Which Is Better Than A Lawn Mower Or Trimmer

Petrol Lawn Mower vs. Electric Trimmer: Which Is Better?
The difference between a trimmer and a lawn mower, their purpose and capabilities. Examples of garden equipment from leading manufacturers and advice on choosing reliable tools.

Trimmers – ideal for small lawns

In addition to the well-known to the consumer and well-tried in business, lawn mowers running on a gasoline engine, the world’s leading brands today present to the market lightweight, almost weightless electric scythes. Trimmers.

The main trump card of trimmers, of course, is their price. The design of an electric motor is so simple that it costs several times cheaper than a gasoline one, which significantly affects the price of lawn mowers.

The advantages of the electric trimmer include the lightness and strength of the structure, the absence of a heavy fuel tank and the constant need for refueling with gasoline and oil. As a result, it is quiet and environmentally friendly. The handle of the trimmers is predominantly D-shaped, which allows you to grip the lever tightly with your palm. The vibration of the electric motor is almost not felt. The bar is curved, adjustable to the user’s height.

And also, the trimmer is very convenient. If the knapsack belt from a gasoline scythe rubs and cuts your shoulders, your hands cannot withstand vibrations, your head cannot withstand engine noise, and the smell of burning and oil inherent in internal combustion engines. Intolerable, a light electric trimmer is just the thing for you.

Petrol Lawn Mower vs. Electric Trimmer: Which Is Better?

All the cons of electric trimmers

But you need to take into account some of the features of trimmers, which are often counted as disadvantages by them:

  • Mobility is limited to network cable. But for a small lawn, this is not a problem.
  • Engine power is lower than that of gasoline. In most cases, the trimmer is equipped with a one- or two-kilowatt electric motor. Modern electric motors are reliably protected from overheating and from voltage drops in the network. They can work for a long time and efficiently without interruption.
  • The trimmer can only be operated with a line. That is, it is most effective on soft and succulent grass. Attaching a cutting knife or disc to the trimmer will greatly increase the load on the engine, which may fail. And the connecting cable (in the curved bar) bursts right there. But a strong and well-tucked fishing line is not so bad: only with a fishing line you can mow grass in hard-to-reach places neatly, almost with jewelry: for example, mowing curbs or trees (the line will not damage the trunk).

Pros and cons of a petrol trimmer

A petrol trimmer is more versatile than an electric trimmer. Thanks to its greater power, it is able to cope not only with grass, but also with dead wood, shrubs and even young growth of trees. Unlike a trimmer, a device with an internal combustion engine is not tied to a power source and allows you to move at any distance. The operating time with the device is limited only by the amount of fuel in the tank.

Petrol trimmers are available with two-stroke or four-stroke engines. In the first case, a fuel mixture consisting of gasoline and oil must be poured into the tank; in the second, gasoline and oil are poured separately. The design of a two-stroke engine is simpler, it weighs less than a four-stroke engine, but at the same time consumes more fuel, runs louder and emits more harmful substances into the atmosphere. In addition, four-stroke trimmers tend to be more expensive.

A petrol trimmer weighs more than an electric trimmer and will tire you faster. In addition, it requires more thorough care and maintenance than a trimmer, which is fraught with additional costs.

Pros and cons of an electric trimmer

The trimmer with an electric motor is suitable for a private house or for a summer residence. It can be used to trim the lawn or clear a small area of ​​excess vegetation in the form of small and thin grass.

Electric trimmers weigh less than gasoline-powered trimmers, making them theoretically more mobile. But, if we consider that the mowing area with a trimmer depends on the length of the network cable or extension cord, then the weight will be a plus only in terms of convenience and duration of use. In addition, older people will be able to work with a light trimmer.

Due to their design features, electric trimmers work almost silently and do not pollute the environment. But, once again, we note that it is not safe to work with them in rainy or wet weather.

The indisputable advantage of the electric trimmer is its relatively low price. Otherwise, it all depends on what goals you set for the instrument.

Key Features

According to the power source, there are three types of trimmers:

Electric powered by batteries (rare).

The trimmers are similar in design. There is a rod, a motor (it can be located on the top or bottom of the rod), a handle (D-shaped or bicycle), a line reel or metal knife, a protective cover.

which is better than a lawn mower or trimmer

Bottom trimmers are low power trims up to 0.7 kW. In addition, if we are talking about an electric version, then the disadvantage of the lower motor structure will be the inability to work in the rain or in the morning, when the dew has not yet disappeared, since a short circuit may occur. As an accessory for such a trimmer, only a small section fishing line can most often be used. At the same time, the bottom motor is more balanced, so the operator of the tool is less tired. Many models are equipped with a vibration suppression system.

common is an overhead trim. In most cases, such a tool is equipped with an internal combustion engine and has a greater power – the maximum indicator reaches 5 kW. In such a trimmer, both a fishing line and a metal knife or disc can be used as accessories. The overhead trimmer will handle wet grass without any problems.

