5 Reasons to Take the Trimmer Guard OFF Your Weedeater

I share my 5 top reasons to take the trimmer guard off your weedeater. When it comes to taking the trimmer guard on or off, I am a big fan of removing it. The primary reason I remove the guard is to be able to increase productivity. Removing the guard helps me to use a longer string which makes the work faster. It also allows me to see better when flip edging. Removing the guard also allows me to put the trimmer in tighter places like behind an air conditioner. It also gives the complainers something to complain about on YouTube. I get a lot of negative feedback for removing the guard. My advice to those who want to keep the guard is very simple...keep the guard. Don't overthink it. It you like the guard, then don't remove it.

Disclaimer: Removing the guard may increase risk of injury to you or others and may void your factory warranty. Do so at your own discretion and please wear proper safety attire such as ear and eye protection. Also, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Also, read and follow the owner's manual.

This is also where I have many other resources such as Weed Control and Fertilization Academy
Lawn Care Master Academy
Lawn Care Letters
Weed Control and Fertilization Documents including programs, pricing, etc
Mosquito video course
And more...

Here a few companies I recommend. Some links are affiliate links.

RECOMMENDED LAWN CARE PRODUCTS ON AMAZON (affiliate links)

[behumanbekind]

Came here looking for a trimmer string tutorial. Left here to go take the guard off. Thanks.

[donwilson]

It is so refreshing in 2024 to hear a fairly young person speak with common sense and intelligence. And not afraid to do physical work for a living.

[lennywells]

I have 45 yrs of safety training in the petro-chem industry!
I can sum up your 5 reasons easily! Number 1-4 very well articulated.
But I need to translate number 5 into plain english "To give them something to bitch about"

Great video and I agree with your reasoning! Calculated risk!! Good job!

[jimg]

It’s the world we live in. Anyone who disagrees with you has to either silence you or attack you personally. Great video. Carry on sir.

[andrewb]

As a former corporate environmental/safety compliance mgr, and now a landscaping/application business owner, I can understand both positions of the debate. However, I will say that I've been weed eating with my guard on for the past 3 years and it doesn't seem to stop much. I still get debris to the face, legs, and arms. I think it's designed for keeping knuckleheads who weed eat in flip flops from accidentally sticking their feet into the string lol.

[rexmericle]

At 72 I grew up in an age where tractors with open flywheels and so many other types of equipment had open pulleys and...shocker..riding mowers often didn't have seat safety switches. One was assumed to be smarter than their equipment. Most were, some weren't. There have always been Darwin Award winners 🙂 I can't imagine what some fine folks would say about my 30 year old 52" mower...with open pulleys on the deck. Great video and I'm still smiling over your comments.

[x_zubrance]

I'm a sole small business operator and quite often have to slash fast growing still wet green winter weeds or grasses (south western Australia) which used to stick to the guard and increase the weight of the head significantly on my Husky. I was having to stop frequently to remove the wet mass, wasting so much time. Now my swathes are wider, quicker, with almost negligible strain on the arms and body. My only regret is that I didn't take the guard off years earlier! Thanks for sharing :)

[danyarbrough]

Thanks for doing this video. I appreciate your common sense approach to the variety of ways to use this tool. Your way is the industry norm for commercial business applications! Most folks should probably keep the guard on for the now and then users.

[rogermurray]

Thanks Jason!! Another great video. I started a small lawn care business this year to give me something to do since I am now retired from the military. Your videos have helped me tremendously and I appreciate you for doing them. I too agree with taking the guard off because it raised my efficiency/speed greatly. I started noticing that most of the lawn care folks that I would see had theirs removed so I tried it and was immediately hooked. I feel that I got hit with as much debris with the guard on as I do now with it off, and the efficiency is worth the risk, IN MY OPINION!! Thanks again!

[lar]

From New Hampshire...#5 reason was a gem. Yes, people scroll around looking to criticize because they have nothing better to do. Unbelieveable. Good presentation. I'm here because I wanted to hear another experienced person's opinion on the subject. Thank you. Again, I found your style right to the point and interesting.

[manuelanchondo]

I have seen a few videos that show lawn-cutting experts not having the guard on. I have seen them trim bushes while trimming the grass and edging as well. They have given me good ideas however I get what I like using the edgit pro. For the edges you don't have to see the edge, it protects better, wider cutting path and the string lasts much longer. You are right about the person who knows what they are doing, common sense. Getting into tighter spaces or inside corners, I just turn it on edge position and adjust string length, no issues. Thanks for the advice, I will try it without any guard to see what I can learn THANKS!

[gregmeister]

Taking the guard off tomorrow. It's always in the way of me getting that crisp clean line and I've always worn safety glasses. Thanks for the video!

[ravingcyclist]

I use mine for intricate trimming in a shade garden. Using the guard side allows me to trim right up to expensive plants without risking cutting them down.

[Rekkcellent]

String trimmers and hedgers have what's called a "diaphragm carburetor" as opposed to a "float bowl" carburetor on lawnmowers. The reason trimmers and hedgers use a different carb is because they are designed to be used upside down and not flood in use.

[ishakzakaria]

This is one of the best video lessons that I have ever learned from. I just put high boots and glasses on and my work done at least 1/2 of the usual time. 😂Thanks a lot!

[joanterry]

I am a 77 year old woman. Have used a weed eater on my ranch's since they first were available. Removed the guards from every weed eater I have used. When you spend up to 4 hours or more a day weed eating YES you need to see every space you are covering. Good reasoning!!!!

[piddy]

Another good reason for taking the guard off that you didn't mention is that it also reduces a fair amount of weight at the trimmer head which actual changes the balance point making the trimmer easier and more comfortable to wield.

[williamjanik]

I too use a Husqvarna trimmer and the dealer turned me onto the Husqvarna high torque gear head for their trimmers. It's great if you have to trim overgrown properties. Keep up the great content.

[michaelmasek]

I agree with every one of your reasons you gave to take off the guard. I took mine off when one of the screws came out and got lost. I see better, work more quickly, and get more done without guard in place.

[brianpagemodeltrains]

After watching your other video about the five reasons to keep the guard ON, I immediately took mine off (lol) and tried it, as well as edging with the trimmer upside down. What a difference, it's a game changer. With the guard off, it's lighter at the head end, and way easier to move around and actually hit the areas I'm aiming for. Edging with the trimmer upside down was initially awkward for me as I was used to doing it sideways, but now, it's more accurate and faster. I'm using an Echo trimmer from a big box store, and I'm not a professional, just doing my own property. Thanks for the advice, Jason, it made a difference for me. By the way, when I took my guard off, I found all kinds of long stringy grass and other crap wound around the shaft area under the guard, and now with the ability to clean that all off, the head is running a bit cooler.