Choosing the right trimmer line

Criterias of choice

Thickness

This setting depends on the specifications of your trimmer. Either too thin or too thick a line can cause premature engine wear. In the table below you can see which fishing line is used in various devices.

Material of manufacture

Various materials can be used:

• Nylon.
• Coaxial thread.
• Nylon with added aluminum, graphite or steel core.

Of course, the most common is nylon. It is cheaper, often used by manufacturers, and tolerates mechanical loads well. Coaxial thread is stronger and lasts longer. There is no need to buy too cheap products, since polyethylene is used for their production; it wears out faster and requires replacement.

Adding a steel rod or reinforcing line makes it possible to cut not only grass, but also shrubs. This fishing line is wear-resistant and has a long service life.

Section

The operation of the device depends not only on the thickness and material, but also on the cross-sectional shape of the fishing line.

The following section shapes can be used:

• Round.
• Square.
• Rectangular.

• Spiral.
• Star.

Each of them has both its pros and cons.

Features of the round cross-sectional shape

Advantages:

• Received the greatest distribution.
• The grass cutting is of good quality.
• Has a cheaper price.
• Consumes slowly.
• Can be used on all types of trimmers.

Flaws:

• It creates a lot of noise while mowing.
• Works well only with young grass; For old, tough stems or bushes, it is better to use other types of fishing lines, for example, spiral.

Features of rectangular or square wire

Advantages:

• Smooth, high-quality mowing.
• Usually used in more powerful devices.
• Copes with dry old grass and branches, especially if it has a metal rod in addition.
• Creates less noise.

Flaws:

• Fishing line with sharp edges breaks faster.
• Has higher consumption.
• A special winding disk is required.
• The cost of such a cord is higher, especially when reinforced with a metal rod.

Manufacturers use fishing lines of various cross-sectional shapes to increase the performance of the device. These can be veins in the form of a cross, star, or polygon. As one of the options, a figured fishing line with notches or in the form of a spiral is used. Such fishing lines create less noise and remove grass very efficiently, but they are less durable, break faster and therefore consume more.

Wear-resistant, reinforced cords are very reliable and durable, but they are expensive and are used only in very powerful, professional devices. They are good for cleaning areas such as grass near highways, rocky areas and slopes.

What section of fishing line should I take?

Note that the nozzle can have at least nine different diameters:

• 1.3 mm.
• 1.4 mm.
• 1.6 mm.
• 2 mm.
• 2.4 mm.
• 2.7 mm.
• 3 mm.
• 3.3 mm.
• 4 mm.

Sometimes you may come across Chinese “no-name” attachments, the thickness of which “floats” between standard indicators. What is the best line section for a trimmer? Much depends on the power of the device. Here are the average indicators of the correspondence between the power of the scythe and the diameter of the nozzle:

• From 1.3 to 1.6 mm - suitable for electrical devices up to 500 W. At the same time, such a fishing line is convenient for mowing young grass, lawns and small weeds.
• 2 - 2.4 mm - electric and gasoline trimmers with a power of 500 to 1000 W will work with them. With this string you can mow both sparse and dense vegetation, as well as weeds such as burdock, nettle, etc.
• 2.7 - 4 mm - designed for petrol brush cutters with a power of 1000 W and above. You can even cut dry grass, shoots and shrubs with these attachments. Please note that fishing line with a diameter of 4 mm is used very rarely and is intended for very powerful lawn mowers, which consumers usually do not buy for home use.

It is worth noting that a thin string, for example, 1.6 mm, cannot be used on a trimmer with a power of 1000 W or higher, as it will be consumed very quickly and you will not get the desired result.

Also note that, starting with a thickness of 2 mm, the nozzle may have a core - steel wire inside a nylon cord. This core increases the strength and durability of the cord. In addition, steel wire is better at cutting thick stems and dense weeds. Most often, the core is equipped with a solid and twisted circle, as well as a solid and twisted square (twist). Here is an example of a twisted two-component cord - Denzel Extra Cord.

Selection tips

1. The chosen line must match the power of the trimmer. A thread that is too thin or thick will cause premature engine wear.
2. Before operation, carefully read the instructions and become familiar with the technical characteristics of your device. This will help to avoid quick breakdowns and choose the right cord.
3. Some trimmer models can accommodate blades or discs, but not all. If your device is not designed to accommodate a knife, it simply will not support it and will break.
4. You can not put all the fishing line into the device at once, but use small pieces.

