Here’s How to Make Lawn Maintenance Easier with a Grass Trimmer

Powerful Gas Grass Trimmers

A gas-powered grass trimmer packs the most power. It’s great for large trimming jobs or for cutting through thick grass, weeds and brush. Gas grass trimmers need regular maintenance. Be sure to replace air filters and spark plugs as required.

Pros:

Four-cycle engines only require regular gasoline, but be sure to add fuel stabilizer before winter storage to ensure a quick start-up in spring
Two-cycle models are cheaper but you need to mix your own oil and gas for fuel (or buy a premixed solution)

Easy-Care Electric Grass Trimmers

Electric grass trimmers are less powerful than gas lawn trimmers, but they’re lighter and easier to handle. Ideal for light trimming jobs and smaller properties, an electric lawn trimmer starts easily with the push of a button, so there’s no mussing about with gas or fuel mixtures. All you need is an extension cord and access to an electrical outlet. A corded grass trimmer can limit portability, but on the other hand, you won’t run out of power before the job is done.

Convenient Cordless Grass Trimmers

Designed for easy mobility, a cordless grass trimmer is lightweight and battery-powered, eliminating the restriction of a cord. Quiet, easy to use, and easy to maintain, a cordless lawn trimmer is great for cutting medium- to large-areas with light weeds.

Be sure to keep your battery-powered grass trimmer fully charged to maximize run-time, and to ensure you’re always fully charged at the start of a job.

Factors to Consider Before You Buy Your Lawn Trimmer

In addition to type, there are other factors to consider when purchasing a grass trimmer.

Curved or Straight Shaft?

Trimmers come with either a straight shaft or a curved shaft:

A straight shaft model is best for heavy-duty jobs and is ideal for accessing hard-to-reach spaces under decks, fences and bushes
A curved shaft model is often lighter and easier to handle: it’s ideal for trimming tight areas and makes it easier to work along sidewalks, driveways and gardens

Cutting Swath

A trimmer’s cutting swath refers to the width the trimmer can cut. A wider cutting diameter saves time and can be more efficient. A smaller diameter is more effective in hard-to-reach places.

Consider these size guidelines when choosing a new string trimmer:

7–8 inches: Smaller jobs

11–12 inches: Light use

14–15 inches: Moderate use

17 inches and higher: Heavy-duty use

Line Feed System

Grass trimmers are available with two different line feed systems, each with its own unique benefits:

A bump feed system allows you to manually release more string by “bumping” the trimmer head on the ground
An automatic feed system self-directs the trim line by advancing the string when you release the trigger

Spools

A grass trimmer’s spool is the cylinder the grass trimmer line is wound around. There are two types available:

A fixed spool allows you to wind your own replacement string around it
A replaceable spool is easier to change: you simply pop in a new string cartridge when the previous string runs out

Trimmer Line Shapes

Round: Round trimmer line is standard and commonly used for residential yards. It’s best for lighter use and minimal weeds. It is flexible, durable, and easy to replace.

Multisided: Multisided line commonly comes in a square, star or pentagon shape, and is well-suited to dense grass and weeds. Ideal for medium-duty jobs and larger yards, it cuts quickly, evenly and efficiently.

Serrated: Serrated trimmer line is ideal for medium-to-heavy jobs and larger areas with a lot of overgrown weeds. The edges act like teeth to quickly saw through thick grass blades and thick leaves, leaving a cleaner look and professional appearance.

Twisted: Twisted trimmer line is ideal for heavy-duty use and heavy, thick weeds. It’s durable, and the twisted design provides a cleaner cut than round line, making it less likely to tear grass. It can also reduce trimmer vibrations and noise levels for quieter work.

Line Diameter

Trimmer line comes in many different diameters and weights. A larger diameter increases cutting power and durability against thicker grasses and weeds. A lighter weight is better for yards where there are minimal weeds and thick grasses.

Consider these guidelines:

Light to Medium Use: 0.060 inches–0.080 inches

Medium to Heavy Use: 0.085 inches–0.105 inches

Heavy-Duty Use: 0.110+ inches

Professional Use: 0.15+ inches

NOTE: Always check the owner’s manual to verify the diameter of grass trimmer line your model can handle. Check out our selection of weed whacker lines to find the right fit for your trimmer.

Grass Trimmer Attachments for Multi-Use Convenience

For added versatility, you can use a variety of attachments with your grass trimmer (if it features a split shaft). Some common attachments that help to make lawn maintenance easier include:

Hedge Trimmer Attachment: Use to cut any overgrowth.

Edger Attachment: If your grass trimmer isn’t edge-capable, you can add an edger. This attachment makes it easy to switch from trimming to edging.

Brush Cutter Attachment: Use to clear tough terrain or thick brush.

Pole Saw Attachment: Use to clear thicker overgrowth that is difficult to reach.

Cultivator Attachment: Use to blend and aerate soil to promote healthy grass

Blower Attachment: Use to remove leaves or debris before trimming your lawn.