Comparison of Line Trimmers
Line trimmers' wide array of options fit almost every imaginable trimming situation. You should buy the best trimmer for your needs only after careful consideration of how much trimming you have, the thickness of your weeds or grasses and how much you're willing to spend. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Bump Head vs. Automatic Feeder
-
Trimmers generally have two cutting options: a fixed head with a single, fixed line or a refillable spool that spits out more line whenever you bump the head against the ground. Bump head trimmers will give you added speed to get more line out on the fly but the thinner nylon line may wear out quicker than the fixed head with an automatic feed.
If you have a lot of metal and rocks to trim around a thicker but shorter line won't save you enough time because you're still likely going to have to replace the line to finish the job. Bump heads can hold more string but may wear out quicker. Automatic heads have less string but will last longer without trimming around extremely hard surfaces.
Straight vs. Curved Shaft
-
Straight shaft trimmers allow you to move the trimmer left and right with ease but they have less overall 360 degree control than a curved shaft. So if you have a lot of long straightaways a straight shaft might be best. If you have a lot of tight corners or sensitive areas, like flower beds or young trees, a curved shaft will help you control the trimmer better.
-
Gas vs. Electric
-
The fuel that powers your engine will be either gas or electricity. Electric trimmers are cheaper, cost less to refill and don't emit harmful exhaust into the environment. Gas trimmers, on the other hand, have more power, can cut for longer hours and generally have fewer parts to fix. Gas trimmers will also weigh more due to the larger engine size. Electric trimmers aren't as likely to last as many years as a gas model.
Two vs. Four-Cycle
-
If you've decided on a gas string trimmer, then you'll also need to decide between a two or four-cycle engine. Two cycle engines use a single piston and a four cycle uses two. Four cycles can generate more power which you may need if you have a lot of thick tall weeds. Two-cycles also use a pre-mixed gas with two-cycle oil. This mix may get messy and doesn't burn as cleanly as a four-cycle. But you'll need to hand-lubricate the crankcase on a four-cycle and they may also have more expensive repairs and cost more upfront.
-
References
- Photo Credit line trimmers image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
