My post on battery powered electric string trimmers made me wonder what gas powered string trimmers are like. I thought I would look at one or two just to satisfy my curiosity.
Gas powered string trimmers would be as portable as battery powered string trimmers, but would of course have a gas engine turning the trimmer line. They would probably be more noisy than electric ones. Still let’s have a look at some gas string trimmers.
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Husqvarna 128LD Gas Powered String Trimmer
Let’s start with this one first. It is a straight shaft gas powered string trimmer (as opposed to a curved shaft model) made by Husqvarna, a well established brand. I will continue to list some of it’s features below.
Some Features and Specs
- 28cc gas powered engine – top mount – 2 cycle operation (we usually call it a 2 stroke?)
- Runs on unleaded gasoline mixed with 2-cycle oil (yep a 2-stroke engine)
- The fuel tank is translucent so you can see how much of the gas/oil mixture is in the tank just by looking at it.
- It has a air purge primer bulb to get rid of any air that may get into the fuel system. (Good trick to have.)
- Lower end of the shaft (with the trimmer head) is detachable – should make storage easier
- Smart Start recoil tech minimizes start cord resistance
- Stop switch resets to “on” position ready for the next start
Some Thoughts On This Gas String Trimmer
This relatively lightweight, basic gas trimmer is intended for residential use and the warranty that comes with the string trimmer indicates that it is for that intended purpose. I don’t think residential use quite means the same as recreational use, though I’ve found one sometimes can zen out nicely while doing stuff in the garden. Ehehe.
This gas trimmer starts manually with a cord you have to yank. If the switch is in the on position and the fuel is flowing you just yank till it cranks. It has supposed smart tech that means less elbow grease (and swear words), giving less resistance on the cord when you yank it. All in all starting the machine doesn’t seem to be a huge problem. The start cord is a durable braided wire cable.
The front part of the shaft that has the trimmer head is detachable so this feature certainly will make sense when you have to take it anywhere. Like having to do that yard work at your dad’s he’s been bugging you about for the last month for example. Also this feature should make it take up less space in an already overcrowded garden shed or garage.
The straight shaft design gives you better reach to get at some of those hard to get to weeds in the garden (or behind the ears). I guess they mean better reach as opposed to a curved shaft string trimmer like the Husqvarna gas trimmer listed here on Amazon.com.
Some Questions and Answers
Is it hard to reload the trimmer line on this machine?
The trimmer head is not hard to reload having a fairly simple design. To release trimmer line for cutting you just tap the bottom of the trimmer head on the ground (grass) to release some line.
Does it come with the oil or do I have to go buy it?
A 2.6 oz bottle is included in the package when you buy. There are mixing instructions on the bottle. You’ll have to pop out to buy some unleaded gas for it though to complete the 2 stroke mix the gas engine runs on. Get yourself an AbbaJabba bar too if you like.
Can this trimmer take attachments?
There are a couple of attachments available from the same manufacturer. These include an edger for making lawns and pathways look tidy, a pole saw and a cultivator for tilling flower beds.
This particular Husqvarna 28cc model seems to be selling rather well if you count the number of user reviews on Amazon.com.
You can check out some reviews and pricing for the Husqvarna 28cc gas string trimmer on Amazon.com.
Remington RM2510 Rustler Gas Powered String Trimmer
Let us look at another gas strimmer currently on the market. This is the Remington RM2510 Rustler 25cc 2-cycle 16-inch gas powered string trimmer. Where the Husqvarna gas string trimmer above has a straight shaft, this string trimmer has a curved shaft.
Some Features and Specs
- Has a lightweight curved shaft
- Fitted with a 25cc 2-cycle gas engine featuring QuickStart technology
- Dual line bump feed head – tap head to load
- 16 inch cutting path – 0.095 inch line
- Weighs around 13 Lbs
Some Thoughts On This Gas String Trimmer
This 25cc engine is slightly smaller than the Husqvarna’s 28cc, though not by much. It features Quickstart engine technology that eases the strain (on muscles and temper!) when trying to yank this gas string trimmer into life.
The curved shaft on this model makes the string trimmer balance a little bit better in your hands, which means you should tire less quickly while using the trimmer for extended periods of time. The curved shaft also gives you a slightly better view of what and where you are cutting as well, since the shaft curves away towards the bottom where the trimmer head sits. Better line of sight basically.
The 0.095 line is a decent thickness and the bump feed trimmer line head makes it easy to feed line by squeezing the trigger and tapping the trimmer head on the ground to feed extra line. It means you don’t even really have to stop cutting to feed trimmer line.
Some Questions and Answers
Does this gas string trimmer also come with the oil when you buy it?
Yes, the trimmer ships with the required 2-cycle oil and a user manual as well. You will have to go get the gas to go with it.
How big of a yard will this gas string trimmer be able to take on?
This gas string trimmer will be able to handle small to medium sized yards without breaking a sweat. You may break a sweat though, depending on your level of fitness. The 16-inch cut path allows you to trim a decent amount of grass/weeds with every pass. The 25cc engine is powerful enough to tackle the job with success. The frame is also pretty lightweight for a trimmer of this kind.
The Remington Rustler gas string trimmer is available online from Amazon.com.
You may be interested in my cordless battery powered string trimmer post as well.
Thanks for reading my Best Gas String Trimmer Review. All the best to you!