Practical gardening tools are becoming increasingly popular. With the acquisition of a new assistant, questions are inevitable about how to properly mow the grass with a trimmer with a line. Let's start by saying that this is a great addition to your existing lawnmower. You can trust her with large areas, and the finishing work will be done by a trimmer with fishing line. Let us clarify that the fishing line is intended for cutting weeds and tender branches. For rougher work, models equipped with metal blades or a chain are used.
Types and design of trimmers
Depending on the source of energy for the engine, trimmers are divided into gasoline and electric. The first type is equipped with a tank for fuel and lubricant, the second is powered by electricity or a battery.
Gasoline trimmer design
All elements of the device are mounted on a long metal rod. At its upper end there is a gasoline tank, an internal combustion engine and a starter for starting it. At the lower end there is a spindle that rotates counterclockwise. A reel of fishing line or sharp knives (discs with teeth) made of steel or plastic are mounted on it. Inside the rod, which is a hollow tube, there is a rigid or flexible shaft through which rotation is transmitted from the engine to the working tool.
On a note! If the rod is straight, a rigid shaft is used, which is connected to the gearbox located above the spindle and transmits torque from the drive to it. If the rod is curved, there is no gearbox, and a flexible shaft is used.
In the middle of the rod there is a handle-holder, which can be D-shaped or forked, similar to a bicycle handlebar. The asymmetrical folding handles (like Husqarna lawn mowers) are very convenient. The trimmer control buttons and levers are located on the handle or rod. The motor, control elements and coil/disk are connected using a flexible cable. The rods are solid, collapsible and telescopic. The length of the last two types can be changed to suit the height of a particular person. Some models have attachments for lap belts. The disk or reel (bobbin) is covered with a shield to protect the person who is mowing the grass.
The cutting tool is a reel, inside of which a fishing line (cord, string) with a diameter of 2-3 mm is wound. In some models, the fishing line is wound with a reserve, and with a light impact on a hard surface, it automatically moves out of the bobbin. In other trimmers, a piece of cord is inserted into the reel, and the excess length is cut off on the sharp edge of the casing.
In addition to the fishing line, the standard equipment of some brush cutters includes a disc with sharp serrated edges. The shape of the teeth may vary. To cut down branches and bushes, use a knife attachment or a cutter similar to a circular saw blade.
On a note! For some models of trimmers, you can purchase other attachments: a brush, a chain saw, a soil cultivator.
Gasoline trimmer control
There is a rotary control on the actuator that moves or closes the air damper. It is used to start the engine faster, for example, to warm it up when it is cold outside. Other regulators are located on the handle-holder or rod of the device:
- gas trigger - controls the carburetor damper to change the amount of fuel entering the drive;
- “Stop” button – designed to break the ignition circuit and stop the engine;
- a button to prevent unintentional pressing of the gas trigger - located under the stop button;
- a stopper for fixing the gas trigger - without it, when using the lawn mower for a long time, the starting lever will have to be constantly held with your finger.
Electric trimmer design
In general terms, electric trimmers are similar to gas trimmers: a motor, a handle, and a cutting element are attached to the bar.
On a note! The electric motor of the trimmer can be located on top, at the end of the rod, or below, above the cutting mechanism casing. In the second case, there is no gearbox.
The mains device must be plugged into an outlet, so for mowing large areas you will need an extension cord. While the operating radius of a cordless electric scythe does not depend on the length of the wire, the batteries need to be charged and changed on time.
Instead of a starter, electric trimmers use an on/off button. On them, unlike gasoline analogues, it is impossible to regulate the spindle speed, so there are significantly fewer control buttons on the device.
On a note! Trimmers of both types have a cutting width with fishing line of 22-42 cm. And when using discs or knives, this indicator is directly related to the diameter of the nozzle.
Which attachment to use for cutting grass with a lawn mower
The design of brush cutters uses two types of cutting attachments or cutters. These are spools of fishing line, as well as steel or plastic disks. What is better to choose for working with gas powered tools? The site provides information on how to choose discs and line for trimmers, as well as their types and design features. Let's briefly consider what types of cutting cutters should be used on trimmers and lawn mowers.
