How to choose a grass trimmer: gasoline and electric

A summer cottage overgrown with weeds or a courtyard area looks extremely untidy, and in order to bring its appearance to a decent condition, it may take a lot of effort. For a long time, wild grass was mown by hand using a good old braid. However, it does not work everywhere, and the efficiency of mowing sometimes raises many questions. Currently, manual devices have been replaced by trimmers – compact brushcutters that allow you to accurately mow even the most remote corners of the personal plot.

The best trimmer manufacturers – which company to choose

The release of trimmers has now been mastered by all firms engaged in gardening equipment, without exception, you can find similar devices in the catalogs of manufacturers of construction equipment. When choosing a trimmer for a summer residence, you should pay attention to the products of those companies whose name is on everyone's lips:

1. Bosch

2. Shtil

3. Makita

4. Echo

Before giving preference to one or another device, you should study the reviews of people who have tried such a device in action and take into account both positive and negative comments.

The principle of operation and the device of the grass trimmer

Trimmers are used for cutting grass and not too stiff bush stalks. The form factor of most models provides for a shoulder fixation with a harness or a belt, and with the correct adjustment of its length, its natural position during operation is ensured. Unlike lawn mowers, the trimmer is by far more compact and allows you to mow vegetation even in the most inaccessible places. The cutting edge of the trimmer, equipped with a special line or blades, is driven by a motor that transmits torque through a longitudinal shaft running through the entire length of the device. Adjustment of revolutions is carried out using a trigger located in the central part of the device handle.

The main structural elements of any trimmer are the following units:

1. Engine;

2. A bar, which is a body, inside which a rotating shaft is hidden;

3. Handle for holding and controlling the device;

4. “Head”, inside which the cutting element is enclosed;

5. Shoulder strap or straps for fixing;

Types of grass trimmers

Electric trimmer

A simple and reliable device, the power source of which is an ordinary household network with a voltage of 220 volts. The huge advantages of such a device are environmental friendliness – there are no exhaust gases as a class, as well as almost complete noiselessness – you can mow the grass both late in the evening and early in the morning.

Advantages

• Low weight;

• High environmental friendliness;

• Complete noiselessness;

• Ease of operation, no need for fuel and lubricants;

disadvantages

• Low power;

• The working radius is limited by the length of the power cord;

• The need to have an outlet nearby;

Petrol trimmers

Devices whose principle of operation is based on the operation of an internal combustion engine. They are distinguished by a sufficiently high power and a wide range of speed control, they allow you to work even in a bare field. They require regular and timely maintenance, as well as the use of high-quality fuel and oil for lubricating the piston group. There are two-stroke and four-stroke engines, the difference between which lies in a fundamentally different design and principle of operation.

Advantages

• Maximum mobility – you can work anywhere;

• Low cost;

• A wide variety of models on sale;

• Unpretentious operation;

disadvantages

• Demanding on the quality of fuel and oil;

• Heavy enough;

• During operation, a significant amount of exhaust gases are emitted;

• Very noisy;

Cordless trimmers

Devices that combine the advantages of the above types. Compact and mobile, they allow you to mow grass away from the power source, and due to the absence of an internal combustion engine, there is no need for fuel and oil.

Advantages

• Compact, lightweight and mobile;

• A wide variety of cutting parts and their prompt replacement;

• You can work away from the power source;

disadvantages

• Low power;

• High price;

• The need for constant charging;

• The battery lasts only 20-30 minutes of operation;

Grass Trimmer Selection Options

Device power

The higher the engine power, the faster the cutting edge will rotate and the more efficiently the grass will be mowed. Currently, a variety of models are on sale, the power of which starts from 0.2-0.25 kW and can reach 2-2.5 kW. For domestic use, a model is quite sufficient, the power of which will not exceed 1 kW.

Cutting width

Another parameter that directly affects mowing efficiency. It means the maximum allowable overhang of the cutting edge of a knife or fishing line, it can vary from 150 to 450 millimeters. The larger it is, the wider the radius of the working surface and the more efficient the operation of the device.

Device weight

A value that directly affects the comfort of the trimmer. This parameter is directly proportional to the power of the device: the more powerful the trimmer, the greater its weight. Electric trimmers have the smallest weight (about 2-3 kilograms), while the heaviest (10 or more kilograms) are professional gasoline models

Working equipment

Both soft fishing line and hard steel knives can be used as a cutting element in modern models. The line is used for mowing soft stems of grass and hollow stems of perennial plants, as well as on uneven surfaces with frequent stones. knives are used when it is necessary to thin out bushes or give a perfectly even shape to the lawn.

Engine location

The most popular currently are rear-engined trim tabs. The engine in such devices is located at the back and, when correctly positioned, perfectly balances the long rod of the device.

Handle shape

Trimmers differ and the shape of the handle. On sale you can find models equipped with a D-shaped handle, as well as devices, the handle of which resembles a bicycle. The choice of a trimmer for this parameter is purely individual.

Power supply and capacity

If we are talking about petrol trimmers, this is the fuel tank and its volume. The higher it is, the longer the battery life of the device and, accordingly, the greater its weight. For electric models, a similar characteristic can be the capacity of the built-in battery, measured in ampere-hours. The higher it is, the longer the trimmer can work without recharging.

Which grass trimmer to choose

1. If it is necessary to carry out landscaping on small household plots, a compact electric trimmer is quite enough, with a fishing line acting as a cutting edge. The cutting width of such a device must be at least 250 mm;

2. In a situation similar to the above-described conditions, away from a constant source of electricity, pay attention to the trimmer using battery power. The cut width should also be at least 250 mm, and a line with a diameter of 2.5-3 mm should be used as a cutting unit;

3. If the area to be improved has a significant area, it is best to prefer a gasoline trimmer with a power of 0.75-1 kW with a tank volume of 1-1.2 liters. The cutting width of such a device should be at least 300 mm, and both fishing line and metal knives can be used as a cutting unit;

4. If you need to work not only with soft vegetation, but also with shrubs, a petrol trimmer with a power of 1.5-2 kW will be the best choice, for which strong metal knives act as a cutting unit. The cut width is about 350-400 mm.

How much does a grass trimmer cost

1. The simplest electric trimmers operating from a 220V network are fairly inexpensive devices. The price for them varies in the range of 2000-4000 rubles;

2. Battery trimmers are more expensive – from 3000 to 12000 rubles;

3. Petrol trimmer prices vary widely. The role is played by the power of a particular device, and all kinds of additional functions. As a rule, the price for them starts at 10,000 and ends at around 20-25 thousand rubles;

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose an electric plane and the secrets of choosing a spray gun for painting your home.

---

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.