Mowing ..

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

My new business cards arrived today, I now have a PO Box and an accountant. I guess this is what being a grown up feels like ��

Good on you. Once you enter that mindset, work will naturally flow your way.

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Bought a husky line trimmer today on DFGs advice ( sorry mate, I can’t seem to reply to your DM), got the 322L model which is mid range, below the professional range , in the landowner range. It’s .5kg lighter than the equivalent stihl straight shaft model.I’ll give it a try tomorrow and report back. My new business cards arrived today, I now have a PO Box and an accountant. I guess this is what being a grown up feels like ��

not promising anything ....what part of Adelaide do you prefer to cover.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Tonz

not promising anything ....what part of Adelaide do you prefer to cover.

I’m north east suburbs.

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Bought a husky line trimmer today on DFGs advice ( sorry mate, I can’t seem to reply to your DM), got the 322L model which is mid range, below the professional range , in the landowner range. It’s .5kg lighter than the equivalent stihl straight shaft model.I’ll give it a try tomorrow and report back. My new business cards arrived today, I now have a PO Box and an accountant. I guess this is what being a grown up feels like ��

I have always used Sthil brush cutters, but I am becoming increasingly disappointed with the build quality of some resent Sthil purchases. My blower Sthil BG 86 is so bad I will not buy another Sthil blower. I will be looking at Husqvarna gear next time I think.

Does Husqvarna do an automatic line feeding head for brush cutters like the Sthil supercut 20-2? That is one feature of the Sthil I like.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

I have always used Sthil brush cutters, but I am becoming increasingly disappointed with the build quality of some resent Sthil purchases. My blower Sthil BG 86 is so bad I will not buy another Sthil blower. I will be looking at Husqvarna gear next time I think.

Does Husqvarna do an automatic line feeding head for brush cutters like the Sthil supercut 20-2? That is one feature of the Sthil I like.

I was very much a Stihl man but I can echo your sentiments.

I have had a few BG55 / BG 86 blowers. I currently have two because a few years ago the oldest one seemingly seized. I replaced with a new one and threw it in the shed until I discovered that there is a pretty simple reason/fix for this problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwvi0Q8zqA

Seems that the three bolts that attach the engine to the blower body work loose over time, jamming the flywheel. Stihl don't use thread lock for these bolts.

So now I have two running BG86's, one is hard to start in hot and humid weather, the other has a failed ignition switch and a dodgy starter.

Will definitely looking at my options when it comes time to replace these.

[Rallye Sport]

Mechanically I can't fault the Stihl equipment but I too have noticed the drop in finish quality, the casings are thinner, you may aswell take the plastic exhaust guards off and store it because it won't see the day out. We've also had drama's with the choke switches breaking.

We've had a few demo's come through of late. I bought a BGA57 electric blower on the spot after using one for a few minutes, its a gem of a thing.

The other one that really impressed me was the Husky electric pole saw, instead of shaft drive it has the power head at the cutting end. It was smooth powerful and light. I'd like to trade our Stihl shaft drive for one.

Oh and best of luck Danzvtil I've got no doubt you'll do well

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I was very much a Stihl man but I can echo your sentiments.

I have had a few BG55 / BG 86 blowers. I currently have two because a few years ago the oldest one seemingly seized. I replaced with a new one and threw it in the shed until I discovered that there is a pretty simple reason/fix for this problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwvi0Q8zqA

Seems that the three bolts that attach the engine to the blower body work loose over time, jamming the flywheel. Stihl don't use thread lock for these bolts.

So now I have two running BG86's, one is hard to start in hot and humid weather, the other has a failed ignition switch and a dodgy starter.

Will definitely looking at my options when it comes time to replace these.

My BG 86 is now 5 years old it did the same thing more than once
Also;
-Bolts attaching head and crankcase became loose
-Carb return spring broke, not a service item!! The guy at the Sthil shop I have used for 25+years took me behind the counter to show me the parts he could order. Broken return spring=new carb at $100+. I ended up with an ebay carb for $28 delivered in two days that works fine but for how long?
-Clamp system holding nozzle on failed so is now held on with self tappers
- Muffler continually came loose, so very strong loctite applied to the bolts the last time it happened. To my utter disbelief the muffler came loose again this week. On inspection bolts still firmly loctited in place, they are never coming out but the muffler has broken away from the mounting.

