This is the first year in my new home where I will be doing the landscaping. I just got my lawnmower and now need to get a string trimmer.
I have been researching all the different types but can't seem to decide on what type to get - I know gas models allow for easier movement but I am not sure if they are worth the money since I am using it for residential use. The corded electric trimmers seem great but my biggest concern is that I live on a corner lot that has demensions to the street of 92x92x145x70. Getting the cord all the way down to the grass past the sidewalk on the two sides that face the street may be an issue or require a much longer cord than the 100 foot extension I already have.
The last option of a battery powered electric seems to be a great option especially with some of the higher power units but I am concerned about battery life.
The other "Bonus" with the electric models is that most are both a trimmer and the head turns so it can be used as an edger - does the edging on these work well or is it just a gimmick?
As of right now I am leaning towards the Black and Decker edge hog XP which has two 18v batteries. I did see in consumer reports that it tested well for electric. If I go with a gas trimmer it would most likely be an echo or sthil.
It is all very confusing to me so I wanted to ask the awesome DIY community for opinions on what to do and what brands/modes everyone likes based on your experiences.
Here are some other essential tools that you'll need as a homeowner:
* Gas Mower (I have a Honda)
* Gas Blower (I have a Stihl)
* Wheelbarrow (I have a Jackson)
* Shovel and rake
* Nice gloves with gel pads
* Ear muffs
* Safety glasses
Thanks everyone. Lots of good info on this topic -- this is why I love this forum and have been spending a lot more time here than other forums I am on :thumbsup:
I have been looking at the the Stihl home scaper FS45 if I decide to go with a gas model which I am fairly certain is the way I will go. It was rated #1 gas trimmer by Consumer reports again this year. The only trepidation I have is that there are a lot of user reviews stating that it is hard to start and after 1 season quit working. Further research has others stating the issues are because people aren't using 90 octane unleaded gas, have bad gasil mixtures, and are leaving the gas/oil in the unit during the winter. Also the manual states you shouldn't run it at full throttle until you have run 4-5 cycles of gasil through the unit - in other words it needs to be broken in correctly. It seems like a lot of "Babying" for a power tool but in talking with another DYIr friend of mine who likes higher end tools he loves all of his Stihl products and says if treated correctly it will last a lifetime.
Here are some other essential tools that you'll need as a homeowner:
* Gas Mower (I have a Honda)
* Gas Blower (I have a Stihl)
* Wheelbarrow (I have a Jackson)
* Shovel and rake
* Nice gloves with gel pads
* Ear muffs
* Safety glasses
I appreciate that info - I have most of the tools above.
-My new Honda HRX217HXA mower was delivered yesterday
- I bought fiberglass handled spade and square shovels, garden rake and hoe from the local hard ware store on sale for $5 each last weekend
-I have gel knee pads from a previous project I did, as well as leather gloves, and safety glasses.
-I don't have a wheel barrow but there is a really heavy duty one at Costco for the same price as medium quality ones at the orange and blue stores.
I didn't think about ear muffs as I plan on using good earphones with my i-pod but I will definitely look into ear muffs.
Thanks again -- please feel free to add to this info. The more the merrier
J
I edged everything that borders the lawn & no longer use my trimmer (gas)
If you do buy one wear safety glasses for sure :thumbsup:
Also long pants & boots when using it
I prefer to minimize the amount of time required to cut the lawn
Never owned a blower, never will
I don't have a single battery operated tool
MIL has an electric mower, has owned it for years - unsure of model
Why did you stop using a string trimmer? Is your edger a manual, electric, or gas? I am looking at the trimmer due to some areas I don't think I will be able to get to with the mower - I guess I will find out as soon as I mow for the first time in this house this weekend
I appreciate the heads up on long pants when using the trimmer - I did read about people covered in grass clippings and flying debris which would suck if wearing shorts.
I have an electric blower/mulcher that I used last fall for leaves. It was really fun to use and as an added bonus my kids lover it when I used it on the leaves to make piles for them to play in :yes:
I've used gas and electric, and TBH I prefer electric. With gas you have to fight more with the choke and what not, and the speed is never constant, and it's heavier. Guess this varies, I'm sure some are better then others.
With electric, you hit the button, it goes. The only downside is having to drag that super long extension cord all over the place. I've never tried the battery ones, maybe those are decent too. You don't really need much power to spin a small line around, so I'm sure the batteries last long enough.
I started out with an electric trimmer, and its just a pain in the rear dealing with the cable. Dragging it around, having to relocate it to do different sections of the yard, coming loose from the trimmer, etc.
I went gas and haven't looked back. you can have my electric trimmer. Most of the mechanical problems you read about with gas trimmers are most likely from improper maintentance/storage.
I buy Echo equipment and ONLY echo on this small stuff.
I have an Echo gas trimmer. Works great, fires right up. I left gas in it this past winter, no problems. I took it out, pumped the bulb a few times, choked it, within 3 pulls I was cutting.
I cans witch the actual string head for a saw blade made for it and cut down shrubs and limba tree.
