Nothing can replace a good mower on a large lawn. However, when mowing small areas, a much cheaper grass trimmer can also work well.Grass trimmersare perfect for mowing clumps of grass at curbs, and lawn edges under shrubs, by flower beds or by a fence. With the trimmer you will get to many places inaccessible to a much larger mower. It is easier to move around and mow in the narrow, winding paths between the beds. We will also mow the uneven surface on which the mower wheels would collapse. And which grass trimmer will be the best? Seewhich brushcutter to buy , depending on your needs!
Grass trimmers are quite light devices, convenient to carry and relatively inexpensive. They are perfect for small lawns and in nooks and crannies that a traditional mower cannot reach
If we decide to buy a grass trimmer, it is worth consideringwhich grass trimmer to buyto meet all our expectations. As in the case of mowers, you can choose fromgrass trimmerselectric (powered from a mains socket or battery) and petrol lawn trimmers.
Electric trimmers
Electric grass trimmersare usually cheap, light and very easy to use devices. The power of trimmers powered from a mains socket ranges from 450 to 550 W. However, there are models with much higher power (eg 900 W). The cutting diameter of these devices is up to 40 cm.
The cheapestelectric grass trimmersare models in which the shaft with the drive shaft is placed in a plastic housing with no length adjustment.If we have an unusual height, it is definitely worth buying a slightly more expensive model with a telescopic handle. Thanks to this, we will adjust the length of the trimmer to our height. It is also worth paying attention to whether there is an additional handle from the bar that allows you to support the trimmer with the other hand. This is basically a standard. An additional handle may be missing in the cheapest devices and it is not worth buying them, because we get tired quickly when mowing.
The cutting tool inelectric trimmersis most often a head with a nylon line. Quickly moved, the two whiskers of the line cut like sharp knives. In more expensive models, plastic or metal cutting knives are used instead of a fishing line. They last longer than the line and are more resistant to contact with stones or harder plant stems. It is worth investing in a knife trimmer if your garden is neglected and the line could keep breaking.
Instring trimmersthere are 3 types of heads, providing different comfort of work:
- hand heads, in which, after breaking the line, you have to pull it out manually (we waste time, it is inconvenient),
- semi-automatic heads, in which the line is extended after the head is lightly pressed to the ground (I recommend, these devices are still relatively cheap),
- automatic heads in which the line is automatically extended to the correct length (the most convenient but also the most expensive solution).
Both the line and the knives in the head should work under semicircular plastic covers, protecting us from fragments of broken line, thrown off plant particles or knocked out pebbles.
Grass trimmers can be used for mowing tall grass that is contaminated with weeds and on uneven surfaces that a conventional mower cannot drive over
Also note that the angle of inclination of the cutting head is adjustable. This will come in handy when you want to reach deeper into bushes or mow grass on sloping surfaces (e.g. on a steep slope).
An interesting solution is also a guide wheel (found in the new models of Black & Decker trimmers), which allows for precise grass trimming at the edges of the pavement and stable operation of the trimmer vertically.
The main disadvantage ofgrass trimmerspowered from an electrical outlet is the need to connect a cable. It cannot be too long, because the voltage drops as the cable length increases. It may also be difficult to move between flower beds and groups of shrubs.
If the power source is too far away from the lawn, there is no electrical outlet at all on the plot, or moving with a cable is difficult, we can choose battery trimmerThen we only have to remember to charge the battery well before mowing (the set should also include a charger). The 1.5 Ah battery should be enough to mow a 500m² lawn.
Petrol trimmer
For mowing larger areas, usepetrol trimmerOften called also a petrol brush cutter. These devices are usually equipped with motors of 1.2 to 2.2 HP. They are heavier than electric trimmers and should therefore be equipped with a restraint belt and harness. This relieves the hands and transfers some of the weight to the shoulders and back.
There is usually a line in the cutting head, but there can also be cutting discs, which gives the devices the name of trimmers. Trimmers have a larger cutting diameter (up to 45 cm) and are intended for professional use - in forestry or urban greenery.
Black & Decker grass trimmers are equipped with a special guide wheel. It allows for precise trimming of the grass at the edges of the pavement and stable operation of the trimmer vertically
Petrol grass trimmerwill come in handy when we do not have access to an electric socket.Unfortunately, these devices are more expensive than electric ones, the motors work louder (due to noise, you need to wear ear muffs) and you will be bothered by the smell of exhaust fumes. Therefore, this device is worth buying only when we have a larger area to mow and the lawn is neglected (it is necessary to clear weeds and small shrubs). The petrol trimmer cuts grass that is too tall for a traditional lawn mower (so it is useful when the lawn is mowed rarely) and when the terrain is uneven (the mower would not be able to drive on it). This is why employees of urban green areas mowing local lawns, most often use petrol lawn trimmers. And this is how the sense of using trimmers could be summarized - they will cope where the mower cannot: -)
An important element of the trimmer
When purchasing a trimmer, I encourage you to pay attention to the fact that there is a protective bow coming off the mowing head. This, mostly semicircular, piece of wire does not significantly increase the price of the device, and while working, it will help us to keep the cutting head at an appropriate distance from walls, fences, trunks and plant stems.Thanks to this, we will avoid unwanted trimming of shrub branches protruding above the lawn or damaging the bark at the base of tree trunks.
Trimmers can usually be purchased in larger garden stores, garden centers and DIY stores. However, the largest selection of these devices and the lowest prices can be found more and more often in online stores.
