Features 29 cc, 4-cycle engine and spring-assist starting system, and 17″ cutting swath. Accepts optional attachments. Dual-line bump head with speed spool. .095″ diameter line, deluxe D-handle. Fifty state/EPA compliant. Electric start capable. 2-year limited warranty. For speedspool replacement cartridge, use True Value #560-316.REVIEW:The joys of the four-cycle engine are many. First, they run on straight gas, so there’s no need to prepare an oil-gas mixture. Second, they give you more torque at a greater range of speeds. Third, they run quieter than two-cycle engines and produce fewer emissions. As with most good things, however, there is also a downside: Two-cycle engines will give you more horsepower, pound for pound, than four-cycle engines (in other words, they’re lighter per HP).

The question, then, is whether you’re willing to put up with a little more weight or sacrifice some HP in order to have a clean, quiet cut. (In some states, this decision may already have been made for you-there seems to be a trend toward mandating that two-cycle engines be retrofitted with catalytic converters.)

If the answer is yes, then Troy-Bilt’s 29 cc curve-shaft trimmer is a great option. At 13 pounds it’s lighter than older four-cycle models, and it has a wide 17-inch cutting swath. It features “SpringAssist” starting, which means you don’t have to yank on the pull-cord-a slow and steady pull will get the thing started. This trimmer is well-balanced, and the curved shaft and adjustable D-handle make for comfortable use. Like most trimmers, this one includes a bump-head line release; Troy-Bilt’s “SpeedSpool” system means quick, easy line replacement. As an added bonus, it’s compatible with interchangeable Troy-Bilt attachments, too.

Overall, a powerful trimmer that’s comfortable to use, clean, and quiet. Two-year limited warranty. For a comparable trimmer with a straight shaft, see Troy-Bilt’s model #TB575SS.–Josh Dettweiler

What’s in the Box
Trimmer with adjustable D-handle; oil included in carton