- To mow soft grass, a line is used that is wound on a drum or reel.
The fishing line, unlike metal discs, is used where grass grows next to trees, houses, fences and other obstacles. The fishing line allows you to produce high-quality grass cutting near obstacles without damaging the design of the tool. - Metal knives - have 2, 3, 4 or more cutting parts, through which coarse grass and thickets are cut.
Practice shows that the denser the thickets being mowed, the more blades the cutter should have - Metal disks with fine teeth in the amount of 40-80 pieces are designed for mowing various vegetation.
This can be coarse grass, weeds, dense thickets and even small trees. The greater the number of teeth on the cutting attachment, the higher the efficiency of the tool in question. - Plastic discs - used primarily on electric trimmers or cordless lawn mowers
The choice of cutting cutter depends on the location where the tool is used. If you plan to work on a personal plot, then a fishing line is selected, and for cutting grass in a field or steppe, discs with 3-4 blades or more, as well as discs with fine teeth, are used.
This is interesting!
In most cases, cutters are not supplied with a tool, so the buyer can decide for himself what he needs - a fishing line or a steel disk.
How to attach a disk or line to a trimmer
The cutting cutter is attached to the executive body. The mounting location is called the gearbox. The task of installing a disk or coil is not difficult to cope with. The principle of attaching the cutting discs to the trimmer is as follows:
- Initially, the shaped washer is secured using a hex wrench
- Install the disk on the shaft
- Then install the top washer, and then tighten it with the fastening nut.
- The nut must be rotated using a special socket wrench, which is usually supplied with each tool.
- The nut rotates in a counterclockwise direction
- When rotating, it is necessary to jam the shaft with a hex wrench
The disc on the trimmer is removed and replaced in the opposite sequence. More details on how to install a reel of fishing line on a lawn mower are described in this material.
Direction of rotation
Looking further at how to properly mow with a line trimmer, you should pay attention to specific techniques that will help you achieve an ideal result. The most common mistake people make is not paying attention to the direction of rotation. Just like a circular saw throws out sawdust, a trimmer throws away debris. If it rotates counterclockwise, it pushes waste material from the left side and cuts from the right side.
So if you're driving along a path or along a curb, stay to the right and position the tool's head so it can cut and push the grass to the left. If you go the opposite way, the debris will begin to block the trimmer's path.
First use of an electric trimmer
Setting up and running an electric trimmer is also not difficult. To do this, it must be assembled and launched, but not working immediately. It is best to run the device several times (3-5 is enough) to make sure it starts easily. If the device starts without problems, you can run it for five minutes on lawn grass, without heavy loads.
Almost all modern electric trimmers are designed for 20/20 operating mode, i.e. twenty minutes of operation and twenty minutes of rest. The latter is necessary for the engine to cool down a little. If you operate such a trimmer for more than 20 minutes without giving it the necessary rest time, the engine life may sharply decrease as it experiences increased load.
The electric trimmer does not have a continuous operation mode, but, nevertheless, if you do not run it in correctly, gradually increasing the load and operating time (up to 20, but not more than, minutes), the device may not work correctly, causing trouble to the owner with constant breakdowns and malfunctions. at work.
Proper mowing of young grass
In order for the device to work at maximum efficiency and last several times longer than the warranty period, mow the grass correctly, following the following recommendations.
- Do not lower the coil (drum) of the device under the very roots of the weed - the distance to the ground is at least 5 cm.
- When mowing taller grass, mow the top first. Mowing the grass close to the root without removing the top of the stems will lead to tangling of the line, stopping the drum before it is forced to turn off.
- Do not cut the grass against the direction of the drum.
- Mow the grass located near the walls or fence of the site, used as decoration, without turning the trimmer drum too far. This will relieve the engine from overload.
- Every 15 minutes of operation of the electric trimmer, it is necessary to allow the engine to cool down - at least 20 minutes are required.
But gas trimmers have a large time reserve - 50 minutes for work and 20 minutes for a break.
