How Does a Weed Eater Work?
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Killing Tall Weeds
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One of the biggest headaches of growing a good lawn or garden is dealing with weeds. Although chemical weed destruction can be largely effective, it can be tough to kill tall weeds after a long, rainy season. This is where having a good weed eater can help.
Design and Purpose
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Weed eaters are basically a powered way of chopping down weeds and other tall grasses, utilizing a combination of speed and thin plastic. Weed eaters, on the average, are at least 5 feet long. They have a handle at the top that contains the main action trigger and a support grip in the middle of the shaft. At the end of the shaft of an electric weed eater is the motor that drives the trimmer head. The trimmer head houses a coiled, plastic chord.
Electric weed eaters have an electrical plug that's usually housed by the main handle and the On/Off switch. For gas-powered weed eaters, there is a pull cord much like a lawn mower's. A small gas/oil tank is also attached, along with "Start" and "Run" switches for the weed eater. The motor, at the top of the weed eater, generates air to push the rotating trimmer head at the bottom.
Whether gas powered or electrical, the premise is the same: Add power to the motor and it starts spinning the plastic cord at a relatively low speed. The weed eater's user can angle the cord against the bottom of the weed as it spins in the "Idle" position. When he pulls the trigger, the weed eater will rev up to higher speeds anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 revolutions per minute, cutting weeds with the virtually unseen cord.
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Options and Safety
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Some weed eaters have the ability to edge grass as well. Electric weed eaters typically have a rotating adjustment in the middle of the shaft that turns the trimmer head at a 90-degree angle, allowing for edging of grass along sidewalks and curbs. Other weed eater options include the "bump" trimmer head. As the weed eater cord rotates, it slowly wears down. With the "bump" trimmer head, you can tap it on the ground and force more cord to come out instead of stopping your weed eater and manually pulling it out.
It is highly recommended to practice good safety while using a weed eater. Safety glasses should be worn, in case you come across a foreign object that takes flight. Although most weed eaters have protective guards at the bottom, wearing thick shoes and long pants can aid in deflecting rocks and pebbles from your body.
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