Poulan Pro PP428C Trimmer: A Review

Poulan Pro PP428C ReviewThe Poulan Pro PP428C with a 17 inch cutting width is designed and manufactured by US-based power-tool makers and is a reasonably popular four-cycle gas curved shafter trimmer for lawns. Four cycle trimmers have more efficient and powerful engines to slice through thick, tall grass and weeds with ease. The question is whether the 428C delivers. Be sure to check out our buyer’s guide on weed eaters. Here’s a look at the factors that could influence your buying decision for the PP428C.

 

Ergonomics

One of the advantages of upgrading to this trimmer after having used a 2-cycle machine is that you won’t have to mix oil and fuel, as is the case with 2-cycle trimmers. But the 28cc Poulan Pro PP428C weighs a whopping 13.1 pounds, which is heavier than most 2-cycle trimmers. Some users have complained that using it for prolonged periods has led to backaches, after having been used to 2-cycle trimmers. However, most other 4-cycle trimmers of 28cc to 30 cc capacity engines weigh between 13 and 14 pounds. It feels on the heavy side when in use for an hour or longer, due to the unbalanced weight of the design. It doesn’t come with a harness or shoulder strap, but the user should consider buying one to reduce strain when using the unit.

The thin grip and wrap-around D-loop handle is designed to give the user control over the machine. There is no padding on the handle, it is plain plastic. Users who purchase the brush-cutting attachment will get a J-handle and shoulder strap with the attachment that will make working with the machine easier. Users have not reported heavy vibration or unreasonably loud noise during operation. The exhaust also does not get unduly hot or smelly.

Operation

Assembly and priming of the machine is easy though users have had various experiences with starting it. Some machines start quickly without a hitch while others take some time to work well the first time because of low idle speed at factory settings.

Good machines restart on the first or second pull when cold, and when re-starting, on the first pull when warm. The operation is powerful and strong enough to eat through 2-feet tall Johnson grass, weeds, clover etc. It also doesn’t torque during use like many 2-cycle trimmers do. The Poulan Pro has a semi-automatic bump head feed rather instead of an automatic line feed. However re-threading the machine is not easy when the line runs out (the machine comes with 25 feet of line). This may be because the machine was designed with too small a string diameter for the string slots in the head, so the string unravels often while threading the plastic spool. The trimmer easily runs over 30 minutes and more on a single charge and without refueling.

Care

Customer care for Poulan Pro is notoriously poor, and the company typically refers customers to authorized repair shops that carry out warranty repairs for faulty machines. Be careful to use as advised so as not to void warranty and give the company a chance to refuse repairs. The Poulan Pro comes with a warranty of 2 years, which can be extended by 2 additional years.

 

The Verdict

The Poulan Pro trimmer is for users who want to avoid mixing fuel and gas, or tuning 2-cycle trimmers, and have small to medium sized yards. For larger areas, the trimmer can seem too heavy and unbalanced to use for long periods. Its long and curved shaft may be difficult for shorter individuals and shorter women to use comfortably, though it does make reaching under bushes and around rocks easy. Overall, it is not the best trimmer in the market but the large gas tank and thicker line allows it to cut any kind of weed or grass in its way with fewer passes.

Black and Decker LST136V Electric String Trimmer Review

Black and Decker LST136V ReviewKnown for indomitable appliances and power tools, Black and Decker string trimmers have been added to the list of high quality products that make your life easier. This latest line of electric weed eaters will help keep the surroundings free from carbon emissions while getting the job done. And this is where the Black and Decker LST136W string trimmer comes in.  We have reviewed other B&D String Trimmers, so do check our guide on what to look for.

Here are some of the features and specifications of this string trimmer:

Battery System and Light Weight Design

This electric lawn and garden equipment is easy to assemble and features a 40-Volt Lithium Battery System that is compatible with other 40V MAX tools such as sweeper, lawn vacuum, etc. The battery can last up to about 30 minutes when run on the highest power setting and for about one hour when run on the lowest power level setting. The trimmer also features a light weight design (weighing only 7.08lb with the battery installed); this is average weight for a battery-powered weed wacker, and much lighter than a gas engine trimmer.

Adjustable Shaft and Dual Function

The 13-inch cordless trimmer comes with an adjustable shaft height, allowing the user to adjust its height to a comfortable level, saving your arms or back from unnecessary pain. The equipment also has a rotating head that allows it to be converted into an edger, while a built in guide helps keep your edging even and straight, and flips up out of the way when the equipment is in trimming mode. This dual function saves time and eliminates the need for multiple tools.

Single Line Cutting Head and Automatic Feed

The LST136W string trimmer uses a single line cutting head and the company recommends using a string 0.065” in diameter when you need a replacement. The electric trimmer features an automatic line feed system. The system uses centrifugal force to mete out more lines when needed. This eliminates the need to keep bumping it against the ground to advance the line. The line will advance when it encounters resistance as you trim the grass.

