How to use the grass trimmer correctly

Working in wet weather

If there is a need to mow with a trimmer in any weather, then it definitely must be gasoline, since it tolerates wet weather well. Although, according to the instructions, work in the rain or on wet grass is also prohibited by some manufacturers of such gasoline equipment. This is also worth considering when choosing a grass trimmer.

The electric motor is the most vulnerable place to moisture with cordless trimmers. Accordingly, if it is located on top, then there is less chance of moisture getting there from the grass, but in rainy weather they cannot work either.

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Most moisture sensitive AC powered grass trimmers.

Typically, water from wet grass enters the connectors of the extension cord, where an electric arc can occur that can ignite the insulating plastic or cause a short circuit. Such a defect is “corrected” by buying a new extension cord or replacing the plug, but moisture ingress on the engine or control circuit leads to irreversible failure of the grass trimmer. In addition, it is simply dangerous to work with such a tool in the rain, since there is a high probability of electric shock.

Slope handling

The slope is also processed according to the principle of “cut grass to the left”, choosing the direction so that its top is on the right. Having reached the end of the section, they return to the starting point, rise higher by the width of the stroke and mow the next strip.

DIY garden and vegetable garden

Preparing the grass trimmer for use

Preparing the grass trimmer for work begins with checking the condition of all parts and assembling according to the instructions. Make sure that the gearbox is lubricated and that there is enough oil in the crankcase of the four-stroke petrol grass trimmer. The fuel, depending on the type of engine, two- or four-stroke, is a mixture of gasoline with a special oil in a ratio of 40-50: 1 or, accordingly, pure gasoline. After the fuel tank is full, all that remains is to open the tap and you can try to start the grass trimmer, remembering that before you start mowing, you need it to idle for 2-3 minutes.

With an electric cordless tool, everything is simple. after checking the presence of lubricant, it is enough to insert a charged battery into the corresponding slot so that it is ready for use. If the tool is powered from the mains, then an extension cord will be required to the intended place of haircut. The wire must be located outside the range of possible action of the grass trimmer blades.

The site should be free of foreign objects as much as possible: glass, stones, wire, snags, etc. The presence of people closer than 15 meters is also undesirable. Depending on the capabilities of your particular grass trimmer and the job to be done, you need to select the appropriate cutting attachment. You can use a mowing head with a grass line, metal knives for weeds or hay, or a bush saw. Mowing should be planned so as to move away from buildings and people.

How to mow with a trimmer

The grass trimmer should fit well in your hand. Many people prefer a fairly light tool that can work “on the weight”. Otherwise, it should be well balanced, on a comfortable belt or backpack harness, as it will not be possible to mow properly with a trimmer without this. A very convenient tool with a “bicycle” handle allows you to easily hold the mowing head at approximately constant height when mowing, and the tip of the cutting tool at the desired distance from the ground. In order for the fishing line to serve longer, it is undesirable to bring it close to fences, curbs, brickwork and other solid objects. In addition, the head should not touch the ground unnecessarily.

How to choose a grass trimmer for a summer cottage? Which is better: gasoline or electric? Find out here.

We start with safety

Of the protective devices, the goggles and gloves recommended by the instructions do not hurt at all, but the most important is the protection of the legs. The cutting tool, especially when mowing with a gasoline trimmer with metal knives, rotating at huge speeds, picks up debris, pebbles and cuttings of vegetation, scattering at such a speed that they can injure a person. Therefore, it is advisable to work in trousers and closed shoes or boots.

As for ear protection, there is a tangible need for this only for the “loudest” petrol trimmer. based on a two-stroke engine. They are usually equipped with special headband headphones to reduce the sound pressure on the eardrum.

General operating principles of the grass trimmer

As a rule, the cutting tool rotates counterclockwise, so you can work with the trimmer in the same way as with an oblique molding, making 1-2 strokes from right to left with a gradual advance of 15-30 cm. Then the cut grass remains on the treated surface on the left. Because the line cuts best with the tip, the swing speed and grip are empirical. With fast wiring, the cut occurs with the entire length of the cutting tool, in this case the motor is unnecessarily overloaded, and the grass is more often wound around the head.

How to use a grass trimmer?

These devices are used by many owners of country houses, they are simple, convenient and relatively inexpensive, but in order to get the most out of their use, let’s figure out how to use a grass trimmer and what secrets you need to know in order to get the job done as quickly as possible.

How to use the grass trimmer correctly?