Refilling lawn mowers with gasoline and oil
Before mowing grass with a lawn mower, you need to fill the tool with fuel. Gasoline and oil are used as fuel. However, keep in mind that mixing gasoline with oil is only necessary for two-stroke engines. Four-stroke engines run on pure gasoline, since their design has a separate container - the oil sump. There is no oil sump in the design of 2-stroke petrol trimmers, so you only need to fill the tank with gasoline and oil.
It is recommended to use AI-92 fuel as gasoline. To avoid making a mistake in your choice, you need to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Often, most manufacturers recommend using AI-92 fuel, and only a few recommend using AI-95.
Gasoline must be diluted with a small amount in a ratio of 1 to 25. This means that for 1 liter of gasoline you need to add 40 ml of two-stroke oil. However, not everything is so simple here either. The proportion of 1 to 25 is universal, but each model of instrument has its own values. These values are also indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions. More details on how to properly dilute gasoline and oil in a lawn mower are described here. After diluting gasoline with oil, fill the tank full and get to work.
This is interesting!
If you are refueling a four-stroke lawn mower, then you need to fill the tank with clean gasoline, and add engine oil to the oil tank to the maximum level.
Getting to know the tool
The question of how to properly mow with a lawn mower and trimmer is asked mainly by beginners who have recently acquired these tools. Before starting work, it is recommended to know the design and structure of the lawn mower. The main structural elements of the instruments under consideration include:
- Gasoline engine 2-stroke type. There are tools with 4-stroke engines, the disadvantage of which is their heavy weight
- Fuel tank - a container for storing diluted gasoline and oil
- Gearbox is a transmission mechanism through which torque is transmitted from the engine shaft to the actuator
- Starter - a device for starting a gasoline engine
- Rod - a rigid base connecting the engine to the working body
In addition to gasoline trimmers, manufacturers also produce electric and battery-powered analogues. The main disadvantage of gasoline units compared to electric and battery-powered ones is their large mass. The weight of gasoline-type trimmers reaches 8-10 kg (4-stroke), which depends primarily on power. To simplify the operation of the tool, manufacturers supplement their units with special belts, which are also called unloading belts.
You need to know the design of a tool in order to learn how to work it correctly. Unlike electric and battery-powered counterparts, gas trimmers require not only the ability to mow grass, but also start the engine.
This is interesting!
To start an electric lawn mower, you only need to press the start button, while a gasoline unit starts by using a starter.
How to put it on and hold it correctly?
The quality of your work also depends on what technique you use. For correct technique, you must be able to hold the unit, and for convenience, put it on correctly. The fact is that not all trimmers are equipped with a shoulder strap. If you have one, you need to wear it in a way that makes you feel comfortable. There are models of devices whose strap may be uncomfortable, so try to put the trimmer on as comfortably as possible.
During long work, it also happens that pain in the back and muscles occurs, so wearing the tool as comfortably as possible can reduce the number of such troubles.
Another function is the adjustment of this belt. On higher-quality models, its convenience was given a special role and special positions were made that would allow the scythe operator not to experience inconvenience. You can adjust the belt height, choosing the one you need.
Now let's talk about how to properly hold the unit. Different types of trimmers have different handles. For some, it is made in the shape of a bicycle handlebar (which ensures the distribution of the load on both hands). On some units you can see a handle in the shape of the letter D. The bicycle version must be held with both hands, and firmly.
Despite the presence of rubberized handles, it is better to rely on yourself and not hope that they will not slip. Hold the D-shaped handle with one hand, using the palm of your hand to provide a larger grip area. This will give you full control over the handle, which will have a positive effect on handling.
Main characteristics
Power
The power indicator varies quite significantly in different models - from 250 to 3500 W. Before you buy a trimmer with the highest values, based on the opinion “the more powerful, the better,” think about whether you need it? For example, if the device is needed only for cutting grass in a flower bed, then high power is unnecessary. A trimmer up to 500 W . On the other hand, do not blame the manufacturer and seller if a low-power tool cannot cope with dense grass or overheats from prolonged use. Only a medium and high power model - from 500 to 1500 W - can cope with such tasks. Devices with the highest watts - from 1500 to 3500 - are useful for professional grass cutting, as well as for owners of large, varied areas where there is grass with thick stems, bushes, and small branches.
