Donegan's Guide To Choosing A Grass Trimmer

So now that spring has sprung, the grass is beginning to flourish. You need a tool to clean up the edges of your grass because they are beginning to appear a little messy. However it can be difficult to know which grass trimmer you need to manage your lawn. With so many options available, we're here to assist you in selecting the best grass trimmer for your needs.

 What is a grass trimmer?

Grass trimmers, also called strimmers (or string trimmers, line trimmers, weed whackers), are primarily made for light work in the garden or around the property. The diameter of the cutting line will vary according on the model. However, there are alternative cutting attachments that may be useful for dealing with slightly more difficult grass growth. Grass trimmers are an excellent tool for keeping your lawn in pristine shape all year round.

What are you trimming?

What kind of task do you require the instrument to complete is among the first questions you should ask yourself and is usually the first question we ask whn you visit us in our shop. It's possible that your garden needs extensive maintenance, including removal of tough weeds and brambles. In this situation, we would direct you toward our selection of brushcutters rather than our lawn trimmer line. Our grass trimmers, however, are more than up to the challenge if the labor consists of routine lawn and grass upkeep with the occasional session of strimming?

Your next choice is whether to go for a cordless (battery powered), petrol or electric grass trimmer. Each have their benefits as explained below.

Cordless, battery-powered grass trimmers

Powerful cordless gardening equipment have been increasingly popular in recent years as cordless technology has advanced. Given how handy battery tools are—not only are they emission-free, but they are also quiet and simple to use—this shouldn't really come as a surprise. Our selection of cordless STIHL grass trimmers strikes the ideal combination between strength and portability. The FSA 45 Lithium-Ion grass trimmer is the best solution for maintaining little lawns when it comes to being lightweight and small. With a total weight of under 2.3 kg, including the built-in battery, this trimmer has a ton of extra capabilities to make your job easier.
As with all STIHL cordless grass trimmers, the FSA 45 is powered by lithium-ion technology, giving you all the power you need when you need it without the extra noise and exhaust fumes that come from a petrol engine, or the hassle of having to drag a cable around the garden when using a mains electric trimmer.

If you need more power to maintain a larger lawn, the FSA 57 battery-powered grass trimmer provides it along with the added convenience of being lightweight, well-balanced, and easy to operate. The FSA 57 is powered by a 36V Lithium-Ion battery that can also be used with the other cordless equipment in the AK System, which is ideal for medium-sized gardens and consists of two lawn mowers, a blower, two chainsaws, a hedge trimmer, and a long-reach hedge trimmer. The FSA 57 gives you a solid alternative for dealing with slightly longer, thicker grass growth because it can run both 1.6 mm (standard) and 2.0 mm diameter cutting line (optional).

Petrol grass trimmers

Petrol grass trimmers are suitable for large gardens and areas where there may be weeds and much thicker grass growth. The FS 38 and FS 40 petrol lawn trimmers have very similar operating characteristics, however they have a few minor visual and starting differences. If you're searching for a strong yet portable gasoline tool, the FS 38 is a fantastic option. If you prefer something with a more obvious starting mechanism, go with the FS 40. If you want a little bit more power with the advantage of STIHL's ErgoStart system, go no further than the FS 50 C-E. STIHL ErgoStart reduces the amount of effort needed to start the machine. We recommend the FS 40 or FS 50 if you find pulling the pullcord difficult or the starting proceedure hard to understand as both these models have a simpfied starting routine and are very easy to pull to start.

Recommended fuel for your Machine

We always advise using STIHL MotoMix  or Aspen premixed fuel to refuel your petrol grass trimmer. MotoMix and Aspen are superior to regular fuel in many ways since it has little to no chemicals and no added ethanol, resulting in a cleaner burn that is better for the environment and you. The addition of ethanol to station fuel over time can cause it to absorb water, which can be particularly harmful for two-stroke petrol engines and cause running problems. MotoMix or Aspen can be stored for up to five years without the risk of it separating, unlike a typical fuel/two-stroke combination that will after a few weeks. This is because they include no ethanol at all.

What Personal Protective Equipment should you wear with your grass trimmer?

Use the necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) whenever utilizing any power equipment for your own safety. We advise wearing snug-fitting clothing that covers your legs and arms, proper work gloves, safety boots, and safety glasses and a transparent face visor (all of which are EN 166 approved) to protect your eyes and face from any debris when using lawn trimmers.

Don’t forget to check for wildlife

t’s always vital to check for wildlife before using any power tools in the garden. When using a grass trimmer, always check  before beginning work because hedgehogs, which are in decline in Ireland, frequently bed down in long grass or weeds.

Storage of your Grass trimmer

When you pop your STIHL lawn trimmer back into the shed or garage, it is always good giving it a brief clean to get rid of any grass build-up around the head and shaft. When utilizing cordless tools, be sure the machine is turned off and the battery is removed before you begin. The best option is a brush and a little elbow grease, and the sooner you clean it up after using it, the simpler it will be to do so. We advise against using a power washer because it could harm the device.

Put the tool on a bracket or screw after it has been well cleaned (if it has a hanging eyelet). It keeps everything out of the damp and provides for a more organized shed or garage when it is stored suspended off the ground.

For cordless tools we recommend storing the batteries somewhere separate to the tool that has a more ambient, consistent temperature. They'll be prepared whenever you need them if you do it that way. In our blog post about battery care and maintenance, we go into further detail about how to take care of your battery.

We advise running the fuel tank dry and leaving no fuel in the grass trimmer's fuel tank when storing it for more than 4-6 weeks. If the fuel starts to go off, this will help to ensure that there are no deposits or buildup around the fuel supply system.

As you can see there are plenty of different grass trimmers to choose from, but if you need further advice, why not visit us at Donegans and take a look at the options in person?