How to Hold and Use a String Trimmer Safely
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If you are learning how to hold and use a string trimmer safely, start with two hands, firm footing, and a cutting head kept low and away from people. The Toro manuals we opened agree on most of these points. Keep bystanders at a distance, keep every guard in place, and tilt the head toward the area you are cutting. The manuals disagree on one point, the direction to sweep the head. This guide sets out what each source says and where the sources do not settle a question.
Quick answer
- Hold the trimmer with both hands. Toro’s Flex-Force manual says two hands help avoid loss of control.
- Stand on firm ground, keep your footing, and work across the face of a slope, never up or down.
- Keep bystanders back. Toro’s decal for one 60V model says at least 15 m (50 ft) for thrown objects.
- Keep the trimmer below waist height and keep every guard in place.
Hold the trimmer with two hands
The clearest hold instruction in the sources comes from Toro’s Flex-Force Power System 60V MAX string trimmer manual, model 51837T. It says to always use two hands when operating the machine, and it gives the reason: holding the machine with both hands helps avoid loss of control. The other two Toro pages we opened do not contain that sentence, so treat the two-hand rule as the one manual’s instruction until you check your own model.
Set the shaft before you start. The same Flex-Force manual says to extend or retract the shaft until the trimmer sits in a neutral, comfortable position while you operate it. The same manual says to adjust the auxiliary handle on the shaft until the trimmer sits in a neutral, comfortable position while operating.
Shoulder harness and battery size
Toro’s manuals tie the shoulder harness to the battery you install, and the thresholds differ by model. The Revolution 60V manual says to install the included shoulder harness if you are using the string trimmer with a 6.0 Ah or greater battery pack. The 60V MAX manual with battery Model 81860 or 81875 says a string trimmer strap is recommended. The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual, model 51837T, says that with an 8.0 Ah or greater battery you must install quick-release harness Model 139-5334, which is not included, “for proper support and balance.”
Show both figures and do not assume a number from another model. If your trimmer uses one of the battery models named in a manual, check which harness or strap that manual lists before you start the trimmer. The sources do not say what the harness does when you use a smaller battery.
Stance, footing and slopes
All the Toro manuals we opened tell you to keep proper footing and balance, and to watch footing on slopes. The Revolution manual says to keep proper footing and balance at all times, especially on slopes, and to walk, never run, with the tool. The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual adds that you should operate the machine only when standing on the ground.
On a slope, the Flex-Force 60V MAX manual says to be sure of your footing, to work across the face of the slope, and never to work up or down it. The same manual says not to operate the machine on excessively steep slopes. The sources do not give a slope angle, so the phrase “excessively steep” is as far as the manuals go.
Guard position and what the guard protects
The manuals treat the guard as a safety part. The Revolution manual says not to operate the tool without all guards and other safety protective devices in place and functioning properly. The Flex-Force 60V MAX decal says to stay away from moving parts and to keep all guards in place.
The pages we opened do not give a minimum distance between the guard and your feet, and they do not describe a guard position for each hold. Keep the guard in place for every job.
Working height and cutting direction
The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual says not to operate the machine above waist height. It says this helps prevent unintended cutter or blade contact and enables better control of the machine in unexpected situations. The other Toro pages we opened do not state a working height, so the waist-height limit comes from that one manual.
The manuals disagree on the cutting direction. The Revolution manual and the 60V MAX manual with battery models 81860 or 81875 say the trimmer cuts when you move it from left to right. The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual, model 51837T, says it cuts when you move it from right to left. All three say the sweep direction keeps debris away from you. Check your own manual before you choose a direction.
All the Toro manuals agree on tilting the head. Keep the trimmer tilted toward the area being cut, because that is the best cutting position. Use the tip of the line to do the cutting, and do not force the trimmer head into uncut grass. The Revolution manual also says not to hold the bump head on the ground while the trimmer runs.
