Comparison STIHL FS 550 K vs Husqvarna 555FX

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 an inclination of a bar. The ability to tilt the bar or the working head relative to the bar. 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 inclination of the rod, you can adjust the grip of the trimmer to the height of the user.

- Telescopic rod. The possibility of increasing the length of the trimmer by lengthening the bar. Due to the 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 bar. The ability to disassemble the trimmer bar into several parts. This feature greatly simplifies storage and transport: it is easier to pack, carry and transport components folded side by side than a solid long rod. Theoretically, this design is less reliable than non-separable, however, trimmers are usually not subjected to such high loads that this is noticeable.

- Shoulder strap. Strap for carrying the trimmer on the shoulder - including during operation. This design significantly simplifies the operator's task and reduces fatigue: carrying on the shoulder is not as tiring as holding it in the hands of weight. Note that in models without a sho...ulder strap, it may be possible to purchase it separately; however, it is easier (and often cheaper) to buy a tool with this accessory right away.

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

- Swivel head. Possibility of rotation of a working nozzle of a trimmer on a bar. Typically this function is used to change the cutting system from a horizontal position to a vertical position. Cutting in a vertical plane can be useful, for example, for leveling edges and forming borders on lawns.

- Edging roller. The roller is necessary for a neat "haircut" between the lawn and the sidewalk. It is found in models with a swivel head and is designed for more comfortable work. Since the device does not need to be suspended, it is much easier to frame flower beds, decorative elements on the lawn, borders, etc., relying on the roller.

- Support rollers. Special rollers mounted on the cutting head of the trimmer. Thanks to these 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 keep the working attachment at the same height, which means that mowing is as accurate as possible, almost like using a conventional lawn mower (with all the advantages of a trimmer). The main disadvantages of models with rollers are the high cost, as well as the increased weight, which makes it difficult to work “off the ground”.

The size of the engine installed in the petrol or diesel model (see "Engine type"). Power directly depends on this indicator, however, only engines of the same type can be compared by volume (see "Type of internal combustion engine"). And even in the same type of units of the same power, the volume can be different. In such cases, note that a larger volume means more fuel consumption, but the engine itself may cost less than a smaller one.

Lawnmower engine power expressed in horsepower. The common unit of power these days is the watt, but gasoline and diesel engines (see "Engine Type") are traditionally referred to as hp. Some units are easy to convert to others: 1 hp. approximately equal to 735 watts.

In general, the more powerful the engine, the more performant the mower is and the better it handles with heavy work such as cutting thick grass, bushes, etc. On the other hand, high power has a corresponding effect on fuel consumption, as well as the weight and price of the engine. In addition, it should be taken into account that different types of mowers (see "Type") differ in terms of power requirements. For example, among trimmers there are many models with a capacity of 0.7 – 1.3 hp., for gasoline lawn mowers, the minimum power is already in the range of 1.3 – 2 hp., and for mowers, at least 2.5 hp is required. . So you can only compare units of the same type in terms of power. Detailed recommendations for choosing a mower depending on its type and features of the planned work can be found in special sources.

The volume of the fuel tank in a gasoline or diesel mower (see "Engine type").

A large tank allows you to work longer without refueling, but an excessive increase in capacity affects the dimensions and weight of the entire unit. So manufacturers usually select this indicator taking into account the power and fuel consumption of a particular engine, and in general, the volume of the tank is not critical when choosing. However, knowing the tank capacity and fuel consumption (see above), you can estimate how much one refueling will approximately last.

The material from which the deck is made is a protective casing that covers the cutting tool of a lawn mower or trimmer. In modern mowers there are such options:

— Plastic. The cheapest and at the same time the least durable material.

— Aluminium alloy. The most advanced option: these decks are durable, lightweight and less prone to corrosion, but quite expensive.

— Steel. It has greater strength than aluminium alloy and costs less, but is heavier and more prone to corrosion.

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.