Keeping a yard tidy can be a chore, especially if you have a bigger one! Weeds are inevitable, and if you are one of the many people who doesn’t like using chemical weed killer, you’ll welcome an alternative! That’s why we’re going to tell you all you need to know about weed eaters, which are among the most useful of garden power tools. What is a weed eater, and why would your yard benefit from one? Here’s a closer look at the different types of weed eaters so that you can find the best one for your needs.
Types of Weed Eater
There are two main types of weed eater that you may want to consider gas-powered weed eaters and electric weed eaters. Within each of these, there are also different options, which we will come to in a moment. All weed eaters operate the same way: the motor turns a shaft that spins a spool of ‘string’ – usually a strong plastic cord – and this is used to cut the weeds away. They are easy to use, not expensive to buy, and are great for small spaces and bigger gardens. So, which is for you – electric or gas?
Which one you choose depends on the size of the yard you have, how severe your needs are, and how often you are going to use it. A gas-powered weed eater will be more powerful, while an electric one may be more convenient. Also, you will find that the gas models tend to be bigger – in terms of both the body and the size of the area they cut – which is why they are used in commercial premises. Let’s check out both types in more detail.
Gas Weed Eaters
The gas-powered models will feature a petrol motor, and it can be one of two types – a 2-cycle or 4-cycle. This refers to the way the engine creates its energy. The differences that you want to know about lying in the power, economy, and pollution caused by each. A 2-cycle engine will be more powerful but will use more fuel, and as they burn oil, it will pollute quite badly. A 4-cycle engine will be more energy-efficient, less powerful, and also may well be heavier.
If you have a larger yard or one that often has a lot of very persistent and tough weeds, you may want to consider a gas weed eater as it will get through even the densest brush very easily. However, they do require more maintenance than electric models and will most likely be somewhat more expensive.
Electric Weed Eaters
Electrically powered weed eaters use a powerful electric motor to move the string, and they come in two forms: cordless, or corded. The cordless models use a rechargeable battery as the power source. With many of the name brands – and we recommend you check them out for reliability and sensible warranties – you can switch batteries between different power tools from their range, so if you have a preferred brand, you should stick with it. Corded models have a permanent power cord attached, which needs to be plugged into a mains power outlet.
The advantage of cordless is that you are not restricted by the length of the power cable. The disadvantage is that you need to recharge quite frequently – about 45 minutes on a full charge seems to be the standard time you’ll get. The choice is yours as to which you buy, but we do recommend you check out the maker’s descriptions and specifications very carefully before you settle on a particular model.
How to Use a Weed Eater
Whether you buy gas or electric, corded or cordless, the basics are the same: to use a weed eater, you start it up, and move it slowly across the weeds you want rid of, keeping it close to the ground. The effect of the fast-moving, strong nylon string will swiftly cut through the weeds in your yard, and you can perform this action as many times as you wish. It is always advisable to wear gloves and goggles when using a weed eater, as the movement can throw up stones and other debris unexpectedly, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when in use.
When the string runs out, with most models, you can simply by a new, full spool and attach it to the device – it is as simple as that! We recommend you read further about weed eaters so that you can decide which type is right for keeping your yard or garden neat and tidy, and remember to set yourself a budget and stick to it! We hope we’ve helped you find the right weed eater, so you can have a garden that is weed-free and beautiful all the time.