Safety around bystanders and debris
String trimmers throw debris. Illinois Extension says that string trimmers fling lots of debris, and that the shield helps protect the operator but is not a substitute for personal protective equipment. It adds that passersby, such as people or pets, are at increased risk of being hit by launched debris. Its advice is to keep an eye out for nearby targets and to pause string trimming when anyone gets close.
Toro’s manuals say the same in different words. The Revolution manual says to keep bystanders and children away from the operating area. The 60V MAX manual with battery models 81860 or 81875 warns to keep bystanders away from the machine in all directions. The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual, model 51837T, says to keep bystanders away while operating, because thrown debris can cause serious injury, and its decal sets a distance of at least 15 m (50 ft).
Safety for hands, feet and the cutting head
Keep your hands and feet away from the cutting area and all moving parts. The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual says to keep all parts of the body away from the cutter, line or blade while the machine is running. Before you carry the trimmer, switch it off and carry it away from your body. That manual says proper carrying reduces the likelihood of accidental contact with a moving cutter, line or blade.
The Revolution manual says not to overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times, and walk, never run, with the trimmer. These are the same three habits that the manuals repeat across models: footing, distance from the head, and no running.
Step-by-step: a safe hold and swing
These steps combine the Toro instructions. Where a step uses a model-specific number, the source is named. Use your own trimmer’s manual if it gives a different number.
- Check the guards. Confirm that every guard is in place and working before you start. The manuals say not to operate the tool without all guards.
- Set the shaft. Extend or retract the shaft until the trimmer sits in a neutral, comfortable position while you operate it, and close the telescoping latch to secure the shaft.
- Choose the harness or strap by battery. Use the harness or strap your manual names for your battery. The Revolution manual uses 6.0 Ah or greater, and the Flex-Force manual, model 51837T, uses 8.0 Ah or greater.
- Clear your footing. Stand on the ground and check your footing before you start. On a slope, work across the face of it.
- Grip with two hands. The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual for model 51837T says always use two hands. Keep the trimmer tilted toward the area being cut.
- Watch the working height. Do not operate the trimmer above waist height, and keep all parts of your body away from the cutter, line or blade.
- Clear the area. Keep bystanders away. Pause when anyone comes close. Where your manual gives a distance, use it. One 60V MAX decal says at least 15 m (50 ft).
- Carry it safely. Carry the trimmer switched off and away from your body. Do not hold the bump head on the ground while the trimmer runs.
What each source says, side by side
The table compares the four pages on the points that matter for holding and using the trimmer. Each cell comes from the page named in the first column, and “not stated” means the page we opened does not cover that point.
| Source | Two hands | Harness or strap | Cutting direction | Bystanders | Working height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toro Revolution 60V String Trimmer manual, manuals.toro.com/255142 | Not stated | Included shoulder harness with a 6.0 Ah or greater battery | Left to right | Keep bystanders and children away from the operating area | Not stated |
| Toro Flex-Force 60V MAX String Trimmer manual, manuals.toro.com/188483 | Not stated | Strap recommended with battery Model 81860 or 81875 | Left to right | Keep bystanders away from the machine in all directions | Not stated |
| Toro Flex-Force 60V MAX String Trimmer manual, model 51837T, manuals.toro.com/252667 | Always use two hands | Quick-release harness Model 139-5334 with an 8.0 Ah or greater battery | Right to left | At least 15 m (50 ft) on the decal | Do not operate above waist height |
| Illinois Extension, Maintaining Lawn Equipment | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Pause string trimming when anyone gets close | Not stated |
The table shows where the manuals agree and where they differ. The two-hand rule comes from one manual only, and the harness thresholds differ between models, so check the manual for your model before you rely on any of these figures.
How we chose
We looked for manufacturer manuals that give hold, stance and safety instructions for battery string trimmers in a form the tool could open as text, and for one university extension page on the same topic. We opened four pages on 2026-10-22: three Toro interactive manuals and the Illinois Extension lawn equipment page. The three Toro manuals cover different 60V models, so they show how one manufacturer’s wording changes from model to model.
