Choosing a Trimmer

A string trimmer will help you give your yard a well-groomed look around trees, fence posts and other landscape objects. Choose a quality trimmer that is comfortable to carry and use.

• The Engine
  Purchase a string trimmer with a quality engine, designed for the job you expect it do. The Briggs & Stratton Fource^™ 4-cycle engine can be found on several brands of string trimmers. Your Briggs & Stratton dealer can help you select a trimmer that is both comfortable to use and will get the job done. Find a Briggs Stratton dealer in your area.


• 2-Cycle vs. 4-Cycle Engine
  You will need to choose between a string trimmer with a 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine. The 2-cycle engine runs on a mixture of gasoline and oil. This means you will have to mix the appropriate ratio of gasoline and oil and keep it on hand in a separate fuel container for your trimmer. The 4-cycle engine requires only gasoline, just like a typical lawn mower. The 4-cycle engine tends to be more powerful at lower speeds and runs cleaner, producing fewer emissions than a 2-cycle engine without a catalytic converter.


• Straight or Curved Shaft
  String trimmers can have either a straight or curved shaft which connects the engine to the trimming head. The curved shaft trimmers are generally economical to purchase and work well for average-size yards. The curved shaft string trimmers are among the lightest in weight, and are easy to level for a clean cut without scalping the lawn.
  
  Straight shaft trimmers are the choice of most landscape professionals. They provide additional reach beneath bushes and into other hard-to-reach areas. Straight-shaft models produce less vibration, which can add to their comfort level when undertaking trimming jobs that will take more than a few minutes. They often have optional attachments you can purchase for edging, hedge trimming and other trimming jobs. Somewhat heavier than curved-shaft models, straight shaft string trimmers also are more expensive.


• Comfort Level
  A gas-powered string trimmer generally weighs between 10 and 15 pounds, with the curved shaft trimmers being lighter than the straight-shaft models. When shopping for a string trimmer, be sure to hold the trimmer as though you were trimming, and walk with it. Does it feel balanced? Is it light-weight enough for you to handle? Most string trimmers come with a shoulder strap to help relieve pressure on your arms when carrying the trimmer.


• String Trimmer Features
  Some string trimmers have an automatic string-advance system, which continues to feed out the nylon cutting string as needed (the string basically wears away little by little as you trim). Other string trimmers have a bump-feed string system - you must tap the head the trimmer on the ground to advance the string. Placing new string on a trimmer the first time can be challenging. Some trimmers are easier to string than others ask your dealer to explain the system on the trimmers you are interested in. Some trimmer models accept easy-to-load, individual nylon strings that you simply insert in the trimmer head. This system works well for individuals who change the line frequently.