Comparison STIHL FS 350 vs STIHL FS 250

The capture width provided by the unit, in other words, the width of the strip of land cultivated in one pass. In fact, this size corresponds to the width of the working nozzle.

The large working width is useful when processing large open spaces, as it allows you to finish the job in a small number of passes. On the other hand, for hard-to-reach places, relatively narrow tools are better suited, able to go where a wider unit will not fit. In addition, the width of the tool directly affects the weight and price.

In general, it makes sense to compare in terms of working width only units of the same type (see above). However, it is worth noting here that trimmers do not differ so much from each other — most models capture from 25 to 45 cm (and a wide processing band is provided by moving the nozzle from side to side). As for the other types, in the most modest models the capture width does not exceed 40 cm, in the heaviest and most powerful it can be 56 – 60 cm or even more(in mini tractors — up to 1.5 m).

The width (diameter) of the trimmer knife characterizes the size of the paddle knife (or saw blade). Such a nozzle has a smaller capture width than a fishing line, however, it allows you to mow more dense thickets, including shrubs.

— Adjustment of the tilt of the rod. Possibility to tilt the rod or the working head relative to the rod. The setting will come in handy for mowing grass in hard-to-reach places. Trimmers with this function are much more convenient to work under swings, benches and garden furniture. Also, by adjusting the tilt of the rod, you can adjust the grip of the trimmer to the height of the user.

— Telescopic rod. Possibility of increasing the length of the trimmer by extending the rod. Due to design features, this solution is available only for models with a lower engine and helps to maximally adjust the device for a person of any height.

— Collapsible rod. Possibility to disassemble the trimmer rod into several parts. This feature greatly simplifies storage and transportation: packing, carrying and transporting side-by-side components is easier than a solid long rod. In theory, this design is less reliable than a non-removable design, but trimmers are usually not subjected to such high loads that this would be noticeable.

- Belt. The strap for carrying the trimmer is a shoulder or backpack strap. This design significantly simplifies the operator’s task and reduces operator fatigue: carrying it with a belt is not as tiring as holding the tool in your...hands. The shoulder strap is supposed to be worn over one shoulder. It helps you control the trimmer better and reduces fatigue, especially during long periods of use. A more complex backpack strap system allows you to distribute the weight of the tool on both shoulders and back. In this implementation, the belt will not slip off the shoulder when wearing the trimmer. Please note that in models without a belt, it may be possible to purchase it separately. However, it is easier (and often cheaper) to immediately buy a tool with this accessory.

— Limit bracket. The bracket acts as a limiter and is designed to protect tall (necessary) vegetation from mowing. Those. you can extend a small structural element at the base of the rod, which, when approaching the bushes, will move them away, thereby not cutting them off. The bracket will also be appropriate when mowing an area with a fence, decorative landscape with many elements that can be damaged during mowing, or can once again “shorten” the fishing line by breaking its ends.

— Rotating head. Possibility of rotating the trimmer working attachment on the rod. Typically this function is used to move the cutting system from a horizontal to a vertical position. Vertical cutting can be useful, for example, for leveling edges and creating borders in lawns.

— Edging roller. The roller is necessary for a neat “haircut” between the lawn and the sidewalk. It is found in models with a rotating head and is designed for more comfortable work. Since the device does not need to be suspended, leaning on the roller makes it much easier to edge flower beds, decorative elements on the lawn, borders, etc.

— Support rollers. Special rollers mounted on the cutting head of the trimmer. Thanks to such rollers, you can rest the head on the ground and roll the tool in front of you - this is more convenient than carrying it “on yourself”. Another advantage is that the rollers support the working attachment at the same height, which means that mowing is as accurate as possible, almost like using a regular lawn mower (with all the advantages of a trimmer). The main disadvantages of models with rollers are the high cost, as well as increased weight, which makes it difficult to work “off the ground.”

The level of noise produced by the device during operation. Usually, a certain average indicator is indicated in the characteristics — in the standard mode of operation; however, the actual values usually do not differ much from the claimed ones.

The lower the noise level, the more convenient the unit to use and the less tired the operator. In the case of lawn mowers, this is especially true, since such equipment is quite noisy — even the quietest models (some robots) give out about 47 – 48 dB, which is comparable to talking at an average volume. Note that the decibel is a non-linear quantity, and it is easiest to evaluate the actual loudness using comparative tables. Here is the simplest table for the values found in modern lawn mowers:

— 60 – 65 dB — talking in raised tones at a distance of about 1 m;
70 dB — loud conversation of several people at the same distance;
75 dB — loud laughter at a distance of 1 m;
80 dB — motorcycle engine, medium power vacuum cleaner.
90 dB — loud screams, freight car at a distance of 7 – 10 m;
100 dB — a subway train or a loud car signal at a distance of 5 – 7 m, an industrial workshop;
110 dB — tractor engine at a distance of about 1 m.

In addition to subjective sensations, there are specific sanitary standards that limit the impact of strong noise. So, according to European standards, noise of 85 dB is allowed to be heard without protective equipment for 8 hours, 91 dB — 2 hours, 97...dB — half an hour, and 103 dB — only 7 minutes. So when choosing a unit, you should take into account the duration of work with it — with high noise, you may need protective headphones.