Review: The Bolens BL-150 17" 31cc 2-cycle Straight Shaft Gas Trimmer

With my experience in commercial lawncare, I understand that gas-powered trimmers are a necessity in the business. They have power, precision, and reliability that even the best cordless electric trimmers just can't touch. All those reasons are what makes them so much more expensive. The Bolens Company (a division of MTD Corporation) makes some affordable gas-powered string trimmers (or weed-whackers), so I bought one several years back.

In 2002, I went to the Lowe's in Powell and bought a Bolens BL-150 straight shaft trimmer, having learned while in the landscaping business, has better balance and efficiency than curved shaft models (such as the counterpart to the BL-150, the BL-100). It lists for $89.96 - $94.99 at lowes.com, which makes it one of the least expensive gas-powered weed-eaters available. Therefore, the Bolens BL-150 was the best I could afford.

As most familiar with yard care tools already know, weed-whackers have 2-cycle engines with no oiling system. The lubricant must be mixed with the fuel to keep them from burning up. For the Bolens BL-150, the 2-cycle lubricant is to be mixed with the fuel at a ratio of 1:40. The 31c.c. engine propels a cutting head full of .080 gauge line which gives a generous seventeen inch cutting path. It also has a pretty nice balance, and the shaft handle can be adjusted for lefties and righties of various heights to minimize back discomfort.

After fueling, they must be primed several times by pressing a flexible rubber bulb on the engine. The Bolens BL-150 has a manual choke, which must be engaged when starting cold. Now, here's where my troubles began, because my experience with the Bolens 'EZ-Pull' starting system was anything but. It took about 25 good, shoulder-aching cranks to start the thing for the first time. Once it got going, though, it still took a good 3-7 pulls on the starter cord to start it. Not surprisingly, I had to go through the same painful starting ritual every spring after it had sit up for 4-5 months.