There’s nothing more convenient than a lawn strimmer when it comes to the fundamental gardening tools you’ll need. These tools give you a lot of benefits while keeping your garden in tip-top shape. Cleaning up the garden will be a snap after you’ve found the right lawn trimmer. They’re ideal for cleaning up spots a mower can’t reach, such as along the margins of the lawn where it brushes up against a fence or stairs or beneath a hedge. This comprehensive guide can help you pick the best grass trimmer, whether you want to keep your lawn nicely trimmed or to cut down a meadow.
Is There a Difference Between a Strimmer and a Garden trimmer?
There is no difference between the two in this case. A strimmer is merely a shortened version of the phrase “garden trimmer”, which is a term commonly used in the United Kingdom. The mechanism is essentially the same, regardless of the names.
What is a Strimmer and Garden Trimmer Used for?
You can use a garden trimmer for various tasks, including cleaning up overgrown grass around flowerbeds and removing large areas of thick bush. It will not only speed up your gardening activities but will also keep you from becoming exhausted.
You can use a garden strimmer for the following purpose:
- Mowing grass.
- Cleaning places that your lawnmower can’t reach, such as fences, hedges, and grass borders.
- Trimming long grass away from heavy or immovable things like a rotary dryer pole or garden furniture.
- Cutting down a meadow.
- Removing nettles, brambles, and other weeds.
How Does a Grass Strimmer Work?
A grass trimmers head has a nylon string that spins at high speed to cut through grass and plants. When the cord on some lawn trimmers wears out, you’ll have to replace it manually, but many feature an inbuilt cord spool that feeds extra cord out as needed. You can do this by pushing the cutting head down with medium pressure or tapping on a button (manual feed) (bump feed).
When you use up the entire cord length on either manual or bump feed, you’ll need to change the cord spool, but this is far less of a hassle than having to open up your cutting head every time the cable breaks, to lengthen it.
What Features Should I Consider When Buying a Grass Strimmer?
You won’t need a model with many functions if you only require a grass trimmer for simple jobs like cleaning the borders of the lawn near a fence, or neatening straggly grass around a rotary dryer; but, if you need anything further, the following features may come in handy:
- Rotating head: A rotating head allows you to rotate the cutting mechanism to cut vertically. Make sure that the head isn’t blocking your vision to get the best edge.
- A wheel on the grass-trimmer head supports the lawn trimmer’s weight while maintaining a consistent cutting height.
- Telescopic shaft: A telescopic shaft is one with a handle that you can adjust to fit your height.
- Adjustable angle head: Some trimmers include an adjustable angle head that allows you to cut around garden furniture.
- The bike handles: Bike handles are fantastic for cutting vast areas for more extended periods, since they allow you to swing the lawn trimmer in a wide arc.
- Loop handles: Depending on whether you’re cutting side to side or around obstacles, a loop handle gives you a variety of operating positions.
- Harness or shoulder strap: A harness or shoulder strap will help to relieve arm strain—suitable for trimmers and has more power.
What Types of Trimmers Are Available?
1. Electric trimmers
Electric trimmers are excellent for use over a lengthy period. Their continuous power source ensures consistent performance. The cord, on the other hand, limits you. Electric trimmers might be tough to manage when you have a larger garden since you are constantly afraid of cutting the power wire. You might want to go with a model with a long and, ideally, replacement cable.
2. Cordless trimmers
Cordless trimmers are far handier than corded versions, albeit their limited battery life. While a cordless trimmer will reach all sections of the garden, a half an hour may not be sufficient for use in a bigger garden, requiring you to halt your work and allow time for charging if you don’t have a backup battery.
3. Petrol powered trimmers
Petrol powered trimmers are the best and the only option for you if you have a large yard or a lot of undergrowth to chop through. Petrol powered trimmers are heavier and noisier than others, but they compensate with unmatched performance. They are often heavier than battery or corded grass trimmers, but they are equipped with a harness or a backpack that distributes the weight, enhancing comfort and efficiency.
WHICH GRASS TRIMMERS ARE BETTER: CURVED OR STRAIGHT?
Straight and curved string trimmers are both quick and easy to operate. Despite their distinct shapes, the trimmers’ uses are fundamentally the same. However, their capacities vary, so the best option is personal desire and garden style.
You’ll want the straight shaft trimmer if your landscape includes grass and other plants like trees and bushes. Because the shaft is long and strong, you can reach under and around low-hanging trees and foliage with this strimmer.
Straight shaft trimmers are the ideal alternative when you have a large property because they use a thicker line. Because the drive cable does not have to bend as much as curved shaft types, these models are more likely to last longer.
A curved string trimmer is light in weight and is an affordable option for smaller gardens. As their name implies, curved shaft trimmers have an arched drive cable. They also have a significantly shorter shaft than straight shaft variants, making them easier to maneuver and store. The trimmers’ shape and shorter reach makes them more comfortable and convenient for daily garden maintenance for persons of petite stature.
A corded or rechargeable trimmer may be perfect for you if you mostly cut grass and trim your lawn margins and live in an urban location with an average yard. A petrol-powered model may be ideal if you need to chop heavier weeds and plants or if you have a larger yard or area to trim. In addition, you should go for a split shaft trimmer if you intend on multitasking. A split shaft trimmer can take the place of a variety of different trimming instruments. You can convert a split shaft trimmer to operate a variety of various tools, which saves you time and money. Leaf blowers, edgers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, pole saws, clean sweepers, and other accessories are just a few examples. These multitasking trimmers will let you get more work done without buying numerous pieces of equipment.