Engine location
The engine location can be top or bottom. Everything is simple here.
The lower motor is located near the ground and often forms a single unit with the cutting head. This trimmer is easier to hold in your hands, it is lighter and is perfect for women and pensioners. It is believed that a device with a lower engine is more maneuverable, which means it will mow down unnecessary grass in the most difficult to reach places. But there are also disadvantages. They should not work after rain or morning dew.
A trimmer with a top-mounted engine is more productive and durable. They can work in any weather. Yes, this tool is not so comfortable, but if you get used to it, which is helped by various belts and handles, then mowing will become easier.
Straight shaft or cable?
A shaft is installed inside the rod: a straight (rigid) shaft or a flexible shaft ( cable ). You can feel the difference between a flexible shaft and a steel shaft when you start cutting dense grass or bushes. In this case, the braking load on the gearbox increases, at which the cable collapses, and the rigid straight shaft continues to work.
If you decide to use a metal knife, then the gearbox experiences greater load than when working with fishing line. This is why flexible shaft trimmers are mostly equipped with only a line or a special set of blades. Tools with a straight shaft can be equipped with any cutting elements.
But before you start mowing, it is better to check the area, since an encounter with a stone can end badly even for a device with a rigid shaft.
Running in a gasoline trimmer
Most often, running-in is used in a brush cutter (gasoline trimmer). Running in involves operating the engine at low speeds, without load. To break-in, you need to start the lawn mower and let it run at idle speed. It is best to make the first mowing with a fishing line, since when mowing lawn grass, a lower load on the engine is implied than when working with hay or shrubs.
The load must be increased gradually, gradually increasing engine speed. If you start operating at high speeds, the engine may run in poorly, which will affect the entire future operation of the brush cutter.
You should not use up the entire temporary resource when starting the engine for the first time. It is best to mow the lawn for 10-15 minutes after idling, then turn off the machine and let it cool a little. You should use the brush cutter carefully, without sudden movements, in order to avoid collisions with hard objects (stones). Hitting a stone can have a bad effect on the operation of components that have not yet been broken in. In some cases, backlash, noise and hum appear during operation. This can be easily avoided if you break in the trimmer correctly.
Briefly about the main thing
Trimmers are convenient garden tools that help you keep your garden in order. They are powered by electricity or gasoline, differ in power and performance, and use different types of attachments for operation.
The most popular trimmers are line and disc trimmers. Models equipped with knives are used for rough and bulky work over a large area. The model with fishing line is designed for cutting more delicate vegetation and for finishing leveling.
Question
Write in the comments what you think, is it worth using a low-power tool, since it requires robots to stop every 15-20 minutes?
How to mow with a lawn mower with a disc and a line?
The rules for working with a lawn mower also depend on what cutting tool it is equipped with.
- Petrol mower with cutting disc.
The basic rules for working with this tool are as follows:
- Use a lawn mower to mow grass and weeds with hard stems; you can even mow bushes and even young trees;
- In principle, circular chainsaws can also be used for mowing lawns, but in this case the disks must have more than four cutting knives;
- The diameter of the cutting disc should be selected depending on the diameter of the stems of the growth that you are going to mow. The thicker the stems, the larger the diameter of the disk;
- But at the same time, the diameter of the disk must be within the technical and operational requirements of a gasoline scythe. Otherwise, this will lead to extremely unpleasant consequences for the lawnmower mechanism;
- It is best to use tipped cutting discs for cutting bushes and young trees.
- Petrol mower with fishing line.
The rules for working with this tool are as follows:
- The coil should be located above the ground at a height of 10 cm;
- When cutting grass, the brush cutter should be guided in the direction in which the reel rotates;
- Lawns, as well as grass near walls or other obstacles, are best mowed with the tips of a fishing line;
- To avoid overloading the engine of a gasoline trimmer, take a break about every quarter of an hour.
What line diameter is best?
