Using a garden trimmer, also known as a weed wacker or string trimmer, effectively involves understanding its operation and taking precautions to maintain both your yard and the trimmer itself. Here's a comprehensive guide based on the provided reference:
The garden trimmer is a tool used to cut grass and weeds in areas that a lawnmower can't reach, such as along fences, walls, and garden beds. Here are some tips to use it safely and effectively:
Key Considerations for Effective Trimming
- Protecting Trees and Plants: Be very careful when trimming around trees. Routinely trimming around trees can kill or damage them.
- Protecting Flowers: Exercise caution when trimming around flowers, as the cutting heads of trimmers can easily cut them off.
Steps to Using a Garden Trimmer
While the reference only provides cautions about what not to do, here are some more common steps to use a garden trimmer:
- Safety First: Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris. Consider hearing protection, especially for prolonged use. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are also recommended.
- Prepare the Area: Remove any large objects or debris from the trimming area to prevent them from being thrown by the trimmer.
- Starting the Trimmer:
- Electric Trimmers: Plug in the trimmer or insert a charged battery.
- Gas Trimmers: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for starting, which usually involves priming the engine, setting the choke, and pulling the starter cord.
- Trimming Technique:
- Hold the trimmer with both hands, keeping a firm grip.
- Tilt the trimmer head slightly towards the area you want to cut.
- Use a sweeping motion, moving the trimmer from side to side.
- Overlap each pass slightly to ensure even cutting.
- Edging: To edge along sidewalks or driveways, tilt the trimmer vertically so the string is aligned with the edge.
- Adjusting the String: Most trimmers have a bump feed or automatic feed mechanism to advance the cutting string. Tap the trimmer head on the ground (bump feed) or allow the string to advance automatically.
- Avoiding Scalping: Keep the trimmer head at a consistent height to avoid cutting the grass too short ("scalping").
- Turning off the Trimmer:
- Electric Trimmers: Unplug the trimmer or remove the battery.
- Gas Trimmers: Turn off the engine according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Maintenance: Clean the trimmer head after each use and inspect the string for wear. Replace the string as needed. For gas trimmers, perform regular maintenance such as changing the air filter and spark plug.
By following these steps and taking the appropriate precautions, you can effectively use a garden trimmer to maintain a neat and tidy yard.
