Lets Talk About Trimmers

Most of the posts so far have focused on lawnmowers, but it could be argued that the weed trimmer is just as important when it comes to your lawn-care arsenal. Sure, the mower does most of the work; but every homeowner knows that the devil is in the details when it comes to the silent competition between neighbors for best lawn. You’re done for if you don’t clean up the edges, and a trimmer is the best way to do it. But how do you know what kind of weed trimmer to get? Use this guide to determine which type is best for your application and if you have a trimmer and are struggling to get it to work and are watching those edges keep growing check out are great tiller service in Salt lake City UT. 

Curved-Shaft Trimmers

Curved-shaft trimmers are among the most popular because they are generally lightweight and easy to use. They get their name because of the bend in the shaft toward the cutting head. This bend brings the cutting head closer to the operator, which makes it a little easier to handle for detail work and getting at those tricky spots. Because of the bend in the shaft, these trimmers are driven by a flexible cable that runs from the motor to the cutting head. The flexible nature of this cable limits the amount of power that can be applied from the engine, as too powerful of a motor would cause it to break. That said, these machines are more than capable of handling the vast majority of jobs in a suburban setting.

Traight-Shaft Trimmers

Straight-shaft trimmers are most commonly used for industrial uses, or by those with particularly large jobs. Rather than the flexible drive cable used in curved-shaft trimmers, these have a rigid drive shaft. This results in increased durability and power transfer from the motor. This means that more powerful motors can be used. While the straight shaft allows for more power, it also means that the cutting head is further from the operator. This can make getting a level cut slightly more difficult for the inexperienced. These also tend to be heavier than their curved-shaft counterparts.

Rolling Trimmers

Rolling trimmers are a slightly newer development in the lawn-care industry. These machines look like a mix between a standard push mower and a string trimmer. Their rolling platform allows for larger and much more powerful engines along with a wider cutting radius. Unfortunately, their minimum cutting heights are relatively high when compared to most lawn mowers, making them essentially useless for all but the most niche projects.

At the end of the day, the type of trimmer you get depends entirely upon how you intend to use it. Curved-shaft trimmers are perfect for most residential uses because of their light weight and maneuverability. Straight-shaft trimmers are great for larger projects and industrial uses because of the increase in power and length of the drive shaft. Rolling trimmers are useful for some specific applications, but most people have no need for them. Consider these tips before you buy and you’re sure to end up with a machine that is perfect for you.

By: Kyson Crowell