Choosing a Four-Cycle Grass Trimmer

When you're done mowing your lawn, you may notice some tall weeds or grass that your mower simply can't reach. Those spots are where a grass trimmer comes in handy. Grass trimmers, or string trimmers, are versatile and lightweight, and they're equipped with long shafts that can reach tough-to-get-to vegetation around trees, fences and other obstacles. Although it may not seem like an important decision immediately, choosing the correct four-cycle trimmer can make a big difference on your body, your yard and your wallet.

Hardware stores usually have a handful of trimmer models with either curved or straight shafts. The shape may seem like a small detail, but quite a bit of difference exists between the two shaft styles. Many homeowners use trimmers with curved shafts. Those trimmers are lighter weight, easier to use and adjust, and, in most cases, less expensive than trimmers with straight shafts. Straight-shaft trimmers often have numerous attachments available. A straight-shaft trimmer can be used to trim underneath obstacles, such as tall bushes, play sets and decks. It also vibrate less than a curved-shaft trimmer, making it much more comfortable to use for a large yard and for longer periods of time than its counterpart. Choose a curved-shaft trimmer if you don't need it to get under anything and have a small yard; opt for a straight-shaft trimmer if your yard is large and has weeds growing under obstacles instead of just around them.

If you're just after a trimmer for light use, then you may not need to be concerned about attachments and trimmer line. Heavier trimmer use may require consideration about those two items, however. Many four-cycle trimmers have a large selection of accessories available, including edgers, cultivators, pole saws, blowers, brooms, brush cutters and hedge trimmers; attachments can quickly turn your trimmer into a multitool for the yard. Some trimmers also accept different types of trimmer line or trimmer heads. For example, you may be able to get a fixed-blade trimmer head with powerful metal blades instead of using nylon trimmer line. Other types of line are also available, some of them much more powerful than typical nylon. Depending on the type of brush or weeds in your yard, the ability to switch your trimmer to a fixed-blade head or use a more powerful line can make a big difference in how much you can get done.

Trimmers come in various models to suit various needs, lifestyles and budgets. When choosing a four-cycle trimmer, consider the features of your favorite models. Trimmer line features include automatic advance, which means you don't have to advance the line manually, and bump-feed, which means you simply bump the trimmer head to advance more line out of the head. Although four-cycle trimmers are often easier to start than two-cycle trimmers, some may have easy-start systems. Other features may include reduced vibration and safety features.

Even though string trimmers aren't the heaviest outdoor power equipment, they can still cause fatigue. Before purchasing a trimmer, walk with it in the store and hold it as if you were using it to trim vegetation. While doing so, imagine its engine making it vibrate and imagine it being a few pounds heavier due to gasoline in its gas tank. If you think the trimmer would be too heavy or otherwise difficult to use, then consider purchasing a shoulder strap or opt for a lighter model. Also, the trimmer's handle should feel comfortable to you in your hand.