Instructions on how to mow grass with a lawn mower and trimmer

With the onset of spring, vegetation appears on summer cottages and in the backyards of private houses, which must be dealt with. If this is ornamental vegetation, then it needs to be mowed with a lawn mower, and gas mowers and trimmers are used to mow down weeds and large thickets. These are prototypes of hand scythes, the use of which requires some skill. Not many experts know how to mow correctly with a lawn mower according to the instructions. If you are asking yourself this question, then it’s time to understand the rules of mowing.

Getting to know the tool

The question of how to properly mow with a lawn mower and trimmer is asked mainly by beginners who have recently acquired these tools. Before starting work, it is recommended to know the design and structure of the lawn mower. The main structural elements of the instruments under consideration include:

1. Gasoline engine 2-stroke type. There are tools with 4-stroke engines, the disadvantage of which is their heavy weight
2. Fuel tank - a container for storing diluted gasoline and oil
3. Gearbox is a transmission mechanism through which torque is transmitted from the engine shaft to the actuator
4. Starter - a device for starting a gasoline engine
5. Rod - a rigid base connecting the engine to the working body

In addition to gasoline trimmers, manufacturers also produce electric and battery-powered analogues. The main disadvantage of gasoline units compared to electric and battery-powered ones is their large mass. The weight of gasoline-type trimmers reaches 8-10 kg (4-stroke), which depends primarily on power. To simplify the operation of the tool, manufacturers supplement their units with special belts, which are also called unloading belts.

You need to know the design of a tool in order to learn how to work it correctly. Unlike electric and battery-powered counterparts, gas trimmers require not only the ability to mow grass, but also start the engine.

This is interesting!
To start an electric lawn mower, you only need to press the start button, while a gasoline unit starts by using a starter.

How long can a trimmer mow?

The device with an electric motor can operate for up to 20 minutes per use. Then the device will need to be turned off for the same time so that the motor cools down. The battery charge should be checked periodically.

Petrol mowers can operate for up to 40 minutes and even up to an hour without interruption to cool the engine. Then they need to be turned off for 10-20 minutes. How long a particular brush cutter will work also depends on the volume of its fuel tank.

Which attachment to use for cutting grass with a lawn mower

The design of brush cutters uses two types of cutting attachments or cutters. These are spools of fishing line, as well as steel or plastic disks. What is better to choose for working with gas powered tools? The site provides information on how to choose discs and line for trimmers, as well as their types and design features. Let's briefly consider what types of cutting cutters should be used on trimmers and lawn mowers.

• To mow soft grass, a line is used that is wound on a drum or reel.
  The fishing line, unlike metal discs, is used where grass grows next to trees, houses, fences and other obstacles. The fishing line allows you to produce high-quality grass cutting near obstacles without damaging the design of the tool.

• Metal knives - have 2, 3, 4 or more cutting parts, through which coarse grass and thickets are cut.
  Practice shows that the denser the thickets being mowed, the more blades the cutter should have

• Metal disks with fine teeth in the amount of 40-80 pieces are designed for mowing various vegetation.
  This can be coarse grass, weeds, dense thickets and even small trees. The greater the number of teeth on the cutting attachment, the higher the efficiency of the tool in question.

• Plastic discs - used primarily on electric trimmers or cordless lawn mowers

The choice of cutting cutter depends on the location where the tool is used. If you plan to work on a personal plot, then a fishing line is selected, and for cutting grass in a field or steppe, discs with 3-4 blades or more, as well as discs with fine teeth, are used.

This is interesting!
In most cases, cutters are not supplied with a tool, so the buyer can decide for himself what he needs - a fishing line or a steel disk.

Manufacturers of petrol trimmers

Any garden equipment store today will offer you dozens of models of trimmers from different manufacturers. Stihl, Makita, Husqvarna, Hitachi, Oleo Mac, Caiman, Stiga, Huter, ECHO, Carver... Which brand of trimmer should you prefer? Which brush cutter with the name on the nameplate should you choose for landscaping your garden plot or for carrying out large-scale professional work? We will not engage in advertising of individual brands, but we will give some recommendations that will help you choose a truly reliable tool from the available variety.

1. Today on the market you can find many “no name” trimmers, usually made in China. They are, of course, very attractive for their price, but you shouldn’t rely on the reliability of such equipment. As practice shows, such a tool quickly becomes unusable, not even recouping its low cost. Of course, there is no talk of any guarantees or service in this case.

2. A big advantage when choosing a particular brand of trimmer will be the presence of an official representative office of this brand in your region. This will ensure that if your brushcutter does break down, you will receive prompt technical support. You can easily find spare parts for your product, and at prices that are not inflated by numerous resellers.

