How to choose a line for a trimmer: types and characteristics

Petrol-powered lawn mowers and electric trimmers cut the grass thanks to the fact that a special cord rotates inside the structure. Their work is ensured by a string, the two ends of which easily cut the stems. Unlike steel knives, the string does not become dull when colliding with hard objects, which is a clear plus.

An incorrectly selected cutting element will not be able to ensure high-quality cutting of grass. That is why it is important to approach this choice with full responsibility. Our rating will help you understand which fishing line is the best for garden tools. After reviewing it, the buyer will be able to choose the appropriate equipment himself.

The best way to mow the grass

Before you start choosing equipment for garden tools, you should answer the question: “what kind of grass will it mow?” If it is fresh, then the choice is clear. The fishing line is ideal for this type of work.

The fishing line is a thread that is made of nylon. The grass is mowed using 2 fishing line tips rotating at high speed. Moreover, the higher the rotation speed, the higher the efficiency of the tool.

The mowing width can be in the range of 40-50 cm. This indicator determines how quickly the work can be completed. The wider the cutting width, the faster the lawn will be mowed.

When working with a garden tool, it must be positioned so that the string is parallel to the grass. The mowing head should not be pressed too hard to the ground. This will lead to increased load on the engine, which, in turn, may cause engine failure.

The product can be used to cut any grass, regardless of its height. It will cope well with both short and very tall grass. It is worth noting the fact that the same cannot be said about a lawn mower. In addition, a brush cutter with a string will do an excellent job of cutting grass in places where a lawn mower cannot go.

Wire will be an ideal option for cutting grass in the garden. It is not capable of harming trees in any way. The line glides neatly along their trunks without damaging the crown.

Fishing line is one of the best options for cutting grass that will later be harvested for hay. However, it is worth paying attention that it will not cope with hard and thick grass. To mow this type of vegetation, you need to install a knife.

What materials are used to produce fishing line and how does this affect their reliability?

For the manufacture of trimmer fishing line, nylon is used, which is based on polypropylene with polyamide. A distinctive feature of nylon is its following advantages:

Durability under proper storage conditions. Do not store the material for long periods of time in the sun or at low temperatures.
Lightweight, allowing high speeds due to the inertia of the head rotation
Wear resistance - the material is resistant to wear, and damage to the cord occurs only when colliding with hard obstacles
Low cost - this is convenient, since the material is consumable and requires constant use of new fishing line

This is interesting!
When cutting grass, the nylon line breaks into pieces that remain in the cut grass. These pieces are harmful to animals, so cutting grass with a fishing line for the purpose of making hay is not recommended.

Sometimes cheaper polyethylene is added to the material, which reduces the reliability of cutting equipment. Polyethylene cord wears out faster, so experience proves that it is more profitable to buy fishing line made of natural nylon (more expensive) than to save money and purchase polyethylene cord.

Fishing lines with a thickness of 2.6-3.3 mm consist, in addition to nylon, of graphite or steel rods - a two-component cord. The presence of rods not only increases the efficiency of grass cutting, but also reduces the rapid wear of the fishing line. As a result, it turns out that a string with a large cross-section lasts longer than a thin fishing line. There are also cords with the addition of metal particles to the composition. These additives are also designed to increase the efficiency of grass cutting and increase the strength and wear-resistant parameters of the material.

This is interesting!
When choosing fishing line for your trimmer, you need to pay attention to the head or reel. These parts indicate the parameters of the cord cross-section acceptable for use.

How to choose

Grass trimmers powered by gasoline or electricity are extremely popular, and this is not surprising. They allow you to quickly and easily clear large areas of grass, which cannot but please summer residents and owners of private houses. However, it cannot be said that using these devices the gardener will not encounter any difficulties. Over time, the fishing line tends to become thinner and break. Trying to replace it, the gardener is faced with a rather difficult choice. He has to decide on the choice of company, the material from which it is made, shape and many other parameters, and this is not so easy to do.

