Gasoline Or Electric Trimmer: Which Is Better To Choose, How To Use, Line Selection, DIY Repair, Customization

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Both at home and in the country, the trimmer always helps

Buying a trimmer, given the variety of types, models and manufacturers of this tool, is not an easy task. But understanding the types of work on which the trimmer will be applied, along with knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of gasoline and electric models, will greatly simplify the choice.

Content

• 1 What is a trimmer

  1.1 Trimmer design

• 2 Choosing a trimmer

  • 2.1 Classification of trimmers by type of power

    2.1.1 Table: comparison of electric and petrol trimmers

  • 2.2 Things to consider when choosing a trimmer

    2.2.1 Photo Gallery: Grass Trimmer Models

  • 2.3 Ratings of models and manufacturers

    • 2.3.1 Table: the best petrol trimmers for price, quality and functionality
    • 2.3.2 Table: characteristics of popular electric trimmers
  • 2.4 Trimmer User Recommendations

• 3 Basics of operation

  • 3.1 Video: how to prepare a fuel mixture and work with a gasoline trimmer
  • 3.2 Engine lubrication

• 4 Common faults and how to fix them

  • 4.1 Engine won't start

    4.1.1 Video: Trimmer disassembly and repair

  • 4.2 Engine runs, but does not pick up speed

    • 4.2.1 Table: main carburetor breakdowns and methods for their elimination
    • 4.2.2 Video: Carburetor Trimmer Repair
  • 4.3 The motor runs, but the cutting element does not rotate

  • 4.4 The motor shaft does not turn

    4.4.1 Video: engine jammed

  • 4.5 Everything works, but mows poorly

    • 4.5.1 Video: Changing the line in the trimmer
    • 4.5.2 Video: replacing the trimmer head with a metal knife

• 5 Is it possible to make a trimmer with your own hands

  5.1 Video: DIY electric trimmer

What is a trimmer

The point of using a trimmer is to facilitate the process of mowing lawns. The grass is removed by the rapid rotation of the cutting element.

Trimmer design

The cutting element, which can be multi-blade disc knives or fishing line, rotates by an engine - either gasoline or electric. The torque is transmitted to the knives through the bar. Therefore, the trimmer design is a combination of the following parts:

• engine;
• bevel angle gearbox;
• cutting tool;

• control elements - a gas lever with a lock of its position for gasoline and switching elements for an electric tool;

  

  On the handle of the electric trimmer there is a button for its activation and a fuse that protects the tool from starting in an idle position

• control sticks;
• protective cover;
• shoulder strap to relieve the burden on the arms.

Choosing a trimmer

Getting started with the choice, one must take into account the fact that there are many varieties of this tool.

Classification of trimmers by type of power

There are two types of trimmers depending on the drive:

• electric - with mains supply and rechargeable batteries;
• gasoline - with a two-stroke or four-stroke internal combustion engine.

Both gasoline and electric tools have their pros and cons. For convenience of comparison, let us combine them in the following table.

Table: comparison of electric and petrol trimmers

Trimmer type	Advantages	disadvantages
Electric	Low noise level. Lack of harmful exhaust. Small size. Light weight. Easy to use and maintain.	Suitable only for small areas (3-4 ares). Cannot be used for mowing young growth of trees and hard grass due to a rather weak motor. Corded models have a limited operating range, while rechargeable ones require regular recharging.
Petrol	High engine power, which means it can be used for mowing rough grass and young growth of trees. Ability to work anywhere, since there are no wires. Longer battery life compared to cordless trimmers.	Heavier than electrical counterparts. High noise level - from 85 dB - it is advisable to wear ear protectors. Before use, preparation is necessary - filling with oil and gasoline (in the case of two-stroke engines, also preparation of a mixture of gasoline and oil in certain proportions). Stronger vibrations.

What to consider when choosing a trimmer

A clear understanding of the scope of work for which the trimmer will be purchased, and taking into account the following characteristics will help make the best choice:

• drive type - gasoline or electric;
• power;
• engine placement - top or bottom;
• rod type - straight, curved, telescopic, collapsible or non-collapsible;
• type of cutting elements - cutter, multi-blade knife, fishing line;
• trimmer weight;
• gas tank volume;
• passage width;
• cost.