Here’s the

Trimming Power

This trimmer allows the user to choose the level of power needed to get the task done faster and more efficiently. The PowerCommand dial is used to choose between max power (8500 RPM) to trim thick weeds and max runtime (6500 RPM) to increase battery life. The Power-Drive Transmission design offers more cutting force.

The LST136W from Black and Decker strikes an excellent balance between performance, power, effectiveness, affordability and battery longevity.

Warranty

Black and Decker backs up the LST 136W with a 3-year warranty. The warranty covers materials and defective parts. The equipment comes also with a user manual that takes you through the easy-to-assemble instructions. The procedure of replacing the string pool and other things are also included.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a quiet, emission free, electric powered weed trimmer, the Black and Decker LST 136W is the deal. With its wide cutting path of 13 inches, automatic line feed, variable power settings, you can trim your lawn or garden with the harmful emissions and weight of a gas powered trimmer.

 

A Look At the Black and Decker LST400 Trimmer Review

lst 400 review

The Black and Decker LST400 is an appealing trimmer option that you should look into. Let’s take a look at a few key points over how it works.

Handling the Unit

Weight – The LST400 is about six pounds in weight. It does not feel very heavy but it does come with a body that is rectangular and needs to be handled with a bit of care.

Balance – The unit is a balanced in weight. The weight of the battery on one end practically offsets the weight of the motor and cutting mechanism on the other end.

Handle and Harness – There are no harnesses on the trimmer which makes sense given how light it is. On the down side plastic handle does not have the foam padding that we like  (but degrades…) on it so you will have to be rather careful when making it work to your liking.

The handle features a round loop around it to help you hold onto it quite well. A bar is also located near the top to give you a bit of extra support when carrying it around. A properly running model will not vibrate much.  Overall, It should not be too hard for you to carry around and use in various places.

Battery Powered – As an electric model, this is a choice that is not as loud as what you might get out of a more traditional gas-powered model. And because of its power source, this is not going to create any exhaust. The battery can become rather warm at times but it won’t be hot enough to where it will cause discomfort as you are trying to use the trimmer.

Performance

This trimmer is good enough to cut through grass and thick weeds. It can take a bit to get through denser vegetation. It may not go through everything so you have to be careful when making it work.

The automatic line feed is a popular feature on the LST400. This is to give you a little more control over how you are using the trimmer as you don’t have to restart it all the time. You won’t have to worry about the line being tangled either.  That being said, we unilaterally prefer bump-head  feed systems.

As for starting up the trimmer, this works with a basic button and trigger system. This two-part feature works to ensure that it will not start up without a bit of extra effort.

Battery Duration – The battery is designed to where it can last for about 30 to 45 minutes on a full charge. It can take about eight hours to get the battery charged up though. You will have to be selective when choosing how you are going to use this.  It might be a good idea to buy a spare battery.

Long Term Care

Black and Decker offers a good support team that can help you out in the event that the machine breaks down. The manufacturer offers a good maintenance team that works through a network of professionals that can help with repairing this and other Black and Decker items.

The warranty on this lasts for two years. This is enough time to cover any defects on the model if they ever come about.

Conclusion – This is a good mid-level string trimmer.

Black and Decker GH900 Review

The Black and Decker GH900 is one of the few corded models that we cover on Brush Cutter Central.   If you check our guide, we happen to like this weed eater.  That being said, since this is a Brush Cutter site, we tend to focus on bigger jungles to tame.  So if you have a fairly large size lawn and you spend more than 90 minutes with the weeds, this is NOT the trimmer for you.  However, if you have a typical suburban lawn, this should handle the basics.

Specs

  • This is an Electric Trimmer.  On the plus side, there’s no gasoline at all.  So that will be better for the fumes, mixing fuel, noise, and vibration.  For a really big job, gas powerplants have the necessary torque.
  • It is a corded electric trimmer, so you’ll need an extension cord if you have a large yard with not a lot of outlets. It also does not come with an extension cord. You will have to buy your own.
  • Weight – 5.5 LBs.  For people who aren’t linebackers, this is a very light unit.  Recommended for seniors and ladies alike.
  • Single Line Feed – Not a double line, so won’t be as quick or efficient.

Power – This will handle crab brass, but not huge stands of overgrown weeds.  You should look into a gas powered string trimmer or a cordless string trimmer if you’re going to do be more than edging the grass growing along the back fence.   For around the lawn tasks, it does excel.

Blowback and Debris – Just because it’s on the lower end of the power spectrum, does not mean you can just use it willy nilly without ear, eye, and skin protection.

Session Length – Running this trimmer for a long time is not advised.  This is a light duty trimmer.  Run it too long and it overheats.

Line Feed – Sometimes you can get a bad unit.  At this price point, unfortunately the quality control is not top notch.  Doing a meta-review of other reviews, line feed issues is what comes up the most.  The main issue with the line feed is that it advances too much.

Edging – You can use this for edging.

Overall – This is not the best weed eater on the BC Central, but it’s the best corded one that we’ve come across.  The primary problem is the line feed.  It’s an automatic line feed that is sometimes, too automatic.

