Gas trimmers can be of various types and sizes. But which one is the best for you? In this article, we look forward to comparing 2-cycle and 4-cycle gas trimmers. Let’s try to compare 2-Cycle vs 4-Cycle Gas Trimmers. We will also look at their capabilities, advantages, and disadvantages.
Contents
Our Verdict
Both 2-cycle and 4-cycle gas trimmers are competent products. If you are looking for a quieter tool, then buy a 4-cycle gas trimmer. It runs cleaner but costlier. But if you need a light tool with enough power, then a 2-cycle gas trimmer is the answer. It produces more carbon, but it is cheaper to buy and maintain.
2-Cycle vs 4-Cycle Gas Trimmers: Comparison
| Features | 2-Cycle | 4-Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Economy | Less Efficient | More Efficient |
| Power | More | Average |
| Maintenance | Average | Average |
| Noise | Noisy | Quieter |
| Pollution | High | Less |
| Durability | Less | More |
| Price | Cheaper | Expensive |
| Price | Check Price | No products found. |
2-Cycle Vs 4-Cycle Gas Trimmers: Differences
1. Engine And The Power Output
As the name suggests, 2-cycle engines generate power on every 2nd stroke. But the 4-cycle engine does that on every 4th stroke. This means two-stroke engines produce more power than four-cycle engines.
The engine power on a typical two-cycle gas trimmer ranges from 20-28cc. They produce more power than a 4-cycle gas trimmer. They provide power on every 2nd stroke, which means twice the amount of power on every 4th stroke. Also, some manufacturers offer 2-cycle gas trimmers with more engine power.
A 4-cycle gas trimmer produces 25-35cc. But some manufacturers offer more powerful products.
Verdict: 2-Cycle Gas Trimmer. They produce more power than four-cycle gas trimmers.
2. Weight And Size
2-cycle gas trimmers weigh less than the other one. The reduced weight and increased power help to provide better cutting experience. The four-cycle gas trimmers are heavier.
Both 2-cycle gas trimmers and 4-cycle gas trimmers are heavy. But 2-cycle gas trimmers are the lightest. They often weigh less by about 2lbs.
They are also smaller than the two. The tube length for both the products is similar. But the engine size and ergonomics vary. This leads to a reduction in weight and footprint.
Verdict: 2-Cycle Gas Trimmer. They are lighter and reduces hand fatigue.
3. Noise Levels
4-cycle gas trimmers are much quieter than 2-cycle gas trimmers. This is due to the presence of a dedicated 3rd cycle for ignition and combustion. Also, the exhaust gases are let out in the 4th cycle. A 2-cycle engine doesn’t have such a feature, which makes them noisier.
Two-cycle gas trimmers produce more than 90dB. This is harmful to hearing. The 4-cycle gas trimmer runs a lot quieter. Always wear protective equipment when using one of these.
Verdict: 4-Cycle Gas Trimmer. They are less noisy due to the dedicated cycle for combustion.
4. Cost
2-Cycle gas trimmers are cheaper. This is mostly attributed to their simple engines. The 4-cycle engines have more parts and complexity, which makes them costlier to build.
Verdict: 2-Cycle Gas Trimmer. Due to less complexity, they are cheaper.
5. Pollution Levels
Both gas trimmers run on gas. They are both pollutants. Due to added stages in power production, the 4-cycle gas trimmer has reduced pollution. But if you need more than that, then opt for an electric trimmer.
Verdict: 4-Cycle Gas Trimmer.
6. Fuel Economy
4-cycle gas trimmers burn cleaner. This improves fuel economy. The exhaust gases go away on an independent step. But in 2 cycle gas trimmers, the exhaust gases are not completely removed. This results in incomplete fuel burn and less efficiency.
Verdict: 4-Cycle Gas Trimmer. It burns cleaner, improving efficiency.
7. Durability
The two-cycle gas trimmers are cheaper and weigh less. But that comes with a price. They break down on prolonged or frequent usage. 4-cycle gas trimmers are more durable.
Verdict: 4-Cycle Gas Trimmer. They are more durable, and breakdowns are less.
What Are Engine Cycle And Engine Stroke?
Engine cycle refers to the process of converting heat into work. An engine cycle starts by receiving fuel, burning it in the combustion chamber. The burning process results in power generation. The engine cycle ends with relieving exhaust gases. This applies only to the combustion engine.
The process of generating a single round of power is called an engine cycle. The number of movements that a piston undergoes to complete one cycle is the strokes. But for convenience, both the terms describe the same process here. That is, we call a 2-stroke engine as a 2-cycle engine for convenience and vice versa.
What Are 2 Cycles And 4-Cycle Gas Engines?
A two-cycle gas trimmer has a two-stroke engine. The engine produces mechanical power on its second stroke. A two-stroke engine has two strokes, up and down strokes. The 1st stroke starts when the spark plug ignites. This causes explosive combustion of compressed fuel and air. This pushes the piston down. As the piston lowers down the gases escape through the exhaust hole. Air and gas fill up as the piston moves down. The rotating action of the crankshaft will force the piston up, which is the second stroke. The piston goes p compressing the gas, oil, and air, and 1st stroke starts again.