First you need to look at the technical instructions, general information on how to use the grass trimmer of the model you purchased, such as the location of the power button, the available modes, the accessories used, are in this document. After that, you should start choosing the operating mode of the device, for this, determine the type of grass on the site, for plants with soft stems, a fishing line is usually used, and for hard ones, such as small bushes, a knife. If the device model you have chosen does not make it possible to change the mode, that is, only a fishing line or a knife can be installed in it, then you can skip this item.

Next, you should turn on the device to the network, or charge the battery, or pour fuel into the tank, depending on what type of device you bought. In order to understand how to fill and use the petrol grass trimmer, you will have to open the technical manual, find the type of fuel that is used in this model, and fill the tank with a suitable fuel. Remember that you cannot change the type of fuel yourself, the device may fail or its engine will start to stall.

Now, when the device is ready for work, it is necessary to correctly install it in relation to the grass, for this, remember a few rules, firstly, place it parallel to the area that you are going to process, and secondly, it is necessary to divide the entire territory into squares in advance, and work only in the selected area, moving from one mowing zone to another.

To understand how to use a grass trimmer with a line or knife, it is important to remember that the cutting mechanisms of the devices work counterclockwise, which means that you will have to mow the plants in two movements. The first (from right to left) cut only the top of the plant, the second (from left to right), the grass is mowed completely. Take your time to work, until you are used to using the grass trimmer, mowing the grass will be quite slow, but when you get your hand, the process will go much faster.

Working in wet weather

If there is a need to mow with a trimmer in any weather, then it definitely must be gasoline, since it tolerates wet weather well. Although, according to the instructions, work in the rain or on wet grass is also prohibited by some manufacturers of such gasoline equipment. This is also worth considering when choosing a grass trimmer.

The electric motor is the most vulnerable place to moisture with cordless trimmers. Accordingly, if it is located on top, then there is less chance of moisture getting there from the grass, but in rainy weather they cannot work either.

Most moisture sensitive AC powered grass trimmers.

Typically, water from wet grass enters the connectors of the extension cord, where an electric arc can occur that can ignite the insulating plastic or cause a short circuit. Such a defect is “corrected” by buying a new extension cord or replacing the plug, but moisture ingress on the engine or control circuit leads to irreversible failure of the grass trimmer. In addition, it is simply dangerous to work with such a tool in the rain, since there is a high probability of electric shock.

Haircut rules

It is not difficult to mow the lawn with the described device. It must be held by the handle and made in a circular motion. Grass trimmers are available with shoulder straps and curved handles for ease of operation.

Did you know? The first grass trimmer consisted of an empty pre-drilled tin can, a drill, and heavy line. It was developed in the 70s of the XX century.

When mowing, you should adhere to a number of mandatory rules:

• Do not cut the grass after rain or extreme heat. In the first case, the lawn will be mowed unevenly due to soil soggy with water, in the second, the grass cover will not be restored evenly.
• First, you need to cut the area around the edges, and then remove excess grass in the center of the area. This will help keep the grass at the same length when mowing.
• After pruning, plants should be watered and fed, as cutting is stressful for them. These measures will help maintain the normal appearance of the lawn.
• The removed tops of the grass must be collected and removed from the site.

The first mowing of a new lawn is done in 7-10 days. Subsequently, this work should be carried out from April to October. The frequency of cutting depends on the variety of plants and the weather, but in any case it should be done once a week, and at the beginning of summer. once every 3-4 days. The height of the cover should not exceed 6 cm.

How to use the grass trimmer correctly

If we are mowing the grass, then, of course, it will be interesting for us to learn how to mow the grass, how to use the trimmer, and also how to mow with the trimmer.

Filling the lawn mower with petrol and oil

The tool must be filled with fuel before mowing with the petrol cutter. Gasoline with oil is used as fuel. However, keep in mind that you only need to mix gasoline with oil for two-stroke engines. Four-stroke engines run on pure gasoline, since their design has a separate container. an oil sump. There is no oil sump in the design of 2-stroke petrol trimmers, therefore, only gasoline and oil should be poured into the tank.

It is recommended to use AI-92 fuel as gasoline. In order not to make a mistake in choosing, you need to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Often, most manufacturers recommend using AI-92 fuel, and only a few recommend pouring AI-95.

Gasoline must be diluted with small in a ratio of 1 to 25. This means that 40 ml of two-stroke oil must be added to 1 liter of gasoline. However, not everything is so simple here either. The proportion of 1 to 25 is universal, but each instrument model has its own values. These values ​​are also indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions. For more information on how to properly dilute gasoline and oil into a lawn mower, see here. After diluting gasoline with oil, fill in a full tank and start working.

