A small electric weedeater trimmer is the right choice for me.
Written: May 16 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Light weight. Powerful. Gets the job done.
Cons: Gas powered is a little more mobile.
The Bottom Line: I wish I had bought the Black and Decker 12 inch auto feed a long time back. It makes a real difference.
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| CyndiA's Full Review: Black & Decker 12" Automatic Feed Trimmer / Grass ... |
I finally took the weeds by the roots (or close) and bought a Black & Decker 12 inch Automatic Feed Trimmer / Grass Hog GH400. Actually I had a weedeater in the garage that someone gave me as a housewarming present when I bought my house four years ago and though it helped a little, it was way more trouble that it was worth. My old string trimmer was heavy, smelled gassy since I sloshed every time I filled it up, and the string spool was so complicated that I never used it after I finished up the first spool of string and took the head apart to try to install some double string deal that was supposed to make this model extra he-man in the yard.
For the last couple of years, I simply sat on my behind and pulled up the weeds around flowers, plants, along the edge of the walkway and next to the fence. That worked out better than trying to handle my monster of a weedeater which was disassembled anyway and out of commission. But, it was impossible to keep up with the weed work. I’d get one section cleaned out and others would jungle up on me. My yard was rapidly getting the best of me.
I decided to go get a trimmer down at Lowe’s, but I knew that I didn’t want one like my old one. First off, I needed something lighter weight. My old one must have been ten pounds or so and though that doesn’t sound very heavy, it was way too much to haul around and try to keep hovering above the dirt level. Though it’s convenient to have the gas models that can go anywhere, that pull string starter about jerked my arm out of the socket, so I wanted an electric model (plug it in and push the button). Finally, the string part had to be easy to work, since that was the death of my old trimmer. The old one probably works just fine if someone could get it back together, but it’s not going to be me in this lifetime.
An ancient fellow at Lowe’s asked if he could help out, and I figured I was pretty needy after weeding all week and not making a real dint. I went for the help. I explained what I wanted, and he talked me through the options. He thought the Black and Decker 12 inch was my best bet, and he took the display down and showed me everything that I’d need to know to get it going and to keep it going. I figured he was on the level, since there were lots of models priced higher.
The smallest models (a couple in electric and several in gas) were a little lighter on the weight, but the lower end trimmers had bump feeders. The Lowe’s guy said that they would work for a while, but that all that bumping tended to wear out the string heads pretty fast. Then you’d have to buy the whole head part and replace it. If you’re not familiar with bump, then that’s when you have to hit the weedeater on the ground to make more string come out. It’s not hard to do, but I can see where it would be hard on a yard tool. I could see where $10 more would be worth it keep from banging the weedeater on the ground to get more string.
The Black and Decker 12 inch is the smallest model with auto feed on the string, and the other models at our Lowe’s were higher priced. Going up on the size means generally that you get a wider weed cutting area or other options like sidewalk edging (which you can do with the smaller ones by angling slightly on the way you hold the trimmer). I don’t have acres of weeds to trim, and I’d really rather not try to deal with other attachments, so the small autofeed was right in line with what I needed and wanted.
At 5 pounds, I don’t have any problems handling the Black and Decker. If you’re a really big and strong person, then this model may seem a little small. If you’re average to small, then you’re looking at a trimmer made with you in mind. I can trim till the cows come home and don’t get so tired that I’m digging dirt with this model. Five pounds is a good size, and I wouldn’t go over that weight myself.
Really, I do think that gas models are nice, and I know that most guys go for those. My Lowe’s man said that he preferred the gas, since he didn’t have to worry with drop cords. For myself, I’m thankful not to have to jerk a cord to start the trimmer. I plug it in, press the button, and it trims. It couldn’t be easier, but the cords can be an irritation. I have two 100-foot cords that I string together. They do kink up and take up space for storage, but I’m glad to trade off on that headache over jerking a pull cord and maybe getting the trimmer started and maybe not.
When it comes to the string feeder, there are two ways to deal with replacement. You can wind your own string on the old head (cheaper) or buy new spools and slip those in. Since I had such a problem with that old weedeater, it’s worth it on my part to just buy a new spool. I just stick that in and pull the string through the hole. I don’t know how they could make it any easier short of sending someone to my house to do it for me.
Speaking of easy, this model is a breeze to put together. The only thing you need to build this unit is a Phillips Head screwdriver. There is a little metal thing that you clip on, then slip the shield over and turn to lock. The single screw locks the head in place, and you’re ready to go.
The Black and Decker 12 inch has handled everything that I’ve needed to do. It is a power horse in a small package. There was one section of the yard where my dad had stacked some wood and the grass had grown up around the logs over knee high. The trimmer cut those tall weeds down as well as the smaller weeds around bushes and the overgrowth creeping up on my sidewalk. Certainly, my yard looks much more well kept with this trimmer over my hand pulling from the last couple of years. I won’t ever go back to the manual style again, because it’s not as effective and takes much longer.
If you’re bigger, stronger, and good with fixing things, then you may prefer to go with a gas powered model. If you want a sure thing and don’t mind dealing with a cord, then I can’t think of one thing bad to say about the Black and Decker electric weed trimmer. It’s easy to handle, works great, and maintenance (like replacing string) is a breeze.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
CyndiA
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 in Home and Garden |
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Member: Cyndi
Location: out in the yard grilling
Reviews written: 1158
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Get some sleep and dream of rock 'n roll - Bread.
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