Gas vs Electric Trimmers For Lawn Care Pros

When it comes to professional lawn care, gas-powered trimmers have always been the way to go. Now, a new contender is joining the fight; well, an old contender who is up and fighting again. Electric trimmers have been long dismissed as the way to go for lawn care professionals, but we are here to put forward the case for them. By the end of this article; we hope that you can make an informed choice between the two, weighing up the pros and cons, and choosing the right trimmer for your business.

So, what are the main differences? Both of the trimmers are going to work in much the same way. You have a motor which is connected to a spinning piece of wire. This motor is either powered by gas or electricity. 

A trimmer is usually lightweight with handles at one end and the wire trimmer at the other. This wire trimmer spins to chop the grass. It is great for getting into hard-to-reach places.

One of the main differences is that a gas-powered trimmer needs fuel. You fill it with fuel, start the motor, and you are ready to go. A gas motor gives you more power than an electric motor. You also have a lot more freedom and possibly time. You can extend as far as you want without having to worry about an extension cord or the need to recharge the battery. You add the gas, and you are good to go.

On the flip-side, you will find that gas-powered trimmers need more maintenance than their electric counterparts. The use of gas to power the motor can be messy and smell, the fumes can also pollute the air. Gas-powered trimmers can also be loud.

An electric trimmer uses either a battery or a cord which plugs into any outlet. It operates in the same way as a gas-powered motor but uses electricity to power the motor instead of gas. If you are using a cord, then you are limited by its range, unless you also use an extension cord. If you are using a battery, you are limited by the life of the battery.

A good lawn care professional will carry a spare which can be swapped in and out. Electric-powered trimmers are a lot quieter than gas trimmers; they do not produce emissions either. On the downside, you have less power than a gas trimmer, and you cannot reach as far without power.

Let’s Take a Closer Look

We have already discussed how similar the two options are. They both feature handles at the top, a long shaft, and then the wire at the bottom to cut the grass with. The wire is usually covered with a casing to protect your feet. The motor is fed by some sort of power source. There are many similarities and a few subtle differences. Let’s take a look.

As a gas-powered trimmer uses gas to generate its power, there is a little more involved with the process and engine. This translates into more maintenance for you. Now, don’t worry, while there is maintenance, it is maintenance you can do, if you know a little about what you are doing. The fuel can be messy and can smell. You should always fill your trimmer in a well-ventilated area. You should also be careful not to spill the liquid.

The engine is a lot more powerful than an electric motor. This comes with a lot of advantages but, with a more powerful motor, you have a lot more noise. You also have more emissions too. If you are conscious about the environment, this may be a reason for you to use an electric trimmer over a gas-powered one. That power can translate into a faster job, though. That time difference can be the difference between a profit and a loss for your company.

You also have unlimited reach. As long as you have more gas with you, you can refill and continue cutting for as long as you wish.

Electric motors are a lot quieter. They can be almost silent. You also have no worries about dealing with fuel. You do not have to mix any gas or petrol, there is no cleanup, and there are no emissions. If you want to lessen your business’s impact on the environment, then an electric motor is the way to go. The only thing you need is an outlet or batteries.

Using an outlet will mean that you have a limit to how far you can go. If you are tackling a large area of grass, this could be a problem. Even if you use an extension cord, you still have to deal with the cord, which can become heavier, the longer it gets. If you have batteries, you are limited by the power in them. When cutting large areas, you may run out of power pretty quickly.

With an electric motor, you have fewer hassles but also less power.

Conclusion

So, what should you choose for your business? For many years, gas-powered trimmers have been the way to go. While electric trimmers are easier to use overall, the ​best gas powered string trimmers are still an easy tool when compared to a lot of equipment.

Gas-powered trimmers also have more power than electric trimmers. That has been true for years and is still true today. But, electric motors are catching up. With a good electric trimmer, you will find that you are not wanting for power when it comes to chopping through those weeds.

We would recommend an outlet over batteries. Even large batteries can soon be drained. When it comes to electric vs gas, the choice is not so clear. If you are worried about the environment, then the electric trimmer is the way to go. If you want something which wields a lot of power, there is no beating the gas trimmer. Both trimmers will do the job. The choice is yours.