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3. Regardless of the choice made, you should purchase the tool only in specialized stores.

Be sure to read the terms of the warranty and make sure that the seller notes the date of sale on the warranty card.

How to attach a disk or line to a trimmer

The cutting cutter is attached to the executive body. The mounting location is called the gearbox. The task of installing a disk or coil is not difficult to cope with. The principle of attaching the cutting discs to the trimmer is as follows:

1. Initially, the shaped washer is secured using a hex wrench
2. Install the disk on the shaft
3. Then install the top washer, and then tighten it with the fastening nut.
4. The nut must be rotated using a special socket wrench, which is usually supplied with each tool.
5. The nut rotates in a counterclockwise direction
6. When rotating, it is necessary to jam the shaft with a hex wrench

The disc on the trimmer is removed and replaced in the opposite sequence. More details on how to install a reel of fishing line on a lawn mower are described in this material.

Types and design of trimmers

Depending on the source of energy for the engine, trimmers are divided into gasoline and electric. The first type is equipped with a tank for fuel and lubricant, the second is powered by electricity or a battery.

Gasoline trimmer design

All elements of the device are mounted on a long metal rod. At its upper end there is a gasoline tank, an internal combustion engine and a starter for starting it. At the lower end there is a spindle that rotates counterclockwise. A reel of fishing line or sharp knives (discs with teeth) made of steel or plastic are mounted on it. Inside the rod, which is a hollow tube, there is a rigid or flexible shaft through which rotation is transmitted from the engine to the working tool.

In the middle of the rod there is a handle-holder, which can be D-shaped or forked, similar to a bicycle handlebar. The asymmetrical folding handles (like Husqarna lawn mowers) are very convenient. The trimmer control buttons and levers are located on the handle or rod. The motor, control elements and coil/disk are connected using a flexible cable. The rods are solid, collapsible and telescopic. The length of the last two types can be changed to suit the height of a particular person. Some models have attachments for lap belts. The disk or reel (bobbin) is covered with a shield to protect the person who is mowing the grass.

The cutting tool is a reel, inside of which a fishing line (cord, string) with a diameter of 2-3 mm is wound. In some models, the fishing line is wound with a reserve, and with a light impact on a hard surface, it automatically moves out of the bobbin. In other trimmers, a piece of cord is inserted into the reel, and the excess length is cut off on the sharp edge of the casing.

In addition to the fishing line, the standard equipment of some brush cutters includes a disc with sharp serrated edges. The shape of the teeth may vary. To cut down branches and bushes, use a knife attachment or a cutter similar to a circular saw blade.

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Gasoline trimmer control

There is a rotary control on the actuator that moves or closes the air damper. It is used to start the engine faster, for example, to warm it up when it is cold outside. Other regulators are located on the handle-holder or rod of the device:

• gas trigger - controls the carburetor damper to change the amount of fuel entering the drive;
• “Stop” button – designed to break the ignition circuit and stop the engine;
• a button to prevent unintentional pressing of the gas trigger - located under the stop button;
• a stopper for fixing the gas trigger - without it, when using the lawn mower for a long time, the starting lever will have to be constantly held with your finger.

Electric trimmer design

In general terms, electric trimmers are similar to gas trimmers: a motor, a handle, and a cutting element are attached to the bar.

The mains device must be plugged into an outlet, so for mowing large areas you will need an extension cord. While the operating radius of a cordless electric scythe does not depend on the length of the wire, the batteries need to be charged and changed on time.

Instead of a starter, electric trimmers use an on/off button. On them, unlike gasoline analogues, it is impossible to regulate the spindle speed, so there are significantly fewer control buttons on the device.

Refilling lawn mowers with gasoline and oil

Before mowing grass with a lawn mower, you need to fill the tool with fuel. Gasoline and oil are used as fuel. However, keep in mind that mixing gasoline with oil is only necessary for two-stroke engines. Four-stroke engines run on pure gasoline, since their design has a separate container - the oil sump. There is no oil sump in the design of 2-stroke petrol trimmers, so you only need to fill the tank with gasoline and oil.

It is recommended to use AI-92 fuel as gasoline. To avoid making a mistake in your choice, you need to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Often, most manufacturers recommend using AI-92 fuel, and only a few recommend using AI-95.