I have an Echo blower now, works great.
I'll be getting a chain saw and a gas hedge trimmer, only Echo.
Try trimming hedges with an electric and see how quickly you cut the cord in half?
Dragging a cord SUCKS. I'll only do gas and ONLY 2 cycle and ONLY Echo.
Did you realize the 4 cycle trimmers don't produce the torque of a 2cycle? They only have power on the stroke ever 4 trips through the cylinder whereas 2 cycle is on a power stroke every other trip.
Faster to rev up and more torque.
A battery string trimmer; I laugh for ten minutes every time I see these things advertised. Like John Stossel would say, "Give me a break!"
Electric is ok for a small yard or patio home, but for the real thing , get gas.
I have a Stihl. Yeah, they cost more than the big box stuff, but they last more than two summers and you can get them repaired when something does go wrong. Just walk into a repair shop with a Poulon, Ryobi, Homelite, etc.... they just shake their head and laugh as they tell you that this stuff is manufactured to be throw away, usually the only repair parts are cheap imported after market, and the reputable shops are not willing to ruin their reputation with these pats that break in a few months.
I think I am going to get the Stihl FS55 straight shaft trimmer. I stopped by the dealer I got my mower at since they are a Stihl and Echo dealer too. I looked at the Echo trimmers and while I am sure they are great they were about $100 more than the Stihl of comperable specs. The Stihl FS45 is a bent shaft trimmer and according to the owner (three brothers run the biz and took it over from their father - been around 50+ years) trying to edge with a bent shaft trimmer is next to impossible. Is that true? It is $50 more for the FS55. I guess if I plan to use it for edging it is worth the $50. As a small added bonus the FS55 comes with the shoulder strap. I didn't have room in my car so I will get whichever one I decide on tomorrow after work so I can comense lawn care this weekend (as long as it doesn't rain). My lawn is really long and we are the only house in our area that hasn't cut it (most have landscapers)
I decided on gas after really looking at how far from an electric socket I would need to go with the trimmer - no way I want to pull a cord that far to trim.
What's the price difference between the 55 and the 56?
Based on your concerns about starting the machine, the website indicates that the 56 has an easy start feature, a semi auto choke, and lower emissions.
To protect my legs, I picked up some shin/lower leg guards at Harbor Freight a long time ago. They look like soccer shin guards, but are made with fabric. I don't think they carry these anymore though.[/quote]I agree, much too hot for pants in the summer. I've always just taken my licks with the string trimmer like a man. Leg wounds heal. :laughing: But shin guards are definately a good idea.
I agree, much too hot for pants in the summer. I've always just taken my licks with the string trimmer like a man. Leg wounds heal. :laughing: But shin guards are definately a good idea.
So I finally mowed my lawn for the first time yesterday and quickly realized why the trimmer is important. I couldn't get to certain parts of the lawn and the edges look like crap. I was basically set on a gas trimmer but I used my electric blower/vac last night to clean up some of the grass clippings -- dragging he cord around definitely made me realize that gas was a definite.
I stopped by the Stihl dealer today after work. I ended up getting the FS56. It was an extra $50 for the 56 Vs the 55
There were a couple advantages-
1. The easy start system - not only is it easier to start the motor but because of that it is supposedly next to impossible to flood the engine. Apparantely that is a major issue that people come back in for. They don't start the motor on the FS45 or 55 correctly and keep pulling the rope which then floods the motor
2. The kill switch on the 56 is a spring back rocker switch - after you press it into off the switch springs back to the run position. On the 45 and 55 it is a manual switch and people seem to forget to put it back to the run position. That causes the engine to not start the next time they want to use it - more pulling the rope - engine floods
3. He told me the motor on the 56 is more efficient and has lower emision. This isn't the main reason I got it but the effecient part I like.
I just got it tonight so I haven't used it but I am definitely looking forward to it. Stihl gives a pair of safety glasses with it which is nice of them
just read more of this thread...my prior recommendation of gas and Stihl was for the string trimmer. For hedge trimmer...B&D Hedgehog is what you want.
Back to the string trimmer...I have the Stihl FS45 and have been happy with it....but it's starting process is quirky though consistent ...and also not documnented in the user guide. On third pull or so after priming it starts and stalls...at which time you open the choke and another pull or two starts it up. I find the whole Easy 2 Start feature kind of amusing...I mean...it implies that versions without it are "Hard 2 Start". Shouldn't any well designed product be easy to start without having an extra feature to do so?
Separate subject...."trying to edge with a bent shaft trimmer is next to impossible"....that sounds a bit dramatic. I have the FS45 that has bent shaft and it edges quite easily...for me. I'm not sure what it is about a bent shaft that would make it any harder at all vs. straight shaft.
Lastly...shinguards? I guess it depends on how much trimmming you are doing and conditions on your lot....I'm all for safety but shinguards seems kinda silly to me. I'd say just wear long pants if you are worried about it...but I regularly trim in shorts and have never had a problem
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