Brief information about technical characteristics

In stores, fishing lines are sold in special packages, and there is no information about them as such, only the length of the string and the cross-sectional value. This will not be enough for beginners, so you need to seek help from a specialist. But you can also independently study all the important information and select a high-quality model.

First, it is important to determine the diameter of the fishing line. You should select products that are suitable for the trimmer. Of course, you can buy a more advanced option, but it is not a fact that a person will be satisfied with the quality of the cut.

The simplest solution is to take the old fishing line with you and show it to the sales consultant. If he understands this material, he will offer several alternative models or an original product. In this case, the thickness of the design will be the same, which has a positive effect on the performance of the electric scythe.

The best manufacturers

ARNETOLI MOTOR

The Italian manufacturer has been manufacturing trimmers and equipment for them for more than 20 years. The choice is very wide; the consumer can choose the model for himself based on power, diameter and cross-section of the fishing line.

Advantages:

• Introduction of new technologies.
• High quality equipment.
• A wide range of.
• Affordable price.
• The line is wear-resistant, durable and lightweight.
• Low noise level during operation.

Flaws:

• High price.

The line with the star section is in greatest demand.

OREGON

The American manufacturer is the world's leading developer of trimmer lines. To make it easier to differentiate between types of products, they are painted in different colors. This is one of the main advantages of the large number of products produced.

Advantages:

• Reels are available both in small winding and in coils.
• High quality wire.
• Using different models.
• Particularly durable series are designed for any vegetation, even thorny bushes.
• Series of different profiles, diameters and compositions differ in color.

Flaws:

• Considerable cost.
• With a long storage period, the fragility of the fishing line increases.

In Russia, fishing lines of square and polygonal cross-section have become the most popular. They provide the highest quality, even mowing of lawns.

CHAMPION

The Chinese company, despite its youth, has already conquered the market thanks to the optimal price-quality ratio. Raw materials for products are supplied from other countries: India, USA, France. The company produces both the equipment itself and branded cords for it.

Advantages:

• Affordable price.
• The quality of the fishing line is rated by consumers as the best among budget models.
• Reels are available in different winding lengths.
• The models are equipped with a special knife for cutting.
• For convenience, the fishing line is available in a variety of colors.
• The wear-resistant core consists of two layers of material and has a twisted structure.

Flaws:

• It makes a loud noise when working.
• When the device heats up too much, the ends of the fishing line begin to melt.

HUSQVARNA

The famous Swedish company has been producing garden equipment for more than 400 years. It has won global success thanks to the high quality of its products. The line is produced both complete with trimmers and separately from them.

Advantages:

• Large assortment of goods.
• Reels and coils of various windings.
• High wear resistance.
• The line is compatible with any trimmer heads.
• The special shape prevents breaking, fraying of ends and their melting when heated.
• Many options for silent fishing line.

Flaws:

• High price.

STURM

The young German trading concern has been supplying its products to the Russian market for only 15 years. The production itself is located in China, which reduces the cost of production. The fishing line is available in reels, coils and coils, and has different colors for ease of selection.

Advantages:

• Affordable cost of fishing line.
• Various winding lengths.
• There are especially strong cords with a steel core.
• The company has a system for checking product quality.

Flaws:

• There is no division of products into series.
• The fishing line can be sold without packaging.

REZER

The ranking of the best also includes a domestic manufacturer of fishing line for trimmers. The company produces three main series of cords: with a cross-section in the form of a star, an ellipse and a square. There is also a particularly strong heptagonal fishing line. The reels have a winding from 15 to 114 m.

Advantages:

• Low cost.
• High quality grass cutting.
• To protect against heat, the fishing line is coated with heat-resistant material.
• Possibility of choice by color.
• Low noise level during operation.

Flaws:

• It wears out and breaks quickly.
• Not intended for rocky areas.

ECHO

Speaking about manufacturers of garden equipment, one cannot help but recall the Japanese company ECHO. It produces light agricultural equipment and fishing line for it. The company offers several lines of its products. It differs in color, different cross-sectional shape and thickness.

