Yard Trimmers...Gas or Electric?

Question

I need to buy a trimmer for yardwork. Which should I purchase. What are are pros and cons of using either?

Answer 1

100 percent gas. You will not want to haul the cord around, trust me. Ryobi makes one that converts to all kinds of other yard appliances. It rocks.

Answer 2

Well, with gas, you fill up the tank, and you can use it anywhere... until the tank runs out. With electric, you plug it in, and you can use it as far as the cord will stretch... then the cord comes out of the socket, and you have to plug it in somewhere else.

Suppose you're using gas. you have to mix the gas, fill up the tank, crank the thing to get it started, and then you can rock and roll wherever you want for a while. Gas is more expensive, harder to start, and smellier, but there's no cord to run over, there's no cord to get caught on stuff, there's no cord to have to haul everywhere... obviously, if you have a really large yard, or a lot of trees and bushes, a gas trimmer has some serious advantages. Also, if you're working with a group, there's no "crossing" lines, or tripping anyone, and not needing a plug makes this especially handy for yard service companies. A gas trimmer tends to be heavier than an electric mower by itself, because the power source, and all the mechanical equippment to make it move are on the trimmer. Also, a gas trimmer is a motor tool, and can suffer many of the break-downs common to your lawnmower or car.

Suppose you're using an electric trimmer. You have to get out the cord, plug it in, stretch it out, and then you can just plug it in, and get the job done. The cord is sort of like a pretty heavy leash, and it limits your mobility. When I was a dumb kid,I TRIED to cut through the cord. I was using trimline, and ran it against the outside of the yellow exterior cord for about ten minutes before there was even a scratch. Electrocution is not an issue. Obviously, small yards without much decoration are perfect for these, and with the rising gas costs, they'll save you some cash, but on a bigger yard, that cord is heavy, and tangles on everything. Also, once you're done, you need to wrap the cord back up, and the longer the cord, the harder that is. Electric mowers themselves however, are very light, needing nothing but a switch for the handle, and an electromagnetic motor.

As you can see, when you look at convenicence, the size of the yard, and your own personal strength are major considerations. Small yard, not real good at starting the mower, get an electric. Big yard,lots of obstacles, get gas.

The other concern is repairs, which is especially serious with used models. Used electrics are easier to test, and have only two moving parts that could break. Gas ones are a little more fussy, but if you're into that sort of thing, it's pretty easy to jurry rig them until nobody can even recognize it.

Price is another issue. For electrics, the price is the initial price, plus electricity, which is pretty much set for life. For gas, the price is the initial price plus gas, plus repairs, both of which can change, but if you're handy, you can fix a broken gas one any number of times, whereas the electric requires some rather uniqie parts.

The very last concern is safety. I've not heard of any electric trimmers shorting in wet weather, but if you like to mow with a damp yard, or while it rains, you've been warned. Gas devices have no such limitations, being subject to their own issues of overheating, and the possible fire, explosion, and moving part hazards inherent in working with a combustion chamber a few feet from your head. OSHA, UL, and other organizations tend to ensur that the risks of both problems are virtually nil for an intelligent and sober operator with new equippment.

Answer 3

I would get a gas trimmer
They have way more power and the manufacturers are making them with a easy pull starting system There are 2 or 3 diff. kinds that you can put diff. attachments on(hedge timmer,cultivater,small blower,etc.) Mixing the gas and oil is no problem either. Just buy yourself a 1 gal. can and premix that way.Gas , the only way to go.

Answer 4

Ugh get electric. You have to worry about having available gas, filling it, what if you spill, your hands stink. Electric you just plug and go. Yeah you have to keep an eye on where the cord is but its never been a problem for me.

Answer 5

It depends on what is more important to you. Electric is cheaper but you lack mobility (unless you have a huge extension cord) and power. Gas is more powerful, greater mobility but costs more. Plus you need the gas and 2cycle oil. So its really what you want.

Answer 6

Pro's for gas: alot of power.. no cord to pull around and end up cutting..alot faster..Biger cutter.
con's for gas: cost to buy and run, Gas and oil..Better know how to work on them..Noise..
Most of all where are you useing it, for home use you can use eather if you going to try lawn service then I sugest you get GAS.. also some states like cal. dont allow gas, or should say some parts of cal.. ROB

Answer 7

depends on whether you can start a gas one easily or not. I can't. should have bought a cordless electric one. my nephew has to come over to start my brand new gas trimmer. sucks

Answer 8

if you dont mind carrying an electric cord all around your yard go with the electric one. I prefer gas, myself

Answer 9

Oh I would get electric...so when you run over the cord you will get a big jolt!

Answer 10

Gas is best, electric is a pain in the ***..........I have both