Cutting width
The capture width provided by the unit, in other words, the width of the strip of land cultivated in one pass. In fact, this size corresponds to the width of the working nozzle.
The large working width is useful when processing large open spaces, as it allows you to finish the job in a small number of passes. On the other hand, for hard-to-reach places, relatively narrow tools are better suited, able to go where a wider unit will not fit. In addition, the width of the tool directly affects the weight and price.
In general, it makes sense to compare in terms of working width only units of the same type (see above). However, it is worth noting here that trimmers do not differ so much from each other — most models capture from 25 to 45 cm (and a wide processing band is provided by moving the nozzle from side to side). As for the other types, in the most modest models the capture width
does not exceed 40 cm, in the heaviest and most powerful it can be
56 – 60 cm or even
more(in mini tractors — up to 1.5 m).
Line diameter
The diameter of the fishing line supplied with the trimmer (more precisely, with a reel attachment, see "Tips").
In modern models, this parameter can be from 1 to 4 mm. At the same time, a thicker fishing line handles better with dense thickets, but it works rougher, the treated lawn is not particularly even, and for the effective operation of such a nozzle, a fairly powerful engine is needed. On the other hand, a fine line provides a clean and neat cut, but is not suitable for heavy vegetation and large stems. Thus, thick fishing line is usually equipped with powerful units designed for "launched" lawns with an abundance of thick stems. Thin, on the other hand, is found mainly in low-power electric trimmers with a lower engine location, designed for neat lawns with regularly cut grass.
We also recall that many trimmers have the ability to replace the standard reel with another one that differs in line thickness.
Nozzles
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Bladed knife. A knife in the form of a pair of blades, rotating around a vertical axis in the manner of a propeller blade. Two blades are the most popular, almost standard option for rotary lawn mowers (see "Cutting System"). Note that in the case of trimmers, the use of a knife allows you to achieve higher productivity and better cope with thick grass than using
a line reel. On the other hand, blades do not tolerate contact with stones and other hard objects very well; in case of such troubles, various tricks can be provided (for example, an automatic engine brake).
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Spindle knife. Nozzles used in spindle-type lawn mowers. For more information about such units, see "Cutting system", here we recall that spindle knives are inferior to bladed ones in terms of performance and efficiency in thick grass, however, they provide a "cleaner" cut, which allows you to give the lawn the most accurate appearance. So this option is well suited for regular cutting of relatively sparse, well-groomed vegetation.
- Reel with fishing line. Most often used in trimmers (see "Type"). According to the general principle of operation, it is similar to a bladed knife (see above), however, in this case, the working tool is not blades, but pieces of thick fishing line rotating at high speed. The main advantage of the fishing line over a bladed knife is its almost comple
...te insensitivity to collisions with stones and other solid objects: such a “blade” will only bend from impact and literally immediately straighten due to centrifugal force. True, such nozzles cope with thick stems somewhat worse, but in practice it all depends on the thickness of the fishing line (see above) and the speed of its rotation.
- Cultivator. Nozzle designed to loosen the soil. Outwardly, it is a set of gears mounted on a horizontal axis with teeth of a specific bent shape. Due to the rotation of these wheels, loosening is carried out. Combisystems are mainly equipped with such nozzles (see "Type"). At the same time, the width of the cultivator is usually small, it is poorly suited for full-fledged garden work, but it can be useful when processing a small flower bed or several beds.
- Saw blade. Attachment for cutting relatively thick, stiff stems (e.g. bushes or small tree branches). Mounted mainly on trimmers (see "Type"). Outwardly, such a nozzle is very similar to the working element of a circular saw: it uses a rotating rim with characteristic teeth along the edges. The rim may have holes - to reduce weight.
- Scissor mower. In this case, it means a special attachment, most often used in mowers (see "Type"). Such a nozzle has the form of a characteristic horizontal "comb" with two rows of teeth moving relative to each other. Its design is described in more detail in the “Cutting system - Scissor” section, here we note that hay trimmers are indispensable when working with dense vegetation and thick stems, they easily cope with thickets that are “too tough” for other attachments.
- Without nozzles. The absence of any nozzles in the regular configuration of the lawn mower. It is assumed that the customer will purchase them separately for specific needs.Fuel tank volume
The volume of the fuel tank in a gasoline or diesel mower (see "Engine type").
A large tank allows you to work longer without refueling, but an excessive increase in capacity affects the dimensions and weight of the entire unit. So manufacturers usually select this indicator taking into account the power and fuel consumption of a particular engine, and in general, the volume of the tank is not critical when choosing. However, knowing the tank capacity and fuel consumption (see above), you can estimate how much one refueling will approximately last.