For grass of different freshness and softness, a different diameter of fishing line (cord) is needed. But let’s say right away - carefully read the technical data sheet of your device. If the manufacturer has indicated that the permissible fishing line is no more than 1.2 mm, then do not try to wind a two-millimeter line. Don't mow for too long. The engine will overheat due to the load.
Cutting technique
Cutting your grass evenly seems like it should be easy - move the trimmer over the grass and the line will cut it to the desired length. But this is not the best approach and will actually result in bald spots on your lawn. To turn an unruly tool into a reliable machine, it is important to rely on knowledge.
- The ends of the string are where the maximum force of the cutter is concentrated. At the same time, the faster and freer the movements, the easier the process will be. Cone processing. Gives the lawn a beautiful look; the technique works especially effectively along the side of the road, near a fence or trees. Hold the instrument so that the string hits the grass at a slight angle.
- Framing. Where the surfaces are almost parallel, say between a path and a driveway, you want to emphasize the edge. Therefore, we turn the trimmer so that the string is vertical. Then move the tool along the cutting path.
- There is no need to try to use all the techniques at once. If the lawn has never been mowed, then you first need to clear it of debris, then trim the grass to the same length, and only then take on the edges.
- I mow with a trimmer. If you have to work in tall grass, then you can use this simple technique. This means that the tool must move along a U-shape path.
- Screed. Another technique that is used to remove grass growing on paths in cracks. Angle the tool so that the ends of the strings just slide along the road surface, then move into the base of the weeds, cutting them down to a solid surface. But be careful: tilt the tool too much and you'll just break the line. Get the angle too sharp and the line won't be able to cut through the grass evenly.
How to properly mow tall grass with a trimmer
Ideally, tall grass can be cut with a powerful trimmer with thick line. But, you must admit, the land where weeds grow is not always level; landowners often have bushes and all kinds of debris and stones on their plots. In order not to ruin expensive equipment, it is better to mow in two passes. That is, we first cut off the tops of the stem, scan the area, analyzing “difficult areas,” and then carry out the full mowing procedure with a gas mower.
In a situation where you have to prepare grass for hay, and you are more or less aware of the condition of the earthen plot, then it will be easier to predict your work. Any equipment designed for cutting grass can also cope with tall thickets. The main thing is not to rush and approach the process itself competently, which we clearly demonstrate in the practical video.
A few recommendations:
- do not overload the mechanism;
- If grass gets tangled, turn off the device immediately;
- Do not mow wet grass even with a gasoline trimmer.
Preparing for work
If this is your first time cutting your lawn, take a few minutes to understand how to properly mow the grass with a line trimmer. Walk along the lawn and remove any rocks, sticks or large debris.
Turn on the trimmer and hold it so that the handle fits snugly against your thigh. Make sure the head is at a comfortable height for cutting the grass. Go to one edge of the area and start cutting the grass.
Since you are trying to make a clean cut, keep the head parallel to the ground and make short sweeping movements. It is better to first set the cutting height higher so that you can correct it to the ideal state.
Is it possible to mow the lawn with a trimmer?
This device is designed to cut the lawn evenly.
It is especially convenient to do this with a similar electric scythe in hard-to-reach places:
- under the benches;
- on hillocks and hills;
- between paths and flower beds.
Another advantage of the trimmer is its compactness and ease of use.
After mowing, it is easy to clear it of grass residues and check its serviceability by inspecting the cutting line. The price of this device is much less than the cost of a lawn mower. The disadvantages of the tool in question are the lack of a collection of mowed grass and low power.
Description of the lawn trimmer
The trimmer is essentially an electric scythe. It looks like a long pole with a clipping mechanism on one end and a handle on the other to hold the tool. The engine can be located either at the top or at the bottom of the pole - it depends on whether the trimmer is gasoline or electric.
These grass cutting tools are:
- Electric.
- Gasoline ones.
- Wheeled.
- Rechargeable.
Did you know? The trimmer was invented by a businessman from Texas. He was far from technical developments and was involved in show business all his life.
The effectiveness of the described device depends on:
- engine power;
- line thickness.
