How to Pick a Grass Trimmer

Well-groomed cut grass in the yard. always nice and beautiful. To give the lawn an even look, use trimmers. However, if you are just planning to purchase a device, then you probably wondered how to choose a trimmer. In this article you will find information about what types of trimmers are, as well as which one is best for each purpose.

Types of Grass Trimmers

There are 3 types of trimmers depending on the power. Electric, gasoline, as well as battery.

If you choose a device that will work silently for yourself, then an electric-powered device is definitely your choice. Representatives of this type of device are light and maneuverable. However, it is worthwhile to understand that such equipment is suitable for those areas where there is constant access to an outlet to which you can connect a trimmer.

Gasoline models are more powerful than electric or battery powered models. Thanks to their autonomy, they can work almost anywhere and anytime. The advantage of such a trimmer is the ability to not only mow soft grass, thick flower stems, but also small shrub stems.

Naturally, such a device is noisy, which not everyone will like.

The third type of trimmers is cordless. The models of this type are the least represented on the market due to low demand. The disadvantage of such trimmers is that the battery is bulky, and it lasts no more than 40 minutes.

How to choose

In order to choose the right trimmer for a summer house or garden, you need to clearly understand the goals and conditions in which the device will be used. This will help you choose a trimmer that will last more than one season.

Nutrition

The electric unit is suitable for women due to the ease and convenience of maneuvering. In addition, there are the largest number of electric trimmers on the market, so that you can choose a convenient option. Due to the fact that the device is powered from the network, it has low mobility, there is also a danger of cutting the wire by negligence.

Petrol powered trimmers use city services to keep lawns in order. Due to the fact that the tank with gasoline is attached to the device, it becomes heavier. Thus, not all owners of a summer cottage can cope with a trimmer.

There are also models with more battery power, but the price immediately rises so significantly that it becomes unprofitable to buy such a unit. However, if you have a small area, and you are worried about the environment, then the battery option is suitable for you.

Power

Power is the main criterion for choosing a device for mowing grass. Typically, power varies from 220 watts to 1800 watts. The most powerful representatives have a faster rotating knife, due to which they are able to process a larger area in a shorter period of time. Remember that with the power, the weight of the device also increases.

Models with low power (up to 700 W) are suitable for small areas with soft, non-rigid grass. If you have a need to mow a larger area that has rigid stems in the territory, give preference to models with a power of 900 watts or more.

Cutting width

The width of the cut directly affects how efficiently the plant will be cut in one pass. The most common sizes range from 20 cm to 42 cm. The larger the cut width, the more space the trimmer will cover in a shorter period of time.

For a summer cottage, it will be enough to purchase a trimmer with a cut width of about 26 cm.

Revs

Turns, as well as the width of the cut, affect the quality of mowing. This indicator indicates the number of rotations that will be completed in 1 minute. Cheap models have a maximum speed of 7 thousand, so on the box you often can’t even find this pointer. In devices with greater power, this figure can reach up to 12 thousand. In order to choose a trimmer for the garden, it will be enough to find a device with a speed of 6 thousand.

Diameter of fishing line

This marker shows how thick the stems of individual plants are capable of cutting equipment. Similarly to the width of the cut, the smaller the indicator, the more effort will be required to remove the lawn. The minimum diameter of the fishing line is 1.5 mm, the maximum is about 3.5 mm. It makes no sense to buy a trimmer with a larger fishing line diameter than 2 mm for a summer cottage, which requires maintaining the lawn in a tidy condition. If it is necessary to improve the area on which there are many weeds, then you can choose the diameter of the fishing line with a larger diameter.

Cutting system

The cutting system of the trimmer is the main element due to which it works. It can be made of strong metals or soft fishing line.

Thick knives will be the best option for groomed lawns. The fishing line is suitable in those places where there is a probability of contact of the cutting system with something other than the lawn. When hitting hard surfaces, the fishing line does not break like knives. However, thick grass can be a problem for them, as the grass will get stuck in the fishing line.