The D-handle is most commonly found on electric trimmers. You can hold the instrument with two hands while maintaining its mobility. The so-called bicycle handle (T or J) is used on more powerful trimmers, both electric and gasoline. With its help, you can make movements similar to a manual braid.

It is also important to have a special shoulder strap in the braid kit, which will reduce the load on the operator’s hands and allow working with the tool much longer.

An important characteristic of any trimmer is the cutting width. It would seem that the larger it is, the better. In most cases, it is. But, if we are talking about the need to carefully remove the grass where the lawn mower did not reach, then the small cutting width will be just in place.

The trimmer drive can be flexible or rigid. The second option is more reliable and is used on tools with higher power – here the rotation is transmitted from the engine to the head using a gear shaft. In the case of a flexible shaft, the rotation is transmitted through a steel cable.

Curved bar trimmers are equipped with a flexible shaft and therefore only use line as a tool, while straight bar models can also use metal knives and even discs.

Rating of the best lawn mowers and trimmers in Ukraine. TOP 20 popular models

Among the main criteria for choosing garden mechanisms for grass, haymaking, shrub cutting, farmers and summer residents note:

  • Engine power (determines performance);
  • Acceptable cost;
  • Ease of use;
  • Reliability and endurance;
  • Ease of assembly and operation;
  • Complete set of the tool.

The best lawn mower for making hay

Farmers put forward special requirements for mechanized haymaking tools: long operating time, the ability to mow on hummocky meadows, low weight of the structure.

According to these indicators, Forte BMK-520K is the leader in the ranking of hay mowers. The lightweight professional lawn mower from China is reliable and maintainable.

  • Power: 3.0 kW.
  • Tank: 1.0 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 7000 rpm.
  • Weight: 8 kg.

With a low engine power, a liter reserve of gasoline is enough for several hours of operation.

  1. Forte BMK-40t Industry Line 4-stroke

The Forte BMK-40t lawnmower was ranked second by the design of a four-stroke engine, which many farmers cannot repair on their own.

  • Power: 2.8 kW.
  • Tank: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.6 kg.

The increased price (compared to other Forte lawn mowers) is offset by the reliability of the motor.

The third place for the Yamamoto SRM-520 PRO lawn mower was obtained only due to fuel consumption. One filling is enough for a mowing time of up to 1 hour. Otherwise, the owners consider the mechanism to be exemplary.

  • Power: 5.0 kW.
  • Tank: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.0 kg.

The advantages of the device in haymaking include the minimum weight, high-quality execution of knives, an easily maintained semi-automatic reel with fishing line.

Best Chinese Lawn Mowers

Chinese lawn mowers are produced under licenses of well-known western manufacturers, brands "Stihl", "Messer", "Viper", therefore they have no design flaws. Products from China have already left the lower price segment and users do not doubt their reliability.

The first place in the rating is taken by the reliable Grune Garten GG-450 lawn mower, which is manufactured by the manufacturer under the license of Messer.

  • Power: 4.5 kW.
  • Tank volume: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 6 kg.

A quality trimmer has worked for many gardeners for three to four seasons without failures and repairs.

The Tokachi TG-55T lawn mower (second place) is distinguished by its increased dimensions and a unique engine design.

  • Power: 5.8 kW.
  • Tank volume: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.0 kg.

Users note the practical and high-quality set of lawn mowers, which includes three-blade weed mowing knives, a hay knife (8 segments), a 40-tooth cutting disc and an automatic reel. The only drawback of the TG-55T model is considered to be an upper gearbox built into the motor housing, which, in case of failure, must be completely replaced.

Partner DX-52E Pro professional lawn mower is made in the factory "Hutter" in China. The new model (developed in 2019) was immediately liked by farmers and gardeners. It took the third place in the rating primarily due to its high-speed engine and the presence of a starter with an easy start.

  • Power: 4.5 kW.
  • Tank volume: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 10000 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.3 kg.

The trimmer does not differ in outstanding technical characteristics, but it is economical in terms of fuel consumption and easy to use. The model has a chance to rise in the ranking when statistics on the duration of trouble-free operation are accumulated.

The best lawn mower for making hay

Farmers put forward special requirements for mechanized haymaking tools: long operating time, the ability to mow on hummocky meadows, low weight of the structure.

According to these indicators, Forte BMK-520K is the leader in the ranking of hay mowers. The lightweight professional lawn mower from China is reliable and maintainable.