The principle of operation of the trimmer is simple - the drive, gasoline or electric, turns the reel in which the fishing line and reel are mounted. The ends of the fishing line, looking out, straighten and act like blades when rotated. The thickness of the line can vary - from 1 mm for constant weekly mowing to 4 mm for particularly overgrown areas.
Electric tools have a number of advantages and disadvantages.
- Its advantages include:
- almost silent operation;
- lightness of the tool;
- ease of operation;
- The only consumable material is fishing line.
- The disadvantages of such tools are:
- depending on the length of the cord and electrical outlet;
- low power;
- prohibition on working with wet grass.
Also, during mowing, you have to watch out for the cable, which can get under the cutting part of the tool. If the area is very overgrown, then do not trim the grass in one go. You should go over the area several times, removing 10–15 cm.
Important! For particularly overgrown areas with high grass cover, you should choose trimmer models equipped with discs with sharp teeth.
Cordless trimmers are relatives of electric ones. They differ in that they do not need to be connected to the network - you just need to charge the battery. However, such a tool can work for 25–30 minutes.
During this time, you can have time to mow an area of 100 m². Then the device will have to be charged, and this takes from 5 to 10 hours. Alternatively, you can buy several spare batteries and extend the mowing by 1-2 hours.
Gasoline trimmers use fuel that is expensive today. If the owner of the site has no problems with purchasing gasoline, then you can opt for this option. It is more powerful than electric and is not limited by the capabilities of the battery.
With a tool like this you can mow until the fuel runs out or the fishing line runs out. In addition, such trimmers, running on a mixture of gasoline and oil, are much more powerful than electric ones. With a similar unit you can cut the grass on an area of up to 1000 m².
The gasoline scythe has two disadvantages - a lot of noise and exhaust gases . In addition, if the correct composition of the mixture is not followed, the device may have problems starting. Wheeled gasoline trimmers are almost like lawn mowers. They are equipped with two large wheels, which improve handling and maneuverability on particularly difficult sites.
Haircut rules
Mowing the lawn with the described device is not difficult. You need to hold it by the handle and make circular movements. There are trimmers that come with shoulder straps and curved handles to make the job easier.
How to use a brush cutter
Grass cutting technique
1. To achieve an accurate result, you need to mow the grass in one direction, from right to left, describing arcs with the mowing head by turning the body and gradually moving forward.
2. Mowing tall grass is carried out in 2 approaches: first, the upper part of the stem is cut off, then a “finishing” pass is carried out.
3. When working on slopes, it is most convenient to mow in passes perpendicular to the descent, folding the grass into rollers and gradually ascending.
4. It is convenient to remove vegetation around obstacles using the ring method. It is safest to use a mowing head with fishing line or plastic blades for this purpose.
5. Large areas can be mowed not only in stripes, but also using the square method - passing along the perimeter and moving towards the center.
Sawing technique
Powerful brush cutters allow the installation of different cutting accessories: a mowing head with a fishing line, a 2-4 bladed knife for controlling grass and weeds, or a saw blade with a fine tooth. Its main purpose is to remove bushes and thin tree trunks that have grown in the wrong places. When it is installed, mowing turns into full-fledged sawing with its own characteristics.
- It is necessary to monitor the direction of fall of cut trunks and branches. They should lie towards the treated area.
- Different sections of the blade are used to control the cutting direction. For convenience, it can be represented as a watch dial.
- The most inconvenient and somewhat dangerous zone is from 12 to 2 o'clock - when the disc comes into contact with the barrel in this place, there is a high probability of recoil. The remaining areas can be worked freely, taking into account the following features.
Features of sawing trunks and bushes up to 7 cm thick:
- The disk always rotates counterclockwise.
- If the contact of the disk with the tree occurs in the zone up to 12 o'clock, the lower end of the sawn trunk goes back, the trunk itself falls forward.
- When contacting the zone from 2 o'clock, on the contrary, the lower end goes forward, the barrel falls back.
- When working in a zone up to 12 o'clock, the trimmer is moved back, in a zone after 2 o'clock - forward.
- When working, avoid direct contact of the disc with stones or soil. They will quickly dull the teeth or may damage the disc itself.
