The Types of Professional Weed Eaters

2-Stroke

• A professional weed eater with a 2-stroke engine is able to generate more power than its 4-stroke counterpart, which is why 2-strokes have been the traditional, go-to choice for landscaping professionals. However, a 2-stroke weed eater tends to be noisier than a 4-stroke and utilizes fuel less efficiently. In addition, a 2-stroke weed eater runs on a mixture of gasoline and oil, while you can fuel a 4-stroke weed eater with gasoline alone, just like you would fill a car.

4-Stroke

• While they typically have lower power outputs in comparison to similarly-sized 2-strokes, 4-stroke engines can be powerful enough to power professional weed eaters. For the environmentally-aware or green landscape professional, a 4-stroke weed eater may be the tool of choice because it produces lower emission levels. In addition, 4-stroke weed eaters are typically easier to start than their 2-stroke counterparts.

Straight-Shaft

• As its name implies, a straight-shaft weed eater utilizes a shaft that is completely straight. In addition, its cutting line rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. Straight-shaft weed eaters have traditionally been professional tools, as they're generally easier to maneuver and more effective than their curved-shaft counterparts. Straight-shaft weed eaters are especially well-suited for trimming underneath objects and obstructions, such as bushes, tables, decks, and benches.

Curved-Shaft

• Some landscaping professionals, especially those who have shorter statures, find using curved-shaft weed eaters to be more comfortable than the straight-shaft varieties. A curved-shaft weed eater has a shaft that curves downward before culminating in its cutting head. In addition, the weed eater's cutting line rotates clockwise, which helps fling clippings and debris away the from the operator. In contrast, a straight-shaft weed eater sends clippings flying back at the operator.

Fixed-Line

• After using a weed eater extensively, its cutting line will deteriorate and you'll need to feed out more line. When using a fixed-line professional weed eater -- the most traditional option -- feeding out more line requires stopping the tool, flipping it over and physically pulling out the line to a fixed point. While not as convenient as auto-feed trimmers, a fixed-line weed eater is reliable.

Bumper-Feed

• Bumper-feed weed eaters are designed for maximizing convenience. Feeding out more line with the weed eater requires simply bumping the cutting head on the ground. Unfortunately, the spring-loaded mechanism that provides bumper-feeding can sometimes get jammed, requiring that you disassemble the cutting head to fix it.