  • Power: 3.0 kW.
  • Tank: 1.0 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 7000 rpm.
  • Weight: 8 kg.

With a low engine power, a liter reserve of gasoline is enough for several hours of operation.

  1. Forte BMK-40t Industry Line 4-stroke

The Forte BMK-40t lawnmower was ranked second by the design of a four-stroke engine, which many farmers cannot repair on their own.

  • Power: 2.8 kW.
  • Tank: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.6 kg.

The increased price (compared to other Forte lawn mowers) is offset by the reliability of the motor.

The third place for the Yamamoto SRM-520 PRO lawn mower was obtained only due to fuel consumption. One filling is enough for a mowing time of up to 1 hour. Otherwise, the owners consider the mechanism to be exemplary.

  • Power: 5.0 kW.
  • Tank: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.0 kg.

The advantages of the device in haymaking include the minimum weight, high-quality execution of knives, an easily maintained semi-automatic reel with fishing line.

Best budget lawn mowers

  • Power: 4.0 kW.
  • Tank volume: 1.2 l.
  • Disc diameter: 254 mm.
  • Engine speed for cutting: 2800 – 10000 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.1 kg.

This budget model has taken a leading position due to ease of use, high cutting speed (leaves no gaps), economical fuel consumption, affordable price. The trimmer is durable in operation, it fulfills several warranty periods without repair.

The second place in the rating was given by farmers and gardeners to the Belarusian lawn-mower Belarus BK-52N. This semi-professional lawn mower has a powerful motor with a volume of 52.0 cm3, which can easily cope with mowing tall and thick weeds on the site.

  • Power: 5.2 kW.
  • Tank volume: 1.2 l.
  • Engine speed when mowing: 3000 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 6.7 kg.

Inexpensive and one of the most reliable and hardy braids on the Ukrainian market.

The third place is taken by the Chinese lawn mower Goodluck GL-6100BC, which is produced under a German license. Technical characteristics are comparable to those of the market leaders, but users are not satisfied with the maximum number of revolutions.

  • Power: 6.1 kW.
  • Tank volume: 1.2 l.
  • Engine speed for cutting: 2800 – 7000 rpm.
  • Weight: 6.5 kg.

The Belarusian apparatus Minsk MTZ MBT-6700 is classified as a professional lawn mower.

  • Power: 6.7 kW.
  • Tank volume: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 6.3 kg.

Buyers consider the advantages of the model to be light weight, forged crankshaft. The disadvantages include the handles inconvenient in ergonomics and the engine power readings slightly overestimated by the manufacturer.

The most reliable petrol trimmers and lawn mowers

The proven, trouble-free design and rich equipment brings the Izhmash Industrial line GT-4350 gasoline lawn mower to the first place in the rating.

  • Power: 4.35 kW.
  • Tank: 1.3 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9500 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.5 kg.

The advantages of the garden trimmer are its versatility, which is provided by a set of 5 knives. The set includes knives with 2, 3, 8 blades and a milling cutter with 40 teeth.

The second place of the German model ProCraft T-5600 is due only to the high price and complicated design of the four-stroke engine.

  • Power: 5.6 kW.
  • Tank: 1.0 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 5.9 kg.

The unit is perfectly balanced in weight, easy to start, quiet and with minimal vibrations, easy to use. Fuel consumption at maximum load is almost two times less than in a two-stroke. Some users consider the volume of the fuel tank insufficient. There were no other drawbacks to this lawn mower.

Minsk BG-5700 got the third place for the lawn mower due to its simple design, a complete set with 9 attachments, and a transparent fuel tank.

  • Power: 5.7 kW.
  • Tank: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 7.5 kg.

The insignificant disadvantages of the professional trimmer are the increased body weight and small cutting width.

  1. ProCraft T-4200 Pro Free Tools

The advantages of the inexpensive ProCraft T-4200 Pro Free Tools lawn mowers, users consider a smooth engine start, protection against overheating, an anti-vibration system, the presence of a shaft lock button on the lower gearbox, and a throttle handle with a speed lock.

  • Power: 4.2 kW.
  • Tank: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 2800 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 6.5 kg.

A significant advantage of the trimmer over similar models is the quality of the cutting elements and the automatic spool that are included in the delivery set.

  1. ProCraft T-4500 Energy

In fifth place, the ProCraft T-4500 Energy lawn mower is pushed aside by the non-standard design of the engine, starter and air filter of the scythe. It will be problematic to independently replace (restore) these elements, you will need to contact the manufacturer’s service center.

  • Power: 4.5 kW.
  • Tank: 1.2 l.
  • Speed: 3000 – 9000 rpm.
  • Weight: 6.5 kg.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian summer residents praise it very much for its high power, reliability and trouble-free operation.