In previous posts, we have offered a basic introduction to the trimmer, and even showed you how you can repair your string trimmer yourself. The differences between the trimmer and the edger have also been covered. However, you also need to know how to successfully operate a trimmer—if not, you can make your lawn entirely uneven and cause personal injury. In the rush to accomplish the task at hand, it is easy to disregard trimming technique. In fairness, trimming is in many ways trickier than mowing, so if you aren’t familiar with how to handle a trimmer, it’s easy to do a less than satisfactory job. Therefore, in this post, we review successful trimming technique, so that you can get the most out of this most valuable lawn care tool.
How Should You Handle One of These?
How should you handle the trimmer?
There are different theories for how to successfully handle the trimmer. Some prefer to walk forwards, while others insist that walking backwards gives them increased control over the machine. If you are new to trimmer, walking backwards is probably better trimming technique, as it is easier to maintain a straight line. However, if you do choose to walk backwards, bear in mind that you will have to be aware of any debris (or children) that may lurk behind you. Anytime you operate a machine backwards, you disrupt your basic line of vision and have to be that much more careful with where you are going.
While trimming, be sure to keep the head of the trimmer at least 2 inches off the ground. Trim from the top-down rather than the bottom-up. One can always tell when someone inexperienced has operated a trimmer since the cut is uneven and the lawn is scalped. Avoid this by keeping your trimmer a good deal off the ground. Proper trimming technique also involves the direction in which you cut. If grass is low, you can use a two-sided motion. However, if your grass is tall, it’s best to mow in one direction as this will easily identify your path.
Safety Concerns When Trimming
First of all, make sure that you wear eye and ear protection, and long pants and sleeves. It is also important to keep the guard on, as this protects grass and debris from flinging upwards toward you face. As a side note, removing the guard often breaks the warranty, making it all the more important that you keep the guard in place.
Trimming technique is relatively basic but can prove costly if you do not handle the machine in a safe manner. If you are new to trimming, be aware that it is a tricky machine to handle and it is inherently more difficult to get a straight cut with than the mower. Even so, by following the advice given in this post you’ll be using proper trimming technique in no time.
