Line Trimmer - Petrol or Mains Powered?
 

Hi,

I have a (most of the time) well kept average sized garden. Lawn area in total is about probably about 100 square metres or so. For years, I had engaged the services of a gardener but recently with the addition of a dog to the family, this is no longer an option as those morons do not know how to shut a gate.

I once had a (supposedly high end) 2 stroke line trimmer and had nothing but dramas with it. So much so that I ended the relationship by using doing a "Pete Townsend" with it against the concrete floor.......

So now I am back in the market and scared of another case of "line trimmer buyers remorse". On the other hand, I'm interested to hear from those with electric ones. Do they suck too?

sorry, electric sucks.

get a good quality 2-stroke and never look back. i got a STIHL that eats up my crappy weeds with ease. 100 sq M is realitively too big to drag a cord around. and rechargeables? dunno.

if you do as the instructions say, a good 2 stroke will start everytime.

only women use electrics. I picked up some cheapie at Home Depot and it works decently. I wanted the smallest engine possible in case I decide to finish building my remote control boat :D

My petrol-powered weedwacker is called a "Bushmaster", I think.

It handles trimming my acre's edging no problemo.

If you keep your lawn up well (no small trees to cut down), an electric trimmer is fine. You don't need to come up with gas or oil and it is relatively quiet (so you don't disturb your neighbors). It is also much cooler and lighter to operate...and usually less expensive.

I has a ~$100 gas version that doubles(tripples?) as a blower and edger with attachements. It's not pro grade, but it works great, hasnt never given me a problem and it's WAY faster to use than an electric.

Against the consensus here (but it still is early days - and the opinionated Australians have not chimed in yet), I'm leaning toward electric for some of the reasons Fint has stated.

.....and the fact that my leaf blower is electric also, so the cable will already be out.

I also agree with Flint, especially if your yard isn't big. But, I would buy a reasonably heavy duty electric if I were you. They last a lot longer. I have used the electric ones for a long time, and the only problem is a really light one won't do a good enough job. Oops, I forgot. Another problem - if you dont' pay attention - is that you might whack your extention cord once in a while. I also have a 31cc Craftsman gas weed whacker. It's great for heavy stuff where you don't have electricity available.

Buy an Echo. Used one everyday while working landscaping for 2 years. This trimmer (SRM-210 I think) got the crap beat out of it and no maintenance ever and it started all the time.

Have had both. Got tired of trying to start the damm gas powered version after it was a year old. Found a electric version at Home Depot for $30 and plugged it into the wall. Starts fine and does more than enough of what I use it for.

JoeA

Back in the day I used to have a helluva time starting gas trimmers, etc..., but these days trimmers start easily every time. Times have changed. Go for the gas.

This is excellent advice! If I don't follow the starting procedure to the letter, it won't start. Once I learned this, starting my piece of crap McCulloch has been trouble free for years.

Mike

gas is best, really.

But, I have an electric since I don't have a big yard. I bought the most heavy duty one I could get at Home Depot and it has been bulletproof for over 4 years now.

the cord gets old, but I can deal with it.


-Chris

Dude, like you have to ask an Aussie??!! If you are a complete efeminate, go with the bamix!

I admit it; I started with electricity :o

But there is no doubt my $90 Bunnings petrol "weed wasp" is streets ahead!

we started with electric as well...some bottom end black and decker trimmer. It had trouble with some of the um..."things" that grow in the yard. When it came my turn to take care of it I bought a 4 stroke (not a fan of 2 stroke smell and noise...sounds like a moped) weed wacker and levelled the lot. :D It's so powerful sometimes it cuts too much too fast...when I'm not paying attention. :D

I too have had both...trust me, if you've got even a moderate size yard, ditch the thoughts of electric. Dragging power cords around trees, bushes, fences, dogs, wifes, kids, swing sets....geez, you'll go nuts. Agree, new gas trimmers are a quantum leap better, consider there's a reason the pros use gas trimmers.