Use String Trimmer underwater for cattails

[Bernie40]

Does anyone have any experience immersing a string trimmer with a cutter blade for underwater vegetation ? Gas powered of course, motor above water. Maybe a bent shaft model might be best.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Does anyone have any experience immersing a string trimmer with a cutter blade for underwater vegetation ? Gas powered of course, motor above water. Maybe a bent shaft model might be best.

This is made for it:

The Aquatic Vegetation Groomer Hand Held Gas Powered Aquatic Ve

 

[djdicetn]

This is made for it:

The Aquatic Vegetation Groomer Hand Held Gas Powered Aquatic Ve

WOW, at $675 I think I'd resort to pulling up those cattails by hand:0)

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Or get floats to use it as a "walk-behind":

Aquatic Vegetation Groomer FAQ

 

[Bernie40]

This is made for it:

For $700 I could pay someone to do it!! Hasn't anyone ever dunked their trimmer?:smile:

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

This is made for it:

For $700 I could pay someone to do it!! Hasn't anyone ever dunked their trimmer?:smile:

 

[possum]

I remember those big powerful Weedy Weedwhacker ones would work under water. Guys used them to clear sapling sized stuff from around farmpond edges and tailwater pits. I have seen a couple guys trying to run a canoe with a Weedeater string trimmer. Was not working real good.

 

[jross]

Does anyone have any experience immersing a string trimmer with a cutter blade for underwater vegetation ? Gas powered of course, motor above water. Maybe a bent shaft model might be best.

It doesn't matter matter about what shaft, but what is on the cutting end. The best blades were Machete blades which was a steel disc with chainsaw teeth riveted on the circumference. They are very hard to get these days. Beaver blades are a steel disc which is grooved around the circumference on which a length of chain saw is attached. Both can be resharpened. Beaver blades were still available through Northern Tool for about $48. I suppose you could use the so called "brush blade" found in the box stores, but they crack easily. I had a tough time mowing them with my Farmall Cub with brush hog on the back, but the Cub is only a 15 HP cultivating tractor.

 

[Bernie40]

It doesn't matter matter about what shaft, but what is on the cutting end. .

Hey jross, thanks for the tips. I thought the curved shaft might be better because there are fewer moving parts at the "wet end", but yer right, it probably does not matter.

I fought the cattails for a couple hours again yesterday trying to pull them out. The smaller ones are pullable but almost sunk my jon boat when I submerged the back end pulling on a big cattail. Now if I could figure out a way to attach them to my tractor.....