Trimming

[grassyfras]

I have gotten almost all of my lawn acounts because companies didn't do a good job trimming. My friend that use to help me cut grass always said that I "butchered" the grass when trimming. I always told him I dont want to miss any spots. So, I was wondering how do you guys trim? When I say that I mean do you like to trim the grass the same height as what you cut the grass at or a little shorter or do you just go for speed and skip spots? How do most customers like it? The lawns I cut have very nice fescue grass and minimul(sp) weeds if that helps.


Thanks,
grassyfras

[CCLC]

Trimming is a key part of the lawn mowing business. We picked up a few lawns this year for the same reason. It takes a while to learn to do it fast and good. You don't want to butcher it, but you want to feather it. We usually trim a little shorter than we mow but not too short.

[Vibe Ray]

On some lawns, where i trim it doesn't grow back well and i think its because of the shade(from bushes, etc.) what do you guys think? Am i dong something wrong?

[Tomslawncare1]

Grassyfras, anyone can walk behind a lawn mower or ride on a lawn mower. It's paying attention to the details that will keep you on the job. You should make the lawn look like you would want to come home to it. If there is a doubt on wether or not you should do an area or "skip it" this week. You better do it because someone that does a better job trimming may come along and steal your customer. If you find yourself loosing customers for silly reasons they probably just don't want to tell you to your face that you're doing a lousy job. Just food for thought.

[Jerrys Lawn Service]

grassyfras, trimming is super important it sharpens up the
whole picture of the lawn. Have you ever rode by a lawn thats been trimmed and edged properly, everything just looks
crisp and clean!

Good Luck!
jerryslawnservice@home.com

[moonarrow]

I trim mine same level as I cut the grass, edge around all concrete and the blow all the clippings out of where I edge so they look clean, PICTURE PERFECT makes the customer happy

[bob]

Trim it the same height as the cut grass. If your there every week ,theres no need to hack it down any further. Plus it's faster to just cut a little off, instead of a lot.

[Bob Shoaff]

I also trim the same height as the lawn cut. I also use an edger around all concrete surfaces. Nothing looks more amateur then when someone edges walks with a weed eater. (thats just my opinion though).
Bob

[Lawnworks]

I can do a better job w/ my trimmer after the edge is already established. It is faster w/ a trimmer also. I feel on some edges the the angle needs to be adjusted for better viewing pleasure.:)

[Bob Shoaff]

I will eat my words on that one. Or maybe I should give it a try!

[Lawnworks]

To tell you the truth it all depends on the yard and your preference. There are usually two sides to everything.

[Skookum]

I trim most at the same height as I cut. A few have a better look with a slight feather to a shorter height.

I also use my trimmer to edge with on several properties. Once you master your exact model of trimmer and method of trimming you can do it faster and better than a actual edger. I use an edger only in the spring on the first edging, after that it is the trimmer the rest of the year.

I once had a friend help me out one year. He was the worst trimmer, scalped all the way down to the dirt sometimes. I explained to him that it should look like it was mowed and not trimmed. After a few months, he had gotten it down to where he could edge with the trimmer as well as I could.

A tip that I have learned, is the faster you have the trimmer going, the better you have control over height and horizontal plane. I believe it is also the secret to edging with a trimmer as well.

[dmk395]

Try turning the head of your weedwhacker over, that can usually give the edge a nice and straight look.

[GroundKprs]

Can usually tell a novice by the scalping with the trimmer, whether trimming around borders or using it to edge walks, curbs and drives. Have even seen many older cutters and homeowners who trim it to the dirt. To accomplish an even, attractive edge along sunken or raised concrete surfaces, the best effect can be achieved by tilting a trim mower and cutting the edge. We have some where side on pavement is 1" high, while grass side is normal cutting height. Sometimes just 1/2" tilt give the crisp effect.

For trimming around obstacles, just remember to keep it high enough. If you scalp to the dirt, or even just a little higher, you will cause a lot of weed growth.