A 4-cycle trimmer power on every 4-strokes. In a 4- stroke engine, the 1st stroke starts with the piston moving down. As the piston moves down, the valves open, and a mix of gas and air comes in. As the piston reaches the lowest point, the crankshaft pushes it up, compressing the gas and air. This is the second stroke. The gas gets compressed; the valves are closed. When the piston reaches the top, a spark plug ignites and creating power and pushing the piston down. This is the 3rd stroke as the piston is pushed up again by the crankshaft, the exhaust valves open, forcing the gases to go out. This is the 4th stroke.
2-Cycle Vs 4-Cycle Gas Trimmers: Similarities
1. Maintenance
Both gas trimmers need regular maintenance. The two-cycle gas trimmers need oil and fuel mixed at a certain ratio. If not, the engines will develop problems.4-Cycle Gas Trimmer has more complexity in the engine. It stores oil separately. You will have to ensure proper storage and maintenance. Or else proper lubrication of engine parts will not take place.
2. Function
Both gas trimmers are used to cut grass or weeds. Both are powerful tools serving the same purpose. To get idea about grass trimmer look at this post as well.
3. Cutting Width
Both 2- cycle gas trimmer and 4-cycle gas trimmer have a cutting width of 17cm. The cutting width is the same for almost all trimmers, including electric ones. But there are models with 18cm cutting width.
4. Tube length
The tube length on most of the gas trimmer is more or less the same. But there are different versions for women, which has a shorter tube length.
2-Cycle Vs 4-Cycle Gas Trimmers: Overview
2 Cycle Gas Trimmers
Gas trimmers have been used for a long time to clear grass and bushes. These tools perform a single purpose, which is to clear weeds, bushes, and grass. They are excellent at that too.
As the name suggests, two-cycle gas trimmers have an engine with two strokes. A two-cycle gas trimmer has a two-stroke engine. The engine produces mechanical power on its second stroke. A two-stroke engine has two strokes, up and down strokes. They have a rather simpler operation due to less moving parts. This also makes these equipment light and has reduced hand fatigue. It is also cheaper and produces more power. More power translates to better cutting experience.
On the downside, they need precise oil and gas mixing. They usually need 40:1 or 50:1 fuel to oil mixing. If not, it will lead to engine damage. They are also noisier than other gas trimmers. They tend to produce more than 90dB of noise, which can be harmful to hearing. You will need protective equipment when working with such tools. This equipment is also not fuel-efficient. The fuel burn is incomplete and produces more carbon than a 4-cycle gas trimmer.
- Cheaper
- More lightweight
- More powerful
- Fewer moving parts for easier maintenance
- Noisier
- Requires precise oil gas mix
- Not very fuel-efficient
4-Cycle Gas Trimmers
A 4-stroke gas trimmer requires to go through 4 steps to produce power. This helps to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. The reduction in emission is due to a separate process of combustion. Also, the extraction of gases is a separate step, the 4th one to be precise. These four strokes of the engine are power, exhaust, intake, and compression. The engine also runs with oil and gas separated. This helps to reduce carbon emissions. Also, the engine produces less noise.
These trimmers have heavy-duty construction, which adds to the weight. This increase had fatigue. They are also costlier than a 2-stroke gas trimmer. They also need long and heavy maintenance. This is due to the increased complexity of the engine.
- Easier fuelling with no gas and oil mix required
- Heavy-duty and more durable construction
- Quieter operation
- Heavier
- Pricier to buy
- More complex
Best 2-Cycle Gas Trimmers
1. Husqvarna 128LD Straight-Shaft Gas Weed Eater
- Husqvarna 128LD Straight Shaft Gas String Trimmer is a great multipurpose weed eater with a 17-inch cutting width and a...
- Tap N' Go T25 Trimmer Head: Husqvarna string trimmer with heavy duty twin line cutting system features a Tap N' Go weed...
- Smart Start Technology: specially-designed engine and starter for easy and fast starting with minimum effort
- Engine: 28 cc
- Cutting width: 17 inches
- Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.2 x 57 inches
- Weight: 11 lbs
- Shaft type: Straight
- Cutting Width: 17 inches
The Husqvarna 128LD Straight-Shaft Gas Weed Eater is a 2-cycle gas trimmer. It is lightweight, and the 28cc engine has more than enough power for regular use. It has a custom-designed T25 trimmer head, which makes line reloading easier. The gas trimmer has a translucent fuel tank. This acts as a self-indicator for fuel levels. It is also equipped with an air purge primer bulb. This helps in the removal of unwanted air from the carburetor. They are also cheap at $181 in amazon.
2. Hitachi CG23ECPSL Straight-Shaft Gas Weed Eater
No products found.
- Engine: 22.5 cc
- Cutting width: 17inches
- Dimensions: 70 x 8 x 8 inches
- Weight: 10.3 lbs
- Shaft type: Straight
- Cutting Width: 17inches
The main selling points include reduced weight and the warranty. It has a 22.5 cc two-stroke. The main advantage includes reduced pollution levels without sacrificing power. It is also maintenance-friendly and packs a 7-year warranty from the manufacturer. It also comes equipped with an anti-vibration system to reduce user fatigue.
