The electric brushcutter is a less powerful tool than a gasoline trimmer and is not autonomous in operation, but it has many other advantages. You get simple and comfortable work, low noise level, easy start and control, light weight, and compact size. Exhaust gases are not released, which means you can work indoors, such as in a greenhouse. Besides, an electric grass trimmer is cheap, doesn’t require tedious and constant maintenance of the engine, its refuel with gasoline and oil. This means a double financial benefit – both when purchasing (low price) and during operation – no need to buy expensive gasoline.
However, you can choose an electric trimmer for mowing grass only in case:
- The treated area is near the socket;
- A stable and reliable power network without voltage fluctuations;
- A small lawn size – up to 5 acres.
Otherwise, you simply cannot work with the grass-cutting device, as its working area is limited by the length of the power cable. Therefore, for handling large areas, the question of “Which trimmer is better: gasoline or electric” is resolved in favor of gasoline. If you want to buy a trimmer to care for the lawn in small yards, electric brushcutters are much more comfortable and profitable. Also, we recommend paying attention to battery trimmers. They operate without being tied to a network, i.e., autonomously, and have the advantages of electric engines – quiet, light, and clean.
Nevertheless, when choosing an electric trimmer, it is important to consider all work parameters and take into account every nuance.
How to Choose an Electric Brushcutter for Different Tasks en
A trimmer for the cottage powered from the electrical network can be used at full power, for cutting tough weeds and thick grass, or it may be used very rarely and only for simple tasks. For example, for trimming lawn edges or maintaining a small flower garden, several times a season. Thus, garden equipment will undergo varying intensity loads. To perform them, there are different classes of models – domestic (for home, garden, lawn, and for the garden) or professional (for harvesting hay in large volumes, mowing large areas, regular work mode).
Therefore, before choosing a grass trimmer, you need to consider what tasks and loads it is purchased for. Technical characteristics of the device depend on these conditions. They include:
- Engine power. Small domestic ones are up to 500 watts, medium power from 0.5 to 1 kW, and the most powerful (used by professionals) are above 1000 watts. They are more expensive, but their performance is no worse than gasoline ones.
- Cutting equipment.
The electric trimmers are equipped with a cutting head containing a spool with a line for mowing grass. The line ends wear out, and you need to pull out new ones. The line is good for mowing around trees, cutting fresh grass. The best electric trimmers have automatic or semi-automatic line feed. Most low-power models cut only with a line.
The cutting width of electric brushcutters is from 20 to 42 cm.
However, there are powerful machines with high productivity that can cut weeds with a sharp three-bladed knife. The cutting width with a knife is less – about a quarter of a meter. The ability to install a knife to cut weeds is only available in those brushcutters with a metal shaft inside the rod. If it is a thin cable, then you cannot install a knife for tough grass – the cable will break. This must be taken into account.
- Shape of the shaft. Trimmers may have either a straight or curved shaft. A curved shaft is easier to reach difficult places, such a brushcutter is lightweight. But the straight one is more reliable, only in it is a strong metal drive shaft installed. This shaft is made of aluminum.
It is much stronger than plastic. In some models, the shaft can be disassembled, which is convenient for transportation and storage. Small grass-cutting devices may be equipped with a telescopic shaft.
- How the engine is located – at the bottom or top. A brushcutter with an engine at the bottom is the simplest and least powerful tool for flower gardens and small lawns. As a rule, it is equipped with a d-shaped handle and has a curved shaft.
It cannot be used to mow wet grass, as this may damage the engine. A trimmer with an engine at the top is more powerful. A brushcutter with it is well balanced, mows wet and tall grass. If there are bicycle handles for a firmer grip and control, then you have a professional tool.
For comfortable work, pay attention when choosing to:
- The shoulder strap. A single shoulder strap transfers the weight of the brushcutter to the shoulder well, while a backpack strap distributes weight perfectly, reducing arm fatigue.
- Lightweight.
It is more convenient to mow grass with a light model.
- Rubber pads on the handles. They reduce vibration levels and prevent hands from slipping.
- Reliable and reputable brand. The firm choice for an electric trimmer depends on its service life, reliability, and build quality.
- Protection from accidental start – for safety.
- Soft start function – no jerk at startup.
How to Work with a Trimmer en
Before work, take care of your safety. Wear protective goggles to prevent cut grass from accidentally injuring your eyes. Gloves are used to protect hands.
