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A string trimmer goes into places that a lawn mower can’t and may also tackle tall weeds or grass which may choke a mower. It’s the ideal tool for keeping the sides of the garden or walkway neat and tidy and for manicuring around fence poles and tree trunks.<br><br>To find the right string trimmer for your yard, you have to answer two basic questions: What sort of shaft do you want-curved or straight; and which power source is most convenient-gas, electric, or battery? Here’s the best way to decide.<br><br><br>Gas-Powered Models<br><br>PROS: Ability to clean up a huge yard, large cutting swath (16 to 18 inches)<br><br>CONS: Weight, noise, pollution, maintenance; the requirement to keep gas and oil on hand<br><br>Two-Cycle Engine<br><br>To have an affordable trimmer (under $200) with all the power and the reach to completely clean up a big yard, search for a 2-cycle machine containing separate primer, choke, and throttle controls for simple starting. Two-cycle engines operate on a mix of gas and oil.<br><br>Four-Cycle Engine<br><br>Having a big jungle to tame, you'll need a trimmer with a 4-cycle engine. Though more pricey ($300 and up), these powerful machines are simpler to start, quieter, pollute less, and run smoother than 2-cycle motors, and don't require a gas-oil mix.<br><br>Electric Trimmers<br><br>PROS: Portability and light weight; good deal ($50 to $150); less noise<br><br>CONS: Less power; limited extension-cord reach or battery life; small cutting swath (12 to 15 inches); can't handle brush cutting<br><br>Electric With Cord<br><br>While unable to saw brush, a 3-amp or better corded electric machine is powerful enough to wash up a suburban yard, provided you've got outdoor outlets along with a long extension cord. Plus, it's the most affordable option.<br><br>Battery-Powered<br><br>Cordless trimmers are prepared for grass and weeds in a small yard, and they're simple to toss inside the trunk when it's your choose tidy Grandma's patio. The rechargeable 12-volt battery means no hassling with extension cords or gas-oil mixtures, and getting an extra battery pack will alleviate the disadvantage of the short term time.<br><br><br>Straight shaft or curved shaft?<br><br>Experts find that there isn't much performance difference between both the kinds of string trimmer, but that each type is way better for certain kinds of jobs. According to your blog post at the Echo website, curved shaft trimmers are ideal for light trimming; "These are typically used for lawns that happen to be covered in trees or areas with multiple posts that need trimming and require easy maneuvering," people say. Straight-shaft weed whackers are definitely more high quality in general, and are ideal for properties where you will certainly be doing a great deal of cutting under stuff like bushes and shrubbery.<br><br><br>String Things<br><br>Forget About Tangled String<br><br>Typically, trimmer string comes wound throughout the head and it is slowly eaten away with use. Some heads release more string automatically; others you tap on a lawn. Eventually, as soon as the spool is empty, you will need to stop and wind a fresh one.<br><br>Take a look at Echo's new Rapid-Loader trimmer head, that has locking clips that hold short bits of plastic string. When it's a chance to replace them, you only take out the old line and slide in the new-no winding necessary. Roger loves them. "I keep some strings within my pocket," he says. "Within 30 seconds, I can have brand new ones on and I'm off to work again."<br><br>Trimmer/Mower<br><br>For rocky and hilly acreage, think about 4-cycle, two-wheel trimmer/mower. It will cut grass similar to a rotary mower without having the shriek of metal blades scalping rocks, and also since the string head sits solution right in front, it trims right up to posts and walls. The disadvantages are price (starting at $450) and the fact that you can't flip it on edge for maintaining a crisp border around beds and walks, since you can using a regular string trimmer.<br><br>Trimmer Technique<br><br>Getting the height right<br>A string trimmer can strip a lawn bald if held too near to the surface. Keep the string head about 2 to 3 inches up and running, just like a mower blade, and sweep the device side to side in the steady motion parallel to the floor. Don't worry in the event you don't obtain it right the first time; we all make some mistakes, and it will surely grow out-like a bad haircut.<br><br>Cutting Overgrown Grass<br>When you trim tall grass and weeds at ground level, the stems are prone to tangle across the trimmer head and stall it. Roger's option is to trim tall weeds in the top down, hence the string chomps them into little pieces. For big fields of grass, consider acquiring a special grass-cutting head containing three plastic blades created to lay the stems down flat without tangling the mechanism.<br><br>Edging<br>Once you've established a clean edge along driveways, walks, and flower beds, you may maintain it along with your trimmer. Just shift your grip and so the string spins vertically, as an airplane propeller. It would track right over the bed line and then make hash for any sideways-growing grass.<br><br>Trimming near trees, posts, and steps<br>A string trimmer could possibly get right up to tree and shrub trunks, fence posts, and concrete steps. But be careful to stop lacking hitting these together with the string. You can kill a tree by stripping its bark, or cut a chunk out of wood or concrete. Approach these fixtures gingerly, and pull back once you hear or notice the distinctive click of slapping string. (Or better still, create mulch beds around trees and posts therefore you never need to get close.)<br><br>Cutting brush<br>When you move to metallic blade for cutting brush and saplings, protect yourself with long pants, helmet, boots, and goggles or even a face mask, plus shoulder straps to stop you from getting an aching back. Never take away the blade guard: It not only protects you, additionally, it keeps the blade from wreaking havoc on rocks, walks, or posts.<br><br>Keeping it clean<br>With any trimmer, wipe off pieces of grass and debris if you stop for a day, and check both the gas level and what's left in the string reel. Neatly coil the cord or recharge the batteries on electric machines. Some gas machines has to be stored upright or level so fluids don't leak; look at your manual.<br><br>For more info on [https://issuu.com/relevantrankings/docs/gas-powered-string-trimmer-comparis Tanaka Tcg24Ebsp String Trimmer Review] stop by the site.