Buying Guide to Gas Trimmers

If you are sick of trying to trim weeds with your old electric trimmer, it is definitely time to cut the cord and give a new gas trimmer a try. Gas trimmers are usually easier to handle and will give you the freedom to trim weeds on your property, no matter how far away they are from an outlet. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you purchase a new gas trimmer.

Design

If you have ever carted around a heavy gas trimmer, you know they can be quite cumbersome. However, there are many new designs for gas trimmers that are making it easier to shoulder the weight. Look for a curved design that is more ergonomic to take the strain off of your shoulders and arms. Straps are very helpful to assist you in balancing the weight of the gas trimmer while still giving you freedom of motion.

There are some downsides to a curved shaft gas trimmer, such as they may not be able to get into tight spots as well as a straight trimmer can. You will need to take into account the type of terrain you are dealing with before you decide which style is right for you. If possible, see if a neighbor has a straight or a curved gas trimmer so you can give one a test drive before you make up your mind.

Other design considerations include how a gas trimmer dispenses the string that actually cuts through your weeds. Most older gas trimmers required you to manually pull out more string when the line became too short to use. However, there are new gas trimmers on the market that have a button that will automatically dispense more line as it is used. This is a great new innovation and saves time as well as stops and starts.

Emissions and Gas Usage

Several states, such as California, have very strict emission laws. Surprisingly, gas trimmers may be required to meet specific emission guidelines in these states. If you are not sure, check with your local hardware store for more information. They should be able to help you find a gas trimmer that will meet these requirements. Having a gas trimmer that cuts down on emissions usually means that it will run more effectively, thereby using less gas, which can save you money over time. As gas prices continue to skyrocket, this is a very nice benefit.

Some older gas trimmers had two-stroke engines, which required you to mix the proper amounts of gas and oil in the engine. Thankfully, newer gas trimmers are now being made with better engines that do not require this extra step. If you are not sure which type of engine you should go with, select the easier to manage four-stroke engine to save time, expense and hassle.

Warranties

Most new gas trimmers will come with at least a two year warranty. It is a good idea to find a model that has the longest warranty since these tools are subject to a lot of hard use. Always stick with a well known brand that offers you a money-back guarantee if the parts fail to ensure you won’t be wasting your money.

Other Necessities

Once you have purchased your gas trimmer, it is a good idea to pick up some hearing protection before you head out to cut your weeds. A gas trimmer can be quite loud and with continued use, you can experience low level hearing loss. It is also a good idea to purchase an extra roll of trimmer string before you leave the store to ensure you’ll have enough to get the job done.