[guntruck]

Well maybe i'll never catch on i guess, but I dont think a stick edger can ever get out performed by a trimmer. Once the edge is established you can roll right along very fast with the stick edger. One more minor thing is, the trimmer usually always sends dirt and rocks and whatever else airborne to hit anything, cars doors windows etc. This is something i'd much rather avoid replacing by just pulling the stick edger off the truck. Just some thought. =)

[MJB]

Guntruck,
I have never tried a stick edger but I think it would be much easier on the back, than just a trimmer. I use the Edgit, which is a round disc you put on your trimmer that rolls, you just set it in the groove and you can tilt it more or less if you like for a beveled edge, and rev it up and let the string (.095) and just walk it makes a perfect edge. Plus it is easy on the back because it only takes 1 hand , no playing chicken with dirt and rocks, and your face.

I assume it works much like a stick edger only it also flat trims.

What's your opinion. Check it out http://www.edgit.com

[Cutter1]

I agree with Tom. ANyone can nut, but it takes some skill to trim. I always say weedeating pays the bills!! YOu can have the nicest cut ever, if the weedeating looks bad, thats the first thing they see. Some yards that have a lot of weeds I trim a bit lower, but the ones that are nice I trim with a little more care.

[GroundKprs]

The Edgit attqachment is great for production work, but not for details. The edge cut is too wide, needing room for the plastic sheild, a space, then the trimmer string. Friend tried it last year, and threw it away after 2 months. Was getting much more weed growth compared to edger in the past, because of the wider groove.

[tranum]

this looks like a good thread to ask a question about edging asphalt drives. since asphalt usually does not have a well defined "sharp edge" (like concrete)i find it easier to use the trimmer to identify the edge & keep it clean. with concrete i think the edger works best (for me). how do you handle asphalt edging???? give me some tips.......

[MJB]

Groundskeeper,
I've picked up more jobs due to my detail work using the Edgit now for 3 years. If your edgit is put together right and on the right machine it makes a great difference. I use it on Echo and Redmax, Echo works best. The string actually touches the edgit so I makes a 1/4 to 3/8 groove, no more than and edger. But I guarantee if you know what your doing it will make a crisp clean edge and not a wide groove unless you just don't do it right. Speed is another advantage.

[GroundKprs]

Sorry Mike, haven't seen one do less than 1/2". Wish you weren't so far away so I could see yours. Bob had his on an Echo also; maybe models make a difference. :confused:

[MJB]

No problem Groundkprs,
I took out the spacer that came with it, and put in one that was thin enough that the string just touches the edgit. I don't know if this makes the difference or not. The downside is I wear them out a little faster.

I generally edge every week due to the grass growing so fast that the edges get shaggy if I let them go 2 weeks. So if a weed sneaks in it gets taken out. Probably the groove gets deeper than with the edger.

Does your friend use a stick edger?

[guntruck]

MJB, i have never tried that contraption. I've seen it before and have always wondered, but i will make a point to try it sooner than later. I just know that its pretty simple with the stick edger and only takes seconds to change from trimmer to edger, besides, i dont trust myself edging with the trimmer just yet. lol thanks for info though =)

[MJB]

Guntruck,
Is it hard to pull or push a stick edger without making mistakes ? I just like the edgit because it sets in the groove and I can drag it backward with 1 hand. I don't have to hold it in a weird position that makes me uncomfortable.

But at first it seems a bit awkward, but then after a while it like why use anything else, at least thats what I feel, but I've been wrong before. lol

[guntruck]

MJ, once the edge is established no, its not hard at all. I have a push edger for those first timers, after that its all the stick. All i do is start her up, open up the throttle and roll out. Literally as fast as you can walk is as fast as it will edge beautifully and picture perfect. Now i will say due to hitting the concrete and rocks and stuff the blades go quickly but are very cheap and take seconds to replace.

[MJB]

Rich,
What brand stick edger do you use? I might try one.

[guntruck]

MJ, we run all shindaiwa equipment, hey another nice thing about them is they have a little wheel on them you just sit it down and let it roll. =)

[MJB]

Thanks for the info. I do a lot of edging each week and I'm always looking for ways to save my back. I have severe back problems and the edgit has worked best, but the stick edger looks like it would not hurt my back much either.

[guntruck]

Well give it a test drive. Hope it works well for you.=)

[MOW ED]

Get a Walker.
Trim edges on both sides of the GHS deck "cuts" my string trimming time down tremendously. Its the reason I still have a Homelite trimmer. I can't burn it up after 5 years.

[MJB]

Mowed,
I have used Walkers for 10 yrs. But I still have a ton of trimming an edging to do. I have a lot commercial properties with a lot sidewalks an driveways.

