May 2008
String trimmers review
How to find the best string trimmer
Even the best-kept lawn won't look its best with untrimmed walks and tall grass poking up around trees and fence posts. The
latest string trimmers address both lawn-grooming issues with more performance and convenience for less
Our top performers are still mostly gas-powered and are still your first choice for whacking down the taller stuff and trimming far from an outlet. More now have spring-assisted starting, which makes pulling the starter cord easier. More gas trimmers also provide a relatively foolproof sequence for pushing the fuel-primer bulb and engaging the choke.
Lower exhaust emissions are another plus as manufacturers meet recently toughened California and federal regulations. Deere and Echo are among a handful of trimmer brands that certify some engines to meet those regulations for 300 hours instead of the 50 hours for most trimmers. A higher number also tends to signify longer engine life. But at prices that begin at $200 or so, these premium trimmers carry a premium price.
Tired of the mess and tangles associated with loading line? More consumer trimmers use pro-style, fixed-head lines that let you simply thread in a piece at a time. The high-rated gas Stihl FS 45 C Easy2Start, $170, comes with a line head that lets you replace the line with the old spool in place.
Lower-priced electric string trimmers are getting more attention as America goes green. But weeks of trimming and edging at Tarrytown, New York's historic Lyndhurst mansion revealed some significant differences in handling and cutting power for electric and gas trimmers. We also found that trimmers make being green a little harder, and one new combo tool proved more than a handful. Here are the details:
When two for one means less. The $70 corded-electric Craftsman 74540 includes a power blower built into its cutting head for blowing away clippings. While the blower performed well, trimming and edging—a string trimmer's primary tasks— were subpar. At more than 12 pounds, the Craftsman also weighs more than many gas trimmers and some 4 pounds more than most electrics, A bulky trimmer-blower head that blocked our view and contributed to scalping is an added gripe.
When cleaner means heavier. The gas-powered $170 Cub Cadet 4125, $200 Craftsman 79614, and $165 Troy-Bilt TB465SS have four-cycle engines instead of the usual two-cycle power plants. Four-stroke engines tend to start more easily and pollute less, since they burn straight gasoline instead of a two-stroke's gas-and-oil mixture. And while none of these three is cheap, four-stroke trimmers have trimmed their prices. But at about 13 to 14 pounds, these three still weigh more than most two-stroke trimmers and weren't among our top performers.
Where cordless means less power. Battery-powered string trimmers seem like the best of both worlds: Freedom from a cord without a gas model's fueling, fumes, and tune-ups. But wimpy performance and limited run time per charge make cordless trimmers a poor choice for all but the lightest-duty trimming. And while many cordless trimmers cost well under $100, some, like the $160 Worx WG150 we tested, can cost twice what you'll pay for a far more capable model.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Keep these shopping points in mind at the store:
Consider your landscape. Straight-shaft trimmers can reach beneath shrubs more easily than curved-shaft models. They're also easier to handle for taller users and are less likely to spatter you with clippings. Curved-shaft trimmers trade a straight shaft's longer reach for easier maneuvering and, often, less weight.
Check its specs. Most gas-powered trimmers run on 87-octane regular, though some brands recommend 89-octane fuel for models with higher engine compression.
Most manufacturers also tell you which size replacement line fits your trimmer. Line that's too thin can compromise cutting power, while line that's too thick can bog down a trimmer's engine or motor.
Check the gap. Tall grass and weeds can slow or stall a trimmer by wrapping around the top of its cutting head, especially if there's a gap between it and the mounting for the grass-debris guard. Models with a small gap or a protective sleeve around the shaft avoided that problem and did well in tall grass.
See how it feels. Check the balance by adjusting the front handle for a comfortable reach and holding the trimmer in the cutting position with both hands. Its weight should feel evenly distributed from top to bottom or slightly heavier at the top. Also be sure controls work smoothly and are easy to reach. If you're left-handed, see that any gas trimmer you're considering has a deflector to aim hot exhaust gases rearward; most have it.