It is interesting! If you refuel a four-stroke lawn mower, then you need to fill the tank with clean gasoline, and add engine oil to the oil container to the maximum level.

Note

The trimmer head (mowing head or grass trimmer reel) has a high performance when mowing grass because it is lighter for a metal knife and has a larger grip diameter. 45 cm, versus 25 cm for a hay knife.

How to cut grass with a trimmer head (grass trimmer spool, cutter head, grass trimmer spool)

• Listen to the string while trimming: let it run at your own speed.
• Don’t slip or stumble!
• See what you mow and where you mow (remember that you are always being watched!).
• String consumption and wear on the trimmer head (mowing head, grass trimmer coil) increases among stones, bricks, concrete, metal fences, etc.
• To mow the grass with a trimmer and not damage the bark of trees and bushes, you can release a little gas or work with a string shortened to 10-12 cm.
• Wind the line tightly and evenly around the drum of the trimmer head (to avoid vibrations).
• Immediately after you have finished mowing with the trimmer head: Thoroughly clean the plastic guard and accessory guard with a screwdriver. And also wash the sight, the trimmer head itself and the entire outside of the lawn mower with warm water and a brush, until the acid of the plant sap has corroded the paint and dried.
• If we are mowing grass on a lawn, keep the trimmer head string horizontally low above the ground, and do not hit the ground, as you can spoil the evenness of the mow, the lawn itself and so as not to damage the grass trimmer.

How to put on and hold correctly?

The quality of your work also depends on what technique you use. For proper technique, you must be able to hold the unit, and for convenience, put it on correctly. This is because not all grass trimmers have a shoulder strap. If you have one, then you need to put it on so that you feel comfortable. There are device models that can be uncomfortable with the strap, so try to get the grass trimmer as comfortable as possible.

During long work, it also happens that pains in the back and muscles occur, so the most conveniently worn tool can reduce the number of such troubles.

Another function is to adjust this belt. On higher quality models, its convenience was given a special role and special positions were made that will allow the scythe driver to feel comfortable. You can adjust the belt in height, choosing the one you need.

Now let’s talk about how to properly hold the unit. Different types of trimmers have different handles. For some, it is made in the form of a bicycle handlebar (which ensures the distribution of the load on both hands). On some units, you can see the handle in the shape of the letter D. The bicycle version must be held with both hands, and firmly.

Despite the presence of rubberized handles, it is best to rely on yourself and not hope that they will not slip. Hold the D-shaped grip with one hand and palm to provide a wider grip. This will give you full control of the stick, which will have a positive impact on handling.

How to use the trimmer correctly

The household grass trimmer is the easiest and most effective tool to use. It seems that there is nowhere easier. to plug in the tool and work. But there are still some nuances that you need to know in order for the grass trimmer to work for a long time and efficiently.

Site preparation. It is necessary to carefully inspect the mowing area and remove all foreign objects. stones, glass, wire, etc. Having flown out suddenly from under the fishing line during operation, such an object is capable of causing injury.

Installation of the cutting system. There are low-power grass trimmers that can only work with a line, cutting soft and succulent grass. they do not need to install a cutting system. But some trimmer models with a motor of 1 kW or more can work with a knife. If there are tough weeds or even a small overgrowth of bushes on the site, you need to unscrew the working attachment nut and install the cutting knife. Then tighten the nut tightly with a wrench.

Before starting work. It is very important to wear safety glasses when working with the trimmer, because even if you have removed the area from debris, plant stems and grass can fly into your eyes. The same stems, grass and branches can injure your hands, so it is advisable to wear gloves. The electric grass trimmer is simply plugged in, but the rechargeable one needs to be charged for several hours before use. Then, if there is a shoulder attachment, we hang it on the shoulder, the knapsack attachment on both shoulders. Grip the grass trimmer comfortably by the handles: grip the D-handle tightly with your palm, and grip the garden grass trimmer with a bicycle handle (U-shape) firmly with both hands. Hold the grass trimmer over the grass so that the line spool or knife is parallel to the ground. Turn on start.