Best 4 Cycle Brush Cutter – Huskie 224L Review

Husqvarna 224L Review

Introduction

Here at Brush Cutter Central, we love 4 Stroke engines.  We love not mixing fuel oil and not smelling like 2 stroke gas when we come home from a hard day.  4 Strokes aren’t perfect, but when you have a lot of work to do, they really do shine.  For more on the difference between a 4 stroke and 2 stroke, check out our main guide.

The Husqvarna 224L is our absolute favorite

This is a four-cylinder motor with a straight shaft that is one piece motor has 25 cm³ of displacement.  The body is made in America of Swedish design.  The real benefit here is the motor is Japanese, Honda to be exact.  We’ll talk about that later.

Build Quality – There is a hard plastic bottom that protects the gas tank from damage and dirt.  Instead of a cheap plastic housing around the motor, you get steel. And this is more of a commercial minded trimmer as the safety, on/off, and throttle are built to be more modular than a consumer model.   The thing looks like a shaft attached to a motor, as opposed to a completely plastic molded black box that no one is going to touch.   Subtle differences in the design tell you what the machine was meant for.   Not too many folks geek out about those sort of design details, but most folks don’t have websites dedicated to brush cutters.

Attachment Ready – I’ve heard mixed things on what you can bolt on to this trimmer.  Most of it not good.  Sometimes the universal attachments are not so universal.  The 128LD takes attachments, but the plastic coupler wears out after a few years.

When you get the box from Amazon, make sure that the packaging isn’t damaged.  Always do a smell test, because sometimes people put gas in these things, don’t like em, and send em back.  You want a virgin unit.   Also check to see if you have all the parts, including the manual. (Although most manuals are unintelligible or full of so much information that the heft makes you not want to read it).

Assembly – Most users found the 224L easy to assemble.  After assembly, two minor problems crept up for some users.  Oil leaking for some, and others couldn’t get is started.  Believe me, this is not the norm, and don’t let the nervous Nellies dissuade you.

Operations

Starting – When it comes to starting, mostly found that the model was very easy to start. A modern and quality string trimmer is typically easy to start.

Idling – Most users found that the unit could hold in idle.  While running in idle, there is not much in terms of vibration.  Especially not when compared to a typical 2 stroke.

Power – In terms of power the unit did not seem to bog down. With a 2-Stroke Engine, you usually need to get the head up to a high rpm for cutting.  The 4 stroke engine has most of its power just above idle.  It’s rare that you need to go full bore to do normal work.   Sometimes you’ll notice that with a 4 Cycle, the engine performance is not that good unless it has work to do.  Basically a 4 stroke can be cantankerous when you’ve got the throttle wide open, but it’s not doing any work.  So the key is to crank it up only when it’s time to get serious.

Honda GX 25 Engine in 224LThis is a close up shot of the Honda Engine.  It’s a GX 25, and it’s glorious.  This power plant makes your life way easier.

 

 

 

Many users were able to handle weeds and brush.  Area wise users handled lots as small as a half-acre to a full acre. It could even cut saplings that were 3/8 of an inch thick.

Time – A lot of users were able to get a couple hours of use out on one tank.   And longevity wise, some of these 224L’ were going strong after four seasons.

Over Heating? –  When it came to working on a hot day only a few people found that the unit overheated.  Overall this is not a unit known for overheating.

Noise – In terms of noise most thought was quiet when compared to a two-stroke engine.

Vibration – Vibration it was not considered to be very bad.

Debris – Some users thought that the debris shield could be better.

Exhaust – When it comes to the exhaust if not handled correctly it will hit your elbow.

Height Issues – For short users this was a good unit but for tall users they had to bend over to use it.

Weight of the Unit – Many users thought the unit was heavy, only a handful thought it was light. With that in mind, the unit did not come with a harness.

Here’s a full video review hitting a lot of the same points

Overall this is probably one of the best 4 stroke trimmers.

Best Weed Eater Reviews of 2016

Best Weed Eater Reviews
Best Weed Eater Reviews

Best Weed Eaters 2016

Weed Eaters are similar to Brush cutters.  Instead of taking down brush, the weed whacker takes down weeds that cannot be reached by lawn mower.  Weeds are usually by the fence, or in a garden..some persnickety place.  In addition, most weed eaters can be used as landscape edgers.  Wikipedia has good run down on the basic features of a trimmer.

I know your time is valuable, so our favorites are

Our favorites in the categories are

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Introduction

Generally these are simple machines. Motor + Shaft + Cutting Head.  The only thing that makes these more complicated than a good brush cutter, is the cutting head.  The line has to advance, cut, not get wound up during use, and be easy to rethread.  More moving parts, more things that can go wrong.   Husky and Tanaka make great brush cutters, but they don’t always make good string trimmers and weed eaters.

