Understanding The Electric Weed Eater
A weed eater is also called a string trimmer, a trimmer and weed whackers. It uses a flexible-monofilament line and not a blade for cutting weeds and grass or even plants near objects. It has a long shaft with handles on one side and the cutting head on the other. Some have a shoulder strap or a harness that is essential in enabling the landscaper’s torso to bear some of the weight. The latest designs are made in such a way that they allow elite streaming.
How Electric Weed Whackers Work
A weed eater works by the principal of centrifugal where a line held out from its rotating wheel is turned very fast by the centrifugal force.The faster the speed, the more the line becomes stiff making even the round sections of the nylon line be able to cut weeds, small wood plants and grass. Other monofilament lines are designed with a star like extruded shape for more powerful cutters. These types of lines can cut or ring bark small shrubs or large woody plants in a very effective way.
Before trimming or weed eating, the line is wound onto a reel with either ends extending from the reel-housing. When the mortar is started, it turns the reel making the line to extend horizontally with the landscaper or operator swinging the trimmer from left to right.When trimming, the landscaper easily controls the height at which trimming is done. Care should be taken not to lower the Weed eater so low as this might lead to bald trimming. Raising it too high might again cause uneven cuts.
Other trimmers have metal blades or nylon. This type require straight drive-shafts for handling the higher torque that is essential in turning the heavier disk, and due to the shock loads emanating from the blade to the drive-shaft and gearbox, small weed whackers are designed with curved drive shafts so as holding of the cutting head at ground level is easier and with no strain.
As time goes by, the line wears out or even breaks off. If this happens, knock the reel on the ground for the release mechanism to allow the line in the reel to extend for easy replacing of the spent or the worn out bit. Mostnew line models are auto feed i.e. the line guard contains a small cutter which ensures that the length of line that is exposed for cutting does not by any chance exceed the length that can effectively and efficiently be swung by the motor.A new extended line is known to operate in a more efficient manner due to its heavy weight and the surface effects. The speed at which it moves is easily controlled via a trigger on the handle.
To cut vertically, tilt the whole trimmer. Some trimmers allow only the head to be adjusted or tilted at various angles. It is advisable not to do vertical cutting near sidewalks, pavements or concrete edges as it will lead to open grooves that will allow water to collect easily resulting to damages.
In as much as a typical electric string trimmer is operated by an electric mortar, other arrangements may exist too. A good example of such an arrangement is when the electric trimmer is connected to heavy machinery powered by a hydraulic mortar.
Idle Speed Adjustment
Sometimes the engine may stall when the trimmer is in idle mode. If this happens, the idle speed may need to be adjusted. Some manufactures also recommend idle speed adjustment if the idle makes the cutting head to rotate.Most trimmers have multiple idle adjustment screws while the newest ones have one screw. Remember to always adhere to manufactures’ instructions when setting the idle speed.
Warning
- When working with an electric weed eater, always hold it away from your body to avoid cutting your toes and legs. Never ever go near water as you may electrocute yourself with the trimmer.
- It being a power tool always uses the trimmer for its intended purpose and nothing else.
Electric Weed Eater Maintenance and Storage
The most common maintenance practises involve general cleaning and lubrication of the drive shaft. If the line is worn out, replace it while adhering to the manufactures’ instructions. If you find line replacing not easy, it is always advisable to consider having a replacement cartridge. Though expensive, it is important for easy re-stringing.
Your trimmer durability also depends on how you store it. Always ensure it is stored out of children reach in a dry place with good ventilations. Ensure the engine is cool and is free of any form of debris.
Electric Weed Eater Parts – Other Usages
- Radio control models can be powered by string trimmer engines.
- String trimmer engine can also be used in powering DIY motorised bicycles.
The other articles may you concern, as this is by:
Electric weed eaters are great because they’re typically much harder on weeds and more dramatic while they’re doing them, and far lighter than gas weed eaters too. That said you need to make sure you’re ready to use one because they’re much more sensitive than gas models and harder to control, especially because there’s no throttle, the weed eater will react directly to how you feel and it can be very hard to maintain the balance of keeping it going and it just throwing a screaming fit.
Because of this it’s often a better choice for women, but guys if you’re very very hard on your weed eater and you’re having a hard time keeping it calm it may be time to make the switch. The biggest thing to get used to is it’s just a button to make it go or stop, there’s no lever to control the weed eater. You need to be very in touch with how your weed eater is doing and make adjustments accordingly, and you can’t lose focus on your weeds either. What you wear when weed eating comes more into play because of this too.
Electric weed eaters can be difficult to use but they are also more rewarding. They’re very light weight and use less energy. The weed wacking is also much more painful for weeds, as the string is thinner to prolong the weed wacking and it spins much faster, often severely burning weeds in addition to whipping and cutting them. They’re very useful for places such as flower beds, where weeds are openly attacking other plants but care must be taken not to damage the plant being attacked while the weds are dealt with.