How to mow correctly. The rotation of the cutting mechanism is counterclockwise. Thus, in order for the cut grass to fall onto the already mown area, easily, with simple movements, we carry the trimmer in front of us, from right to left. To remove the remnants of grass, you should make a movement in the other direction. from left to right. If the area is flat and large, break it into imaginary squares and mow, moving along the outside of such a square. If the plot is on a slope, then you need to start mowing from the bottom of the lawn, passing across the plot. in one direction. Having reached the edge, you need to go back and mow in the same direction, parallel. If there are many trees in the area, only cut with fishing line, otherwise you can cut the tree trunk with a knife. In such a garden, it is best to mow around the perimeter, bypassing the tree in a circle.

Completion of work. Turn off the engine and remove the shoulder straps. this is not a complete shutdown yet. It is necessary to carefully clean the spool and knife from the remnants of grass. Then fold the grass trimmer if it is telescopic or collapsible and hide it until the next mow.

Efficiency of the electric grass trimmer

Electrokosa, which operates from a household electrical network, is relevant on a plot with an area of ​​four to six acres, planted with trees, flowers, shrubs. It is convenient to gently mow grass near the house or along the curb, mow paths, and an environmentally friendly motor that does not produce exhaust, gas and burning will even make it possible to remove weeds in any covered room. greenhouse or greenhouse.

The grass trimmer cable limits the cutting radius, but can be extended with a standard extension. If this length is not enough for you, or the parameters of the electrical network do not contribute to the normal operation of the electric motor, then you can purchase a type of electric tool. a cordless grass trimmer. It works autonomously, the built-in battery lasts for half an hour or an hour of intensive work. quite enough to mow the trees in the garden. The grass trimmer motor can be positioned at the top of the tool or at the bottom. Upper motor grass trimmers work well on bumpy and uneven terrain. They are also perfectly balanced and can handle tall and wet grass. no short circuits. The convenience of working with it is also increased by a single-shoulder loop, which is hung on the shoulder. The lower motor grass trimmer should only be used on dry grass and on level areas. Often the lower motor grass trimmers are battery operated.

How to properly operate an electric grass trimmer

When choosing equipment for a summer cottage, it is not always worth chasing powerful and dimensional devices. The power of the tool is undoubtedly an important parameter, but it obviously carries with it the increased weight of the device, its large size, as well as the high price and increased fuel costs. But that’s not the point.

If you have a small garden with densely planted fruit trees or a small lawn with flower beds and shrubs. then clearing it of weeds and carefully mowing the grass is clearly an overwhelming task for any lawn mower. In such cases, even a hand tool. an ordinary scythe for grass will not help: you simply cannot swing it, bumping into tree trunks.

The ideal solution is a good and inexpensive electric grass trimmer. It is so lightweight, comfortable and easy to operate that it always becomes a favorite of women and the elderly. A lightweight, quietly whirring electric motor, a handle with comfortable grips and a nylon line tucked into a spool are the main components of an electric grass trimmer.

The line also has its secrets

The line is wound on a spool inside the reel, with the ends exposed to the outside. When mowing, the spool rotates, and the line, with this rotation, cuts the grass. To release the tips, you need to lightly hit the coil on the ground (semi-automatic system), there are automatic reels, in which the fishing line is produced by itself. There are also a few rules when working with fishing line:

In order not to damage the line and reel. Try not to touch the spool and line with various hard materials. tracks, curbs, fences. This will shorten the line prematurely, damage the reel or even jam the engine. The line spool should also not touch the ground.

Cut with the ends is more effective. Cutting the full length of the line can overload the engine. It also reduces the mowing efficiency. The tool should be held so that it only mows with the tips of the line. To do this, tilt it forward. towards the mowing side.

Tall grass requires several mows. If the grass is taller than 20 centimeters, then one mowing will not do here. You need to mow two or three times, from top to bottom. This is to prevent the grass from wrapping around the reel. The wound grass is the ensured overheating of the engine. If the grass is still wound, you need to stop the tool and clean it.

The line ran away and hid in the reel. This option happens when you work if you did not release the line from the reel in time. After all, the line is erased and shortened during mowing. If you do not have time to release it, then stop the engine, turn off the tool from the mains, and then disassemble the spool and pass the ends of the line into the desired holes.

What does the line consumption depend on? It must be remembered that the line wears out faster if the grass is tough. Therefore, you need to release it more often when mowing weeds and dry tough grass. Around the foundation of the house, near the wall and the curb, the line consumption will also be higher than directly on the lawn or near the trees. It is worth considering: if you work carefully and accurately, then the consumption of the trimmer line will be optimal and economical.

How to properly mow the lawn before cold weather?

