How to safely use a gas weed eater is about keeping you safe and also keeping your machine safe.  The first thing that you should do to be safe is to read your owner’s manual before you try to operate your weed eater.  In layman’s terms, people call these machines weed whackers or weed eaters, but technically they are called string trimmers if you use the string and brush cutters if you use the blade.  I don’t have experience using the blade, so this post will be about string trimmers and how to use them safely.  There will be a video at the bottom where I show you how I put the safety principles in action.  I show the type of fuel to use and how to put the string.

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Choose Your Gas Weed Eater

When choosing your gas weed eater, decide if you will need a professional one.  If you are living in the country on a large acreage, I recommend the professional.  I got a Stihl FS 91 R and it has been very reliable.  There are other companies like Husqvarna that are also good.  Just do your research and make sure it has low exhaust.  That is important for your safety to not have to breathe the exhaust fumes.

6 Things You Should Wear to Safely Use a Gas Weed Eater

#1  Helmet

You might think that you don’t need the expense of this helmet.  It is recommended for use with chainsaws, but it is also important to safely use a gas weed eater.  It comes with a screen face shield to protect the face from getting hit by rocks.  Also, if there is any chance that a rock or other solid object could hit you, you will appreciate having it.  Even with the shield, rocks can sometimes go under the shield or hit you in the neck and a scarf around the neck could offer some protection.  The helmet also comes with ear protection, which if you would like to be able to hear in your future, you should take this precaution seriously.

#2 Eye Goggles

One of the most important things to do to safely use a gas weed eater is to protect our eyes.  So, don’t assume that the helmet screen will protect your eyes from rocks.  Also, in dusty situations, you will want to prevent styes from developing. Consequently, dust can get into the oil glands or hair follicles and trap bacteria inside.  The bacteria will cause the infection that forms the painful stye.  Prevention is always best.

#3 Dust Mask

If there is any chance at all that you will be making dust, you need to wear a dust mask to safely use a gas weed eater.  I have ignored this warning before and was coughing up mucous for a couple of days after.  Dust doesn’t belong in the lungs and even though the nose has hairs to try to filter out dust, it can’t get it all.  Also, when working hard you might breathe from your mouth where there is no filtration.  Put your dust mask on first and then the eye goggles.  It can be difficult to get them to fit together, so be careful not to leave a gap where rocks could enter.

#4 Leather Gloves

Do you really need to wear leather gloves to safely use a gas weed eater?  Your hands are going to be gripping the machine and I recommend that you wear them to protect from blisters and flying projectiles like rocks.  Leather is thicker than other gloves and can be washed.  You especially want to wear gloves if there is a chance that you might hit some poison oak.  Foxtails are a common weed that motivates people to use a weed eater.  They would not feel so great hitting your hands.  You will have other uses for the leather gloves when using other tools.  So make sure you have several pairs of gloves with the sizes to fit every member of your family.

#5 Rubber Boots

Wearing rubber boots isn’t necessary to weed eat safely, but it would be the wise thing to do.  If you wear tennis shoes, you will have to pull out foxtails and other seeds.  If you are weed-eating grass or other green plants, it could stain them.  Rubber boots protect the feet and lower legs from rocks and other flying debris.  They are easy to clean and nothing sticks to them.  If you get steel-toed boots, they won’t last as long.  The rubber will crack sooner around the steel.  If you are also going to use a chain saw, then you might want to get the steel-toed boots.

#6 Protective Clothing

To safely use a gas weed eater, your extremities need to be covered.  Wear a long sleeve shirt that you don’t mind staining.  If the material is thin, it won’t protect much from rocks, but it will keep you protected from sunburn and the potential to weed eat poison oak or ivy.  Denim is a thick durable material, so make sure that you wear denim pants.  Ladies that like to weed eat and are convicted to dress like a lady at all times can wear an old denim jumper over the top and it should be below the knee or down to the mid-calf area.   The extra layer of denim does help to lessen the sting of an occasional rock.

This jumper is a good example of a simple denim dress that could add extra protection while weed eating.  

2 Things Your Weed Eater Needs to be Operated Safely

#1 Fuel

To safely use a gas weed eater for more than one season, you need to pay attention to the fuel mixture you use. The cheapest fuel route is to buy unleaded gas and add a little bottle of oil to it.  This mixture cannot be left in the machine over the winter.  So, if you use it, you must use it all up or take it out before storing it for the winter.  Stihl has a synthetic oil premixed with a 99% Alkylate fuel that allows the fuel to remain fresh for up to two years.  It can stay in the machine with no ill effects. So, it doesn’t last forever, but it lasts longer than if you mix it yourself.

#2 Trimmer Line

Choose your trimmer line according to what you will be cutting.  You can get away with a small string for grass and some weeds, but for the larger weeds like thistle, it is best to have a thicker line or string.  I bought the biggest that was available for my Stihl FS 91 R  It was .155 in. thick.  All strings are going to wear down and break as they hit the various weeds or rocks, but the small string will break down faster and you will have to change it more often.  

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Watch the Video

I will show in the video my actually using the weed eater.  Also, I show how to measure the string and how to put it in and how to put the gas in.  

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Conclusion

In conclusion, if you have never used a weed eater before and are thinking of getting one, I hope this was helpful for you to learn how to safely use a gas weed eater.  Even if you already own one, I hope you have learned some safety tips that you didn’t know before.  

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