Sorry

So I am in the market for a new blower, what do you guys recommend?
I have had several Sthil blowers but have been burned this time (let it go Work Horse)
I have had Echo blowers in the past and they went well.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

My BG 86 is now 5 years old it did the same thing more than once
Also;
-Bolts attaching head and crankcase became loose
-Carb return spring broke, not a service item!! The guy at the Sthil shop I have used for 25+years took me behind the counter to show me the parts he could order. Broken return spring=new carb at $100+. I ended up with an ebay carb for $28 delivered in two days that works fine but for how long?
-Clamp system holding nozzle on failed so is now held on with self tappers
- Muffler continually came loose, so very strong loctite applied to the bolts the last time it happened. To my utter disbelief the muffler came loose again this week. On inspection bolts still firmly loctited in place, they are never coming out but the muffler has broken away from the mounting.

Sorry

So I am in the market for a new blower, what do you guys recommend?
I have had several Sthil blowers but have been burned this time (let it go Work Horse)
I have had Echo blowers in the past and they went well.

I'm going with a Husqvarna next time, the 525BX. It's lighter than the BG86 with more power and air speed.

https://www.husqvarna.com/au/product...5bx/967284201/

You could go all out with one of these

https://www.husqvarna.com/au/product...bts/966629601/

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

So I am in the market for a new blower, what do you guys recommend?
.

I've got a 10Yr Old Honda 4 Stroke Blower., It's damn near bullet Proof..

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

My BG 86 is now 5 years old it did the same thing more than once
Also;
-Bolts attaching head and crankcase became loose
-Carb return spring broke, not a service item!! The guy at the Sthil shop I have used for 25+years took me behind the counter to show me the parts he could order. Broken return spring=new carb at $100+. I ended up with an ebay carb for $28 delivered in two days that works fine but for how long?
-Clamp system holding nozzle on failed so is now held on with self tappers
- Muffler continually came loose, so very strong loctite applied to the bolts the last time it happened. To my utter disbelief the muffler came loose again this week. On inspection bolts still firmly loctited in place, they are never coming out but the muffler has broken away from the mounting.

Sorry

So I am in the market for a new blower, what do you guys recommend?
I have had several Sthil blowers but have been burned this time (let it go Work Horse)
I have had Echo blowers in the past and they went well.

I've been impressed with the Stihl electric range, they've been getting better with each generation so much so we've pulled the pin and replaced our handheld ICE blowers with BGA57 electric units. I've also grabbed one for home. They're still not quite up there for wind speed on paper but I think they're just as good.

Now onto something with no lack of grunt. We picked up a Toro tow behind. This thing will clear a fairway of leaves in two passes and we have to be careful not to blow over any golfers or they're buggies. We thought that was just a gimmick told to us by the salesman but I can confirm it will knock you off your feet from close range... c'mon guys you'd try it wouldn't you?

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

I have always used Sthil brush cutters, but I am becoming increasingly disappointed with the build quality of some resent Sthil purchases. My blower Sthil BG 86 is so bad I will not buy another Sthil blower. I will be looking at Husqvarna gear next time I think.

Does Husqvarna do an automatic line feeding head for brush cutters like the Sthil supercut 20-2? That is one feature of the Sthil I like.

Now that you mention it, my BG86 which isn’t that old, is feeling tired. It took my echo 7 years with only a few new spark plugs to feel the same.The only way I can shut it down is to choke it, the lever isn’t working, might send it in for a service.
So I took the huski out on my lawns this morning, and went straight back to the stihl. Today’s lawns were all vertical cut edges, and I’m real particular about how good they look. I’ll have to practise on my own lawn until I’m comfortable.
The 2 things I need to get used to is it spins anti clockwise and the guard is huge, so I can’t see what I’m doing.

[Trendseeker]

I noticed this at Bunnings today. Has anyone tried one?



It doesn’t seem to be consistent with a “DIY” workshop!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Trendseeker

I noticed this at Bunnings today. Has anyone tried one?

image

It doesn’t seem to be consistent with a “DIY” workshop!

I want to see what it would do that synthetic grass!

[John 13]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I want to see what it would do that synthetic grass!

Typical Bunning's marketing and questionable ethics. You never know old 45 may get a job there.

[DFB FGXR6]

I got sent this photo of some quality work carried out by a Jim's Mowing franchise.



These guys installed instant turf OVER the existing lawn.

I hope they were reported back to head office because I know that sort of job would not have been a cheap. Or perhaps that is why they got the job in the first place?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I got sent this photo of some quality work carried out by a Jim's Mowing franchise.