Several manuals from other manufacturers were PDFs, which this tool cannot open, so they are not used. Some pages could not be opened, and those pages are not counted. We did not rank the sources, and we did not choose a single best method. Each quote in this guide comes from the saved text of the page it cites.
What we could not verify
- Which instructions apply to your trimmer. The manuals name different harnesses, battery thresholds and cutting directions, and the sources we opened do not say which model each reader owns.
- The correct cutting direction. Two Toro pages say left to right and one says right to left, and the pages do not explain the difference.
- Whether the two-hand rule applies to every model. Only one Toro manual we opened says it.
- How steep a slope is too steep. The manuals say excessively steep, and do not give a number.
What the sources do not say
The pages we opened do not give a minimum distance between the guard and your feet. They do not describe where each hand should sit on the handles.
The three Toro pages cover battery string trimmers only. The Illinois page is a general lawn equipment page with no model-specific instruction. Use the manual for the trimmer you own, and do not treat these pages as a substitute for it. If you are still choosing a battery string trimmer, this site has a Greenworks and EGO Power+ string trimmer comparison and a post on the DeWalt FLEXVOLT 60V MAX string trimmer.
FAQ
Should I hold a string trimmer with one hand or two?
The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual for model 51837T says to always use two hands when operating the machine, because holding it with both hands helps avoid loss of control. The other two Toro pages we opened do not say that, so check your own manual. If your manual says two hands, use two hands for the whole job.
How far should bystanders stand from a string trimmer?
The Flex-Force 60V MAX decal for model 51837T says to keep bystanders at least 15 m (50 ft) away from thrown objects. The other Toro pages say to keep bystanders away from the operating area or from the machine in all directions, and they do not give a distance. Illinois Extension says to pause the work when anyone gets close.
The sources say to pause when people or pets are close, but they do not give a method for watching for them.
Do I need a shoulder harness for my trimmer?
It depends on the model and the battery. The Revolution manual uses a 6.0 Ah or greater battery for the included harness. The 60V MAX manual names battery Model 81860 or 81875 for a recommended strap. The Flex-Force manual for model 51837T uses an 8.0 Ah or greater battery for a quick-release harness that is not included. Read the note for your battery in your own manual.
Which way should I sweep the trimmer head?
The sources disagree. Two Toro pages say the trimmer cuts when you move it from left to right, and one Flex-Force 60V MAX manual says it cuts when you move it from right to left. All three say the sweep keeps debris thrown away from you. Follow your manual, and keep the head tilted toward the area being cut.
How high can I hold the trimmer while I cut?
The Flex-Force 60V MAX manual for model 51837T says not to operate the machine above waist height. It says this helps prevent unintended contact with the cutter and gives better control in unexpected situations. The other Toro pages do not give a height limit, so do not assume the same limit applies to your trimmer without checking.
What should I do when I trim on a slope?
Be sure of your footing, work across the face of the slope, and never work up or down it, according to the Flex-Force 60V MAX manual. Do not operate the machine on excessively steep slopes. The Revolution manual adds that you should keep proper footing and balance at all times, especially on slopes, and walk rather than run.
Bottom line
Hold the trimmer with two hands if your manual says to, keep bystanders out of the debris path, and work from firm footing with the guards in place. Where your manual gives a battery threshold, a cutting direction or a height limit, the manual for your model wins.
Sources
- Toro: Interactive Manual, Revolution 60V String Trimmer (opened 2026-10-22)
- Toro: Interactive Manual, Flex-Force Power System 60V MAX String Trimmer (opened 2026-10-22)
- Toro: Interactive Manual, Flex-Force Power System 60V MAX String Trimmer, model 51837T (opened 2026-10-22)
- University of Illinois Extension: Maintaining Lawn Equipment (opened 2026-10-22)