Type of fastening

Types of fastening almost do not differ, but amenities depend on them. The presence of one belt will be suitable for those situations when long mowing does not occur. Two belts are better suited for employees of urban landscaping services, as they will take on part of the vibration and distribute the load.

Hold comfort

This criterion includes both the number of straps, the shape and number of handles, and the balance of the unit. If you choose an electric grass trimmer in your own small garden, then one single handle will be enough, but if a large area is mowed or for a long time, it is better to give preference to a machine with two handles or with intersecting each other.

The location of the engine at the top of the handle is better for prolonged mowing than if it is located below. The lower it is, the more pressure is exerted on the back.

Tank volume and battery capacity

Well, when it is possible to fill the trimmer with gas so that it is enough for the whole mowing. Cheap trimmer models hold 300 ml of fuel and last about 20 minutes. A trimmer with a tank with a capacity of up to 1.5 liters is able to work for about one hour.

Video: How to Pick a Grass Trimmer


Autonomy and charging time

Battery models are lighter than gasoline and more autonomous than electric ones, however, the charge of such devices is not more than an hour. The indicator is measured in amperes. For example, 1 ampere per hour is enough for 15 minutes of continuous operation. However, to justify the battery models, we can say that they charge quickly.

Length adjustment

The bar. the continuation of the trimmer handle can be of several forms: D. maneuverable, J. safe, T. suitable for long continuous operation. There are also pull-out and non-extendable rods. The telescopic rod will increase its length by about 20%, which can play into the hands at a time when you need to reach hard-to-reach areas.

Comparison of gasoline and electric trimmers

Before choosing a gasoline or electric trimmer, you first need to understand for what purposes and operating conditions the device is purchased.

Gasoline trimmer is suitable in the following cases:

  • Dense stems are present on the lawn;
  • No access to the outlet;
  • There is a need to work for a long time;
  • The harmful gases emitted during the work are unimportant;
  • The presence of a strong person capable of holding a heavy apparatus.

Choose an electrical appliance if:

  • The grass on the plot is soft and uniform;
  • There is access to an electrical outlet;
  • Take care of the environment;
  • There is no need to work for a long time;
  • Light weight is important;
  • There are budget restrictions (electric models cost about 6 thousand rubles);
  • The presence of loud noise is scary.

Thus, to save the budget, you need to choose a light and environmentally friendly electric grass trimmer. But, in more severe conditions of grass stiffness and the inability to connect power nearby, you can not do without a more powerful gasoline model.

Conclusion

When choosing an apparatus for cutting grass, it is important to understand correctly for what conditions it is purchased. Due to the large offer on the market, you can choose for yourself the most acceptable and convenient option in the ratio of price and quality.

Since time immemorial, the lawn has been considered an elite element of the site, a privilege of the highest class. However, he will look like a king only with proper care: regular watering, fertilizing and, of course, a weekly haircut. If you do not comply with the last condition on this list, then a beautiful clearing will quickly turn into dense wild growth. Fortunately, mowing grass has long ceased to be a dull duty, forcing the owner of the lawn to get the scythe out of the back room. It was replaced by another tool. a trimmer that works on the principle of the same braid, but mechanized and equipped with a motor. This compact and maneuverable machine can easily cut a small lawn, remove weeds near the wall of the house, cut grass between trees in the garden.

How to Pick a Grass Trimmer

Grass trimmer gives the lawn a well-groomed appearance

Gas or electric trimmer: which is better?

The design of any trimmer provides for the presence of an engine. gasoline or electric. The gasoline-powered internal combustion engine provides complete freedom of movement for the trimmer. It does not connect to an electrical outlet, so you can mow grass anywhere on the site. lawn mowers, for the most part, have significant power, so they are able to cut stems of hard weed grass, overgrown vines and shrubs. The best trimmer for harvesting hay for pet food is also a scythe with a gasoline engine.

