Trimmers & Brush Cutters
Strimmers are what you grab when the mower cannot reach, the edges look rough, or the ground has gone wild and needs knocking back properly.
For tidying borders, clearing around posts, cutting back long grass, or taking on rough patches the mower will just choke on, this is the kit that earns its keep. From light grass trimmers for regular garden maintenance to brush cutters and petrol brush cutters for heavier scrub, pick the power and cutting head to suit the ground and get it sorted first time.
What Are Strimmers Used For?
- Trimming along fence lines, raised beds, walls, and sheds where a mower leaves a rough strip and you need a clean finish without scalping the ground.
- Edging lawns and borders keeps paths, patios, and kerbs looking sharp, especially when you are doing the final tidy before handover or weekend maintenance.
- Clearing long grass and weeds around trees, gate posts, and awkward corners makes strimmers and brush cutters handy where bigger garden kit cannot get in properly.
- Knocking back rough patches, nettles, brambles, and thicker growth is where brush cutters and petrol brush cutters come into their own, especially on larger plots and overgrown ground.
- Tidying banks, uneven ground, and hard to reach areas suits cordless strimmers and battery grass trimmers when you want freedom to move without dragging a lead behind you.
Who Uses These on Site and Around Property?
- Landscapers use strimmers and grass trimmers for lawn edges, borders, and the final clean up after laying turf, planting, or finishing a garden job.
- Grounds maintenance teams keep cordless strimmers in the van for regular cutting around signs, benches, paths, and car parks where a mower is too clumsy.
- Gardeners and property maintenance crews swear by brush cutters for reclaiming overgrown areas, cutting back rough grass, and keeping larger plots under control.
- Builders and site teams use trimmers and brush cutters for clearing plot edges, access routes, and scrub before fencing, landscaping, or general tidy up works start.
Choosing the Right Strimmers
Match the machine to the growth you are cutting. Buy too light and you will be there all day. Buy too big and it is just more weight than you need.
1. Light Trimming or Proper Clearance
If you are just keeping lawn edges, borders, and regular grass under control, a standard grass trimmer or line trimmer is usually enough. If you are dealing with thick weeds, nettles, rough ground, or scrub, go straight to brush cutters with the power and cutting setup for heavier work.
2. Cordless, Electric, or Petrol
Cordless strimmers are the easy choice for most routine work because you can move freely and get straight on with it. Electric strimmers suit smaller gardens where power is close by, but the cable gets old fast around trees and borders. Petrol brush cutters make sense for bigger areas and tougher growth where runtime and outright cutting force matter more than convenience.
3. Shaft Length and Reach
If you are working around beds, under shrubs, or along awkward edges, check the handle layout and shaft length properly. Long reach trimmers help on banks and deeper borders, while a balanced standard machine is usually better for everyday trimming without tiring your arms out.
4. Cutting Head and Line
Do not ignore the business end. For soft grass and routine edging, line heads are quicker and easier to live with. For thicker stems and rougher growth, a brush cutter setup is the better option because thin line will wear out fast and waste your time.
The Basics: Understanding Strimmers and Brush Cutters
These all do the same basic job by spinning a cutting head fast, but the head type and power source make a big difference to what they can clear and how comfortable they are to use.
1. Line Trimmers for Grass and Edges
A standard strimmer or grass trimmer uses nylon line to cut grass, light weeds, and soft growth. This is the one for edging lawns, trimming round obstacles, and general garden maintenance where you want a neat finish without damaging hard surfaces too much.
2. Brush Cutters for Heavy Growth
Brush cutters are built for tougher stuff. They use heavier duty heads or blades for thicker weeds, rough patches, and overgrown ground where a normal line trimmer starts struggling. If the area has gone beyond regular maintenance, this is the better tool.
3. Power Type Changes the Job Size
Battery grass trimmers and cordless strimmers are ideal for quick movement and regular cutting without cables. Electric strimmers suit smaller spaces near the house. Petrol brush cutters are the pick for bigger plots, rougher land, and longer sessions where stopping to recharge is not practical.
Strimmer Accessories That Save Time on the Job
The right extras keep you cutting longer and stop small hold ups turning into a wasted afternoon.
1. Spare Line and Replacement Spools
Keep spare line in the van or shed. Running out halfway through edging or rough cutting is a pain, and worn line cuts badly, slows you down, and puts more strain on the machine.
2. Spare Batteries and Chargers
For cordless strimmers, a second battery is the difference between finishing the plot and waiting about. If you are doing more than a quick tidy, do not rely on one pack.
3. Brush Cutter Blades and Heads
If you are cutting thicker growth, fit the proper head or blade for it. Using light trimmer line on dense weeds and scrub just burns through consumables and leaves the job half done.
4. Harnesses and PPE
A harness takes the weight off on longer runs, especially with petrol brush cutters, and proper eye and face protection matters when debris is flying back at you from rough ground.