The typical weed eater has a

  • 2 stroke engine
  • A straight shaft
  • A bump head that lets out the line with a bump of the head on the ground

2 Stroke engines are the norm.  2 stroke engines are different than the 4 stroke engine in your car.  The 2 stroke engine requires that you mix the fuel with the motor oil.  This is typically a 50:1 ratio.   Usually the typical home owner only needs to do this once a season.  Gas is purchased at an ethanol free gas station, which you can find here http://www.pure-gas.org/.  Once the gas is in the canister, a good fuel stabilizer should be added. http://www.goldeagle.com/product/sta-bil-fuel-stabilizer

In addition to fuel mixing, in most modern 2 stroke engines for lawn equipment, you need 100% pure gasoline.  This never used to be an issue, but most gasoline is mixed with up to 10% ethanol.   Ethanol is hygroscopic, which means over time it attracts water.  When the ethanol in your weed eater does this, a few things happen.

  • Your carburetor is gummed up. (requiring that you tear down the engine and clean it)
  • Your fuel lines rot (requiring a replacing your fuel lines)

If you do not have the small engine repair tools, this means heading to your local lawn shop or big box hardware store and paying an expert to fix it.  The repairs for this can be 25-50% of your purchase price. These things are entirely preventable, but it takes diligence.

This is a lot of additional work for a weed eater.

Starting

Starting a typical weed eater happens one of two ways.  First the pump is primed.  The prime bulb uses suction to add fuel to the carburetor so that when the motor cranks there’s fuel and air so that combustion can happen.

  • Pulley System that requires the user to pull 2-3 times. These have vastly improved over the systems from the 80’s.  No pulling your back out just to clean up the front lawn.
  • Starter systems that use power tools

Starting a weed eater with it on the ground and the cutting head away from anything that it could harm is how the pros do it.

Now that you have the machine going, you should be ready to cut.

We recommend ear and eye protection, as well as loose fitting long sleeve clothes.  These will protect you from the noise of the engine, as well as any debris that kicks up from using the machine.  And believe us, things can get bad if you don’t have protection.

4 Stroke Weed Eaters

4 Stroke powered weed eaters use a 4 stroke engine.  There usually is not much difference in power, there are other differences

  • 4 Strokes are more environmentally friendly than 2 Strokes.
  • The exhaust fumes are not as bad
  • 4 Strokes are generally quieter than 2 Strokes
  • 4 strokes typically weigh more than two strokes
  • Oil does not have to be mixed with the fuel, unlike a 2 stroke.
  • Oil resides in a pan, it is not recommended to use a 4 stroke trimmer as an edger. A 2 stroke has no problem with this task.

Starting and running a 4 Stroke is the same as a 2 stroke.

Cordless and Corded Weed Eaters

Unlike their fossil fuel powered brethren, both corded and cordless String Trimmers use electricity to do the work.  The corded variety have long cords that plug in to nearby outlets.  Cordless String Trimmers use rechargeable batteries to do the job.  Sometimes the batteries are integrated into the unit, but better cordless string trimmers have modules.  This way you can swap in a new battery when one runs out of charge.

Cordless Weed Eaters vs Gas Weed Eaters

  • Can be the same amount of power
  • At the same level of power, electric weighs more
  • Corded have limited range.
  • Cordless have limited run times.
  • May be more upfront cost when buying if the batteries are not included.
  • Have to wait for recharge.
  • No gasoline or engine issues.
  • Starts Immediately at the push of a button

For home duty, a cordless string trimmer should be under your consideration.  In the last decade, with electric cars becoming ubiquitous, advanced battery technology has trickled down to all sorts of power tools.  With the typical 40V of power, and 4.0 ampere/hours of time, the good cordless trimmer is as powerful as the equivalent gas trimmer, 2 or 4 stroke.  Depending on the amount of vegetation, for a typical home owner on a 1/4 acre lot, a good quality cordless weed eater will handle the front and back yard in 30-40 minutes.

Ergonomics

Using a weed eater can be somewhat challenging.

Some things you want to take note of when you read reviews.

  • Is it heavy? (This is usually an issue with the cordless weed eaters that are capable of handling a home lawn)
  • If it is heavy, does it come with a harness?
  • Is the weight distributed well? Is it balanced? (This can affect both gas and electric)
  • What kind of handle does it have? Is the handled padded?
  • How is the vibration? (Primarily an issue for Gas Weed Eaters)
  • How is the noise? (Also an issue for Gas Weed Eaters)
  • Where does it exhaust? Is it hot?  Are the fumes particularly noxious? (A Gas weed eater issue)

Performance

Things that we look for

  • Does the tool do the job you need it to do?
  • Is it strong enough to cut what you need to cut?
  • Does it last long enough to get through a session?
  • Does it have an automatic feed or a bump head feed?
  • Is the line sufficient to do the job, or do I need a larger gauge line?
  • Does it take a larger gauge line?
  • Is it easy to rethread?
  • Can I edge with the device?
  • When you need to re-trim your lawn, is it a pain to restart?
  • How long does it take to refuel or recharge?
  • After the job is done for the day, is it a hassle to store and maintain?
  • When the season is over, how hard is it to store and keep viable for the next season?
  • When parts wear out, need replacing or repair, how close and affordable is the repair shop?
  • What is the warranty? Short and limited, or does the company stand behind its product?