When purchasing, the first thing you should pay attention to is the material from which it is made. It must be plastic, otherwise the product will often break off.

On the market you can see fishing lines:

nylon.
made of nylon mixed with aluminum, graphite.
nylon with the addition of a steel rod.
coaxial threads.

The most common is nylon fishing line. The material used for its manufacture is quite low in cost and can withstand loads well. However, it cannot be said that it is the most durable. For example, coaxial thread has much higher strength, which means that it will last longer. You also cannot ignore the cost of the product. Please take into account that polyethylene is used in the manufacture of cheap items. There is no need to talk about the high strength of such a material. It wears out quickly and, accordingly, requires replacement more often.

If a gardener plans to cut not only grass, but also shrubs, then he should choose a model with a steel rod. They are highly wear-resistant and last quite a long time.

Section shape

There are several types of fishing lines based on their cross-sectional shape:

Round. Used for mowing any type of vegetation.
Star and square. Works great on rough grass.
Twisted cord. Ideal for long periods of work.

The round one is cheaper than the others. It is great for cutting thin, fragile grass. Its negative characteristic is that it makes too much noise during operation. A round model with a cross-section can solve this problem, but its price will be much higher.

Polygon or square. The model is capable of cutting not only thin, but also quite thick grass. Its price is not much higher than the round price. This suggests that this line is an excellent compromise between price and performance.

Twisted square and star. This line is characterized by a high speed of cutting grass. It can handle both fresh and dry or hard vegetation. Of course, its price is quite high, but in this case it is worth paying more. This fishing line will help the gardener quickly and efficiently cut the grass in the area.

Modern manufacturers offer customers fishing lines with special notches. They make work efficiency much higher, but also increase the cost of the material.

Line diameter

The product may have different diameters. As a rule, this figure varies from 1.3 mm to 5 mm. Lines with a small diameter are suitable for trimmers with weak motors. They will not create additional stress on it.

For trimmers powered by electricity, you should choose fishing lines with a diameter of 2.4 mm, and the power of their motor should be 1.4 kW.

For professional gardening equipment, fishing lines with a diameter of 2.7 to 5 mm are suitable.

Line thickness

When choosing a fishing line, you can’t help but pay attention to its thickness. Using too thick, or, conversely, thin fishing line will lead to rapid wear of the motor.

Armed with this information, each gardener will be able to choose the fishing line that suits his needs.

Large and small fishing line and when to use steel discs

If the fishing line does not match the power of the power unit, then this is fraught with the development of the following consequences:

If you use a thin cord on a powerful gasoline trimmer, the material will wear out quickly, reducing the productivity and efficiency of the tool.
If you put a fishing line with a cross-section of 2.6-3 mm on a low-power electric trimmer, the performance will decrease, you will experience constant winding of the cord on the reel, and the load on the motor will also increase, which will cause its accelerated wear

A material such as nylon is used to make fishing line. It provides high reliability and also has good cutting properties. Why use fishing line on a trimmer if there are metal discs? Many masters ask this question.

A cord or fishing line on a tool is used when cutting vegetation in an area where there are various obstacles - stones, poles, benches, trees, etc. Flexible equipment only wears out faster when colliding with these obstacles, but the tool motor is not overloaded
Metal discs are designed to cope with a wide variety of difficulties in the field. They effectively mow down dense and thick-stemmed vegetation. When colliding with obstacles, the teeth quickly become dull and the power unit is overloaded

Knowing the difference between steel wheels and cord, it is not difficult to decide which one is better to purchase. Fishing line in stores is sold in skeins of 15 meters each. You can wind 4-5 meters of fishing line on a trimmer reel, which depends on its diameter. To save money, you can buy trimmer line in a bay, where its length is 250 meters or more.

