Gloves will also keep your fingers and palms from becoming sore from holding the weight of the weed whacker. You can typically buy this type of protective gear at any store that sells weed whackers. For even more protection, wear a sturdy pair of jeans or work pants to guard the bottoms of your legs.
If a rock or object is too large to be removed, use the weed whacker very slowly and conservatively around it in order to avoid damaging your nylon wire. Small rocks can also be kicked up or tossed around by the weed whacker, so it’s important for your own safety to avoid them as well.
If you’re using a gas or battery-powered device, this isn’t applicable. Before you begin trimming, check to make sure that your power cable stretches as far as needed to do a complete job. If it doesn’t, connect the cable to an extension cord.
If your weed whacker doesn’t have this type of throttle, make sure you know how to safely turn off the device before you begin using it.
You don’t have to worry about fumes if you’re working with an electric weed whacker.
For best results, leave the weed whacker to cool off in the shade rather than in direct sunlight. Store the weed whacker by placing it on a shelf, hanging it vertically on the wall, or simply laying it flat on the floor of your garage. Be sure to keep the weed whacker away from moisture, open flames, or sparks.
Note that you may need to prime a gas-powered weed whacker in order to start it. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to do this with your particular device. Be sure to hold down the “kill switch” throttle in order to start the device.
Watch out for any strains in your wrists or back while you’re using the weed whacker. If you notice any strain, stop and rest for a few minutes before continuing. If your weed whacker comes with a shoulder strap, put the straps over both arms and clip the weed whacker to the bottom of the strap to take some of the weight off your arms.
Try to keep the weed whacker as level as possible when you lower it to the ground. Otherwise, your trimming job will come out uneven.
Gently move the weed whacker from side to side without swinging it. This will not only give you better cutting results, but is also much safer.
This is especially important if you’re cutting tall, thick, or densely clumped together weeds, since these will be very difficult to cut.
If this is the first time this particular area has been edged, you may want to slightly cut into the dirt to create a more prominent gap between the surface and the grass.