Advantages:

• Mows any plants.
• According to manufacturers' reviews, it is of excellent quality.
• Universal application.
• The cord is resistant to breaks and abrasions.
• Available in convenient form in coils and coils starting from 10 m.

Flaws:

• Products are not often found on free sale, as they are quickly sold out.
• A fishing line with a thick section unwinds more slowly.
• It has a high cost.

Types of fishing line by shape - what does it affect and why are they different?

Initially, the fishing line was produced only in a round shape, but soon other modifications began to appear - square, hexagonal, star-shaped and others. They also differ in color, but the color does not affect anything except the visibility of the cutting equipment during operation.

The shape of the string affects the type of grass cut. The shapes of the cords are:

• Round is a common shape that is also considered universal. The round shape of the string is divided into smooth and with coils. If a smooth string is noisy, then a twisted string, on the contrary, is quieter, but its consumption is accelerated
• Square and hexagonal - the presence of sharp corners provides a more efficient cutting of vegetation, which must be taken into account when processing large areas
• Ribbed and star-shaped - cut different types of stems even more efficiently and reduce the load on the engine

Some craftsmen, when the fishing line is used up, replace it with steel wire or metal string, which is unacceptable. Not only can the wire cut through the mower's thick shoes, but it can also wrap around the head, causing it to jam along with the shaft. A jammed head will cause wear on the transmission mechanism and power unit.

What is important to know when working with fishing line?

In order for the tool to serve you for a long time, you need to know some features of its design, storage and maintenance:

1. When working, the trimmer head should be parallel to the ground so that the line does not touch the ground and stones. It is advisable not to touch hard objects, curbs, fences.
2. Electric trimmers are the most sensitive to moisture, so they should not be used in rain or wet weather.
3. After finishing work, you need to thoroughly clean all parts of the mechanism from dirt, grass, wipe all wires and fishing line so that the next time everything functions well.

Cross-sectional shape

The cross-sectional shape, as user reviews show, plays a significant role in the work process. But despite this, many people choose the most familiar round line for their trimmers. This is not due to the difficulties of choice, but because round wire is the most common, affordable and quite suitable for most tasks performed with a trimmer. A fishing line of this shape can easily cope with ordinary grass, lush or dry, but it may not be able to cope with thick perennial weeds or bushes. The disadvantage of the round shape is also the significant noise produced during operation.

Lines for trimmers with a shaped cross-section have become widespread. It can be a square, cross-shaped or star-shaped with a different number of rays, a polygonal core. Thanks to the presence of sharp edges, this cord option shows good performance. At the same time, the figured line has quite good aerodynamic properties and is suitable for working on almost any grass, throughout the season. You just need to remember that the complex shape of the cross section implies slightly less strength, so the figured core breaks more often than usual.

One of the options for a figured cord is a twisted core or with notches. This shape provides performance benefits due to aerodynamic properties. In addition, when using this type of fishing line, much less noise is created, which adds to the comfort of the operator. It must be taken into account that such a core does not have very high strength characteristics, so its consumption is quite large.

There is also a special, complexly shaped line for the trimmer, which, upon close examination, is somewhat similar to a chainsaw chain. It has a large number of sharp corners, notches and edges on its surface. This is a rather rare specialized type of cord, characterized by significant resistance to wear and used, as a rule, in powerful professional models of trimmers. Reviews about this fishing line are excellent. It copes with almost any task, it just requires a special head. A very high quality item, but you need to be prepared for its not-so-low cost.

Advice from experienced owners

How often do you have to change the line on your trimmer?

Constantly! Rarely

To ensure that the tool serves you for a long time and fails as little as possible, follow the advice of experienced summer residents.

• Carefully read the technical data sheet of your product to use fishing line of the correct diameter and cross-section.
• Different cords are used for different grass.

• An excessively thin string will wear out and break faster, which reduces the performance of the device as a whole.
• A core that is too thick also makes the work ineffective, as the load on the engine increases, which may not be able to withstand it and burn out.

Recommendations from experienced summer residents

The device will last a long time, maintaining its operating functions, if you listen to the recommendations of experienced owners. They advise carefully studying the technical document to select the cord of the desired section and diameter.

Use different strings for different types of grass. You should not choose a very thin fishing line. Such a cord will constantly break, which will ultimately lead to rapid breakdown of the trimmer. A string that is too thick is also ineffective. It increases the load on the electric motor, which can burn out.

