Keeping the growth of grass, weeds and resilient trees at bay or at least under control is a continual battle. Mowers, trimmers and brush cutters all can help in the seemingly daily fight against these green invaders of manicured lawns and trails.



In the quest to be “greener” about maintaining landscaping, consider an electric lawn mower. Since there are no belts, hoses, oil, gas or fumes to contend with, it is a low-maintenance option--merely plug it in and let it charge. Fully charged, an electric mower can run for an average of 80 minutes--covering about an acre of mowed grass. “With the price of gas creeping back up, an electric mower helps alleviate the fuel costs,” says Brad Unruh, product manager with Hustler Turf Equipment.

 “We see the benefits of battery-powered landscaping equipment,” he adds. “Alternative energy is definitely here to stay, and we are looking at creating sustainable products.”

When You Are Finished Mowing
Trimmers range in size from 21.2 to 42 cubic centimeters (cc), and are available in curved and straight shafts. Straight-shaft trimmers provide a little more reach as the total length of the shaft is longer than a curved shaft. “Some users prefer a curved shaft, if they are trimming in a tight space,” says John Powers, product manager with Illinois-based Echo Incorporated, which manufactures hand-held outdoor power equipment.