The answer to this question is often sought by novice summer residents. In order for the lawn to delight the owners with its well-groomed and healthy appearance for the next year, it is necessary to take care of it in the fall.

The first step is to clear the lawn of debris, fallen leaves and yellow grass. This is done simply. using a rake.

Then comes the haircut. The last time you need to trim the lawn is before the onset of night frosts, that is, when the average daily temperature of 10 12 ° C is established on the street. Typically, the final trim is done between late September and mid-October.

How to properly mow the lawn before cold weather?

In autumn, grass growth stops noticeably, but warm weather in October is not uncommon even for central Russia. It may happen that in October the grass will grow quite intensively, and, perhaps, not one, but two autumn haircuts will be needed.

Attention! Grass mown in autumn must be removed immediately. You cannot leave it on the lawn. Insects and rodents grow in the rotten autumn grass, which can spoil the appearance of the lawn. The cut grass retains moisture, due to dampness, various diseases of the lawn can form, including fungi.

How high to mow the lawn

In summer, the average height of grass on a regular lawn should be kept at 2.5 centimeters and slightly higher during dry periods. Elite lawns of high quality, consisting of thin-leaved grass, can be twice as low. If, after going on vacation, you missed a few haircuts, in no case try to shorten the grass to its normal height in one go. this will greatly weaken it. In general, try not to cut more than a third of the leaf in one haircut. Decrease the height of the regrown lawn gradually, over two or three mows.

Lawn Care 101: Using a Trimmer

Cutting too short weakens the grass and exposes the soil on which weeds immediately begin to multiply.

Lawn mowers

Today, there are many models of lawn mowers that differ not only in price, type of cutting element and type of engine, but also in the availability of auxiliary options. Therefore, when choosing a lawn mower, you should take into account the engine power, the area and shape of the lawn, and a number of other technical characteristics.

Using a manual power lawn mower will allow you not to depend on the availability of energy sources and to carry out an impeccable mowing of the lawn without harming the environment. Sharp knives provide the highest quality mowing, although the work is quite difficult for her.

Electric mowers are easy to operate, easy to clean, quiet, relatively safe for the natural environment, great for medium-sized lawns. Almost the only inconvenience when using this type of mower is the need to connect to the power supply. Great solution for small, flat lawns.

Petrol lawn mowers are ideal for mowing large lawns of any shape, while being independent of external power sources. However, gasoline mowers are heavier, more difficult to use and generate a lot of noise.

Lawn mowing with a garden tractor

For large areas, there is a more complex and large lawn treatment technique. As a rule, such machines are equipped not only with grass mowing blades, but also with tools for aeration and scoring. Some of them include the function of a garden vacuum cleaner to collect leaves, grass clippings and debris. Machines for treating large areas lawn are called garden tractors.

Two basic rules for lawn mowing

In order not to harm the lawn grass, you need to adhere to the following two rules:

• Do not mow more than a third of the original height at a time. Often, gardeners have a desire to mow all the grass of an overgrown lawn to the maximum at a time. This is not worth doing. Grass leaves are an important part of the entire plant where photosynthesis takes place. Cutting the grass too low, a person deprives it of strength, which is why the lawn grows slowly and with a yellow tint.
• Do not cut the lawn too low. It is recommended to cut most grasses, leaving a height of at least 2.5 cm.Only a few, which have too thick pile, can be cut, leaving 1 cm in height.

Preparation for work

Before using the trimmer for the first time, some preparation is required to avoid malfunctions, breakdowns and injuries. First you need to make sure that all parts of the device are intact, without cracks or dents. Instruments are often sold disassembled, so they must be assembled in the order shown in the instructions for use. In addition to verbal descriptions, the documents contain diagrams and pictures. Further actions for different types of vehicles are very different.

Mowing wet grass

It is dangerous to mow grass with an electric appliance during and after rain! Moisture can cause a short circuit in the engine, the grass trimmer can be burnt, and a person can be electrocuted. Dew is also dangerous, especially for bottom motor units and networked models that require an extension cord. It is safe to cut wet grass with a brushcutter, although petrol units with a low degree of protection against moisture must be protected from rain.

Important! Whether it is possible to mow wet grass with a specific brushcutter model should be clarified in the instructions. Dry any type of grass trimmer that is wet after mowing.

How to mow lawn grass

This question is worth puzzling from the moment you decide to equip a lawn on your site. The quality of the grass cover will depend on the chosen technique. As much as you would like, but with the help of a scythe for grass, it will not be possible to create a perfectly flat surface. For this purpose, it is better to use a special technique.