HOW TO CHOOSE A STRIMMER – Strimmers are known by a number of names, such as weed strimmers or weed whackers. The strimmer is a very useful tool to have in the garden as they allow you to trim the grass around garden ornaments, paths, patios and lawn edging. There are a variety of strimmers you can buy and in this guide we show you a few different types and their features to help you choose a strimmer that is suitable for your needs.
Step 1
Electric Powered Strimmers – These are suitable for small to medium sized gardens. As a rule of thumb, the larger the cutting diameter the larger the motor. Depending on the size of your garden you may require an extension cord to enable you to reach all parts of your garden with the strimmer.
Step 2
Line Feed – There are 3 types of line feed, that is the nylon cord that is rotated at high speed that does the cutting work. The 3 types are:
Step 3
Manual Feed – A button is located on the underside of the strimmer. To release more line simply press the button and pull out the required amount of line. Once you let go of the button the reel will lock automatically to prevent more line from coming out
Step 4
Bump Feed – At the underside of the strimmer is a large button that you bump into the ground while the motor is running. This then release the line. This is a much quicker way to feed line and saves you from having to stop and pull the line out manually.
Step 5
Automatic Feed – A strimmer with this feature simply requires you to stop the motor and then start it again. Each time the motor is stopped and restarted fresh line is delivered from the reel automatically.
Step 6
Petrol Powered Strimmers – These are ideal if you have a large garden as you are not restricted by any cables. The cutting system is the same as the electric strimmer in that it cuts using nylon cord. Some petrol strimmers come with Brush Cutters, which are steel blades that rotate a high speed. The Brush Cutter is very useful if you have very heavy growth. You can also buy a Petrol Powered Brush Cutter and is useful if you work with a lot of heavy growth often.
Step 7
Petrol Strimmer – 2 Stroke Engine – Here the petrol is mixed with the oil and therefore lubricates the engine as it runs. Remember to refer to the manufacturers mixing ratio of Petrol and Oil to ensure you use the right mix and don’t damage the engine.
Step 8
Petrol Strimmer – 4 Stroke Engine – In these types of engines the Petrol and Oil do not have to be pre-mixed.
Step 9
Strimmer Features – Depending on the model and type of strimmer you choose it may have certain features, such as a telescopic handle and adjustable heads for edge cutting.
Step 10
SAFETY - You should always wear protective eye goggles when working with a strimmer and it is best if you can keep children and pets out of the garden until you have finished your work.
Acknowledgements: Video – WoodiesDIY.com