Photo gallery: grass trimmer models

Bottom engine trimmer weighs less but has less power

Gasoline trim tabs are usually top-mounted

Some trimmer models are equipped with bicycle handles and triple blade knives

An electric trimmer with a curved bar is suitable for giving a small size

The cutter trimmer can cut tall dry grass, shrubs, thick burdocks and other sturdy vegetation

Model and manufacturer ratings

To make it easier to choose from a variety of models and brands of gasoline trimmers, we will divide the list of popular models into three categories and consider them in the table.

Table: the best gasoline trimmers for price, quality and functionality

A place		Name	Characteristic	price, rub.
The best inexpensive gasoline trimmers: budget up to 10,000 rubles.
one	PATRIOT PT 555		The most powerful budget trimmer	9399
2	Huter GGT-1000T		Best price	6640
3	AL-KO 112387 FRS 4125		Best for fuel tank capacity	9990
The best gasoline trimmers: price - quality
one		Husqvarna 128R	Lightest and most comfortable trimmer	14,990
2		Echo SRM-22GES U-Handle	Quality anti-vibration system	13 890
3		Stihl FS 55	The most reliable and durable	15990
The best gasoline trimmers: functionality and performance
one		Stihl FS 130	Best features	26990
2		Echo SRM-350ES	Largest gas tank	24200
3		Makita EBH341U	Best price	23 250 rbl

For a better orientation among electrical models, we will also summarize their characteristics in a table.

Table: characteristics of popular electric trimmers

Specifications	AL-KO BC 1200 E	Hyundai GC550	Stark GT 1300	Iron Angel ETR 1400
Manufacturer country	Germany	Korea	Germany	Netherlands
Engine power, W	1,200	550	1,300	1,000
Shaft rotation frequency, rpm	7 600	10,000	7,500	10,000
Weight, kg	5.1	2.9	5.6	7
Line thickness mm	2.4	1.6	1.6	1.6
Knife passage width, mm	230	-	230	255
Line passage width, mm	350	300	380	380
Boom design	collapsible	telescopic	collapsible	collapsible
Swivel head	-	-	-	-
Stick type	D-shaped	D-shaped	D-shaped	D-shaped
Engine location	Upper	Lower	Upper	Upper
Warranty	24 months	12 months	12 months	12 months

Trimmer User Recommendations

It is useful to read the reviews of those who are already using the tool. After summarizing the statements of numerous users, it becomes clear that a low power trimmer up to 550 W is sufficient for cutting grass. If you have to deal with young growth of trees and powerful weeds, the power reserve should be 1000 W or more. For small areas and infrequent use, inexpensive, low-power models are suitable. With frequent use and large volumes of work, more expensive and powerful professional models are preferable, preferably with a gasoline engine.

Most users appreciate the overhead motor and cutter kit, as well as the double shoulder straps or knapsack dump. Most often they mention such manufacturers as STIHL, HUSQYARNA, ECHO, AL-KO, HYUNDAI. Among the manufacturers of low-budget models, PATRIOT, HUTER, STARK are noted.

Basics of operation

Everyone wants the trimmer to work efficiently, and the tool itself is long-lasting and reliable. But not everyone knows that for this you need to follow basic rules:

1. Security measures. To work safely with the trimmer, you must use protective goggles or a face shield, as well as gloves with anti-vibration inserts. It is not recommended to operate the instrument without a protective cover and without a shoulder strap or backpack relief. Stop working with power tools in rainy weather to avoid short circuits.
2. Rules for using the trimmer. The basic rule is to exclude the possibility of engine overheating. To do this, you need to take regular breaks in work, during which not only the employee rests, but also the equipment cools down. It is necessary to use appropriate cutting elements: for grass - fishing line, for mixed (weeds, grass, young growth of trees and shrubs) vegetation - cutters and multi-blade knives. It will also improve the reliability of the tool.

3. Care of mowers. Timely lubrication of rubbing parts, keeping the proportion of dilution of gasoline with oil for two-stroke engines greatly increase the service life of the trimmer. Pay particular attention to the lubrication of the bevel bevel gearbox. To do this, you need to use high-quality gear lubricant.

   

   For mowing large amounts of tall grass and shrubs, a petrol trimmer with a cutter is preferred.

