Laguerrilla Gardening

Safety First: What To Wear When Using a Weed Eater

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One of the most common queries we get is what to wear when you are using your weed eater.

Today, we will run down exactly what you should and shouldn’t do to make sure that trimming your garden is a safe experience.

Some of these hints may appear obvious but it’s often the simple things that we overlook.

Working in the Yard

Your Nice Lawn

 

Generally, the starting point is to use your lawn mower and deal with the task of cutting the grass. You can get the vast bulk of the job done but, as with anything in life, it’s the finishing touches which make all the difference.

That’s where your weed eater emerges as a secret weapon.

Prime it up and prepare to do battle with all the hard-to-reach areas. While a mower is wonderful for quickly dealing with large areas of grass, when it comes to weeds and all those tricky corners, there’s simply no substitute for a weed eater.

But, before you do so…

What Should I Wear When Using My Weed Eater?

What Should I Wear When Using My Weed Eater

 

One thing to bear firmly in mind is that string trimmers are powerful pieces of kit. Some are heavier than others but even the most lightweight of models can be highly dangerous if you don’t take proper precautions. Why take the chance?

This machinery can tear through thick grass and dense weeds like a knife through butter. Just think what it could do to human skin. Equally, weed eaters can cause debris to come flying up through the air so safety concerns cannot be emphasized strongly enough. You don’t want to be dressed in shorts and sandals if rocks or pieces of wood come flicking up in your direction.

Clothing

  • Make sure you wear long pants. You can buy protective pants if your budget stretches to it but if not then choose some nice sturdy regular pants. You’re operating close to the ground so even if it’s a sunny day, don’t take the chance and risk wearing shorts.
  • Shoes are another critical flashpoint. Forget about sandals or anything with an open toe. Dedicated work boots are the perfect choice. If you do not have any boots then go for some strong leather shoes or sneakers. Think about soles with good traction so you do not slip while cutting away. Make a sensible footwear choice as your feet will be in close proximity to the business end of the weed eater!
  • Avoid excessively loose clothing. The last thing you want is to get your sleeves or pant legs caught in the string trimmer while mid-flow.
  • Think about how badly grass can stain clothing. Don’t take a chance and wear a brand new outfit. Choose something old or clothes that you don’t mind picking up a few green marks. Gardening is no time for a fashion show.
  • Wear some gloves. As well as being more comfortable when operating machinery and protecting your hands against any flying objects, they’ll also serve you well against the problems caused by vibration.

Protect Your Eyes

  • Wear safety glasses. Bear in mind the above advice and think about what can fly up towards you when you are edging your lawn. One-third of all injuries incurred with weed eaters involve the eyes. Don’t cut corner when for just a few dollars you can protect one of your most valuable assets: your eyesight.

safety glasses for weed eater

Safeguard Your Ears

 

  • Weed eaters can be extremely noisy, the electric models in particular. Whatever variety you have, it’s well worth investing in some safety ear plugs. The tighter they are the more protection you will have against your ears being damaged. These are not expensive so don’t take any chances and buy yourself a set.Ear protection

Note: If you are not able to hear well due to wearing ear plugs, exercise even more caution than usual and pay very close attention to everything around you. It’s said that when we lose one sense the others become more acute to compensate. Take advantage of this and use your eyes like a hawk!

Look After Your Skin

  • We mostly tend to take care of gardening duties in the warmer weather. Break out the sunblock and look after your skin. Use the SPF which is best suited to your complexion and consider how long you will be out in the sunlight working.
  • If your garden is prone to lots of insects then slather on some insect repellent too. Better safe than sorry. Some insects can carry diseases so don’t take any chances.

General Safety Tips

Now that you have the correct clothing in place and have protected your eyes, ears and skin, take the time to think about what else you need to do in order to avoid any accidents…

  • Remove any loose debris like sticks and stones before you get started. This will minimize the chance of anything zooming upwards as you work.
  • When you start up the weed eater, do so on firm and flat ground.
  • Warn people away if they are too close to you as you trim the grass and weeds. Let them know what is a safe zone – surprisingly up to 60 feet – and remain vigilant. This is especially important if you have children. Think also of your pets and keep them well away from the action.
  • Just as you should sidestep loose clothes, tie back your hair if it is especially long. Hair can easily become caught up in the moving parts with potentially horrific consequences.
  • Do not rush and overwork the weed eater. Accidents happen in this way.
  • They say that prevention is the best cure. This is particularly true with intricate machinery like weed eaters. Don’t let this tool fall into a state of disrepair. With proper maintenance you can stop things like loose nuts and bolts from becoming a possible danger.

