinking I want to counterbalance the strimmer.

(I have a simple "over the shoulder" strap that came with the strimmer, but it's " very basic" and only supports the strimmer on one side).

until I get paid I won't have spare cash to buy a decent harness like this:

Does anyone think for the time being, I could adapt some army webbing to make a reasonable, "make do" harness?

so wearing it I'd have belt and yoke like this:

strimmer attached on one side (on a QR strap/hook) and the other side something like a gas mask bag full of sand/water.

looking "army or camo" isn't an option as I have to wear a Hi-vis vest (before anyone says anything )

Has anyone else tried this?

(I should say, I always wear gloves, steel toecaps, helmet with ear defenders and visor, Hi-vis gear), normally my strimming/hedge trimming jobs are small amounts and the "over the shoulder" strap is fine, but I'll be doing this for hours, perhaps all day perhaps a few days in a row! .

 

[locum76]

I reckon if you use a rig like that your shoulders will be fine but your hips will get sore from twisting.

 

[bothyman]

Most Good Brushcutters come with a decent Harness like the one in the top picture.

I presume as your Strimmer ??, has only an over the shoulder strap it's not very powerful, the one I have digs holes in the ground if you get it at the wrong angle, and I can use it all day without much bother.

I'd try and borrow a proper harness as it will make it easier to balance and swing the machine rather than having to carry it.

It's a lot easier if you can make it an extension of your body rather than a burden.

MickT

 

[Ryecroft]

I would definately try and borrow a proper one.

Second choice however may be to cut away an old rucksack if you have one, just leaving the strappings and attach strimmer to that with a carabiner.

Good luck with the job.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

I reckon if you use a rig like that your shoulders will be fine but your hips will get sore from twisting.

yeah, I know but my hips/legs are strong, I had an operation on my stomach recently so anything that removes "upper torso" movement has to be good.

Most Good Brushcutters come with a decent Harness like the one in the top picture.

It was an extra package option when I bought it, but I had to decline to save money

I presume as your Strimmer ??, has only an over the shoulder strap it's not very powerful, the one I have digs holes in the ground if you get it at the wrong angle, and I can use it all day without much bother

yeah, it's a modest sized one (Ryobi) with "extend it" add on tools (strimmer, pruning "chainsaw", brush-cutter, hedge-cutter)
so not strictly a standard industrial strimmer/brushcutter.

I'd try and borrow a proper harness as it will make it easier to balance and swing the machine rather than having to carry it.

not an option sadly, the only people I know that use them, are using them! ):

It's a lot easier if you can make it an extension of your body rather than a burden

Good point, I'll keep that in mind!

I would definately try and borrow a proper one.

Second choice however may be to cut away an old rucksack if you have one, just leaving the strappings and attach strimmer to that with a carabiner.

Good luck with the job.

I don't have a spare Rucksack(I can trash)...though I did consider it! (I do however have a lot of webbing )

Cheers for the advice.

 

[Peter_t]

i reccon you could use some webbing with a bit of string to hang the brush cutter off the belt, wouldn't be very nice though.

also you say hedge cutting. i can asure you you will find harnesses useless for this as you never get the right angles or enough reach.

btw the visor on your helmet, is it plastic or just mesh? if you've only got a strimmer just mesh will do but for brushcutting your really need solid plastic eye protection. i have forgoten to bring glasses and with a brushcutters blade (or these really leathal chain flails) it is very easy to get an eyefull of grit.


pete

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

i reccon you could use some webbing with a bit of string to hang the brush cutter off the belt, wouldn't be very nice though.

also you say hedge cutting. i can asure you you will find harnesses useless for this as you never get the right angles or enough reach.

btw the visor on your helmet, is it plastic or just mesh? if you've only got a strimmer just mesh will do but for brushcutting your really need solid plastic eye protection. i have forgoten to bring glasses and with a brushcutters blade (or these really leathal chain flails) it is very easy to get an eyefull of grit.
pete

in answer, the hedgecutter fit's onto the strimmer and it is ajuststable from straight to 90 degrees, it also has about a 8ft reach. I've not had problems apart from very high hedges, in which case as you say a harness is awkward.

My wire mesh visor is part of the helmet (I think chainsaw rated), I have to wear eye glasses anyway, which have saved my eye's many times from thorns, dirt etc.


I've been researching...

someone made this to pull a sledge, fairly similar idea to mine.

they even have a carabina in a similar position.

it won't be forever, just a couple of jobs.

 

[locum76]

RAPPLEBY: I hope you don't mind but I have another brushcutter question.

Our beloved stihl fs200 is near the end of its functional life, I just need to get it through this season. I've had a bit of bother with it today and decided to clean out the carb. (oily deposits due to inconsistent fuel mixing by volunteers). I've clkeaned the outside and sprayed Carb Cleaner inside as per instructions. How long should it take to run the cleaner deposits out and do you think I should adjust the carb settings at all. I've got the settings at default at the mo but its not running. It ticks over but fades when I pull the throttle.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

fraid, that's too technical for me, mate,
Perhaps is the fuel blocked, or is enough air getting in?)
Is the exhaust area/filter clear?
cleaning the spark plug is always a good idea too.

 

[launditch1]

Mate, if you get really stuck i can lend you mine.Its like the one at the top in your first post.Ive used strimmers for days on end with a single strap and it darn near killed me!I managed to convince my boss to get a strimmer with the harness and 'cow horn' style handles..No more sore back, no more white knuckle.
Let me know if youre interested.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Mate, if you get really stuck i can lend you mine.Its like the one at the top in your first post.Ive used strimmers for days on end with a single strap and it darn near killed me!I managed to convince my boss to get a strimmer with the harness and 'cow horn' style handles..No more sore back, no more white knuckle.
Let me know if youre interested.

I'm Interested!!!

 

[launditch1]

RAPPLEBY: I hope you don't mind but I have another brushcutter question.

Our beloved stihl fs200 is near the end of its functional life, I just need to get it through this season. I've had a bit of bother with it today and decided to clean out the carb. (oily deposits due to inconsistent fuel mixing by volunteers). I've clkeaned the outside and sprayed Carb Cleaner inside as per instructions. How long should it take to run the cleaner deposits out and do you think I should adjust the carb settings at all. I've got the settings at default at the mo but its not running. It ticks over but fades when I pull the throttle.

Ive had a similar problem.I dont know how to fix it though, but what i done was when its ticking over just tweak the throttle a bit until it goes round.dont squeeze the throttle right in.I had to do this a few times and then it would go.HtH.

 

[Peter_t]

have you tried replacing the fuel filter? also check the tank breather as this can starve the engine of fuel if its clogged up too.

pete

 

[Mesquite]

Mate, if you get really stuck i can lend you mine.Its like the one at the top in your first post.Ive used strimmers for days on end with a single strap and it darn near killed me!I managed to convince my boss to get a strimmer with the harness and 'cow horn' style handles..No more sore back, no more white knuckle.
Let me know if youre interested.

Personally I would go with this offer Rappleby and not even attempt to make a harness.

Reason being if you make a one and then have an accident you can bet your bottom dollar that you'll be held to fault under H&S because you weren't using a harness that was fit for purpose.

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

I've had second thoughts, thanks to all the advice, I'm going to buy a harness after all!

 

[Chance]

have you tried replacing the fuel filter? also check the tank breather as this can starve the engine of fuel if its clogged up too.

Mine got stuttery just before the gasket went... but you'll have sorted this when cleaning. Bad fuel? (like 'bad pint', it can be used to excuse all sorts of errant behaviour)