- Keep your saw blades sharp and sharpen them in a timely manner. Using discs with blunt teeth risks cracks, and at high speeds the disc may simply fly apart.
For those who have finished reading the bonus about homemade mowing and what happens under bad circumstances. Carefully 18+ content! Enjoy watching from Dr. DEW
Operating the trimmer in wet weather
It is worth mentioning right away that in rain, wet and damp weather the operation of electric trimmers is completely excluded. This may cause a short circuit and electric shock. You cannot use an electrical appliance even after it rains; you must wait until the lawn grass is ventilated and dry. However, with gasoline lawn mowers everything is also not as smooth as we would like. Some well-known manufacturers prohibit the use of their models in the rain, since the power units do not have the necessary degree of protection against moisture.
You should also not operate wet equipment. If the scythe has been exposed to the rain for some (albeit short) time, it must be brought to a dry place, wiped off and given time to dry before launching.
The brush cutter does not have some of the design shortcomings of the electric trimmer, but is not completely immune to failure due to moisture.
Some experts claim that gasoline trimmers can be used to mow without stopping, even if it is raining lightly. Of course, this is not recommended, because the likelihood of failure of various components and the engine itself increases. An electric trimmer with an overhead motor is less sensitive to moisture, but it is not immune to power surges due to water getting into the extension cord connector. You can limit yourself to buying a new extension cord, but repairing or replacing the trimmer itself is not a cheap pleasure.
Let's start with safety precautions
As for the protective equipment, the glasses and gloves recommended according to the instructions will not hurt at all, but the most important thing is to protect your feet. The cutting tool, especially if you mow with a gasoline trimmer with metal blades, rotating at enormous speeds, picks up debris, pebbles and cuttings of vegetation that fly away at such a speed that they can cause injury to a person. Therefore, it is advisable to work in trousers and closed shoes or boots.
What happens if you don't protect your feet?
As for ear protection, a noticeable need for this arises only for the “loudest” gas trimmer - based on a two-stroke engine. They are usually equipped with special headphones with a headband, necessary to reduce the sound pressure on the eardrums.
Pruning
It is convenient to trim flower beds, lawns and paths along the edges with an electric trimmer with a bottom motor, since its cutting plane can be placed vertically. For an even greater effect, it is useful to dig a groove about 4x4 cm along the cutting line. Then the line will cut the grass below ground level without touching its surface. The result is a very clean, blemish-free vertical haircut.
Advantages and disadvantages of brush cutters
A brush cutter is a serious and expensive tool, so it is also important to study all its pros and cons before purchasing.
Among the advantages are the following:
- no wires, mobility and independence from the electrical network - runs on gasoline;
- high power – copes with dense thickets, bushes, trees;
- productivity – works for a long time, serves a large area.
The disadvantages include the following features of the tool:
- heavy weight - working with it requires a lot of energy;
- exhaust gases that are inhaled by the person working with it;
- the need for constant refueling;
- high noise level.
A brush cutter is a powerful and productive tool, but these advantages are balanced by significant disadvantages that not every gardener will want to put up with.
Typical malfunctions of trimmers, how to fix them yourself
Like any technically complex device operating under extreme conditions, trimmers can fail. The most common causes of breakdowns are violations of the rules for operating a mechanized scythe established by the manufacturer. For example, non-compliance with alternating work and technological breaks, or irregular lubrication of the gearbox and other parts, which leads to overheating of parts and mechanisms.
Typical malfunctions of trimmers, most often manifested in various types of this device, are:
- failure of the working head of the tool, which usually manifests itself in a violation of the line feed due to its tangling or sticking, as well as mechanical damage to the bottom of the reel;
- malfunction of the brush cutter carburetor;
- breakage of the intermediate shaft of the tool; the cause of this malfunction may be cutting off the splines with which it is connected to the engine shaft;
- damage to the connecting sleeves of the main bearing installed between the cable and the trimmer head.
- clogged fuel and air filters.
Sticking and tangling of fishing line usually occurs when its quality is poor and operating conditions are violated, which leads to overheating of the trimmer head and fishing line. To fix this problem you need to:
- Remove the cover from the trimmer head by pressing the latches with your fingers and carefully unfasten the cover.
