Choosing a Trimmer
There are three choices when it comes to trimmers: gas-powered, corded electric and cordless electric. They are also called string trimmers because they use a flexible monofilament line instead of a blade to cut grass and other plants near objects. String trimmers consist of a cutting head at the end of a long shaft with a handle or handles, and sometimes a shoulder strap. String trimmers powered by an internal combustion engine have the engine on the opposite end of the shaft from the cutting head, while electric string trimmers typically have an electric motor in the cutting head. As you’ll read below, there are cases where a trimmer can do the job of an edger as well.
Gas-Powered Trimmers
Gas-powered trimmers, which usually weigh from 9 to 14 pounds, are considered to be the best choice. It’s important to find a trimmer with the lowest amount of emissions, although most trimmers available today follow federal regulations to ensure that emissions are lower than in the past. Often, gas trimmers need a lot of maintenance, including the mixing of oil and gas before starting. You should be able to find a good-quality, low-maintenance 10-lb. trimmer for approximately two hundred dollars.
Whether or not you want to spend that amount of money for a trimmer depends on your specific lawn and trimming needs. If you maintain your own lawn, then $200 probably won’t seem like a lot of money. Those who pay a professional landscaper for lawn maintenance often pay that amount in a single month.
The kinds of gas trimmers which require gas and oil mixing before using are two-cycle trimmers. These trimmers offer more power than electric trimmers and for the average homeowner, the two-cycle is a good choice.
Four-cycle trimmers are the no-nonsense trimmers. They’re an excellent, clean-running choice for people with large or extended trimming jobs or commercial applications. Also, with no oil and gas mixing, 30 percent more fuel efficiency and more torque, they are dependable and powerful enough for any job. They run cleanly and quietly and exceed all EPA and CARB emission standards. (source: American-Lawns.com)
Electric-Corded Trimmers
These trimmers, which cost the least, weigh only about five pounds. They don’t require tune-ups and they start with push-button ease. They’re lighter and quieter than the gas models, but the power cord limits their range. I have a clear childhood memory of my neighbor pulling a cord out through his front door and never being able to quite reach the curb to properly trim the small area near the front of his driveway. Perhaps an extension cord would have helped, but the point is that he still had to drag the cord from the inside, through the house or garage, and then all over the yard as he trimmed. Not sure if a corded trimmer is right for you? You should consider it if you have a smaller yard that doesn’t require much trimming and if you can reach any corner of your yard within one hundred to one hundred fifty feet of an electrical outlet in your house.
Cordless Trimmers
While cordless trimmers offer the convenience of being lightweight and lacking a cord, they do not offer the same power as a gas-powered trimmer. In fact, the battery on cordless trimmers lasts for about 20 minutes. If you have a small area that needs trimming or edging and you need the convenience of something lightweight, consider a cordless trimmer.
Edging
Many horizontal trimmers can be turned to cut vertically as well (for edging) and can do a very good job. Although they might not look as sharp as a true edger, they can usually do the work and save you money at the same time. If this sounds desirable, simply ask if the trimmer you are buying can do vertical edging. Sometimes it’s even written on the box.
