[Janeymiddlewife]

My OH is not a petrol head and hates coming to the plot to strim - we have a ryobi strimmer, but it's a bu&"er to start and he usually floods it and strops off - another fruitless visit today. The grass is 6 inches high now - the strimmer is too heavy for me.
He is suggesting getting some top notch shears and doing the plot by hand - he went a bit quiet when i suggested the  amount of grass paths would be the equivalent of cutting our small lawn at home by hand and would take a long time. I think the only alternative for us is to look at a rechargeable strimmer, lighter and easier to start. I know they only run for a short period, but was thinking of buying 2 batteries and having one on trickle charge - would that work? Anyone any experience with them - it is just for strimming grass paths at the mo - think I'll have to pay someone to clear the brambles for me.

[southwells farm]

Thought about a small petrol lawnmower?? Theres plenty cheap on ebay.

Depends how big your paths are i suppose.

[Gwiz]

A good quality rechargeable strimmer might very well keep your marriage "Harmonious", and would be a small price to pay!
You're not a million miles from me, give me a pm if you would like me to look over the over the petrol one, in case it has a fault.

[Carrotcake]

If your paths are level, the lawnmower sounds like a good idea. You could put your mowings straight on the compost bin or use as a mulch then.

[Janeymiddlewife]

Thanks all,
unfortunately the paths aren't level, otherwise i would have gone for a push mower!
Thanks for the offer gwiz, a friend's OH looked at it last year and said there was nothing wrong with it, it has sat in the garage since last October, told OH he should empty the petrol out, dry it out and start again but was given "the look" IYKWIM 

Just wondered if anyone has actually used one before I part with more cash!

[sunshineband]

Someone on our site has one and the charge lasts about 3 hrs. It's fine for grass but wouldn't tackle brambles or anything with a thickish stem 

[Bigbadfrankie]

Round up .
spray the paths in roundup. and get the srimmer serviced. all the slugs will be homeless

[Ice]

I have a cordless strimmer and think it's ok.  Not got the welly of a petrol or electric one but does the job fine if you don't need a Wimbledon style result.  Definately get two batteries......job done.  I always like to use the line of least resistance.

[adal]

Go for the vote divorce! cost a lot more

[Janeymiddlewife]

Go for the vote divorce! cost a lot more

I knew I should have taken out a pre-nup 
BBF - I'd be too worried about roundup drifting onto crops as some of the paths are verrry close! Also makes strimming a pain!
If it's good enough for Ice................

[Manlea1]

Ill be intrested in buying the petrol strimmer if the price is right 

lee

[Trillium]

If you can find someone to properly service it to start easily, have you considered purchasing a carry strap for it so you're not actually carrying the beast but rather have it slung on your shoulder? We just bought one that's a very easy start and we also bought the strap for it as it's quite heavy when you're hauling it around by hand.

[goodegg]

i got a ryobi strimmer and its wonderful never any trouble to start but i use synthetic oil which is supposed to be better ive had it for 2 years and no probs i do have a strap for it but find it more hindrance than good as i have to keep swapping sides as my shoulders are not so good any more good luck with it i think it might help to let gwiz check it out you never no mine was coming apart from the head and was being a pain mabe yours is doing the same.

[Carrotcake]

As a female, I sometimes struggle with the pull thingy to get the petrol strimmer and our mower started, whereas OH (sounds like yours by the way Janey  ) can always start both, so even if you sort out a problem it may have, you'll probably still need hubby to use it.

As your ground is unlevel I'd go for the rechargeable strimmer option. Sounds as if it'll save a lot of stress all round!

[prakash_mib]

there is (was.. when i bought it) one at argos which is strimmer and brush cutter. very good and it costed 13 quid to get 3 years warranty. mine worked very hard as i brushed all the weeds after the roundup and went on to break and i got a new replacement from argos (i havent opened it yet). but for around 100 quid you have a peace of mind for 3 years and it was working brilliant as well.