It is equally important to change the filter elements of the fuel and air system in time. Periodically sharpening the cutting edges of the multi-blade knives and changing the line will also improve trimmer performance.

Video: how to prepare a fuel mixture and work with a gasoline trimmer

Engine lubrication

Two-stroke engines are lubricated by adding oil to the gasoline. For this purpose, it is better to use the models recommended by the manufacturer, but any high-quality engine oil can be used. Four-stroke engines have a separate lubrication system, therefore, after a certain time specified by the manufacturer, it is necessary to change the oil. It is necessary to monitor the oil level and, when it drops, top up in a timely manner.

Common faults and how to fix them

Despite the observance of the rules of operation, sometimes the mower can still fail. And knowing how to bring it back into working condition will not be superfluous.

The process of operating petrol trimmers shows that their most typical malfunctions are manifested in the following:

• the engine will not start;
• the engine is running, but not picking up speed;
• the engine is running and the cutting element does not rotate;
• the motor shaft does not turn;

• everything works, but mows badly.

  

  The most common malfunctions of a gasoline trimmer are lack of fuel and spark plug flooding if starting incorrectly.

Let's take a closer look at each type of malfunction and how to fix them.

Engine won't start

There may be several reasons for this malfunction:

• out of fuel;
• gasoline does not go to the carburetor;
• lean air mixture;
• the ignition system does not work;
• break in the manual start cord;
• break in the throttle lever cable.

An empty gas tank is the most common reason for unwillingness to start trimmer. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the timely filling of the tank in full. And dirty fuel and air filters keep fuel out of the engine and deplete the air mixture. Replacing or cleaning the filters solves this problem.

The fuel trimmer filter is in his gas tank

A dirty spark plug simply does not produce a spark to ignite the combustible mixture. This is usually caused by excessive fuel flow and an incorrect proportion of the oil / gasoline mixture. A contaminated plug should be washed in gasoline and, after drying, put back. In the future, it is necessary to adjust the fuel supply at idle speed to prevent its excessive flow and observe the proportion when mixing oil with gasoline.

With a broken manual start cord, the problem is solved by replacing it when the integrity of the cord is broken, or by fixing it on the starting drum. If the throttle cable is out of engagement with the carburetor control element, the broken connection must be restored.

Video: disassembly and repair of the trimmer

Engine is running but not revving

There is a high probability that there are problems in the operation of the carburetor. The main solutions are summarized in the following table.

Table: main carburetor breakdowns and methods for their elimination

Breakage type	Remedy
Blockage in nozzles or ducts	Cleaning with flushing agent, purging
Gasket wear	Replacing a part
Leakage violation	Replacing a part

Video: carburetor trimmer repair

The engine runs but the cutting element does not rotate

At the moment the cutting element strikes against any obstacle (stone, metal object, thick root), the drive shaft can be sheared off at the spline joints. Such a breakdown requires replacement of the shaft.

The motor shaft does not turn

If it became impossible to turn the engine shaft, it looks like the engine is jammed and the connecting rod-piston group will have to be changed.

Video: engine jammed

Everything works, but mows poorly

This problem is usually caused by line breakage or blunt clumps of knives. Changing the line and sharpening the cutting edges will restore the trimmer's performance.

Video: replacing the line in the trimmer

You can use a round line as a more affordable and common option. It is preferred for its greater strength and lower consumption. A fishing line with a figured section (cruciform, square, in the form of a three-pointed star) cuts better due to the sharp edges, but has less strength and higher consumption. If you wish, you can convert the trimmer from line to knives.

Video: replacing the trimmer head with a metal knife

Is it possible to make a trimmer with your own hands

For those who love tinkering, it will not be a big problem to build a simple trimmer. To do this, you can use an old drill as a motor, make a cutter from a blade for a two-handed saw, a bar from a long cane or metal tube, and wind the handle from scraps of electrical wire. As fastening elements, the easiest way is to make steel strip clamps, which are tightened with bolts.

Video: do-it-yourself electric trimmer

The difficult task of choosing a trimmer is greatly simplified if you already have an idea of this tool, its capabilities and popular brands. Operating and repair information helps extend the life of the trimmer and reduces maintenance costs. Therefore, if the decision to purchase this useful tool is finally ripe, we hope that this brief overview will help you make the right choice.