So, take note of the above tips and you should have no problems at all with your weed eater. Like any mechanical equipment, you simply need to take sensible precautions and remain watchful at all times and you should have very little chance indeed of anything going wrong.

Understanding Weed Trimmer Line Shapes and Sizes

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Weed eaters are some of the best tools available for cutting hard to reach weeds and keeping your yard looking neat; however, they cannot work well unless equipped with the right type of weed trimmer line. You might think that all trimmer lines are the same, but there’s nothing farther from the truth!

There are many types of lines for sale that will help you accomplish different purposes. Choosing the best type for your needs is all a matter of knowing what you need and fitting the right line to this need.

  • THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT LINE

An average weed eater is not designed to accept just any type of line you have and will need a specific type to function properly. If you don’t choose the right type, you may not even be able to use the weed eater or it may run inefficiently.

How can you know which types of line your weed eater takes? It should be listed in the owner’s manual of the device. There will be a model number given for the basic string that your device operates with as well as some information about alternative types of string for your machine.

Before you purchase a weed eater, it’s good to know that the type of string it accepts is what you need to sort out your lawn’s issues. If you already own a weed eater, you can still change the types of lines you can use by installing a different trimmer head onto your current device. The head is the part of the weed eater that holds and spin the string, so if you replace it with a new head than you will be able to use a new type of line.

  • DIFFERENCES IN WEED TRIMMER LINES

Never assume that a spool of line will work with your device unless you know for sure that it’s the right type! Slight variations in the diameter or shape of the line can render your weed eater completely useless if they cannot be accommodated properly in the trimmer head.

With that in mind, there are only two real ways that trimmer lines can differ. The size (diameter) and shape of the line are the only important facts to consider when making your choice. Occasionally a brand will offer some specialty line made of a different material or fitted to the trimmer head in a unique way, but in general these are not very important details for you to learn about to make the best choice of line.

Here is a bit more about the differences in trimmer lines:

  • SHAPE

While you might be told that there are only a few generic shapes of line, this is actually incorrect. Some standard shapes do exist consistently from brand to brand, but then each brand will also make their own unique shapes of trimmer line that cannot be found with other companies.

Universally there are so many different shapes of line, but these are some of the most common types you’ll run into at a local hardware store:

  • Round

If you only want a basic, reliable, all-purpose trimmer line than you should be satisfied with round line. This is the standard type of line that comes stock in most home-use weed eaters. Round line is sturdy enough to cut well and does not break off quickly, making it ideal for longer sessions of cutting regular household weeds and grass.

  • Square

For a medium heavy duty line, try a square trimmer line. Square shaped lines can cut through much thicker weeds than round line and will make heavier cuts to whatever you are clearing away. Be careful when using this type of line around any sensitive items in the yard which might be damaged by it such as trees, shrubs, wooden fences, etc.

  • Multi-sided (5+ sides)

Like the square line, this shape is intended for use with medium and heavy duty jobs as it is stronger line against thick weeds and some brush. You’ll get a cleaner cut with lines that have more edges, but the downside is that the line is more fragile when it comes in contact with hard surfaces such as the driveway, curbs, and otherwise. Most often these shapes are used only in a commercial context.

  • Twisted/X

Lines that are twisted in shape offer very strong cutting strength for heavy workloads. These lines are usually a bit pricier than other types, but they offer a lot of advantages for that price. Not only do you get a line that can cut through almost anything would trouble, you also won’t have as much vibration coming through the line nor will the cutting be as loud as it is with many other commercial strength lines. Twisted trimmer lines are ideal for professional lawn care providers.

  • Serrated/Jagged

With a serrated edge similar to that of a kitchen knife or a saw, this line shape has excellent cutting power. It cuts more quickly than some of the rounder shapes, but has a tendency to “snag” on the heavy weeds and feel as though the weed eater is getting pulled downwards. This is harmless, but you will have to make sure you can hold onto it when this happens. You can get a job done quickly with serrated line and it works well on medium-heavy weeds.

  • SIZE

Trimmer lines in any shape are available in multiple sizes. The thinner the line is, the harder time it will have with heavier brush. Larger line sizes can more easily cut through heavy weeds and brush and won’t break off as easily.

As with the line shapes, not all trimmers accept various line sizes. Find out what the optimal line size range is for your trimmer and stick with it consistently. If you want a different size range, install a new trimmer head.