Our top performers are still mostly gas-powered and are still your first choice for whacking down the taller stuff and trimming far from an outlet. More now have spring-assisted starting, which makes pulling the starter cord easier. More gas trimmers also provide a relatively foolproof sequence for pushing the fuel-primer bulb and engaging the choke.
Lower exhaust emissions are another plus as manufacturers meet recently toughened California and federal regulations. Deere and Echo are among a handful of trimmer brands that certify some engines to meet those regulations for 300 hours instead of the 50 hours for most trimmers. A higher number also tends to signify longer engine life. But at prices that begin at $200 or so, these premium trimmers carry a premium price.
Tired of the mess and tangles associated with loading line? More consumer trimmers use pro-style, fixed-head lines that let you simply thread in a piece at a time. The high-rated gas Stihl FS 45 C Easy2Start, $170, comes with a line head that lets you replace the line with the old spool in place.
Lower-priced electric string trimmers are getting more attention as America goes green. But weeks of trimming and edging at Tarrytown, New York's historic Lyndhurst mansion revealed some significant differences in handling and cutting power for electric and gas trimmers. We also found that trimmers make being green a little harder, and one new combo tool proved more than a handful. Here are the details:
When two for one means less. The $70 corded-electric Craftsman 74540 includes a power blower built into its cutting head for blowing away clippings. While the blower performed well, trimming and edging—a string trimmer's primary tasks— were subpar. At more than 12 pounds, the Craftsman also weighs more than many gas trimmers and some 4 pounds more than most electrics, A bulky trimmer-blower head that blocked our view and contributed to scalping is an added gripe.
When cleaner means heavier. The gas-powered $170 Cub Cadet 4125, $200 Craftsman 79614, and $165 Troy-Bilt TB465SS have four-cycle engines instead of the usual two-cycle power plants. Four-stroke engines tend to start more easily and pollute less, since they burn straight gasoline instead of a two-stroke's gas-and-oil mixture. And while none of these three is cheap, four-stroke trimmers have trimmed their prices. But at about 13 to 14 pounds, these three still weigh more than most two-stroke trimmers and weren't among our top performers.
Where cordless means less power. Battery-powered string trimmers seem like the best of both worlds: Freedom from a cord without a gas model's fueling, fumes, and tune-ups. But wimpy performance and limited run time per charge make cordless trimmers a poor choice for all but the lightest-duty trimming. And while many cordless trimmers cost well under $100, some, like the $160 Worx WG150 we tested, can cost twice what you'll pay for a far more capable model.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Keep these shopping points in mind at the store:
Consider your landscape. Straight-shaft trimmers can reach beneath shrubs more easily than curved-shaft models. They're also easier to handle for taller users and are less likely to spatter you with clippings. Curved-shaft trimmers trade a straight shaft's longer reach for easier maneuvering and, often, less weight.
Check its specs. Most gas-powered trimmers run on 87-octane regular, though some brands recommend 89-octane fuel for models with higher engine compression.
Most manufacturers also tell you which size replacement line fits your trimmer. Line that's too thin can compromise cutting power, while line that's too thick can bog down a trimmer's engine or motor.
Check the gap. Tall grass and weeds can slow or stall a trimmer by wrapping around the top of its cutting head, especially if there's a gap between it and the mounting for the grass-debris guard. Models with a small gap or a protective sleeve around the shaft avoided that problem and did well in tall grass.
See how it feels. Check the balance by adjusting the front handle for a comfortable reach and holding the trimmer in the cutting position with both hands. Its weight should feel evenly distributed from top to bottom or slightly heavier at the top. Also be sure controls work smoothly and are easy to reach. If you're left-handed, see that any gas trimmer you're considering has a deflector to aim hot exhaust gases rearward; most have it.
TRIM WITH CARE
To avoid injury and protect yourself when using a string trimmer:
To avoid injury and protect yourself when using a string trimmer:
- Wear safety glasses or goggles.
- Wear earplugs. All but the cordless trimmers emitted the 85 decibels at which we recommend ear protection.
- Wear long pants and boots to protect legs and feet from kicked-up debris.
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