- Remove the spool of fishing line from the head. It must be removed carefully so that the spring installed underneath does not jump out and fly into the grass.
- Unravel the tangled or stuck line and load it again. Fold the fishing line in half, and secure the middle into a special groove on the middle disk of the reel, which divides the reel into two compartments.
To wind the fishing line onto the trimmer reel, first of all, you need to fold it in half and secure the middle in the corresponding groove
- Wind the fishing line simultaneously into both compartments of the reel in the direction indicated in the instructions, or on the reel itself, and secure the free ends of the fishing line in its grooves.
Having wound the fishing line onto the spool of the trimmer head, its free ends need to be secured in the grooves on the reel
- Reassemble the head in reverse order, carefully installing the spring.
Solution of the problem
Even an ordinary scythe can help in this matter, but few owners today have the skills to work with it. A descendant of this tool is a trimmer, which can be powered from the mains or run on fuel. In a suburban area, a gasoline model will be more convenient, because in such conditions there is not always electricity, and the wires will not get in the way during operation.
It is only important to decide which model to prefer; the rating of trimmers will help with this. Having made the right choice, you will become the owner of equipment that will be convenient to use and will help you mow young shrubs, grass, woody growth and powerful weeds.
Caring for the trimmer after finishing work
Once you've finished cutting the grass, you'll need to tidy up your trimmer. The first step may be to clean along the lawn. To do this, use a broom or broom and collect all the debris and grass clippings. If the area is very large, it is better to use a leaf blower. This will make the work much easier.
After this, you will need to tidy up the trimmer. Remove any grass that may be stuck in the guard and wipe all cutting parts with a soft cloth. The battery trimmer is placed on charge, and the gasoline trimmer is additionally refilled. Storage is carried out in a dry room.
Sources
- https://hitech-online.ru/tehnika-dlya-sada/trimmer/kak-polzovatsya-dlya-travy.html
- https://tehnika.expert/dlya-sada/trimmer/instrukciya-po-ekspluatacii-elektricheskogo-i-benzinovogo.html
- https://moiinstrumentu.ru/instrukcija-kak-kosit-benzokosoj-i-trimmerom-travu.html
- https://stroy-podskazka.ru/trimmery/kak-kosit/
- https://wellpart.com.ua/index.php?route=information/news/info&news_id=2
- https://MyKharkov.info/news/kakaya-rezhushhaya-sistema-dlya-motokosy-luchshe-leska-nozh-ili-disk-34545.html
- https://www.kosikosa.com/index.php?route=information/news/info&news_id=49
- https://fermer.blog/bok/blagoustroystvo/gazony/gazon-posadka-i-uhod/16444-strizhka-gazona-trimmerom.html
- https://dachnye-zametki.ru/sadovyj-inventar/trimmer-dlya-travy-kak-ispolzovat.html
- https://grounde.ru/benzinovyiy-trimmer-kakoy-luchshe-vyibrat.html
- https://www.albytools.ru/articles/kak-pravilno-kosit-travu-trimmerom-s-leskoy/
Choosing a trimmer by engine brand
After visiting the store, many consumers express a desire to purchase a model that was manufactured outside of China. However, it is worth considering that even European manufacturers prefer to purchase engines from companies that specialize in their production. Typically, these companies are located in China, since it is there that the most favorable conditions for production have been created today.
This suggests that Mitsubishi, MTD and Briggs & Stratton are Chinese-assembled engines. The only exception is Honda. Therefore, when choosing a trimmer from a well-known brand, you should be prepared for the fact that a Chinese motor will be installed inside, but it is usually of good quality, because it is manufactured in a factory.
Selection of equipment based on boom structure
The bar acts as a conductor that connects the cutting system to the engine. And inside there is a shaft that can be flexible or straight. The shape of the rod, accordingly, is curved or straight. The latter option, as practice shows, is more durable and reliable. However, if there are quite a lot of hard-to-reach places and heights in the area, then it is better to buy a trimmer option with a curved rod. Experts also advise paying attention to whether the bar is collapsible. In this case, it will be convenient to store it.