Each range of sizes is designed for a certain workload. Here is a useful list to help you remember:

  • 0.065 – 0.080: Light work (Grasses only and thin, grass-like weeds)
  • 0.085 – 0.105: Medium work (Grasses and regular non-woody weeds of varying thickness)
  • 0.110 and above: Heavy work (Grasses, weeds of all types, thin woody brush)
  • MAKING YOUR FINAL DECISION

The type of line you use won’t necessarily dictate how much you can accomplish, but it can make a big difference on how efficiently you are able to work. When it all comes down to it, you have to choose a trimmer line type that works with your weed eater. If you have a weed eater that only takes a certain line and you want to use a different kind, you might be able to change the trimmer head to adjust it. Otherwise, you need to read your owner’s manual or consult a technician to know what your options are.

How to Use Edger, Blower and Brush Blade Attachments

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There are a number of accessories that you can use as attachments for a weed eater to accomplish certain landscaping tasks.  Putting attachments on string trimmer heads make them useful as multipurpose and versatile tools rather than simple weed eaters. However, just because you have the attachments connected does not mean you will be able to intuitively know how to use them best. 

Below you'll get some helpful advice about how to use some of the most common weed eater attachments: the edger, blower, and brush. These are all basic blade attachments that can be connected to most weed eaters. Here's a few tips about how to make the best of these attachments: 

  • How to Use a Brush Blade

A ​Brush blade can be used as an attachment for cutting stubborn or thick grasses that cannot be cut with a spinning string. Some brush is simply too thick for your tool, making this attachment a useful addition to your arsenal. These attachments are available in different sizes ranging from 6 to 10 inches. Metal or plastic materials can be used to make the brush blade.

If you want to use a brush blade on your weed eater, here's some advice: 

Begin by sharpening the blade. Each attachment is put on in a different way so fit it to the weed eater following the instructions given by the weed eater manufacturer. Put on the blade shields, if included, to prevent debris and pebbles from flying off. Put on all the required safety gear and start clearing the grass. 

If you have ever cut with a string trimmer you will be able to cut with a brush blade attachment as they use the same mechanism except that the blade is more powerful and sharper. It should be handled with care to avoid any injury. If the weed eater gets entangled in the brush you need to first turn off the engine before checking on it. 

  • How to Use an Edger
edge

In many cities across the globe, homeowners with gardens and lawns (especially those at the front of their houses) are required to trim them and keep them neat on a regular basis. To keep a lawn, sidewalks and driveways clean you need to do more than trimming. You should learn how to edge these areas.

Although you can do edging with a special type of shovel, the task is difficult and time-consuming and it does not guarantee a great result. But, with an edger you will get a perfect looking garden with only a little bit of practice. You don’t have to purchase an edger if you already own a weed eater, as you will be able to use an edging attachment on your weed eater.

Here are a few tips on how to use an edging attachment on your weed eater:

  • First, get your edging attachment and make sure that the one you have is compatible with your weed eater.
  • Start by attaching the edging blade. Make sure that the edger is at a right angle with the ground. It might look a little funny compared to the normal weed eater line but trust us it will work well! Now that the edging blade has been fitted into the weed whacker, it's time to start edging.
  • Start the engine of your trimmer. Before you pull on the trigger to set the edger on the motion use the blade to find the edge of the concrete.
  • From the trigger, you will be able to control the wheel blade’s speed. To be able to cut a clean line that is parallel with the sidewalk, you have to walk slowly forwards and backwards. You will find the backwards and forwards movement difficult initially but with time, you will master the act and you become a professional.
  • How to Use a Blower Attachment
blower attachment

The blower attachment will help you to clean your lawn or garden after cutting grass with your weed eater.

  • First, get the attachment and fit it to your weed eater as directed by the manufacturer.
  • It's recommended that you lay a tarp for trapping the particles and debris that will be blown away by the attachment head.
  • Start your weed eater with the blower fitted on it.
  • Pull on the throttle to check how it is working and to get familiarized with the mechanism of the machine.
  • Now start blowing debris, moving towards the location of the tarp. You should be very careful at this point so that you don't end up wasting your effort and giving yourself more work to do by spreading grass clippings all around the yard again. 
  • Blow all the clippings onto the tarp and remove the waste to a mulch ground or green waste can. You may also use some of the waste to fertilize your garden.