This is interesting!
When choosing a cord for a lawn mower, you need to check the date of its manufacture. This is done to eliminate the possibility of purchasing outdated material. After all, nylon tends to shrink and lose its original parameters. If the fishing line is stored for a long time, then you should not dispose of it, and soaking it in water or fat will help restore its previous technical properties.

Rating of the best trimmer line manufacturers

The market is filled with a huge number of offers, but only some manufacturers have earned a good reputation and the trust of customers.

Serrated

Sawline PATRIOT 805403311

This model is used when working with trimmers. Its main features include strength, high wear resistance and performance. Due to the presence of a sawtooth profile, the fishing line is not too noisy during operation.

fishing line Sawline PATRIOT 805403311

Advantages:

the fishing line does an excellent job of cutting down weeds;
differs in softness and elasticity;
the model has several diameters - from 1.6 to 3 mm;
affordable price.

Flaws:

when installing, the fishing line is difficult to cut with a knife;
Supplied in 15m reels.

DENZEL Flex

This model is used in trimmers running on gasoline and electricity.

For its manufacture, high quality nylon with a “toothed square” section is used. The main feature is high wear resistance. Supplied in a set of 50 pieces. The length of each segment is 30 cm and the diameter is 3 mm.

This model is recommended for high power trimmers. It can easily cope with tough grass, thick weeds and young bushes.

line DENZEL Flex

Advantages:

easy to use;
made of high quality material;
durable.

Flaws:

not detected.

With core

Two-component Denzel Extra Cord

Denzel Extra Cord is used to control weeds, young growth of shrubs, and mow hard and dense grass using motorized and electric mowers. The string is made from a two-component material: the rod is a durable synthetic high-molecular compound, the outer layer is high-quality nylon. The cord is wear-resistant and durable. Compared to regular fishing line, Denzel Extra Cord has a 40% longer service life.

Denzel Extra Cord

Advantages:

high quality;
durable material.

Flaws:

not detected.

Square with 2.4 mm core Rezer ULTRA-PRO

DUAL-CUT Rezer is used when working with trimmers. The “cord” is a cutting element mounted in the head of a brush cutter; it differs in cross-sectional shape and diameter. It is important to select the correct thickness and cross-section of the string for different jobs. This will significantly reduce wear and increase mowing speed. The fishing line, which has a square cross-section, is distinguished by its resistance and durability. It is used for cutting down established weeds and tough weeds. The string has a high tensile strength, a long service life and is made from 2 types of raw materials - the core and the outer layer.

DUAL-CUT Rezer – for masters of their craft. It combines several positive qualities - wear resistance and a significant resource. Due to the fact that the manufacturer has combined 2 materials, the string has an important quality for a professional - high tensile strength.

Rezer ULTRA-PRO fishing line

Advantages:

packaged length 15-114 m;
made of nylon;
low price;
mows dry, tough weeds.

Flaws:

cannot be used in areas with stones;
increased fragility;
rapid wear.

D-2.4 mm nylon star 15 m with “Trimmer Line” core

Sold in unattractive, dull packaging. Despite this, the product turned out to be of good quality. Another proof that you shouldn’t judge a product only by its appearance.

The main advantage thanks to which the manufacturer is included in the list of the best is the cost of the cord for the brush cutter. Product prices are much lower than those of competitors. That is why the fishing line needed to care for the local area and garden plot is sold like hot cakes. The affordable string turned out to be not strong enough, so it is not recommended to use it at a professional level.

Trimmer Line

Advantages:

does not delaminate and does not lose its working qualities even during long-term storage at low temperatures;
bright color;
a huge selection of different sections and diameters;
the cord has the same diameter throughout its entire length;
high-quality work under high load and ambient temperature;
durability.

Flaws:

not detected.

With bobbin

Circle 2.4 mm Huter GTH

The semi-automatic head significantly reduces mowing time. The length of the cord required in relation to the ground is set by pressing a button located on the head of the Huter GTH.