The disadvantages of a gas trimmer include the high cost, the need for regular refueling with gasoline and oil, considerable noise during operation, and the emission of exhaust gases.

Gas trimmer. a standalone tool for large volumes of work

The electric trimmer is devoid of all the disadvantages of lawn mowing. This is a small, compact tool that practically does not make noise during work and does not need to be refueled. However, in some respects it is still inferior to the gas trimmer. First of all, this is low power, which does not allow to cut thick branches of trees.

[include title = “YAN. in the text”]

This parameter of electric trimmers is in the range of 200-1400 watts. Naturally, a 200-watt tool is only suitable for mowing the delicate grass of the lawn. For weed, you need to choose something more powerful. If you are not faced with the task of trimming thick stems, then the best choice is a trimmer with a power of 1000 watts, which can cope with grass and dense thickets of weeds.

Scope of application of a braid limits a cable

Do not forget that the electric trimmer is equipped with a cable that connects to the mains. If it happens that the grass mowing site will be at a great distance from the outlet, then the cable will have to be extended with various electric carriers, which is not very convenient. So it is rational to use a conventional electric trimmer with cable only in the courtyard of the house.

Thinking over the question of how to choose a trimmer with an electric motor, you should know that there is a tool with a lower and upper arrangement of the motor. Despite the fact that the lower position of the engine reduces the cost of the trimmer and increases its maneuverability, with this design there is a risk of water entering the engine, for example, when working on a wet lawn. optimal is the choice of a tool with an overhead motor that is not afraid of working under any conditions.

Lightweight top engine trimmer

Mowing grass in the area without access to outlets is also possible with an electric trimmer. However, for this, a tool battery must be provided in the tool design, which will allow the low-power engine to work for 20-30 minutes. These trimmers are not used as a regular means of mowing grass on lawns or lawns. They may be needed in extreme cases, for example, in order to trim the edges of the lawn after the lawn mower.

How to choose a cutting tool?

The main function of the trimmer is to mow the grass, so special attention should be paid to the structural part that performs this function. In most electric trimmers, this duty is assigned to a sharp fishing line wound on a reel. During operation, the plastic fishing line rotates at high speed and easily cuts grass and plant stems. As the line is thinning, it needs to be replaced.

[include title = “YAN. in the text”]

In most modern models, this happens in semi-automatic or automatic mode. In the first case, it is enough to press the trimmer head to the ground and the reel unwinds the required amount of fishing line. In automatic mode, everything is even simpler. a new “portion” of fishing line is added each time the engine is turned on.

Reel with fishing line in electric trimmer design. the optimal cutting tool for grass

In powerful gasoline tools, the cutting part is often installed in the form of circular knives that can work for a long time without replacement. At the same time, plastic knives can cut only grass and dry stems, while metal knives can easily cope even with tree branches and shrubs.

Gasoline trimmer with a metal knife will cut any branches

Ergonomics. Bet on convenience

Work with any tool should not turn into hard work, all the details must be carefully thought out for your convenience. To begin with, you should pay attention to the trimmer handle. it can be made in the form of letters D or T. Holding on to the D-shaped handle, it is convenient to mow grass in small areas where good maneuverability is required.

Electric trimmer with a D-shaped handle. a manoeuvrable tool for a small lawn

For large volumes of work, a T-shaped handle is more suitable, in which the movements of the trimmer will be similar to those that are performed when working with an ordinary scythe.

T-handle trimmer easily mow large areas

Vibration absorption is another design feature that is designed to minimize the degree of vibration of those parts of the trimmer that the user is in contact with.

To increase ergonomics, many manufacturers equip a grass trimmer with a telescopic bar, the length of which can be changed, depending on the height of the operator.

Useful tips from a knowledgeable person. VIDEO

Now that you know the basic rules for choosing a trimmer, it’s time to see it in action! Below is a video in which the operator consultant will give some more important tips on choosing this useful garden tool.