Cordless lawnmowers are great for mowing grassy areas that are easily accessible. However, when tidying up grassy areas under fence lines, at the base of walls or even around the base of structures like garden sheds and greenhouses, your best friend is a cordless grass trimmer.
Line trimmers are easy to handle and provide a visible cutting area, making them better suited for cutting grass in hard-to-mow areas. They can also leave just as clean a cut as a cordless lawn mower, making your lawn neat and tidy.
How to use a line trimmer in difficult-to-reach areas
Safety first
Before you start using your cordless line trimmer, always make sure you are wearing the appropriate safety gear:
- Protective eyewear
- Gloves
- Long pants
- Boots
- Ear protection, however, this is not needed if you are using a cordless line trimmer
Guidelines for using a line trimmer under fences
The standard practice for using a line trimmer is to sweep the tool in a back-and-forth ‘U’ motion. This is appropriate for larger, more open areas without obstacles. However, when it comes to more delicate areas like under fence lines and at the base of walls, you should adopt a different technique:
1. Check the area
First, check the area you are about to work in and make sure there aren’t any obstacles, such as loose wire hidden in the grass, that could damage your line trimmer.
2. Set up your cordless line trimmer
Now, you can start setting up your line trimmer. If your tool comes with a harness, attach the tool to the harness and set it to the appropriate height and angle that’s most comfortable for you to use in the environment you’re in.
3. Hold the tool steady
Hold your cordless line trimmer steady and at an angle so it cuts the grass effectively. Walk slowly along the fence line and hold the tool as still as possible- this ensures more precision and control.
Avoid swinging the tool in a ‘U’ motion to prevent the likelihood of hitting the fence and wearing down your trimmer line.
4. Alternate cutting directions
Instead, walk in one direction and then in the opposite direction to cut the grass at a different angle, which will give a closer and cleaner cut.
5. Avoid getting too close
Cutting too close to the fence or wall could result in your trimmer line catching the obstacle and wearing it down. However, if you do catch your trimmer line, follow our guidance on how to replace it.
Our tip to avoid getting too close is to ensure your battery line trimmer line is the right length. If it’s too short, it’s difficult to see where the tip of the line is as it cuts; if it’s too long, the line won’t stay rigid during cutting and will be harder to cut accurately.
What is the right length of my trimmer line?
The minimum length is 10-15cm; however, we suggest a length of between 25-30 cm so your line trimmer can effectively cut through grass and weeds.
Simple steps to replacing your trimmer line
In the event of catching a hard surface like a wall or fence, you may need to replace your trimmer line. Here’s our quick guide on replacing your trimmer line:
- If you are using a battery line trimmer like the EGO ST1610E-T 40cm liner trimmer - remove the battery.
- Remove the spool retainer from the spool assembly by pressing the tabs.
- Check that the spool is empty and that the assembly is clean and in good working order.
- Place the pre-wound spool into the retainer and align notches and eyelets.
- Fit the ends into opposite notches on the spool with 4” left on each side.
- Align the spool notches with the retainer eyelets and replace the spool.
- Tug the line ends from the notches in the spool and fit into retainer eyelets.
- Check that the spring is properly located in the spool base and tighten it if necessary.
- Align tabs on the retainer with the slots on the base and click into place.
Caring for your cordless line trimmer
All EGO cordless line trimmers come with a manual that details how to properly maintain your battery line trimmer. If you have a brush cutter and want to sharpen its blades, you can find out how to do so here. You can also find and download a manual for your EGO tool from the bottom of any of our product pages.
Our battery line trimmers also come with at least a 5-year warranty for domestic use. However, this doesn’t cover faults caused by improper storage. This is even more reason to maintain your mower in accordance with our manuals and have it serviced regularly by your local dealer.