Which trimmer is better: electric or petrol?

Choosing a lightweight tool for cutting grass on site is a daunting task, even for an experienced gardener. A wide range of efficient and safe motorized analogues of the classic hand scythe is widely available on sale today. But to understand their differences without a detailed study of all the characteristics is quite difficult.

To cope with the task will help a comparison of a petrol cutter and an electric cutter for grass, as well as studying the reviews of the owners of each type of garden tool.

Works without connection to the mains the petrol trimmer looks quite attractive against the background of its counterparts that require connection to an outlet... Such a scythe has a more complex design (with a tank, a motor rotating the working element), increased weight and certain maintenance requirements that are unlikely to be met by all users. The volume of the fuel tank in household products can be from 0.5 to 1.5 liters.

The standard power of the petrol cutter is quite large - from 1 to 2.5 kW, but even the simplest options are quite enough for processing a garden plot or a local area.

In addition, this tool has differences in a number of criteria.

1. A kind of engine. Two-stroke are noisier, in which gasoline and oil are poured together in the proportions specified by the manufacturer. The four-stroke engine requires separate fuel and lubricant filling. The power of such equipment is much higher, but there is less noise during its operation.
2. Boom design type. The straight line allows you to immediately transfer the torque generated by the motor to the gearbox without losses, it provides greater rigidity and increased reliability. Plastic rods are curved, less reliable due to the presence of bends in the structure. Under pressure, such a connection can get damaged and simply break. Gas cutter models with a collapsible type of construction are more convenient for transportation - they can be placed in the trunk of a car during transportation.
3. Type of cutting elements included. A classic reel with line - cord can be used here. It is most often used as a remedy for grasses with thin and flexible stems. Plastic knives with several "blades" are more rigid, suitable for dealing with dense thickets of varietal grass. Serrated metal disc with cutting elements around its circumference is suitable for mowing small shrubs, hogweed or other plants with a thick tubular stem.

Each petrol brush has a protective cover, a special attachment above the rotating tool tip. It is worth paying attention to the fact that working without it is strictly prohibited due to the high risk of injury during mowing.

Among the obvious advantages of gasoline trimmers are:

• independence from the range of power sources, you can freely move around the site;
• the possibility of expanding functionality: from tree felling to snow removal;
• fast and efficient processing of any area;
• no problems with mowing edges along the fence or in the corners;
• high performance of the equipment.

There are also enough disadvantages of petrol cutters: they constantly require the purchase of fuels and lubricants, which must be purchased separately. In addition, they need to be stored somewhere and at the same time comply with certain safety rules.Line consumption for these trimmers can also be an unpleasant surprise.

In the event of a breakdown, the petrol cutter will have to be handed over for repair, and sometimes it is even easier to buy a new one. Maintenance of garden equipment, fuel filling and lubrication require some technical knowledge. The noise level also creates additional difficulties - you have to work in special protective headphones.

Lightweight and compact the electric streamer uses electricity from the mains cable or from the built-in battery as a power source... There are budget models with low power - from 250 watts. But the most demanded segment of sales is electric mowers from 800 W, more powerful, with a motor located in the upper part of the structure.

Boom design also matters. Straight metal variants are used in electric scythes with knives. But most of the models presented in stores are designed to work with cord.

Among the pluses of the electrocos it is possible to note:

• low weight of the equipment - there is no heavy load on the back and arms;
• versatility - can be used by the elderly, adolescents;
• affordable cost - the simplest options have a price of less than 2,000 rubles;
• simple start-up without additional tweaks;
• low noise level - no need for protective devices in the form of headphones;
• absence of harmful emissions into the atmosphere;
• low vibration load, safe for health;
• no special storage requirements;
• for rechargeable models - independence from the location of the electrical outlet.

There are also enough disadvantages. It should be borne in mind that electric braids powered from the network require the use of extension cords, access to an outlet. They must not be used in the period after rain or in the morning (after dew): there is a risk of short circuits. Low power noticeably limits the range of possibilities for using electric mowers on the site - their lot is to remove thin stems of grassy plants.

Another serious drawback is the weaker design of the equipment, it breaks down much more often, and both the motor and the rod can become a vulnerable node. Rechargeable products are much more massive, weigh up to 4.5 kg and require wearing a special shoulder strap.

First of all, attention should be paid to the practical side of the issue. To make a decision it is enough to simply compare all the relevant parameters of gasoline and electric trimmers and the requirements for their work.

• Objectives of the acquisition. A grass trimmer can be a means of periodically removing grass near the house, in places of rest - in this case, it will be enough to use an electric trimmer, which allows you to successfully cope with the tasks without getting tired. But if you have to mow a lot and regularly, then you should choose a more powerful model that can work for a long time without stopping and overheating the engine.

• Practicality. In a dacha or household farm, conducted on an ongoing basis, it will be more practical to have a classic electric braid with a battery at hand. It is easy for her to maintain a lawn at home or to cultivate a garden. It is rational to use the benzokos for large estates or for clearing the territory.

• Site type. For grass on a small lawn or as a trial summer cottage, you can choose a compact electric garden trimmer. It will be cheaper, and if in the future an option is needed to expand the range of tasks, then it will be possible to choose a lawn mower.If the site is non-electrified, has a large area, uneven relief or plants of heterogeneous structure on its territory, then there is only one option - a benzokos.

• Associated costs. The line costs of the gasoline and electric trimmers are approximately the same. If we take into account the consumption of fuel - electric charge or oil and gasoline, the option with mains or battery power will be more economical in terms of costs. All these points are of great importance in the process of equipment operation.

• Maintainability. If we consider which trimmer is more reliable, the petrol version will definitely come out on top. Such braids really break less often and, in general, have a more serious working life. But in case of damage, repairs will cost more.

• Environmental friendliness. Here, electric braids are definitely ahead, since they do not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere. This is important if the grass is used as animal feed in the future. In addition, not everyone is ready to breathe high concentrations of exhaust gases, and this is inevitable with long continuous use of the brushcutter.

Gasoline and electric trimmers, although they have great similarities, are still designed to perform tasks of different sizes. Using the option with a fuel tank, you can take care of areas without access to electricity, literally go out into the field, remove grass of any height and density. The petrol cutter has more possibilities for use when solving problems of cutting small trees, mowing shrubs.

According to the owners of gasoline and electric trimmers, low-power devices in general, in any version, are not very useful when working on a large area. 500 W appliances are enough to care for small, thin-stemmed lawns. The practical experience of trimmer owners suggests that sooner or later inexpensive models have to be changed to more professional and efficient ones. There is no point in saving here - both electric and gasoline braids from market leaders are capable of full-fledged care of a summer cottage or backyard territory.

An unpleasant surprise for many is the line consumption - it is really high, and it is better to stock up on special discs in advance for cutting harder stems. When choosing powerful models, it is better to give preference to options with a two-shoulder strap or a backpack-type fastening. Otherwise, there is a high probability that after working with the instrument, the back and shoulders will feel painful.

You can find out how to choose a garden trimmer in the video below.