Equipment Notebook: Get In Line

The spring season is here, and new trimmer line fashions have blown in with the lilting breezes. However, sifting through the various types of string trimmer line can be as overwhelming as following the latest style trends.

Ultimately, contractors should choose a style that suits their equipment and their application to a “T.” “Everyone is looking for a new trend,” said John Foster, product manager, Shindaiwa, Tualatin, Ore. “But trimmer line selection is really up to individual preference.”

TRY IT ON FOR SIZE. The first step in trimmer line selection involves looking in the mirror and determining which size of line will best fit the equipment, noted Kent Hall, product manager for power tools, Stihl, Virginia Beach, Va. “Each manufacturer uses a different type of trimmer head, and you need to match line characteristics with the engine characteristics,” he said.

Using the appropriate line diameter for the head is a crucial consideration, Hall added. “If you have the wrong diameter, you won’t be able to wrap the line properly on the spool, and it won’t perform properly. Be sure to read your owner’s manual.”

Size isn’t everything, however – contractors must also consider trimmer line shape. From diamonds to stars to the basic circular shape, trimmer line choices run the gamut, even though most lines are manufactured from a universal polymer plastic material.

Foster noted that some of the sharper-edged lines provide a cleaner cut, while basic shapes offer a consistent performance. “The square shape has an edge on it, which offers a clean cut, and it lasts longer,” he said. “Butthe round line is the best trimmer line on the market. Shapes come and go, but round is always there.”

Even though some shapes may claim to reduce line fraying or breakage, the simple physics of an alternate shape can alter the equipment’s entire cutting system. “Certain shapes affect the cutting performance and the engine running power, and coupled with the diameter and length of line, you may rob the engine of power,” Hall said.

Foster said that star-, square- or diamond-shaped lines also may provide an exceptionally clean cut when they’re new, but like many fashion statements, their effect tends to fade with time. “If you’re using these lines against buildings or other edges, the shape tends to go quickly,” he said.

Still, every line type has its pros and cons, and even as manufacturers try to develop lines that withstand breakage, other flaws may be highlighted in return, Hall said. “You may develop a line that won’t break, but then it might weld together more easily with the heat of the machine,” he said. As a rule, however, heavier-duty, higher-quality line can be run for a longer period of time without breaking, and ultimately creates less downtime, Foster asserted.

A trendy fashion statement will fall flat unless it is worn properly and on the right occasion. Similarly, trimmer lines that claim to provide a smooth, efficient cut will fail if not installed in the correct manner. Heidi Fowler, marketing specialist, Robin Outdoor Power Equipment, Winston-Salem, N.C., said to pay particular attention to the wrapping of the line on the trimmer head. “Wrap the line in the opposite direction that the head turns,” she said. “Also, try not to cross over the lines when wrapping.”

In addition, when replacing trimmer lines, be sure to run the line in the same direction as it ran before, Foster noted. Otherwise, the line may not be released correctly from the trimmer head. He added that contractors need to clean out the head when refilling and reloading the line. “Also, look for damage to the trimmer head, and don’t use it if it’s damaged,” he stated.

Trimmer line choices range from the basic to the bold, but contractors can reduce their frustrations by simply choosing a line style that provides the most efficient – and comfortable – fit for the equipment’s use. “Some users and some manufacturers claim that different lines cut better,” Fowler said. “But it all depends on the application.” – Kristin Mohn

The author is Assistant Editor – Internet of Lawn & Landscape magazine.