With that in mind

Our Favorite Gas powered 2 stroke  weed eater is the Tanaka TCG27EBSP.  The Full Review is Here.

We also liked the WeedEater w25SFK, the Husky 128LDX, the Troy Bilt – TB42, The Ryobi RY253SS and the Remington RM2520.

Our favorite 4 stroke weed eater is the Husqvarna 224L

But we didn’t mind the Troy Bilt TB 575, the Poulan Pro PP 966774301, The Poulan Pro  PP428C, and the Troy Bilt TB 525.

Our favorite Cordless string trimmer is  the CORE GasLess CGT400. Our Review is here.

Honorable mentions to the Dewalt DCST990H1, LST400, and the Makita XRU02.

Our favorite corded light duty weed eater is the Black and Decker GH900.   Also look for the ST7700 and the GH3000

What is the best trimmer line?

Anyone who’s done any yard work has likely used something called a trimmer, although some people decide to use wacky terms like weed eater, weed whackers and even weed e eater which I’ve heard come from the mouths of experienced yards folk. The official term is Trimmer, it’s designed to trim grass where your mower can’t get to and to edge out crisp lines into flower beds, walkways, tree rings as well as a myriad of other things like doing light hedging or clearing light weeds from a garden. The possibilities with the trimmer are endless and the only limit is the operators skill level.

There’s two types of trimmers and a plethora of lines to choose from, the two types are gas and electric. Gas is more powerful, more mobile but louder, and weighs more as well. Electric is not as powerful which means you will have a lot of difficulty cutting heavier weeds that the gas trimmer can whizz through. Electric is also constricted to either its battery, or the length of the extension cord that it draws power from. Keep this in mind when it comes to trimmers, electric also has a limited amount of line that you can run on it, whereas with gas you can run almost any line providing you have a strong enough engine.

Trimmer line is extremely important, and choosing the correct line is not an easy task. There’s many options out there, all claiming to be the best and to deliver durability, clean cuts and affordability. This can make things confusing, you may buy what you think is good line only to find that it breaks off easily, welds together, cuts poorly or grabs at vegetation. There’s a lot of things to consider and by the end of this guide you will have a clear idea about the different types of lines as well as what lines are the best.

To start, there are four main types of trimmer line.

[Image: round.gif]

Rounded line is your standard line, it has a good durability to it and it is easy to find in just about any store that sells trimmers. The downside is because it’s rounded the line doesn’t cut the grass, it tears the grass which can leave an unsightly appearance where you cut. The thicker lines also have a tendency to break easily. This line is geared towards residential and commercial use.

[Image: Pentagram.jpg]

Multi-sided (star, square, pentagon) line produces a cleaner cut and these lines slice through heavy weeds and thick grass but break off easily when they come in contact with objects such as fences, curbs, pavement and etc. This line is intended for a larger yard and thicker weeds, ideal for commercial use.

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Serrated line produces a much cleaner cut, the line has teeth which means when the line comes in contact with vegetation it is like a knife, and cuts right through. It will also leave a much cleaner cut on regular grass, no tears. The downside being that the line can break easily when it comes into contact with objects and it can be hard to find in stores. This line is best for properties that have a lot of weeds and commercial use.

[img]http://www.drpower.com/productimages/image.axd/i.19660/a.1/w.1000/h.1000/cord,+blue,+175+mil,+80’+roll_l.jpg[/img]

Twisted line has a bit of an edge to it, it’s not as prominent as serrated line but it’s there and because of this edge it cuts clean and due to the twisting it’s stronger and quieter than its round counterpart. This line is ideal for heavy, thick weeds as well as heavier commercial use. Although, because of the edge you can use it for residential, you just have to be careful around things such as siding and fence as you could cause damage.

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Titanium line is in a league of its own, being relatively new on the market it is quickly becoming the choice for line. Titanium line is durable, won’t break as easily when coming into contact with objects, creates a nice clean-cut as well as being suitable for heavy-duty jobs. The downsides being that it’s usually more expensive and it’s very easy to cause damage with the line, it can cause a lot of damage to siding, wooden fence, flower pots, trees and anything else that the line may hit.

Now that we know the main types of line, let’s go into the next important thing that will determine what kind of work you can do with your line, that is diameter. Diameter is important because the smaller the diameter the less cutting power and durability you will have, but you will have more control and won’t have to worry as much about damage. Whereas with a larger diameter you will have more cutting power, last longer but can cause more damage and you have less control.

We’ll separate the diameters into three different categories.

Light duty (0.065 inches – 0.080 inches) – Residential, light weeds nothing heavy

Medium duty (0.065 inches – 0.105 inches) – Larger lawns, heavier weeds and light commercial work

Heavy duty (0.105 inches +) – Commercial work, industrial landscapes, thick weeds

So what is the best trimmer line? Well, as you can tell it depends on what type of work you plan to do, it can vary across the board depending on the work you’re doing. However I’ve chosen three lines, that are suitable for a variety of work and able to do most jobs, are easy to spool, maintain, as well as the most durable and flexible while still providing good cutting power. All of these trimmer lines can be purchased through Amazon and only the Husqvarna Titanium force cannot be purchased at a department store. The other two can.