Check the spool with the line for cutting grass. The coils should be tight and even, not crossing. It is wound in the required direction – there are always arrows on the bobbin indicating the winding direction and its boundary marks. Quantity and thickness are indicated in the technical passport. You cannot use a line in the trimmer head thicker than the engine power allows.
If you install a knife, check if it is dull. The cable with a plug runs from the top of the engine. It is plugged into the socket (a good extension cord can be used), and the start button is pressed. The tool should be firmly held in your hands, moving it from left to right and back. You can mow in stripes, or you can move along the lawn perimeter.
All obstacles in the form of trees and shrubs, benches and curbs, flower beds should be mowed around. At the same time, the protective cover should be turned to the obstacle, so that the line ends are not worn out so much and the knife is not dulled. If the grass winds up on the spool or shaft during operation, remove it immediately to avoid overloading the engine.
How to Maintain an Electric Brushcutter en
Compared to internal combustion engine maintenance, maintaining an electric brushcutter is much simpler.
- After work, clean off dirt, remove grass, debris, wipe off dust.
Be sure to wipe off grass juice from the head before it dries.
- Before work, check the line feed, whether it is in the necessary quantity, how the line is fed. Be sure to safely look at the knife mount, whether its blades are bent, or they are dull. If blunted, they need sharpening. Some models have double-sided knives, then they are simply turned over to the other side.
- The storage room should be dry; otherwise, corrosion is inevitable. Install a hook on the wall for hanging the brushcutter rather than placing it on the floor.
How to Troubleshoot Popular Breakdowns and Why They Occur en
Why the Electric Brushcutter Does Not Gain Speed en
The reason may be a damaged cable, insulation, plug, socket.
Furthermore, if a brush motor stalls, it is not a breakdown – just replace the worn carbon brushes with new ones. If the brushes wear very often during operation, it means they are poorly attached or too pressed. Their clamp needs adjustment. Weak rotation speed can also be caused by too long line tips or a foreign object that got into the spool housing and hinders rotation. You need to shorten them by disassembling the bobbin and winding it tighter.
Why the Electric Brushcutter Heats Up en
Low-power motors heat up after 10-15 minutes of operation. They need cooling. However, if the motor is of high power, professional type, there should be no overheating. Just remember that each electric motor is designed for a certain line thickness. Do not replace it with metal wire or take a thicker line than specified by the manufacturer.
Using improperly selected cutting kits (thick line or installing a knife if it is not recommended) causes mechanisms to overheat and then overload. A flexible drive brushcutter can have a broken cable – it is easy to replace. With a forged drive shaft, the motor itself can burn out. Only a specialist can eliminate this breakdown. You can try it yourself if you have electric motor repair skills.
To do this, check the winding for resistance, as well as test the rotor and stator with a multimeter. If there is no resistance on the stator, the motor is out of order. It can be rewound (which is difficult and long), but it is better to replace it with a new one.
Why the Electric Brushcutter Vibrates en
Most likely, the spool with the line is to blame. Probably, the spool casing broke.
You need to turn off the device and replace the spool with a new one. Regarding the cutting element malfunctions, to avoid them, knives need regular sharpening, broken ones should be discarded and replaced. A dull knife harms the engine, promotes its overheating, and reduces its life. If you bought a trimmer with a plastic knife included, it is better to replace it with a metal one after one or two uses. The torn line in the bobbin needs unwinding by disassembling the drum.
Then hand wind a new line, monitoring the direction and evenness of the coils, as poorly wound cord may jam and disable the motor.
Other Common Breakdowns en
Sometimes the start button sticks because the spring underneath it broke. You need to buy a new switch and replace this element. The protective cover is not only for your safety. It is designed to protect the tool itself.
Do not remove it; otherwise, the cutting element may hit a stone or another obstacle, disabling the whole brushcutter. If the limiter breaks off, it needs to be fastened with metal wire to the rod or reattached by making a strip mount. The shaft, especially the plastic one, may also break. It can be reinforced with iron brackets or even a simple wooden rail. As we see, some minor breakdowns can be fixed by yourself.
But if you lack skills, it is better to take the brushcutter to repair. Especially in the case of engine failure or to sharpen the knife. The ideal option is when there is a long-term warranty service from the manufacturer and service centers close to your place of residence.