Wheeled String Trimmer Buyer's Guide

Wheeled String Trimmer Buyer's Guide

How To Pick The Perfect Walk-Behind String Trimmer

Dale, the Power Equipment Expert
By 
Power Equipment Expert

Do you have a thick weeded area to trim? One that's seemingly too large for a handheld string trimmer, but too thick or rough for a lawnmower?

Wheeled string trimmers, also called walk-behind string trimmers, feature rugged string trimmer heads attached to a walk-behind frame and use two large wheels for maneuvering over rough terrain.

A walk-behind string trimmer covers a much wider cutting area than a hand-held string trimmer. Overgrown lots and thick fields of weeds are no match for such a powerful piece of equipment.

 

Benefits of Wheeled String Trimmers

There are two particular features that make wheeled string trimmers the best choice for tackling rough terrain and thick brush: their wheels and their cutting width.

 

Wheels

Wheeled String Trimmer Wheels

The wheels on walk-behind string trimmers are large. They range from 12" to 16" in diameter, which makes them easier to maneuver on uneven surfaces.

Plus, the wheels are made of hardened plastic or a Never Flat material, so you won't get a flat tire if you're rolling it through an overgrown field that's littered with broken bottles and wind-blown trash (though you might need to clean up with a litter vacuum before you trim!).

Cutting Width

Wheeled String Trimmer Cutting Head

Although a few models have a cutting width of 17", most wheeled string trimmers have a cutting width of 22".

Because they're designed to work beneath a frame, the string on wheeled trimmers reaches across a wide area so you can cut a lot at once. Push this trimmer into a patch of weeds, and you'll be done in no time.

 

Wheeled String Trimmer Engines

Wheeled String Trimmer Engine

All wheeled string trimmers are powered by one of two types of gas engines: 4-cycle engines and 2-cycle engines

Most walk-behind trimmers use efficient, clean-running 4-cycle engines, which require oil changes and other simple maintenance to keep running smoothly.

You won't find 2-cycle engines available as often on wheeled trimmers. They produce more fuel emissions and are louder to operate, but they are also lighter and easier to maintain.

A common feature on wheeled trimmer engines is a recoil starter. Recoil start requires you to pull a starter rope to turn the engine over and get it going, similar to using a push lawnmower.

 

Wheeled Trimmer Replacement Line

Wheeled String Trimmer Line

Because these trimmers are used to take down thick, tough brush, you might find that the trimmer line breaks more often than it would if you were trimming around your yard with a hand-held trimmer.

Your best bet is to have some replacement line on hand. Line comes in a variety of diameters and lengths, though wheeled trimmers tend to use line with a thicker gauge. Always use the diameter recommended by the manufacturer for the best results.

NEXT: Top-Rated String Trimmers

Dale, the Power Equipment Expert
By 
Power Equipment Expert
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