The working element of an electric brush cutter is a replaceable cartridge, ready for use on Huter garden scythes, filled with fishing line. If the supplied bobbin is damaged or broken, a head is mounted on the tool shaft. It is already equipped with a short length cord with a diameter of 2 mm.

The Huter model is equipped with a semi-automatic line feed system: when the lower part of the cartridge comes into contact with the ground, the line unwinds under the influence of centrifugal force.

The Huter GTH consumable head is an ideal option for users of the Huter GET-1200SL electric brush cutter. Without it, it is impossible to cope with thickets of thick grass on the site.

Huter GTH fishing line

Advantages:

durable material;
high quality;
affordable price.

Flaws:

not detected.

Cartridge with string for Bosch ART Combitrim

A replacement reel with a string 1.6 mm thick, 8 m long and a protective ring is used on Bosch ART trimmers (Combitrim/Easytrim23/26/30).

The 8-meter mowing line, the thickness of which is 1.6 mm, is tucked into a replaceable spool with a protective ring. Such a device makes it possible to quickly and effortlessly replace the cord.

The string is intended for mowing lawns, caring for gardens and personal plots. Suitable for ART series braids manufactured by Bosch.

fishing line Bosch ART Combitrim

Advantages:

the aerodynamic design of the bobbin reduces fuel consumption on lawn mowers;
high ductility and density;
ideal petal length (from 23 to 30 cm);
The cartridge is tightly fixed on the trimmer.

Flaws:

not mounted on all brush cutters;
small selection of strings;
high price.

Duoline PATRIOT 805401161

The core of the string, produced by Duoline, is polyamide fiber, which is coated on top with a strong transparent polymer with dye. This structure dramatically increases the wear resistance and performance of the fishing line. The entire batch has a sharp-edged cross-section, which contributes to high-quality grass mowing.

The non-standard profile of the string reduces the frequency of mechanical vibrations, so mowing with this line is a real pleasure.

The cutting device is inserted into the trimmer head. The basis of the working element is a polyamide string, coated with a polymer of equal strength. The length of the fishing line is 15 m, the configuration is twisted square, and has a high wear resistance coefficient.

In most cases, Duoline PATRIOT 805401161 fishing line is purchased by novice trimmer owners or summer residents. First of all, they are attracted by the low cost of products and the attractive appearance of the cord. At the same time, a lot of negative reviews have been written on thematic forums about the “Patriot” strings regarding their working qualities.

The product line of the American-Chinese brand is represented by cords of different diameters and cross-sections. Difficulties with tangling the cutting element occur even at the stage of refilling the cartridge. Subsequently, due to the delicate structure of the string, it is constantly bitten.

fishing line Duoline PATRIOT 805401161

Advantages:

has a high wear resistance coefficient;
low cost of production and attractive appearance of the cord.

Flaws:

not detected.

Star HUTER S24100

The string for professional HUTER lawn mowers is highly flexible and durable. The correct choice of the lawn mower cutting element (shape, thickness) significantly reduces line wear and mowing speed.

The cross section of the cord is made in the shape of a star, and therefore has a large number of sharp edges and is highly efficient. Suitable for mowing bushes and thick-stemmed weeds.

fishing line Star HUTER S24100

Advantages:

characterized by high flexibility and durability;
high efficiency.

Flaws:

not detected.

Rating of popular models with a bobbin

Husqvarna T25 M10

A reliable device that is suitable for straight shaft lawn mowers. The fishing line is strong enough and can handle a large amount of grass. The outer part is made of durable plastic that can withstand high loads.

BOSCH F016800175 1.6 mm

This option is suitable for maintaining a beautiful lawn, since the diameter of the cord is only 1.6 mm. The cross-sectional shape is round. A convenient hairpin will allow you to enjoy mowing, and not wait for the grass in the area to run out. Refilling takes minimal time and installation is simple.

The average cost is 500 rubles.

BOSCH F016800175 1.6 mm

Advantages:

Build quality;
Durable plastic;
Efficiency;
Convenient operation;
Optimal cost.