Conclusion

Thus, we can summarize all of the above and note such important factors in choosing a line for a trimmer.

1. When buying fishing line, carefully read its thickness, composition and cross-sectional shape. Buy exactly the model you need for your device.
2. Pay attention to the best manufacturers. When you receive a cheap product, you risk purchasing low-quality products.
3. Carefully care for the fishing line, wipe it after use, clean it of juice, grass and dirt so that it lasts as long as possible.

A clean and well-groomed lawn demonstrates the owner’s hard work. Therefore, by following all the tips outlined above, you will be able to purchase just such a fishing line that will serve you for a long time and be reliable and of high quality.

Which fishing line to choose for a particular job

Quite often, users have a question - which fishing line is best for a particular job. It all depends on the complexity of the implementation.

For convenience, it is worth dividing all types of work into several groups:

• simple – keeping the lawn in good shape;
• medium – periodic – at least once a month – cleaning of the entire territory;
• complex – removal of bushes, weeds, dead wood, perennial thickets.

Depending on the complexity, you should choose a suitable fishing line. For example, if you only need to trim the juicy, young and tender greenery on the lawn, then you can choose a round nylon fishing line. If price comes first, then you can purchase material with an even cross-section. If you don’t want to listen to a constant loud hum, then it makes sense to overpay a little and buy a higher quality fishing line with a twisted section. Yes, it is more expensive and consumed faster. But the noise level during operation is noticeably lower. True, if you are working with a gasoline trimmer, then there will not be much difference - the noise of the engine will still drown out the whistling of the fishing line.

For work of average complexity, it is better to choose a nylon fishing line with a square section or an “asterisk”. Of course, they cost more than the round one. But the work efficiency is much higher. You won't have to spend a lot of time getting the area in order. But the time spent could have been spent with much greater benefit.

Finally, if the most complex work lies ahead, then there is no need to save money - it is better to purchase a reinforced or two-component thread with a star or square section. Of course, they are the most expensive. But any dead wood and even small bushes will be cut off instantly. This saves not only your time, but also consumables - a thin polyethylene fishing line will most likely simply break during work without being able to cope with it.

So, in order not to make a mistake when choosing a line for a trimmer, you need to know exactly what kind of work it will be used for.

Model recommendations

Regarding which specific gas trimmer model to buy, for most people I still recommend not to buy the cheapest ones. Which gas trimmer is better in terms of price and quality? The best options, in my opinion, would be brush cutters from Hitachi, and specifically this model - CG22EAS-NB, or another one - CG27EAS-NB (links open in a new tab).

These trimmers are equipped with both a knife and a fishing line, and differ from each other only in power - 0.63 and 0.88 kW (0.83 and 1.17 hp), respectively. They will cost less than similar models from Stihl and Husqvarna - their main competitors, but the quality is not inferior. And only not much more expensive than analogs from Partner, Champion, as well as a large number of Chinese trimmers, while far exceeding them in build quality, reliability and durability. Although, of course, you may have your own opinion on this matter. And Hitachi also has a 3 year warranty.

That's probably all. I hope now you will be able to buy a trimmer that would completely suit you. And this article is over - see you next time!

Thread shape

This is why you have to choose a fishing line not only by thickness, but also by shape: the cord does not cut the stem, but interrupts it. The rotating string repeatedly strikes the surface of the stem and eventually separates its upper part. For such work, the shape of the cutting edge is an important technical characteristic.

• Round is the most common, as it is universal: you can choose it for mowing both fresh and dry grass. It is considered less noisy, especially the spiral one. But this parameter is not important in all cases. The fishing line for a gasoline trimmer can be as noisy as you like, but you still can’t hear it while the engine is running.

• Polygonal - from 3 to 6 sides. A sharp cutting edge works better on rough, thick stems. Thus, a square cord with a cross-section of 2.4 mm is capable of removing raspberry stems. It is worth noting that with higher efficiency, polygonal cord is consumed faster, and it should be used only for its intended purpose.
• Figured - asterisk, ribbed, in the form of a twisted square with notches, and so on. Their “specialization” is different, which it is advisable to find out about in the instructions before choosing. Thus, the star is recommended for mowing fresh grass, since it is less traumatic: the grass does not dry out after cutting, as when using a round string. The photo shows cords with different shapes.