Trimmers
After lawn mowers, the string trimmer is the most widely used power tool. Some are electric; others are gas powered. Most of the gas-powered kinds use two-stroke engines, which requires that you mix special oil into the gasoline. A few manufacturers now offer quieter and less polluting four-stroke engines on their trimmers. Gas-powered trimmers are louder than electric versions. Most trimmers cut soft grass and weeds with a spinning nylon cord. Some use a solid nylon disk, and some can accept other, heavy-duty cutting blades. For a basic string trimmer, look for one with an automatic or semiautomatic “feed” system for the nylon whip. Some trimmers force you to stop the engine and lengthen the string or whip by hand every time the string wears down.
Electric trimmers with power cords are the least expensive kind. These trimmers enable you to work 50 to 100 feet (15 to 30 m) from an outlet, they’re lightweight, and they’re quiet. Prices start at about $50. Models powered by batteries allow you to roam more freely, but they limit you to about 45 minutes of continuous trimming. They also cost a bit more — about $100.
Trimmers with gas power work roughly the same as the electric models, but they give you more power, need more maintenance, make more noise, and let you do more work in less time.
Even though the spinning whip of cord is safer than a whirling blade, it can damage the bark of young trees and shrubs (not to mention hands and feet). If you use this type of trimmer around trees, protect the lower trunk with a heavy plastic collar (available at garden centers). Or better yet, add a ring of mulch around the tree and eliminate the need for close trimming!
Tillers and Grinders
Most tillers and grinders (also known as “chipper-shredders”) are hefty machines. Weight begins at about 70 pounds (32 kg) and goes up to a few hundred pounds. Engine horsepower begins at 3, but some have 8 or more. The cost begins at around $500 and ranges upward to $1,600. As big and heavy as they are, both are big time-savers. If you regularly garden a quarter acre or more, both may be smart investments. If you need a tiller or chipper just once or twice a year, consider renting over buying your own.
A tiller consists of an engine that provides the power to a transmission that channels the power to the wheels and the tiller. Tillers with the tines in front don’t have powered wheels, so the transmission has only to drive the tiller.
All rotary tillers are categorized as either front tine or rear tine. Front-tine rotary tillers are lighter in weight and cheaper; consider them medium-duty machines. If the soil you’re tilling is relatively loose, these are very effective. These tillers, however, aren’t as efficient if the soil is compacted or rocky. ....read more
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