Flaws:

There are no significant ones.

Denzel trimmer head 96358

Universal design that is suitable for various trimmers. Installation takes a minimum of time, since standard fasteners are present. The product copes well with small grass and has a long service life.

Average price: from 420 rubles.

Denzel trimmer head 96358

Advantages:

Convenient installation;
Durability;
Good build;
Low cost;
High quality cut.

Flaws:

Not detected.

What you need to know

The life of the trimmer will increase significantly if, during the operation and preservation of the tool, the owner remembers the following important features:

During operation, the head of the brush cutter should be kept parallel to the ground. The string should not touch crushed stone or soil. It is not recommended for the string to come into contact with fences, curbs and other hard objects.
To avoid unpleasant consequences, using an electric trimmer in wet and rainy weather is prohibited.

At the end of the work, you should thoroughly wipe the device components from any remaining grass and dirt. To ensure that until the next time you start the trimmer, it remains in working order and starts with a half-turn, you need to wipe the wires and fishing line from dust.

Criteria and conclusions about the correct selection of cord or which line to choose for the trimmer

If you are going to make hay or mow meadow grass for cattle, then you will need not only a gasoline trimmer, but also metal discs. Heads with fishing line are not suitable for such purposes, since they are intended for the following purposes:

Mowing grass on the lawn and garden paths
Cleaning the garden area
Cutting weeds, dry grass and thickets at the dacha

Depending on the type of work planned to be performed, it is necessary to select a tool and line for it that are appropriate in terms of power. To cut young, short and thin-stemmed grass, a round-shaped cord is used, and if you are going to deal with thickets in the country, then it is better to use an angular type of string - square or in the shape of a star.

If, when using an electric trimmer, the sound of a round fishing line rustling is heard, then when using a lawn mower, such noises are not terrible. To reduce noise, you need to buy a fishing line with coils. Nylon string with a square or hexagonal shape is able to cope with thick-stemmed vegetation such as raspberry, ragweed and other weeds. If a regular round string is inexpensive, then models of different shapes will cost a little more. The most expensive cords are two-component ones, which consist of several materials.

Recommendations from experienced summer residents

The device will last a long time, maintaining its operating functions, if you listen to the recommendations of experienced owners. They advise carefully studying the technical document to select the cord of the desired section and diameter.

Use different strings for different types of grass. You should not choose a very thin fishing line. Such a cord will constantly break, which will ultimately lead to rapid breakdown of the trimmer. A string that is too thick is also ineffective. It increases the load on the electric motor, which can burn out.

How to properly store fishing line or increase service life

Many people give advice on how to choose a line for a trimmer, but almost no one tells you how to store this material. Improper storage leads to the fact that the equipment quickly wears out when cutting grass. When you buy a 15-meter skein, only a few people ask the question of how to store the trimmer line. When you buy a bay of 250-500 meters, it is very important to understand compliance with the conditions for its storage.

What happens if you do not comply with the storage conditions for nylon trimmer fishing line? The consequences are:

Loss of its properties, so equipment made from high-strength material becomes brittle and wears out quickly
Work productivity decreases
Accelerated wear leads to the need to buy and refill strings in the trimmer more often

The loss of the original properties of the fishing line is definitely an unpleasant phenomenon, so let’s find out what needs to be done to increase the service life of the material during storage. Most of all, nylon material is afraid of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The longer the cord is stored in the open sun, the faster its technical properties are lost. Instructions on how to extend the life of the trimmer line are as follows:

At the end of the season, when there is a long break, you should pack the equipment in polyethylene, having previously soaked it with fat (glycerin). Fishing line that is tightly packed and soaked in fat must be stored in a dark place maintaining the temperature between +5 and +20 degrees (best in the refrigerator)
The cord should not be stored on radiators and batteries, as excessive exposure to heat leads to a violation of technical properties
To prevent complete light from entering the fishing line, it should be packaged not in transparent, but in black polyethylene. Instead of a bag, you can use special plastic sealed containers

When the season comes, you need to take out the bay, and unwinding the required amount of material, wipe it from grease, and load it into the trimmer coil.