A Brief History of Weed Eaters

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Before the invention of weed eaters in 1972, families that had lawns and gardens around their homes, as well as gardeners, were using various tools. From hand-held clippers and manual lawn mowers to cutlasses, people found different solutions for triming the grass in their gardens. But in 1972, George Ballas made a wonderful discovery that eased the task not just for the people of his generation but for future generations.

George Ballas invented the concept of using rapidly spinning string to trim away at thin organic materials like weeds, grass and thin shrubs. People around the world are now using weed eaters for personal and professional use.

Weed eaters are sometimes known as weed whips, string trimmers, or weed whackers. These machines trim grasses and weeds with amazing performance and efficiency. Even though they do not have blades, they are capable of cutting grasses with string that spins at a high speed.

The Invention of the Weed Eater

 

As mentioned above, the weed eater was invented in 1972 by George Ballas of Houston, Texas. To the surprise of many people, he worked as a property developer, university lecturer, author and businessman and not an engineer or any other highly technical occupation. He was also the owner of a dance studio and a dancer who underwent military training and participated in a war.

Like many others during that time, George did not like trimming with hand-held clippers. He got the idea for his first weed eater when he was watching car washers cleaning cars with the needle-like bristles of the brushes. He was surprised that his car could be washed with these brushes and nothing happened to its finishing. He thought of using the idea in creating something that would be able to cut and trim grasses to reduce the pain of pushing the lawn mower.

He constructed the first weed trimmer with a tin popcorn can, a rotary from his lawn edger and some nylon fishing line. He created holes in the tin can and through the holes then ran the fishing line through those holes.

Ballas took his invention further by collaborating with mechanical engineers to construct the weed whacker brand string trimmer. Today, the invention has spread widely and turned into many different models of weed whackers. There are now gas powered weed eaters and corded or battery powered electric weed eaters.

As it turns out, many others had a desire to make trimming an easier job. This invention has made George Ballas a rich man. It was advertised on television and many consumers came to know about it. They started buying Ballas’ product, which was then sold by his company. About $80 million sales were made by 1977. However, George Ballas, who was dubbed Weed King, later sold his weed eater company in 1979 to Emerson. The company was then acquired by Poulan, who was purchased by Electrolux in 1986.

Poulan weed eater

George Ballas’s idea continues even today. No new invention has eclipsed it even though manifold innovations have been introduced by many brands.

Avoiding Injuries and Damage When Using a Weed Eater

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Using weed eaters to trim grass around the house and in the lawn is very popular today owing to the impressive results and the ease of working with this tool. A lot of people enjoy trimming grass with the machine, as it shortens the task considerably. 

Damage

While it's easy to figure out how to use a weed eater well, it is not totally risk-free. If you are trimming with weed eaters, there are a number of precautions that you should take to avoid getting wounded by the machine or even damaging the machine itself.

​


Below are some tips to apply when cutting with weed whackers to avoid injury or damaging the weed eater:

  • Check the power cord

When working with an electric powered weed eater, you should first check the cord before plugging it into the power source. This will help you to avoid electrocution. If the cord is broken or torn so that a naked wire is exposed, you need to first cover the wire. You can use electrical tape to wrap round it in order to cover it. In this way, there is no danger or risk of electrocution, although you might experience shorts in the power if the cord is broken too badly.

  • Check the various parts of the machine
weed eater part

No matter the type of weed eater that you are working with, it is advisable that you first check the individual parts of the machine to make sure that everything is in order and functions properly. If all the parts of your machine are working and are in good condition before you start work, your machine will not only be at its optimal performance, it will also reduce the risk of injury occurring.

For example, a loosened nut if not properly tightened can fly off during cutting and can injure you or another person.

  • Cut with the line’s tip

When you are trimming your lawn, especially if you are using electric trimmer, you have to cut with the tip of the line. The tip of the line spins at the highest speed; if you are cutting with it, you increase the efficiency of your machine. Additionally, weed eater line is designed to break off slowly as it encounters stronger resistance. If you try to use the center of the line, you might slow down the speed of the rotation or end up getting the line tangled in the brush you're trying to cut.

Trimming around pots, fencing, pavements and other hard surfaces causes the line to slap against the hard surface repeatedly. If you are trying to use the whole string to cut at once you will be causing unnecessary wear and tear on your line by allowing too much of it to hit the solid surfaces. 