The first one is Stihl’s Premium line,

[Image: premrndline.png?preset=product.full]

Many people use Stihl’s line. There’s three main types, the Premium range which starts with a diameter at 0.065 inches, the commercial which starts at 0.095 inches and the Quiet line with diameters of 0.080 and 0.095 inches. The quiet line is perfect for residential areas where noise is a concern. All of Stihl’s Premium lines are round lines, meaning you won’t get the best cutting power but your line won’t break very easily when it comes into contact with objects.

Since the line is made of nylon and nylon can dry out and become brittle, it is wise to soak this line in water overnight on a regular basis, that way you can maintain the durability and flexibility the line originally had despite the age. Their has even been claims of people bringing five-year old line that has been left out in the sun back to life with soaking. Another thing to watch out for is the line welding to the hub, this happens when either the line is poorly wound on the head, or you are cutting weeds that the line is not designed to cut and the friction heats the line to the point it welds. Make sure when you wind your line that it’s tight, and if you are cutting heavier weeds make sure to move the trimmer back and forth instead of holding it in the same place, this creates airflow and can prevent the line from welding to the head. This line spools easily and comes out straight with few twists and kinks. It is best to store this line out of direct sunlight to keep the nylon flexible and durable, a shed, or an enclosed area will do fine. The line will cut through most weeds providing you have the right diameter for the job, you can do line edging for flower beds, curbs and sidewalks without having to constantly replenish the spool.

Stihls Premium round line is the best overall line used by professionals and consumers for the past twenty years, it’s very versatile, easy to find and durable. You can find it here.

Next up is the Husqvarna Titanium Force

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This line as suggested has titanium in it, causing a cleaner cut and lasting longer than your traditional nylon line. This line comes in a round shape, but because of the titanium the cut isn’t compromised unlike traditional rounded lines. The great thing about this line is that because of the titanium it doesn’t weld together as easily as traditional lines and you don’t have to go through the process of soaking it into water to regain durability and flexibility. The line comes out straight and is easy to re-spool. However, the greatest thing about this line is the durability, it lasts more than twice as long as the nylon counterparts, there are reports of people doing big backyards with just one spool whereas with the nylon line it would take 3 or 4 spools. The only downside to this line is it’s very easy to damage objects with, it will tear right through siding and cause significant damage to wooden and metal fences. Despite the line having titanium in it it’s still best to store it out of direct sunlight in an enclosed area. The line is also more expensive and it comes in .080” , .095”, .105” and .130”. It’s harder to find in your typical hardware store and you generally have to go to a Husqvarna dealer or order online here.

This is great line, arguably the best out there. Best bang for the buck by far, useful for both commercial and residential use just be careful around objects as this line can tear through things much quicker than traditional nylon line.

The last line I want to mention is the Echo Cross-Fire line. The cross fire meaning the line is shaped like a modified addition sign, it looks like this

[Image: 53-5461.jpg]

Due to the eight sides of the line, this makes it far superior with cutting power only falling short to the serrated line which cuts great but has a poor durability to it. The echo line is made from nylon which means your line could weld together, although it is a relatively slim chance if the line is wound tightly and you move the trimmer when cutting heavy weeds to improve airflow. You still have to soak the line in water to rejuvenate its durability and flexibility, you should even do this with brand new line because you never know how long the line you bought has been sitting in the warehouse. The line is easy to spool into the trimmer and relatively inexpensive compared to the Stihl and Husqvarna lines. It comes in .065” , .080”, .095”, .105”, .130” and .155”. Another great part of this line is because of it weighing less than Stihl’s line and the Titanium line you will have less noticeable burn marks if you ever let the line hit the ground, you will still burn the grass but it will be less noticeable than if you burned with Stihl’s Premium line or Husqvarna’s Titanium line. You should store this line out of direct sunlight and in an enclosed area to avoid the nylon becoming brittle from the sun. Many professionals and consumers use this line and love it, the only slight downside is if you can go through a lot of it you aren’t very precise with the trimmer. You can buy it here.

These three are the best trimmer lines on the market right now and most often used by professionals and consumers alike. Trimmer line is extremely important, it can make the difference between a good and poor cut as well as an hour-long job turning into an hour and a half or even two-hour job if you have to re-spool all the time. There’s plenty of options with trimmer line and it can get confusing deciding what to use. The three lines I suggested are the best overall lines for a variety of jobs. No more headaches with strings welding together or breaking apart with the lightest use, trimming isn’t supposed to be a chore and with the three lines I suggested I guarantee you will learn to enjoy the trimmer and the unlimited potential the machine has. Happy trimming.

Black And Decker LCC150 Review

B&D LCC 150

Be sure to check out our guide to Weed Eaters.