Conclusion

To summarize the above, we note the main factors influencing the choice of fishing line for a lawn mower:

when choosing a fishing line, pay attention to the cross-sectional shape and thickness of the product;
buy only those models that fit the lawn mower;
give preference to manufacturers who have proven themselves in the market with quality products;
Wipe the fishing line thoroughly after use so that no grass or dirt remains on it.

Remember that the hardworking nature of the owner of the site will become clear from the well-groomed lawn in front of the house. When choosing a fishing line, listen to the recommendations of experienced summer residents.

Basic parameters of trimmer line

Manufacturers most often indicate the diameter of the fishing line, and this is partly correct - the mowing head has holes with metal inserts of a certain internal diameter, into which a fishing line of a larger diameter cannot be inserted.

Thus, one of the parameters of the fishing line is:

Thread thickness.
While working with a trimmer, different situations arise - you just need to mow the fresh grass on the lawn, or remove tall weeds along the hedge, or, for example, prepare the area for winter, and for this you need not only to mow dry thick stems, but also to remove the growth of small bushes.
To do this, in addition to the thickness of the thread, it is necessary to take into account the shape of the fishing line, on which the cutting properties depend, respectively, the second important parameter for choosing a thread:
Shape of the thread section. An important role when working with a trimmer is played by how long the refilled coil lasts, how quickly it wears out, and how it behaves when working with different materials - grass, shrubs, thick stems of dry weeds. This largely depends on what physical properties the fishing line itself has; accordingly, the third important parameter for classifying the thread will be:
Composition of the thread.

Line composition

However, basically the service life of the fishing line does not depend on the shape or diameter of the thread, but on the composition from which it is made. Most often, domestic manufacturers use nylon as the main material.

It is quite flexible, elastic, strong, and can be deformed by stretching. Relatively easily tolerates heavy loads and high temperatures.

Nylon fishing line is the cheapest in the price range, but this does not mean that it is of poor quality; if you take into account the price/quality/performance ratio, then nylon fishing line will show a very decent result.

Coaxial, two-component fishing line will withstand the greatest loads and is considered the strongest. Its secret is simple - a dense, even hard core and a fairly elastic outer layer.

This combination allows the fishing line to retain its properties for a long time and wear out gradually, much more slowly than a nylon fishing line.

A fishing line with a metal central core was originally intended for professional work - mowing grass along highways, cleaning steep slopes, working on rocky areas.

And therefore it has an appropriate price, which is not entirely suitable for working on a personal plot.

Types of cords

Of course, the option to come and show the fishing line to the seller is reliable, but it is not entirely correct. And this is explained by the fact that the choice of fishing line depends not only on the trimmer head that is used in the design, but also on the power of the unit.

The following types of fishing lines are distinguished:

Cords with a cross section of up to 1.6 millimeters. They are used mainly in electric trimmers, where the engine power rating does not exceed 500 Watts. The tools do an excellent job of trimming young lawn grass in small areas. You can buy fishing line for a trimmer on the online store website.
Cords with a cross section from 2 to 2.4 millimeters. They can be found in gasoline or electric trimmers, whose power rating ranges from 500 to 1,000 watts. This technique is mainly in demand when cutting thin or thick grass, to rid the area of weeds. If you install a fishing line with a cross-section of 1.6 mm in such units, it will quickly become unusable and will need to be replaced.
Cords with a cross section of 2.4-3.3 millimeters. Used in gasoline trimmers in which the power rating exceeds 1,000 watts. This line copes well with both grass and thick and dried stems, allowing you to trim shrubs and trees.
Manufacturers also produce fishing line with a diameter of more than 3.3 millimeters, but it is used very rarely. It is better to buy it for a high power trimmer.