AL-KO grass trimmers: overview of petrol and electric models

The correct choice of trimmer determines not only the neatness of the lawn, but also the safety of the user. For this reason, it is worth considering the basic petrol and electric grass trimmer models from the renowned AL-KO company.

The history of the AL-KO company began in 1931 in the Swiss city of Groskötz, where the blacksmith Alois Kober opened a locksmith's workshop. The family business had grown into a small auto parts plant by 1952. In 1961, the first overseas subsidiary of the company was opened in the Austrian city of Celle, and in 1966 the company began to produce lawn mowers and other garden tools.

Today AL-KO is a large international concern that manufactures three main types of products: garden equipment, auto parts and air conditioning systems. The company has representative offices in 40 countries of the world, including Russia. The concern's production facilities are concentrated mainly in Germany and China.

Thanks to the use of modern reliable materials and high-tech automated production with multi-stage quality control trimmers made by AL-KO differ from most analogues:

• reliability;
• environmental friendliness;
• productivity;
• energy efficiency;
• ease of use;
• relatively small dimensions.

It is also worth noting that the cost of such products is much higher than the Chinese counterpart, but they will also last longer, while consuming less energy (electricity or fuel) and protecting the user from possible injury.

According to the principle of operation, all grass trimmers manufactured by the company are divided into two main categories: mows and electric mows.

Of the brushcutters, the most popular on the Russian market are several varieties. They are described below.

• BC 225 L-S. This is the simplest and cheapest option based on a cutting nylon line with a two-stroke petrol engine with a volume of 25 cm3, which makes it possible to develop a power of 0.7 kW. Maximum speed - 7000 rpm. / min. The width of the processed strip is 41 cm. The product weighs only 5.5 kg, which, along with the collapsible handle, makes it easy to transport and store. This option is well suited for maintaining a small lawn without dense and dense undergrowth.

• BC 225 B. It is a variation of the previous model, adapted for the installation of a three-pronged knife, which allows it to be used for cutting thick grass and bushes.

• Model Solo 116 it is distinguished by a more powerful engine (25.4 cm3, 0.75 kW), an improved exhaust gas system and greater ease of use due to the anti-vibration system and carefully calibrated balancing of the product. A three-blade knife acts as a cutting part.

• Solo 141. It is a professional brushcutter with a powerful two-stroke engine (40.2 cm3, 1.25 kW), which is easy to start thanks to the installation of a decompression valve. The control buttons are ergonomically located on the handle, making it easy to trim tall bushes or work on complex geometries. It is completed with two cutting units: a fishing line with a variable coverage width and a reliable three-bladed knife 25 cm wide.

• Solo 142 SB. It is analogous to the previous product with a two-stroke engine. It has a volume of 40.7 cm3, which allows reaching a power of 1.7 kW.

• Solo 130 H. It is a quiet petrol cutter equipped with a reliable and powerful four-stroke Honda petrol engine (35.8 cm3).

The most widespread in the Russian Federation are the models of AL-KO electric trimmers, presented below.

• GTE 350 Classic. Compact, lightweight (2.3 kg) and budget model with a 350 W electric motor that connects to the household network. A fishing line with a coverage width of 25 cm is used as a cutting part.

• GTE 550 Premium. Version with a 550 W electric motor and a cutting width of 30 cm. Thanks to the swiveling cutting head, it can be used for working on difficult landscapes and creating "living sculptures" from bushes.

• BC 1000 E. Powerful (1 kW) and quiet model with 35 cm cutting width and additional removable handle.

• BC 1200 E. This is the most powerful (1.2 kW) electric scythe of the company, on which a fishing line with a coverage width of up to 35 cm or a knife with a width of 23 cm can be installed.

• GT 2025. Compact and lightweight (2 kg) cordless trimmer with 25 cm cutting width.

For an overview of AL-KO FRC4125 brushcutters, see the video below.