The Black and Decker LCC150 has a lithium ion battery that gives you a maximum of 40 volts. The battery has a longer lifespan and provides you with high quality service for a very long period of time.

It features a charge indicator that enables you to know the capacity of the battery when using it. You also get a lithium battery pack providing you with current of 2.0 amperes per hour.

The battery pack gives you 30% more run time for every battery pack so as to ensure that you don’t run out of power until you have fully completed your task.

The system that provides you with a nominal Voltage of 40 v Max to 36 v can also work with other lithium tools that give you 40 v Max and 36v.

Basically, the unit has about two tools in one unit. The trimmer can easily undergo conversion into an edger, that is able to cut along driveways and sidewalks to give you a manicured, clean appearance.

The string trimmer, is able to get the job done faster because of the PowerDrive Transmission, that provides you with more cutting power. It is also worth noting down that it has a cutting swath of about 13 inches.

The PowerCommand dial gives you the option of choosing between maximum power, that is able to cut through thick weeds and maximum runtime, to save power and increase battery life.

The Black and Decker LCC150 , has an Automatic Feed Spool, that ensures you get minimal bumping and also prevents constant breaks as you work. You don’t have to stop so that you can adjust the spool. This ensures that you take very little time to complete your work.

It has a powerful and light sweeper to easily clear any debris that may be present in hard surfaces like decks, patios, garages, walks and also drives. The unit is light in weight and only weighs about 4.7 pounds . This makes it quick and easy for you to blow debris off and also ensures that your operation is quiet because of the presence of a low noise design.

The sweeper also has Power Command controls that give you the option of either using maximum power or maximum runtime, that increases your battery life.

It also helps in reducing your carbon footprint because it doesn’t release any emissions in your yard.

Features Of The Product
Before you purchase any product, it is very important for you to make sure you fully understand its features. Below are the features of this product .

– It has a sweeper and a 13 inch trimmer.
– The sweeper is powerful and light so as to clear debris easily from any hard surfaces.
– It has one lithium ion battery offering 40V Max and an extended runtime of about 2.0 amperes per hour.
– The trimmer has the ability to easily convert into an edger, so as to easily cut along driveways and sidewalks.
– The nominal voltage ranges between 40v Max to 36v, and the system is capable of working with other 40v Max and 36v lithium tools.

Clear Details Of The Product
Below are some of the notable details of this product.
– It is manufactured by Black and Decker Outdoor
– Its shipping weight is about 13.6 pounds.
– The dimensions of the product is 13 inches by 43.3 inches by 7 inches.

Conclusion
The Black and Decker LCC150 , provides you with quick, efficient and high quality service to ensure that you always complete your task on time.

Ryobi RY40210 Review

What you need to know about Ryobi RY40210 cordless string cutter.

Our buyer’s guide to weed eaters is here.

Specifications

Weight: 13.35 pounds

Product Dimensions: 8 x 10 x 42 inches

Battery Voltage: 40 volts

Manufacturer: Ryobi

Model Number: RY40210

 

Currently, there are more people who prefer electric-powered tools to gas-powered alternatives. If you intend to purchase a string trimmer soon, consider the environmental-friendliness of one that is electric-powered. Below is an insight into what the Ryobi RY40210 cordless string trimmer has to offer. In other words, get a good grasp of its pros and cons before you head on to making a purchase.

Assembly

You will find it very easy to assemble the Ryobi RY40210. It has an intuitive design and although you can easily troubleshoot a problem by reading its user manual, you will be able to assemble most of its parts without instruction. With the Connexion Attachment System, it is possible to transform the string trimmer into a pole pruner, an edger or a hedge trimmer.

Functionality

Ryobi RY40210 is a single line cutter. Most homeowners prefer single line trimmers because unlike their dual line counterparts, you will have less hassle dealing with a spool which gets knotted to fast. If you are a newbie to string trimmers, you might be inclined to think that a dual-line cutter has better functionality. You should, however, note that they are not very popular because most of them are inconveniencing.

Is it a bump head or an automatic feed?

It is an automatic feed cutter; this means that it sends out more line when the string gets shorter in order to advance. These cutters are apparently becoming more popular than bump head trimmers because you do not have to focus on the length of its string while working. However, note that it would be very difficult to deal with the automatic mechanism should the cutter’s mortar jam.

Ergonomics

Does the Ryobi RY40210 offer a pleasant user experience? At, 13.3 pounds after assembly, it is honestly lightweight. You can trim or use it for other tasks without burning out so quickly. Again, with its lightweight build, this is something that can be used by anyone regardless of how often they pay visits to the gym. Something else a good cordless trimmer should possess is reliability in its balance. Most of the people who have used it agree that it is a little bit nose-heavy but all the same, it has good balance. Just in case you are interested in the details, it has the mortar at its head and the battery in the back to help with balancing.

Convenience

To say that a cordless string trimmer is convenient, it has got to have a battery that lasts for a considerably long period of time. Ryobi RY40210 is one of the best in its league gauged on this aspect. The battery takes two hours to reach full charge and won’t need you to stop and recharge if you are going to work on a modest ¼ acre lawn.

