Strimmers, anyone?

[Rhubarbgarden]

I need a strimmer. I need it to do lawn edging where the lawn meets a wall, under overhanging shrubs and around fruit trees. I also need to keep the verges tidy of the lane that borders our garden.

Any recommendations or experience? My instinct is to go for a petrol one, but they are so heavy, notoriously difficult to start and there's all that 2 stroke engine faff. Electric ones with a cord wouldn't work as I'd need to work too far from an electrical socket.

I've been researching cordless ones, and it seems that the cheaper ones have very short running times and lack power. The Stihl ones seem to be the exception - they get glowing reviews. They are of course hideously expensive.

What to do? Anyone got one of these Stihl machines? Are they all they are cracked up to be? Any other thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks. Not the most exciting topic I know.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Too boring, huh?

[cantspel]

How about something like this

www.mowers-online.co.uk/Lawn-Care---Garden-Care/Brush-Cutter---Garden-Strimmers/Petrol-Brush-Cutter-Strimmer/McCulloch-MT260-CLS-26cc-Split-Shaft-Petrol-Strimmer.html

It has soft start so easier to get going and you can make your husband pre mix the petrol and oil so all you have to do is top up

[TreeFuMom]

I have a Ryobi strimmer from Screwfix. It cost just over £100 and works really well. It runs on a petrol / two stroke oil mix and it easy to start. I would definitely recommend.

[MERLYPUSS]

I have a Ryobi too. You can get one that you can change the head on for timmer/hedge cutter and rotovator I think.

[Blackpuddingbertha]

We have an electric cordless one. It stays on charge in the shed until we need it and works perfectly. Our lawn takes about an hour or more to edge so lasts fine for that. Not powerful enough for ground clearance of low shrubbery etc though. I think ours may be a Black and Decker.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Thanks all. I shall give these models due consideration. Cantspel the idea of dh going anywhere near petrol and oil fills me with terror - he'd probably blow up the garage. Car and machine maintenance not to mention even the bloody driving are firmly my department. He does do all the cooking though

[cantspel]

whoops i though i had bagged the only man in the country who should never be allowed near a power tool but it appears there are a few others with the same affliction.

I was in The Range earlier and they had a very nice looking bosch cordless strimmer for £73

[cantspel]

ttp://www.therange.co.uk/bosch-cordless-line-trimmer-23cm/garden-machinery/the-range/fcp-product/59198

[cantspel]

ttp://www.therange.co.uk/bosch-cordless-line-trimmer-23cm/garden-machinery/the-range/fcp-product/59198

[Rhubarbgarden]

Blimey that's cheap. Less than a third of the price of the Stihl. Might be worth having a punt at that! Thanks.