Choose the Right Strimmers for the Job
Use this quick guide to match the machine to the ground you are cutting.
| Your Job | Strimmer or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Neatening small lawns and borders | Electric strimmer | Lightweight build, simple setup, ideal where mains power is close and runtime is not a problem |
| Regular edging and weekly garden maintenance | Cordless strimmer | Cable free use, quick start, easy handling around trees, beds, paths, and fences |
| Cutting long grass around larger plots | Battery grass trimmer with larger battery | More runtime, better balance for longer use, enough power for rougher routine cutting |
| Clearing weeds, nettles, and rough patches | Brush cutter | Heavier duty cutting head, stronger drive setup, suited to thicker growth and neglected areas |
| Reclaiming overgrown land and dense scrub | Petrol brush cutter | High power, long runtime, better for bigger areas where battery swaps or cables are impractical |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying a light grass trimmer for heavy clearance work is the big one. It will struggle in thick weeds and long grass, burn through line, and turn a quick job into a slog. Step up to a proper brush cutter if the growth is rough.
- Choosing by power alone and ignoring weight catches plenty of people out. A bigger machine is no help if your arms are gone after twenty minutes. For regular edging and tidy up work, balance matters as much as output.
- Running cordless strimmers with only one small battery is false economy. Fine for a quick border, not for a full garden or larger plot. If you want steady progress, get enough battery to match the area.
- Using worn or the wrong trimmer line gives a poor cut and puts extra load on the motor. Keep the correct line size fitted and replace it before it starts tearing grass instead of cutting it cleanly.
- Treating a brush cutter like a finish tool leaves rough results near borders and hard edges. Use the heavier kit for clearance first, then swap to a lighter setup if you want a cleaner final finish.
Cordless Strimmers vs Electric Strimmers vs Petrol Brush Cutters
Cordless Strimmers
Best for regular garden maintenance, edging, and moving freely round beds, fences, and trees. They are the easiest to live with day to day, but for very large areas or dense scrub you need enough battery capacity or a heavier machine.
Electric Strimmers
A sensible choice for smaller gardens where power is close and the job is mainly light grass trimming. They are usually lighter and straightforward, but the cable gets in the way and limits reach once the layout gets awkward.
Petrol Brush Cutters
This is the one for larger plots, tougher weeds, and rough clearance where runtime and stronger cutting matter most. They are heavier, noisier, and more involved to maintain, but they make sense when lighter strimmers are out of their depth.
Brush Cutters vs Standard Grass Trimmers
Standard grass trimmers are better for neat edging and general finish work. Brush cutters are built for reclaiming thicker, messier ground. If you mostly maintain tidy lawns, go lighter. If you are constantly tackling overgrowth, buy for clearance first.
Maintenance and Care
Clean the Head After Use
Grass, sap, and wet cuttings build up fast around the guard and spool. Clear it off after each job so the head spins freely and the line feeds properly next time.
Check Line, Blade, and Feed Parts
Worn line, damaged spools, or tired cutting heads make the machine work harder for worse results. Replace consumables before they start slowing the job down or stressing the drive system.
Look After Batteries Properly
For cordless strimmers, charge packs before they are fully flat and store them somewhere dry and out of extreme cold. A neglected battery is usually the first thing to let you down.
Check Guards, Handles, and Harness Points
Before each use, make sure the guard is secure and the handles are tight. On larger machines, check harness clips and mounting points as well because loose setup makes the tool harder and less safe to control.
Store It Dry and Ready
Do not leave strimmers dumped wet in the back of the van or against a shed wall. Clean it down, wind line neatly, and store it dry so it is ready to go rather than needing sorting before every job.
Why Shop for Strimmers at ITS?
Whether you need a light grass trimmer for routine edging, cordless strimmers for regular maintenance, or petrol brush cutters for proper clearance work, we stock the full range. That means trimmers and brush cutters for small gardens, rough ground, and bigger plots, all in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
Strimmers FAQs
What is the difference between a grass trimmer and a brush cutter?
A grass trimmer is mainly for lighter work like lawn edges, borders, and soft growth. A brush cutter is built for tougher stuff like thick weeds, nettles, rough ground, and heavier overgrowth. If you are mostly tidying, a trimmer is enough. If you are clearing neglected areas, get the brush cutter.
Which strimmer is best for edging lawns and borders?
For neat edging, a lighter cordless strimmer or electric strimmer is usually the better shout. They are easier to control around paving, beds, and fence lines, and they are less tiring for finish work than a heavier brush cutter.
Should I choose a cordless, electric, or petrol strimmer?
Go cordless if you want easy movement and regular garden maintenance without cable hassle. Go electric if the area is small and close to a plug. Go petrol if the ground is bigger, rougher, or you need stronger cutting and longer runtime without stopping to recharge.
Are brush cutters better for thick weeds and overgrown areas?
Yes, that is exactly where brush cutters earn their keep. They are made for thicker stems, rough patches, and areas that have gone beyond a normal trim. A standard strimmer will manage light growth, but for dense weeds and overgrown ground a brush cutter is the right tool.
What size garden is a cordless strimmer suitable for?
A cordless strimmer suits most small to medium gardens comfortably, and plenty will handle larger areas if you have the battery capacity to match. For a quick edge and tidy, one battery may do. For full perimeter work and rougher cutting, keep a spare pack ready.
Can a strimmer be used for long grass and rough ground?
Yes, but only up to a point. A decent strimmer can deal with longer grass and lighter rough patches if you take it steadily. Once the growth gets thick, woody, or badly overgrown, you are better off with a proper brush cutter or petrol brush cutter.