I wonder if the same franchisee does car detailing.

I'm curious to know how much foam got on the upholstery

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by Trendseeker

It doesn’t seem to be consistent with a “DIY” workshop!

Haha! I like you're sense of humor...

Reminds me of the folks "Robo-vac" The border collie used to nudge it into a corner then spend all day holding it there Not sure if i'd let her near one of these though.

[Yellow_Festiva]

My grass has died off in certain areas, which I thought quite odd considering that Sydney had a ton of recent rain - followed by a heap of heat.

I fed it some Number 17 lawn food and kept the water on it.

I think I found the problem. Not enough top soil and the ground below the grass is very heavily compacted - it is essentially like laying the turf over cement.

The recent heat has dried it out and the water was not absorbed due the the hardness of the ground.

I've gone at the areas with a pick and tried to break up as much as I can - very hard to do.

I've also been spreading around some fine top soil to fill in the holes and hopefully build up some thickness over time.

Has anyone used this product, I may give it a go? 1 bottle should be enough:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/groundbr...eaker_p0013635

I figured for $15 it's worth a try.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

My grass has died off in certain areas, which I thought quite odd considering that Sydney had a ton of recent rain - followed by a heap of heat.

I fed it some Number 17 lawn food and kept the water on it.

I think I found the problem. Not enough top soil and the ground below the grass is very heavily compacted - it is essentially like laying the turf over cement.

The recent heat has dried it out and the water was not absorbed due the the hardness of the ground.

I've gone at the areas with a pick and tried to break up as much as I can - very hard to do.

I've also been spreading around some fine top soil to fill in the holes and hopefully build up some thickness over time.

Has anyone used this product, I make give it a go? 1 bottle should be enough:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/groundbr...eaker_p0013635

I figured for $15 it's worth a try.

I have used Groundbreaker before with good results, although was for planting a tree. Can't see why it wouldn't work for you application.

[Citroënbender]

I’d also be forking it, if you can drive it in (and get it back out!). Push it in well, wiggle, pull out, repeat. Water well after. Clay breaker works but not fast.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’d also be forking it, if you can drive it in (and get it back out!). Push it in well, wiggle, pull out, repeat. Water well after. Clay breaker works but not fast.

Fork will stand no chance. Not only is it rock hard its full of rocks.

Will just belt at it with the mattock till I've had enough and hope that works.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[Rallye Sport]

Looking at the MSDS this is about a 5% mix of sulphuric acid, it'll help break down organic matter but thats about it.

https://2ecffd01e1ab3e9383f0-07db7b9...2b2959b68f.pdf

If you're on sand use soil wetter, if its loam or clay keep punching holes and filling them with sand.

Or for a no punch method add gypsum and water it in to soften clay soils.

[.:4:.]

Pay peanuts get monkeys as the saying goes.

[383hq]

Who'd a thunk 63,000 facebook members on a lawn site

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-...roups/13116316

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by 383hq

Who'd a thunk 63,000 facebook members on a lawn site

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-...roups/13116316

I'm not one, mine will have to be done (again!) today as rain predicted for tomorrow.

I'm considering replacing the grass with green concrete

[383hq]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

I'm not one, mine will have to be done (again!) today as rain predicted for tomorrow.

I'm considering replacing the grass with green concrete

Greek style
Round up and concRete (for R&R)

[George V]

Serviced almost 20 yr old mower and mowed the lawn. Pretty happy with it, especially servicing part.

Pictures attached.


Regards,
George V

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by George V

Serviced almost 20 yr old mower and mowed the lawn. Pretty happy with it, especially servicing part.

Pictures attached.


Regards,
George V

Nice work!

I'd hire you? Wanna Job?

[FTE217]

hehe Rallye love it, as you know being a golfer I recognised what thats for straight up....
Can imagine some Members having a Bi atch at many a course's as the groudsmen go back and forth lol.....
I've seen some brilliant mounted rotating blowers at greens only, so well set up and how it clears the greens from leaves and crap.
Love a smaller version for home.

Getting onto Stihl, well there not like they used to be like most brands in quality BUT to date my petrol one is still the ducks guts for me.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by FTE217

hehe Rallye love it, as you know being a golfer I recognised what thats for straight up....
Can imagine some Members having a Bi atch at many a course's as the groudsmen go back and forth lol.....

You know how loud they are then, haha.
We do get a few complaints and to be honest I can understand, they are a pretty offensive machine. I just signal "can't hear you" as I drive past