Hedge trimmer flail heads!

[kevindb880]

It’s time to look for replacement trimmer our Bomford 508 is 25 years old and lacking a few modern features! ( it has 3 stiff leavers, no power slew, no break back to speak of, non independent hydraulics and only 5m of reach)
Looking around I notice a lot of flailheads are direct drive and I’ve read that it can be a problem if the rotor hits and obstruction and stops quickly possibly breaking the shaft!
Is that the case?
Also the direct drive motors do seem to stick out more than indirect belt driven rotors are they a pain when cutting? Do they get in the way so to speak?

 

[clbarclay]

There are a lot of features that are nice to have. Moving away from three leaver control is the only one I think of as being absolutely essential now. Even a non-proportional bang bang electric stubby joystick with a rocker switch was revolutionary compared to a row of cable operated leavers.

 

[L P]

Never had motor issues in 20 years of running a direct drive and often cut stuff that can stall it out. They might stick out 3-4" more than a belt drive but never find it a problem

 

[kevindb880]

Picked up a car tyre last winter, stopped it dead no belt slip so I assume there's a relief valve the same as a direct drive would have to protect it.