Gasoline must be diluted with a small amount in a ratio of 1 to 25. This means that for 1 liter of gasoline you need to add 40 ml of two-stroke oil. However, not everything is so simple here either. The proportion of 1 to 25 is universal, but each model of instrument has its own values. These values ​​are also indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions. More details on how to properly dilute gasoline and oil in a lawn mower are described here. After diluting gasoline with oil, fill the tank full and get to work.

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

Operating the trimmer in wet weather

It is worth mentioning right away that in rain, wet and damp weather the operation of electric trimmers is completely excluded. This may cause a short circuit and electric shock. You cannot use an electrical appliance even after it rains; you must wait until the lawn grass is ventilated and dry. However, with gasoline lawn mowers everything is also not as smooth as we would like. Some well-known manufacturers prohibit the use of their models in the rain, since the power units do not have the necessary degree of protection against moisture.

You should also not operate wet equipment. If the scythe has been exposed to the rain for some (albeit short) time, it must be brought to a dry place, wiped off and given time to dry before launching.

The brush cutter does not have some of the design shortcomings of the electric trimmer, but is not completely immune to failure due to moisture.

Some experts claim that gasoline trimmers can be used to mow without stopping, even if it is raining lightly. Of course, this is not recommended, because the likelihood of failure of various components and the engine itself increases. An electric trimmer with an overhead motor is less sensitive to moisture, but it is not immune to power surges due to water getting into the extension cord connector. You can limit yourself to buying a new extension cord, but repairing or replacing the trimmer itself is not a cheap pleasure.

Instructions on how to use a gasoline trimmer, learning how to start the tool

Before using the tool, it must first be started. Let's look at how to start a lawn mower in detail. To begin with, the tool should be placed on a flat surface so that the disk attached to the shaft does not cling to anything. After this, we proceed to start the engine of the lawn mower:

1. Initially, you should pump fuel into the starting system. To do this, press the primer 4-5 times (soft hemisphere on the carburetor)

2. Next, turn the carburetor switch to “OFF” mode. This switch is responsible for opening and closing the air damper. Moving the switch to “OFF” mode allows you to make the fuel mixture richer during startup

3. There is a switch on the handle near the accelerator. He is responsible for turning the ignition on and off. Before starting, you need to set the ignition switch to mode “1”

4. Now you can launch. To do this, you need to hold the tool with one hand and sharply pull the starter handle with the other. If the scythe engine does not start the first time, then do not despair. Starting attempts must be made until the engine starts. Usually this should be done 2-3 times

5. If after 5 repetitions the engine does not start, then you should repeat the fuel intake using a primer and start starting again
6. As soon as the engine starts, you need to turn the choke switch to “ON” mode. This means that a mixture of fuel and air enters the cylinder
7. Let the tool run for 15-30 seconds at idle until the engine warms up, after which you can start mowing the grass.

The above instructions for starting the engine of lawn mowers and trimmers are appropriate for a cold start. If there was a pause while working with the tool, there is no need to close the throttle valve when restarting the engine that has not cooled down. You simply need to turn on the ignition and pull the starter handle.

This is interesting!
If the lawn mower is new, then do not forget that it cannot be used at full capacity until it has undergone the break-in procedure. This is important to take into account, otherwise engine parts will quickly wear out and fail.

Is it possible to mow the lawn with a trimmer?

This device is designed to cut the lawn evenly.

It is especially convenient to do this with a similar electric scythe in hard-to-reach places:

• under the benches;
• on hillocks and hills;
• between paths and flower beds.

Another advantage of the trimmer is its compactness and ease of use.
After mowing, it is easy to clear it of grass residues and check its serviceability by inspecting the cutting line. The price of this device is much less than the cost of a lawn mower. The disadvantages of the tool in question are the lack of a collection of mowed grass and low power.

Description of the lawn trimmer

The trimmer is essentially an electric scythe. It looks like a long pole with a clipping mechanism on one end and a handle on the other to hold the tool. The engine can be located either at the top or at the bottom of the pole - it depends on whether the trimmer is gasoline or electric.

These grass cutting tools are:

1. Electric.
2. Gasoline ones.
3. Wheeled.
4. Rechargeable.

Did you know? The trimmer was invented by a businessman from Texas. He was far from technical developments and was involved in show business all his life.

The effectiveness of the described device depends on:

• engine power;
• line thickness.

The principle of operation of the trimmer is simple - the drive, gasoline or electric, turns the reel in which the fishing line and reel are mounted. The ends of the fishing line, looking out, straighten and act like blades when rotated. The thickness of the line can vary - from 1 mm for constant weekly mowing to 4 mm for particularly overgrown areas.

Electric tools have a number of advantages and disadvantages.