Bottom Line

They Ryobi RY40210 cordless string cutter has grown very popular with homeowners since its release. You will have nothing to miss if you are upgrading from a gas-powered cutter. It has got power, great ergonomics and would you believe that its battery life extends beyond the time you take to refill your gas trimmer?

Black and Decker LC3K220 Review

The Black and Decker LC3K220 Is a Valuable Yard Care Set For Your Use

The Black and Decker LC3K220 combo kit contains a variety of pieces for your yard. It features a trimmer, sweeper and hedge cutter. These are all powered with a series of rechargeable batteries that are easy to add onto each individual item within the product.

 

 

Specifications

The battery used for each item is a 20V lithium ion battery. Two of these batteries are included in the set.

The individual parts in the LC3K220 set weigh around ten pounds each. These parts are designed with strong handles that are easy to carry around. the items are clearly made with the weight being centered on the base and it can take a bit for a person to figure out how to hold onto the trimmer items. However, after a bit of training, it should be very easy for the user to handle it.

Assembly Points

The trimmer set is easy to assemble. You can add the battery onto the base on any of the three devices that it comes with. The charging unit is especially easy to work with.

The individual items are also assembled with care. Each comes with parts that can be screwed on quickly as needed. The blade materials can also be fixed up and cleaned off with relative ease.

The Cutting Line

The cutting head works with a single line that moves quickly along a surface. The trimmer and hedge butter but use just one direction for how cuts are to work. When used right, it should be very easy for the cutting process to work out right.

The automatic feed is especially important to see here. This allows the cutting feature to stay consistent as it will quickly move along a surface with ease. If used properly, it should be rather easy for the cutting process to work to the user’s demands.

Battery Life

The battery can last for close to an hour on a full charge. This is based on the battery working with the trimming items at full power. It takes about eight hours for it to charge. Still, the charge will last about five times longer than that of what 18-volt NiCad batteries that are similar to it use.

How Strong Is It?

When used properly, this Black and Decker trimmer set will work wonders for a home. It will help with a variety of surfaces as it can cut evenly and get close to many tight spaces that are often hard to trim.

This does work best when it is used with a full charge though. If the battery is not properly charged, it might be easy for the unit to wear out and stop working as well as it should. This is a point to look into when it comes to getting this appealing trimmer set to work according to one’s overall needs.

Summary

The Black and Decker LC3K220 should be useful for all the general trimming needs that one might hold. When used right, it will be very easy for anyone to get a yard trimmed around and cut as well as needed.

Black and Decker LST136V Review


Known for indomitable appliances and power tools, Black and Decker string trimmers have been added to the list of high quality products that make your life easier. This latest line of electric weed eaters will help keep the surroundings free from carbon emissions while getting the job done. And this is where the Black and Decker LST136W string trimmer comes in.

Here are some of the features and specifications of the string trimmer:

Battery System and Light Weight Design

This electric lawn and garden equipment is easy to assemble and features a 40-Volt Lithium Battery System that is compatible with other 40V MAX tools such as sweeper, lawn vacuum, etc. The battery can last up to about 30 minutes when run on the highest power setting and for about one hour when run on the lowest power level setting. The trimmer also features a light weight design (weighing only 7.08lb with the battery installed); this is average weight for a battery-powered weed wacker, and much lighter than a gas engine trimmer.

Adjustable Shaft and Dual Function

The 13-inch cordless trimmer comes with an adjustable shaft height, allowing the user to adjust its height to a comfortable level, saving your arms or back from unnecessary pain. The equipment also has a rotating head that allows it to be converted into an edger, while a built in guide helps keep your edging even and straight, and flips up out of the way when the equipment is in trimming mode. This dual function saves time and eliminates the need for multiple tools.

Single Line Cutting Head and Automatic Feed

The LST136W string trimmer uses a single line cutting head and the company recommends using a string 0.065” in diameter when you need a replacement. The electric trimmer features an automatic line feed system. The system uses centrifugal force to mete out more lines when needed. This eliminates the need to keep bumping it against the ground to advance the line. The line will advance when it encounters resistance as you trim the grass.

Trimming Power

This trimmer allows the user to choose the level of power needed to get the task done faster and more efficiently. The PowerCommand dial is used to choose between max power (8500 RPM) to trim thick weeds and max runtime (6500 RPM) to increase battery life. The Power-Drive Transmission design offers more cutting force.

The LST136W from Black and Decker strikes an excellent balance between performance, power, effectiveness, affordability and battery longevity.

Warranty

Black and Decker backs up the LST 136W with a 3-year warranty. The warranty covers materials and defective parts. The equipment comes also with a user manual that takes you through the easy-to-assemble instructions. The procedure of replacing the string pool and other things are also included.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a quiet, emission free, electric powered weed trimmer, the Black and Decker LST 136W is the deal. With its wide cutting path of 13 inches, automatic line feed, variable power settings, you can trim your lawn or garden with the harmful emissions and weight of a gas powered trimmer.