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Post by brushcutter on Apr 21, 2018 12:28:33 GMT -5
Opinions wanted on what model was the best string triimer/brushcutter model Homelite made? I am cleaning out fence rows and there is a ST385 I am looking at. Thanks, Tim
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 12:38:04 GMT -5
I can’t say which one is best but I think there was on like an XL -12 and I would love to have one
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Post by sweepleader on Apr 21, 2018 12:42:21 GMT -5
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Post by brushcutter on Apr 21, 2018 12:57:26 GMT -5
I was wanting one that doesn't weigh 30 pounds and is hard to find. I am cutting small stuff like blackberry, trumpet vine, and small stuff less than 2". I have an old Stilh FS-80 with handle bars and a saw blade but it is getting worn out and I would like to try a Homelite trimmer/brushcutter as I have never had one.
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Post by rarefish383 on Apr 21, 2018 13:13:29 GMT -5
I was wanting one that doesn't weigh 30 pounds and is hard to find. I am cutting small stuff like blackberry, trumpet vine, and small stuff less than 2". I have an old Stilh FS-80 with handle bars and a saw blade but it is getting worn out and I would like to try a Homelite trimmer/brushcutter as I have never had one. I was just getting ready to ask what generation. I seem to remember seeing one way older than the XL12 powered ones. It had handlebars too. Looked like it would give Paul Bunyan a hernia. So, I guess I don't need to look that one up, Joe. |
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Post by sweepleader on Apr 21, 2018 13:29:17 GMT -5
There was one using the C-5 engine I think, it would be heavier. It was a saw accessory, not a complete unit, if I have my information correct. XLBC picture: houseofhomelite.proboards.com/thread/1224/xl-12-powerAlso there brushcutter, you said, "best", not lightest or easiest!!! |
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Post by brushcutter on Apr 21, 2018 14:58:48 GMT -5
That is true, I did say that. Let me try again. What is the best late model (80's-90's), light weight, easy to find parts for, Homelite string trimmer/brushcutter out there? Thanks, Tim
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Post by undee70ss on Apr 21, 2018 15:16:15 GMT -5
That is true, I did say that. Let me try again. What is the best late model (80's-90's), light weight, easy to find parts for, Homelite string trimmer/brushcutter out there? Thanks, Tim Look at the product catalogs on Leon’ Site, this will tell you what models were available and all specs. On parts, they are not nearly as popular as chainsaws, a lot of parts selling for less than what dealers paid from them in the 80’s/90’s, and they are plenty available. |
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Post by onlyhomelites on Apr 21, 2018 18:05:01 GMT -5
The ST385 & ST485 had decent brushcutter setups; I'm not sure if they are the best, but parts are definitely pretty easy to find. I'd stay away from the Kawasaki source stuff (HK series) and the HBC38/HBC40 unless you find a super low hour model. Parts are almost impossible to find, especially internal engine parts and cutting attachment parts such as the gearboxes, etc...
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Post by brushcutter on Apr 21, 2018 20:51:38 GMT -5
I was looking at a ST385. It is not set up for brush cutting, just a string trimmer. How easy to convert to a brushcutter and how many cc's are they? Thanks, Tim
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Post by Brian VT on Apr 21, 2018 21:02:31 GMT -5
I have a Hoffco Whizz Witch that I'm still looking for a drive cable for. May never find one. :-(
It's a monster that would give Paul Bunyan a hernia. Picture a Homelite 1050 with a brushcutter attachment. lol
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Post by sweepleader on Apr 22, 2018 6:13:51 GMT -5
Do you have the old cable? You might be able to copy it by modifying one for something else or right from scratch.
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Post by sawnami on Apr 22, 2018 6:49:07 GMT -5
This is my designated brush cutter. You can walk through a lot of brush pretty quick with it.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2018 8:43:04 GMT -5
I was looking at a ST385. It is not set up for brush cutting, just a string trimmer. How easy to convert to a brushcutter and how many cc's are they? Thanks, Tim 25cc, I think they were the biggest and most robust of the post 1980 trimmers |
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Post by onlyhomelites on Apr 22, 2018 10:59:32 GMT -5
Take a look at this 1991-1992 product catalog: www.leonschainsawpartsandrepair.com/uploads/3/9/7/9/39792537/1991-1992_homelite_outdoor_power_equipment_catalog.pdfThere were some 30CC options also, like the HBC-18. THe 30cc cylinder up-sizing kits are also still fairly common on Ebay too. But I have to say that it is amazing what these small engines will do. Right now my string trimmer/brushcutter is an Echo that's either 20cc or 22cc and I'm amazed how good it is. The one I have now is about 3 years old and the previous one lasted about 10 years before breaking the driveshaft. |
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Post by brushcutter on Apr 22, 2018 11:09:56 GMT -5
I had an Echo that our groundskeeper gave me, he said it was locked up. One of the screws holding the ignition module backed out and let the module get into the flywheel. Easy fix and I gave it to Dad, he used it for years and my son has it now. Is it blasphemy to say Echo is good stuff on a Homelite site?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2018 14:09:17 GMT -5
Take a look at this 1991-1992 product catalog: www.leonschainsawpartsandrepair.com/uploads/3/9/7/9/39792537/1991-1992_homelite_outdoor_power_equipment_catalog.pdfThere were some 30CC options also, like the HBC-18. THe 30cc cylinder up-sizing kits are also still fairly common on Ebay too. But I have to say that it is amazing what these small engines will do. Right now my string trimmer/brushcutter is an Echo that's either 20cc or 22cc and I'm amazed how good it is. The one I have now is about 3 years old and the previous one lasted about 10 years before breaking the driveshaft. I guess HBC would maybe stand for Homelite Brush Cutter and ST would stand for String Trimmer? It would seem that brush cutter and string trimmers are two different machines (I found this out with my Redmax brush cutter) and while they may resemble one another I would say the brush cutter was designed for a much heavier and thicker vegetation than the string trimmer, hence the larger engines and heavier total weights. In the 1982 Catalog they show a ST400 String trimmer/brush cutter with a 54cc engine, that might be a XL-12 engine |
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Post by sweepleader on Apr 22, 2018 20:06:25 GMT -5
I think if you ask Joyce, she will say that most of them were called string trimmers by Homelite.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2018 20:51:08 GMT -5
I think if you ask Joyce, she will say that most of them were called string trimmers by Homelite. In the old catalogs they are designated as brush cutters and string trimmers, but like you said people call them all string trimmers, or weed whips, weed eaters, or another locally known nickname that was once probably associated to a certain brand. I ran into this when I bought a Redmax string trimmer and I tried to find an air filter for it. Little did I know I had actually purchase a Redmax brush cutter (No issues with the machine, it lasted 12 years), and the model had been discontinued before I bought it. I bought it at a small shop in the country that has since attained a bad reputation for many bad deals. There was no sticker on the shaft, they might have peeled it off, but I found out by the different carb used.. I'd love to have either one of the old heavy duty Homelite string trimmers/brushcutters, but I would really feel guilty after buying my Husqvarna 525 LS |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2018 21:10:37 GMT -5
I had an older Husqvarna 525 bought it new in 1996 (or at least the version of it then). I will not give my opinion of it as I don't want to be banned from HOH for foul language. If I had known then what I know now I would've look for one of those XL brush cutters then.
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