3. Remington RM2510 Curved Shaft Gas Weed Eater
No products found.
- Engine: 25 cc 2-stroke
- Cutting width: 16 inches
- Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.6 x 39 inches
- Weight: 13.4 lbs
- Shaft type: Curved
Remington’s offering has a curved shaft, which helps improve ergonomics. But it comes at the cost of increased weight and reduced cutting width. It packs a 2-stroke engine with a quick start. The engine produces 25cc of power. Remington offers a 2-year warranty with the product.
On the downside, its shaft is not long as others, and you can’t add attachments for other jobs, which can be an inconvenience for many people.
4. Poulan Pro PR25SD 2-Stroke Gas Weed Eater
No products found.
- Engine: 25 ccs, 2-stroke
- Cutting width: 17 inches
- Dimensions: 39.8 x 10.2 x 10 inches
- Weight: 14 lbs
- Shaft type: Straight
The Poulan Pro PR25SD offers a straight shaft and comes with a 25cc engine. A Sure-Fire engine is a 2-cycle unit powering a 17-inch blade. It is heavier at 14lbs. But it can act as a multitool. This is due to its capability to accept a range of accessories. For this, it uses the Pro-Link attachment system. This helps to turn it into pole pruner, an edger, a blower, and lots more.
The equipment comes with a 2-year warranty and comes at the cost of $117.
5. Tanaka TCG22EAP2SLB 2-Cycle Gas Weed Eater
- 21.1 cc PureFire two-stroke engine meets emissions levels without sacrificing power, adding weight, or creating...
- Extra long 54" shaft to lessen fatigue from bending
- S-Start effortless and reliable starting system reduces the amount of pull force required for fast and easy start-up
- Engine: 21.1 ccs, 2-stroke
- Cutting width: N/A
- Dimensions: 63 x 11 x 11 inches
- Weight: 10.1 lbs
- Shaft type: Curved
The main selling point is the 7-year warranty on offer. The gas trimmer comes at the cost of $185. It has a pure fire 21.1cc engine with reduced emissions. But the power output has not reduced even though emissions have reduced.
The driveshaft is 54 inches and curved. This helps to improve ergonomics. It is also lightweight at 10.1lbs.
Best 4-Cycle Gas Trimmers
1. Husqvarna 967055801 4-Cycle Gas Weed Eater
No products found.
- Engine: 24 cc
- Cutting Width: 18-inch
- Weight: 17 lbs
- Shaft Type: Straight
The product is quite light at 17lbs. For a 4-cycle gas trimmer, that is great. It has a 24cc engine with smart start technology. This improves the starting up process. It also has a dedicated air purge mechanism that will remove excess air with ease.
It is needs minimal assembly and easy to do so. But the engine is not powerful enough for a 4-cycle gas trimmer.
2. Troy-Bilt TB575 4-Cycle Gas Weed Eater
No products found.
- Engine: 29 cc
- Cutting Width: 17-inch
- Weight: 18 lbs
- Shaft type: Straight
This gas trimmer has a powerful 29cc engine. This particular product is the most powerful among this lot. It has a cutting width of 17 inches. It is also cheaper to buy and operate. It has a jump start cable engine, which is impressive. It also has a speed spool two bump heads. This helps to reduce reloading time of the line. It can also act as a multitool. On the downside, the starting procedure is hectic.
3. Troy-Bilt TB6042XP 4-Cycle Gas Weed Eater
- Engine: 25 cc
- Cutting Width: 18-inch
- Weight: 19 lbs
- Shaft type: Straight
The Troy Bilt TB6042XP can act as a multitool. It has a bigger cutting arm and a powerful 25cc engine. It has a straight shaft and adjustable handle.
But it is louder than others, which is quite unconventional as 4-cycle gas trimmers being less noisy. But they are cheaper with a significant margin.
4. Makita EM2652LHN 4-Cycle Gas Weed Eater
No products found.
- Engine: 25.4 cc
- Cutting Width: 17-inch
- Weight: 20 lbs
It has a powerful 25.4cc engine. The gas trimmer has a standard cutting width of 17 inches. But they are heavier at 20lbs. Its features include quick start-up and anti-vibration handle. It also has a multiple position lubrication system. It also comes with a heavy-duty dual-stage air filter. It is replaceable and easy to access.
FAQs
1. Is long exposure to noise can be harmful to ears while using a 2-cycle gas trimmer?
2. Which one is the most efficient among the two?
3. What are the noise levels produced by a 2-cycle gas trimmer?
4. Which engine runs cleaner?
5. Can these gas trimmers act as multitools?
6. Which one is best? 2-cycle or 4-cycle gas trimmer?
Final Thought
After comparing 2-Cycle vs. 4-Cycle Gas Trimmers, we can say both gas trimmers are competent products. If you are looking for a quieter tool, then buy a 4-cycle gas trimmer. But if you need a light tool with enough power, then a 2-cycle gas trimmer is the answer. And large scale trimming just for heavy brush hog. Both have their merits and demerits. When you buy a product, make sure it suits your needs.
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