• Its advantages include:
• almost silent operation;
• lightness of the tool;
• ease of operation;
• The only consumable material is fishing line.

• The disadvantages of such tools are:
• depending on the length of the cord and electrical outlet;
• low power;
• prohibition on working with wet grass.

Also, during mowing, you have to watch out for the cable, which can get under the cutting part of the tool. If the area is very overgrown, then do not trim the grass in one go. You should go over the area several times, removing 10–15 cm.

Important! For particularly overgrown areas with high grass cover, you should choose trimmer models equipped with discs with sharp teeth.

Cordless trimmers are relatives of electric ones. They differ in that they do not need to be connected to the network - you just need to charge the battery. However, such a tool can work for 25–30 minutes.

During this time, you can have time to mow an area of ​​100 m². Then the device will have to be charged, and this takes from 5 to 10 hours. Alternatively, you can buy several spare batteries and extend the mowing by 1-2 hours.

Gasoline trimmers use fuel that is expensive today. If the owner of the site has no problems with purchasing gasoline, then you can opt for this option. It is more powerful than electric and is not limited by the capabilities of the battery.

With a tool like this you can mow until the fuel runs out or the fishing line runs out. In addition, such trimmers, running on a mixture of gasoline and oil, are much more powerful than electric ones. With a similar unit you can cut the grass on an area of ​​up to 1000 m².

The gasoline scythe has two disadvantages - a lot of noise and exhaust gases . In addition, if the correct composition of the mixture is not followed, the device may have problems starting. Wheeled gasoline trimmers are almost like lawn mowers. They are equipped with two large wheels, which improve handling and maneuverability on particularly difficult sites.

Haircut rules

Mowing the lawn with the described device is not difficult. You need to hold it by the handle and make circular movements. There are trimmers that come with shoulder straps and curved handles to make the job easier.

Step-by-step instructions on how to mow grass with a lawn mower and save fuel

It is necessary to start the lawn mower mainly on the ground. Some craftsmen know how to wind the instrument while holding it in their hands, but this is quite difficult and dangerous. After launching the tool, you can start using it. First, you should put on protective clothing and an unloading belt. Depending on the model of the tool, the unloading belts may be on carabiners or ties. If a carabiner or latch is used, then after starting the engine, the tool should be secured and started working. If ties are used, then you need to put on the belt together with the working tool.

The first step is to balance the belt. This means that despite the total weight of the tool, the mower’s hands should bear a minimum of load. The mower only moves the tool with his hands, and if balancing is not done, rapid fatigue will occur during work. The entire weight must rest on the worker's shoulders.

When the tool is ready for use, the instructions for cutting grass with a lawn mower are as follows:

1. You need to make movements to the right and left slowly, while keeping the trimmer at the same distance from the ground
2. The mower's movements should be unhurried (half a step). Experts call the movement of a mower duck steps.
3. The biggest difficulty that beginners face is maintaining a stable rpm. The rotation speed should be changed during mowing, depending on the density of the vegetation. If the grass is young, then mowing it does not require working at full capacity.
4. The mower must feel the work of the tool. If the scythe cannot cope with the grass, you need to increase the speed. At the same time, it is not recommended to constantly operate the tool at full speed.
5. Experts have developed the optimal mode for cutting grass with gas trimmers: in one direction you need to increase the speed above average (almost at full throttle), and when moving the lawn mower back, the gas is released, taking a step forward. This method is relevant for cases when it is necessary to carefully lay the grass in windrows.

Often, disputes arise among lawn mowers about how to mow correctly with a trimmer, whether it is necessary to release the gas or whether it is better to work in constant mode. Let's look at these issues in detail.

• There is an opinion that it is better to mow with a lawn mower in one speed mode. This opinion is not correct. Working with the same power not only increases fuel consumption, but also wears out parts. Relieving gas during reverse movement of the tool is useful, since during this period the engine is cooled, as well as the CPG is lubricated. Relieving gas causes the throttle valve to close, causing fuel to pass through the XX channel, thereby lubricating the parts.
• Relieving the gas allows you not only to mow the grass, but also to carefully place it in windrows. Moving the tool in one direction allows you to mow, and moving it in the opposite direction creates a swath
• The disc only moves in one direction, so it is simply pointless to keep the tool at constant speed when it is moving in the opposite direction
• Relieving the gas causes the cutting disc to rotate the crankshaft by inertia, and coasting is always useful

If you mow with a lawn mower in one speed setting (as beginners usually do), this will affect increased fuel consumption and engine overheating. For comparison, you can imagine the work of a chainsaw. The sawyer gives maximum speed only when necessary, but when the tree is cut down, the chainsaw operates at idle, thereby cooling it.