I bought 2 Homelites last yr and both are in the trash. They
are not dependable, at least not the straight shafts. My Echo starts on 1 pull 9 out of 10 times. I had 1 guy quit because he got disgusted with the Homelite trimmer he had to run a 2 months.

Walkers are good, Homelite is junk to any professional.

[Bluegrass Lawn Service]

I like to trim as tall as I mow. To me Triming is the main part of the mowing business. How you edge the shrub beds, sidewalks, and driveways show your talents and in turn gets you more business. I've had more referrals from my work because of the quality jobs we do.
I tell new employees that they can't trim to high for me. I may need for them to do something over once or twice, but I don't want anything cut into the dirt especially around trees.
I stick edge all walks and blacktop driveways one time and then string trim as the year goes along.

[MOW ED]

MJB,
I have to agree that the Homelite stright shafts are junk. I had one for a year and trashed it. It was heavy and not reliable. I bought the 69 dollar curved shaft as a throw away backup while I researched the commercial market. My situation does not require hours of trimming at this time. The little Homelite runs on. No customer complaints to this day.
I am waiting for it to break or blow but it won't. I run Amsoil 100-1 and keep the filter clean, It starts in 1 or 2 pulls every time. Thats it. Its lite, cheap, and it works for me.

I guess I will buy a commercial professional Shindiawa or Redmax when I have to but for now I'll keep the money in my pocket.

I know I am not in your situation but I think there had to be other reasons that an employee quit besides having to use a Homelite trimmer. If thats the only reason then its probably better he left. No offense, just my opinion. Thanks for yours.

[MJB]

No, This employee job was to string trim 8 hrs a day, and both brandnew Homelites would take anywhere from 10 to 30 pulls per job, or everytime they died. Very stressfull. Even though I had new trimmers an Echo & Redmax ,ordered he could not take it. Decided to go back to working on a farm.

I started 10 yrs ago with a curved shaft Homelite. They never die, but I just about did using one......lol I'm to tall for those I had to bend over constantly just so I could trim,an edge ,with my back that doesn't help at all. So I went to the longer trimmers, and it doesn't bother me as much.

[TLS]

MJB,

I tried the Edgit and hated it. It creates a strong suction and sucks the head down into the grass. Also you have to go forward not backwards. You basically have to re-learn how to weedwack. I use an Echo weedwacker and stick edger and this gives me better results. Plus the Edgit was leaving too wide of a groove. My stick edger leaves a .095 groove the edgit left a .095 PLUS the thickness of the ring. Just too much groove for me!

Anyone want to buy mine? Only used about 5 hrs.! Good price.

[MJB]

Thomas,
I know the Edgit takes a while to get used too. I like it because I can let out so much string and make a wider pass when flat trimming corners or sweeping out large areas that can't be reach by a mower.. The suction was a problem for about a day then I guess I figured it out, because I can just walk tilting it back about 1/2" on my Echo as I walk. I have 2 Echos and they both have the edgit. I walk forward or backward. If I take the edgit off then I can't let out as much string, or the string will start whipping and tearing.
Thats my preference anyway, but everyone is different.

But I am going to buy a stick edger this spring probably an Perfect Edge Echo 2601, being that is also the size if trimmer I use, to compare. They look easy enough.

Hey , could my wife use the stick edger lol ? She might not let me get one if she knows what Im thinking. :-)

[GroundKprs]

Stihl will have a straight shaft stick edger in the spring. Saw a prototype at GIE in Indy. Also has a guard like the walk behind edgers, rather than the completely enclosed, hard to clean guards on the curved shaft stick edgers.

[leeslawncare]

Pro.Wise Keep it the same as the lawn .....but you got to know what you clients want ..the people that don't care well...i try not to get them but when i do ...hey they don't care !!!i don't either ..bad way to look at it but some folks rather see there place concreated an painted green!!!

[turfsurfer]

grassyfras,
you're absolutely correct in being concerned about trimming, it really makes the difference in a job looking professional. You can get away with trimming a little closer early in the season because the grass is growing so fast. Once the dog days of summer hit I definately trim no closer than the rest of the grass or you will soon have a bare strip of dirt around all your borders since the grass is already being stressed by the heat. Hope this helps.