Propane Trimmers

As powerful as gas trimmers, but heavier than electric trimmers

Experts say that propane pollutes much less than gasoline does, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and owners posting to blogs, most users spill gasoline while fueling gas mowers and trimmers. This spillage wastes gas, kills grass and further pollutes the air. Moreover, an owner can use a propane trimmer without breathing in gas and exhaust fumes. Lehr Eco Trimmers are reported to be as powerful as good gas string trimmers, and can handle tougher assignments like tall grass and weeds. They require no priming and have no choke, so startup is easy, too. However, while you won't have to buy and store gasoline, you will have to buy 16.4-ounce propane canisters ($3 to $5 each), which can't be refilled and aren't always easy to find. Lehr says you'll get about two hours of runtime from each canister. The steel canisters can be recycled when empty.

Lehr introduced its Eco Trimmer line of propane-powered string trimmers in early 2009, all of which use the same four-stroke engine. Eco Trimmer models ST025DC (*Est. $210) and ST025DS (*Est. $220) have a detachable curved and a detachable straight shaft, respectively, so that the engine can be used to power other tools. According to Lehr website, these models accept any standard brand attachments. The similar Lehr Eco Trimmer ST025CS (*Est. $200) and ST025SS (*Est. $220) feature non-detachable, curved and straight shafts, respectively. All models are fueled by a standard 16.4-ounce propane cartridge (like the ones used for portable outdoor grills) that provides about two hours of trimming time.

The Lehr Eco Trimmers use bump-feed line advancement, weigh between 13 and 15 pounds without the propane canister, and come with a two-year warranty (three years on the carburetor). Lehr won a 2009 Clean Air Excellence Award from the EPA for its propane-powered lawn-care equipment, including the Eco Trimmer.

Since the Lehr Eco Trimmers are so new to the market, we were unable to find many owner reviews for them. Fewer than ten are posted at Amazon.com, which sells the detachable-shaft models, but overall, users give these propane string trimmers 4.5 out of five stars. Sears.com also sells Craftsman curved and straight detachable-shaft string trimmers that use Lehr propane-powered engines (all other parts of these trimmers are by Craftman). There are fewer than 20 owner reviews for the propane trimmers so far at Sears.com, where the straight-shaft model is rated at 3.4 out of five stars and the curved-shaft model at 3.6 stars.

Professional reviewers give the Lehr Eco-Trimmer high ratings; they like the fact that this eco-friendly trimmer is also powerful and efficient. Professional landscaper Allyn Paul provides a video review on his website, LifeAndLawns.com. Paul says the straight-shaft Lehr Eco Trimmer he evaluated meets his two criteria for choosing green technology: it doesn't cost more than more polluting models with the same amount power, and its quality is just as high.

GearPatrol.com contributing editor Dusty Overby writes, "I actually found the Lehr to be every bit as powerful as my grizzled, commercial-grade Shindaiwa gashog." About.com's guide to landscaping, David Beaulieu, notes that the Eco Trimmer "affords the same power and portability as do gas weedeaters while offering an eco-friendly alternative at a comparable price." In a comparison review, he recommends a cordless electric like the Black & Decker Grass Hog NST2018 for homeowners with light to average trimming needs, since it is lighter than any of the Eco Trimmer models (the one he tested weighed 16 pounds with the propane canister attached). Beaulieu also feels that "it's easier to charge a battery than to make a trip to the store to buy more propane." However, for professionals and for homeowners who need to trim tall grass and weeds, he recommends the Eco Trimmer.