This is interesting!
Petrol mowers are air-cooled, which is achieved through natural airflow, so operating at constant speed increases the likelihood of overheating. The higher the constant speed, the faster the motor will overheat.

Preparing the trimmer for work

Preparing the trimmer for work begins with checking the condition of all parts and assembly in accordance with the instructions. At the same time, you need to make sure that there is grease in the gearbox and whether there is enough oil in the crankcase of the four-stroke gasoline trimmer. The fuel, depending on the type of two- or four-stroke engine, is a mixture of gasoline with special oil in a ratio of 40-50: 1 or, accordingly, pure gasoline. After filling the fuel tank, all you have to do is open the tap and you can try to start the trimmer, remembering that you need to let it sit for 2-3 minutes before you start mowing.

With cordless power tools, everything is simple. After checking for lubrication, simply plug the charged battery into a suitable outlet so it is ready for use. If the tool is mains powered, you will need an extension cord to reach the cutting area. The wire must be placed out of reach of the trimmer blades.

The area should be as free as possible from foreign objects: glass, stones, wire, cramps, etc. The presence of people closer than 15 meters is also undesirable. Depending on the capabilities of a particular trimmer and the job proposed, you will need to select the appropriate cutting equipment. You can use a mowing head with a grass line, metal weed or hay blades, or a utility saw. Mowing should be planned to move away from buildings and people.

How to mow correctly with a lawn mower

Is there a difference between cutting grass with a disc trimmer and a line trimmer? In addition to safety, there is a difference in the operating principle. You can operate a lawn mower with a fishing line attached to a reel in the structure at constant speed. This is due to a number of the following reasons:

1. The line with the reel is 3-4 times lighter in weight than steel disks, so the shaft experiences virtually no load
2. The grass that is mowed with a fishing line is usually not high and mostly sparse, which also eliminates the possibility of a heavy load on the engine
3. The reel with fishing line has no inertia due to its minimal weight, so when you release the gas, their rotation stops almost instantly

It follows from this that you can mow with a lawn mower at constant speeds, but it is important to take into account that the speed should not be higher than average. If the line cannot cope with the grass, then you should increase the speed, but you need to mow in the throttle release mode.

Now let's look at the main factors that are important to consider when working with the tool:

• Hold the rotating reel with cord at a distance of 10 cm from the ground
• If the line can't handle tall grass, you can mow the top first and then the bottom.
• Make the cut in the direction in which the line or disk rotates. This is especially important for steel wheels
• Take breaks, because when working with a lawn mower, not only the mower gets tired, but also the tool itself

This is interesting!
Mowers often have questions about how long can a lawn mower mow with 1 liter of gasoline?
There is no clear answer to this question, since it all depends on factors such as the power of the tool, the type of cutter used and the type of vegetation. Now that you know how to properly mow with a lawn mower or trimmer (by the way, these tools differ only in name), you can begin to improve your garden area or summer cottage. When the tool is not used for a long time, all fuel should be drained from the tank. After all, during long-term storage, oil tends to precipitate, which will lead to negative consequences. The situation is similar with the storage of finished gasoline diluted with oil. It is not recommended to store it diluted for longer than 2 weeks.

To summarize, it is worth noting that working with a gas trimmer is not at all difficult, and even a woman can handle it, as the video below proves. However, working with the tool should not be handled negligently, since if safety precautions are not followed, serious injuries can occur.

First use of an electric trimmer

Setting up and running an electric trimmer is also not difficult. To do this, it must be assembled and launched, but not working immediately. It is best to run the device several times (3-5 is enough) to make sure it starts easily. If the device starts without problems, you can run it for five minutes on lawn grass, without heavy loads.

Almost all modern electric trimmers are designed for 20/20 operating mode, i.e. twenty minutes of operation and twenty minutes of rest. The latter is necessary for the engine to cool down a little. If you operate such a trimmer for more than 20 minutes without giving it the necessary rest time, the engine life may sharply decrease as it experiences increased load.

The electric trimmer does not have a continuous operation mode, but, nevertheless, if you do not run it in correctly, gradually increasing the load and operating time (up to 20, but not more than, minutes), the device may not work correctly, causing trouble to the owner with constant breakdowns and malfunctions. at work.

It is important to remember that running in and putting the device into operation is an integral part of proper care of the equipment. Thanks to this, the device will last much longer. Its further work largely depends on what the first launch will be like. There is no need to rush, even if the amount of work to be done is not small, it is best to give the electric motor its proper rest, because this way it will last much longer.