Can You Use A Brush Cutter In The Rain?

Keeping a well-manicured lawn and a tidy garden does take hard work and regular maintenance. Having the correct tools to use for the job at hand makes the job easier. Knowing when and how to use the tools and what they can be used for does take skill and practice.

A brush cutter can be used in the rain, but only if it is battery or gas-powered. An electrically powered brush cutter should never be used in the rain as it could electrocute the gardener. Ideally, only use the brush cutter during a light rain shower and never during a heavy downpour.

A brush cutter is a necessary piece of equipment for any gardener. It allows you to trim the lawn edges, cut back overgrown foliage, and even cut the grass if necessary. Always follow the directions on using the brush cutter properly and use the required personal protective gear. There are better times than others to use a brush cutter, but can you use it during the rain?

Should You Use A Brush Cutter In The Rain?

Brush cutting is not a job that you should take on when it’s raining outside if you can help it. If there are specific reasons why you have to use the brush cutter in the rain, then it’s probably better to only use it during a light shower and not in the middle of a heavy thundershower or downpour.

If you have an electric-powered corded brush cutter, then you should never run it in the rain, ever! Using electrically powered equipment in the rain can result in an electric shock to the gardener or even cause a fire in extreme cases. Either way, electricity, and water don’t mix, so keep your electric brush cutter away from rain, wet grass, or any bodies of water.

You can safely run a modern battery or gas-powered (cordless) brush cutter in the rain if necessary, but only if you use it for garden maintenance and not for hard cutting back of foliage. A battery or gas-powered brush cutter will not attract lightning, but even so, don’t use it during a heavy down-pour to prevent damaging the machine.

What Happens If You Use A Brush Cutter In The Rain?

Running a brush cutter in the rain can be hazardous and should be avoided if at all necessary, but if you absolutely have to run it during the rain because you are a landscaper or you only have access to the brush cutter for a short time, then follow these tips:

Choose a battery or gas-powered (cordless) rather than an electrically powered brush cutter
Ensure that you use a new trimming string. If necessary, swap out the old string for a new string before running the brush cutter. Hopefully, the string should last for the duration of the job without having to change it
Check that you have enough gas in the tank or that the battery is fully charged to complete the job without having to refuel or recharge.
When running the brush cutter, wear sturdy shoes to prevent slipping on wet grass. If your shoes become waterlogged, stop the job and wait for the grass to dry before you continue. Sometimes you have to give up and wait for another dryer day!
Plan your route carefully and remove any potential hazards beforehand which could hamper your progress. The idea is to finish the job as quickly as possible without any obstructions.
Clean and dry the brush cutter before packing it away to keep the machine well maintained

Problems With Using A Brush Cutter In The Rain

Running any power tool during the rain means taking risks. Other than watching out for lightning and slippery spots on the ground, the different powered brush cutters come with different associated problems.

As mentioned earlier in this post, never use an electrically powered brush cutter in the rain! Battery and gas-powered brush cutters are safer to use as they do not have a cord with live electricity running through them and are generally a bit more rugged.

You will put extra stress on the engine when running it in the rain, which could cause it to overheat or clog. Ensure that you allow the engine to cool properly and then dry the engine properly after using it in the rain to prevent rust from forming. Check that excess moisture has not found its way into the gas tank as it will contaminate the gas.

Trimming and cutting grass and foliage during the rain can be a problematic exercise. Wet grass is sticky, slippery, and heavier than dry grass, so it is more difficult to cut. When wet, the brush cutter might not cut all the grass leading to an uneven, clumpy lawn and a soggy mess.

Wet grass clippings can clog the string mechanism, causing the machine to overheat. Changing the string takes time, and you will have to wait for the engine to cool down before you can use it again.

Which Is The Best Time To Use A Brush Cutter

If possible, only do your brush cutting when the weather is dry with no chance of rain. If you are using an electrically driven brush cutter, be on the lookout for lighting and pack up quickly if you do spot any. Lighting could be attracted to the electric cord and will strike without warning.

As most brush cutting is done during the summer months, the best time to use your brushcutter is during the coolest part of the day, which is generally in the morning. Avoid the hottest part of the day as brush cutting is a hot, demanding job that can wear you out quickly.

You can use a brush cutter after a rainstorm, but ensure that the grass and foliage are dry before you start. Trying to cut wet foliage will take longer, is a messier job, and could damage your brush cutter.

The only advantage to using a brush cutter to cut grass and foliage before a rainstorm is that the clippings and cuttings will be washed into the lawn, acting as feed for the lawn. So, your lawn will benefit if you cut the grass before it rains and you don’t rake them up.

Conclusion

All garden tools have a purpose and a job to do. Using them for the correct purpose and under the proper conditions will ensure that they last a long time. If they are not used as the manufacturer intended, you could spend time, effort, and money on unnecessary repairs and replacement machines.

Brush cutting machines are available in different sizes. You can choose from a gas-powered, battery-powered, or electrically-powered brush cutter to get the job done in your garden.

References

https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/can-running-a-grass-trimmer-in-the-rain-ruin-it.330514/