  • Keep the machine off the ground when cutting

Normally, as you are trimming the grasses in your lawn a lot of particles (including stones and pieces of grass) fly off the ground. The higher the rate at which these particles are flying, the higher the probability of pebbles and hard particles being thrown at you and wounding you. To help avoid getting injured by flying debris, you have to raise the machine a little bit from the ground as you are cutting. Doing so keeps the line from contacting any materials on the ground and throwing them around. Instead, you will only be hitting the grass you want to trim. 

The trimmer normally comes with a guard. You should angle the trimmer in such a way that the guard will protect you. Guards cannot block everything but they will minimize the amount of debris being tossed from the tool's cutting head. 

  • Don’t allow the cutting head to rub off the ground

When trimming your garden, you should not allow the cutting head to rub off the ground. This is as simple as angling the trimmer's head properly. You should also adjust the head’s distance from the ground so that the entire line won't be rubbing off the surface of the ground. Doing this will also prolong the life of your string.

  • Avoid endangering the life of your shrub and trees

If you are trimming around shrubs and trees, you should ensure that the string is not stripping the shrub’s or tree’s bark. The shrub or tree can die if its bark is stripped too much. Cut a safe distance away from the base of the plant. 

These are some of the basic precautions to take when you're using a weed eater. Following these tips can help you reduce the risk of injury or damage to your yard or tool. 

Which Oil Should I Use in My Weed Eater?

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Some weed eaters are powered with electricity and batteries while some are powered with gasoline. 

Gas powered weed eaters are available in two types of engine specifications, namely two-cycle engines and four cycle engines. In the first type, the oil and gas are mixed together in the appropriate ratio and poured in one tank but in the second each has its separate tank. Whether you are using a two-cycle engine or a four cycle engine, it is important that you use the right type of oil and gas in your weed eater. Not every type of oil should go into your weed eater. Some oil types are like poison to the engine. Rather than enhancing your engine's life, it will spoil it.

Read on to know the right type of oil and gas to be used in your weed eater.

gasonline
  • Right and wrong oil and gas to be used

Before you pour any gasoline or oil in your weed eater, you have to make sure that it is the right type. Gas weed eaters usually take fresh, clean 87-octane regular unleaded fuel. The alcoholic content of the gasoline should not be more than 10%. If possible, choose Ethanol-free gasoline.  DO NOT USE DIESEL FUEL. 

Similarly, it is not every type of oil that is good for your weed eater. Normally, the type of oil to be used will be indicated in the user manual of your weed eater. So, always check the user manual to find out what the right type of oil for it is. It differs from brand to brand. 

Commonly recommended types of oil for gasoline powered weed eaters are Paramount, Weed Eater, Poulan Pro and Poulan. But there are other good oil brands that can be used in weed eaters. If you are not able to find any of these products on the market or the manufacturer’s recommended type of oil on the market, rather than using any type of oil you should consider purchasing a premium weed eater oil for air cooled engines. On no account should you use boat engine oil or automotive oil on your weed eater. This is because these types of oil can damage the engine of your weed eater as they are not properly formulated.

  • Getting the mixture ratio
Mix-Gas-and-Oil-for-Your-Weed-Eater

If you are using a two cycle engine, it is not enough to purchase the right type of oil. You have to also ensure that you use it in the correct ratio with the gasoline. If the fuel is greater than the oil, it will result in damage to the engine. The engine may even crack and knock. On the other hand, if there too much oil, the weed eater engine will generate heavy and oily smoke. The normal fuel and oil ration is 40:1. If you are pouring one gallon of gasoline in your weed eater, you will mix it with a 3.2-fluid once bottle of oil. Mix them together very well in a container before pouring them in the engine. It is not good to pour them into the engine separately, thinking that they will mix themselves. 

If you discover that the mixture ratio is not proper, it is advisable that you turn off the weed eater so that it will not be ruined. Empty the tank and then get the right mixture ratio before starting the engine again. Finding out when the ratio is improper is not difficult. The performance of the engine will tell you that. If the engine is generating heavy smoke, it may be a sign that there is too much oil in the mixture. If the engine is becoming too hot and making cracking sounds, it may be a sign that gasoline levels are too high.

  • Storing the weed eater

If you want to store your weed eater for a period of time that exceeds one month, it is advisable that you empty the fuel tank. This is because the longer gasoline is stored, the more gummy it becomes and gummy fuel can block the system. It will also eat away at the inside of the gas tank and might cause problems later on when you try to start the device. Fuel stabilizers might help for some engines but they are not recommended for weed eaters as the fuel also contains oil.