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George Ballas appreciation thread. Inventor of the weed eater, string trimmer
Posted on 8/11/23 at 3:51 pm
Posted on 8/11/23 at 3:51 pm
WTH did we do before? I'm 53, so I've always known them.
LINK
LINK
quote:
The U.S. string trimmer was invented in the early-1970s by George Ballas of Houston, Texas,[3] who conceived the idea while watching the revolving action of the cleaning brushes in an automatic car wash. His first trimmer was made by attaching pieces of heavy duty fishing line to a tin can bolted to an edger. Ballas developed this into what he called the "Weed Eater", since it chewed up the grass and weeds around trees.
11
Posted on 8/11/23 at 3:59 pm to 4x4tiger
Guy had ballas
Posted on 8/11/23 at 3:59 pm to 4x4tiger
Yeah man... What an invention... That thing saves a lot of time. I remember the manual edger like this.. 
Always needed a little oil and same as the manual grass cutter. We had a small amount of grass to cut but a lot of edging. The weedeater was something that was way too expensive..
Always needed a little oil and same as the manual grass cutter. We had a small amount of grass to cut but a lot of edging. The weedeater was something that was way too expensive..
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:00 pm to 4x4tiger
Weed-Eater..... putting eyes out since the 70s.
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:01 pm to 4x4tiger
Gasoline works just as well along fence lines
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:03 pm to 4x4tiger
This post was edited on 8/11/23 at 4:07 pm
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:17 pm to Walt OReilly
quote:
Gasoline works just as well along fence lines
Now that you say that, I do remember people spraying diesel
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:20 pm to 4x4tiger
The person who really needs the congratulations is whoever invented the speed-load head. George needs a kick in the arse for giving up and thinking his work was done.
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:23 pm to 4x4tiger
Those first ones were bad arse, especially the brush cutters. They had some cool looking shirts. It's funny how everyone still calls string trimmers weed eaters.
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:27 pm to BHS78
quote:
It's funny how everyone still calls string trimmers weed eaters.
The Brits call it a "strimmer".
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:28 pm to 4x4tiger
quote:
Gasoline works just as well along fence lines
Um, nope. Very dangerous with it's low flame ignition.
quote:
I do remember people spraying diesel
Diesel mixed with used motor oil is much better than gas. The oil makes it stick.
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:31 pm to 4x4tiger
Like most ruralish Southern boys, I was born with a weedeater in my hand.
Spent many a day sweating my arse off and cutting grass.
Now, I mow my own yard and it's just enough to give me some pleasant memories of being young and then I put that thing back in the garage.
Spent many a day sweating my arse off and cutting grass.
Now, I mow my own yard and it's just enough to give me some pleasant memories of being young and then I put that thing back in the garage.
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:40 pm to 4x4tiger
Let’s not forget the 1997 Poulan Weed Eater Independence Bowl
Posted on 8/11/23 at 4:47 pm to 4x4tiger
As a kid we used a cane knife, a scythe, and a weed cutter. We also pushed a manual reel mower until dad bought a gas push mower. I was so happy to see that new gas mower. 
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