Tip of the Day: Use a string trimmer to manicure your yard

A string trimmer picks up where your lawn mower or tractor can’t reach, providing the finishing touches as it eliminates grass and weeds around trees and flower beds, along your driveway, and other areas of your property.

If parts of your yard are starting to look a little woolly, it could be time for you to buy a string trimmer. The long Memorial Day weekend means you might find some deals in stores (string trimmers cost about $20 for entry-level electric models and up to $250 for commercial-grade gasoline units), plus you should have a few extra hours to make your outdoor areas look their best.

Keep these points in mind when you’re shopping for a new model, and see our string trimmer product page for more information, including our latest test information and Ratings (available to subscribers).

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 the 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. Using other than the specified size can result in poor line feeding from the line spool at the cutting head. Line that's too thin can compromise cutting performance in heavier grass and weeds, while line that's too thick can be too aggressive resulting in an uneven and ragged cut.

Mind 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.

Give it the once-over. Check the balance of the trimmer 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 the 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.

Essential information: Read about how Consumer Reports tests string trimmers.

Comments

[Bob StihlFan]

This is perfect timing....with Labor Day approaching, I was debating on how I may make those precise landscaping edits to my yard...a string trimmer would definitely do the trick.