Use power weed trimmers properly for safety
NEWARK, Del. - Flexible line
or string power trimmers now
make it possible to cut weeds and
grasses growing in places hard to
reach with a mower. They make
quick work of trimming vegetation
around fence posts and buildings
without damaging the structures.
But for their own safety, users
must understand how these
machines operate and use them
properly, says University of
Delaware extension agriculture
engineer Tom Williams.
These devices use monofilament
nylon string or strings rotating at
high speed to cut or strike off grass
and soft vegetation in a 6- to 18-inch
swath. Heavy-duty weed and
brushcutters have a steel cutting
blade instead of string.
Williams says line trimmers
were developed in Texas in 1974
and are now manufactured by
several outdoor power equipment
companies. The machines are
powered by small electric motors
or two-cycle gasoline engines and
vary in price from under $2O to
over |4OO, The least expensive
models have fractional hor
sepower electric motors and
smaller diameter monofilament
lines and are only suitable for
grass trimming. Some models
have rechargeable batteries, a
feature which allows more
freedom than a power cord.
Heavy-duty electric models can be
used for cutting and pruning.
Gasoline-powered trimmers and
cutters aren’t limited by power
cords, but they are noisy, the
engineer says. Their engines vary
in size from about 15 cc for light
weight models to over 80 cc for
heavy-duty professional brush
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cutters. The larger the engine, the
heavier the machine. Any machine
over 12 pounds should be used with
a shoulder harness, Williams says.
For better control, heavy-duty
brushcutters have handlebars and
body harnesses.
Light-duty trimmers have
flexible driveshafts from the
engine to the cutting head; heavy
duty brushcutters use straight
solid driveshafts for longer life.
“The size machine to buy
depends on the size of your
property and the amount of
trimming and brushcutting to be
done,” says the specialist. “If you
have a lot of land to clear and
prune, choose a heavy-duty
gasoline-powered model with a
straight driveshaft, body harness,
good balance and anti-vibration
mountings. If you’re just going to
trim grass around your driveway
and patio, an electric model will
do.”
Heavy-duty trimmers have
thicker monofilament line than the
lighter models so that they can cut
heavier vegetation. The thicker
line will also last longer. “Trim
ming around concrete walks and
metal fence posts will soon wear
out the line, so save these jobs for
last,” he advises. “Many models
have a semi-automatic line feed to
renew worn line, which is a con
venient feature. When you need
more, on some you just tap the
head on the ground and the line is
automatically cut to the right
length. Use only the replacement
line recommended by the
manufacturer. Never use wire
instead.”
Before operating any of these
trimmers or cutters, Williams
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advises owners to read the
operator’s manual. This will tell
how to use the machine most ef
fectively and safely.
Always wear sturdy leather
shoes, long pants, long-sleeved
shirt, safety gloves and
hat when operating a trimmer as it
will throw dirt and debris. If you
own a gasoline model, be sure to
wear ear protedction (inserts or
muffs), the specialist says. When
using a steel-bladed model for
brushcutting and pruning, wear
steel-toed safety boots and a hard
hat. Always adjust the handles and
straps to fit your body size so you
can operate the machine com
fortably. It’s best not to run it for
more than an hour without taking a
break because of the vibration.
Don’t operate the machine
without the guards in place, and
work from right to left so that the
debris is thrown away from you.
Make sure there are no bystanders
in the area. Take care when
trimming around young trees; if
the line hits them it will damage
their bark.
Before operating a weed trim
mer or brushcutter, always check
it for loose parts caused by
vibration. Never make ad
justments with the motor running
and never refuel a hot engine.
Inspect steel cutting blades for
cracks, dullness and looseness.
When sharpening blades, be aware
that dipping a hot blade in water
will make it brittle and more likely
to break. Always use the
replacement blades recommended
by the manufacturer.
Since trimming is usually a
dusty job, Williams recommends
cleaning the air filter daily on a
gasoline model. Use the proper oil- carburetor,
fuel mixture because this is the When used properly and safely,
source of lubrication for a two- powered trimmers and brash
cycle engine. Remove all gasoline cutters can make quick work of
before long-term storage to cutting unwanted vegetation.
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Technical improvements
increase carpet performance
NEWARK, Del. Choosing a
new carpet was never easy, but
now it’s more puzzling than ever.
There’s a whole new vocabulary to
learn.
The biggest news in the carpet
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nylon and polyester.” What does
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and how does the fourth generation
differ from the first, second, and
third?
In carpets, as in computers, a
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Delaware extension home
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nylon filament, these agents
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In the second generation, the
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Scientists have also developed
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