Mowing ..

[DFB FGXR6]

I think this air filter was overdue for a change

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

Nice....How physically long is it ?

About 1 mt from tip to tip when the adjustable tube is at it's longest.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I hesitated answering this question because it can be hard to get an accurate run time with a tool like this owing to the stop/start nature of the task at hand.

Today I used it on in a situation where I would usually use a high powered 2-stroke machine due to the volume of material to move and the size of the job.

Started out with a full charge on an AK20 (mid capacity) battery and a spare AK10 (low capacity) battery as a back up.

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These images only depict half of the length of this footpath and also include gutters. The blower had not trouble lifting these damp Manchurian Pear leaves.

Lots of leaves in those bags...........
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Charge level afterwards on the AK20, didn't need the AK10 .....

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I find these batteries recovery somewhat after a rest, gaining an extra bar of charge after about 15 minutes. That said, when they are flat, the simply stop rather than gradually getting slower and slower like a my Makita gear does.

Charge level at the end of the day after a couple of smaller jobs moving grass clippings from pavement.......

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Certainly wont be able to use this on an ''all day'' basis, but I was very surprised today by its capability.

You’re right about run times, my petrol hedge trimmer might be running for a 2 hour job, but I’m only actually using it for 1 hr and 15mins, by the time I stop and move the ladder and fart around.
My echo blower has 7 years of play pit sand thru it, so it’s starting to feel tired now my child care centre has changed from low pile to thick fake grass, choices, choices.......under $300 for another 2 stroke or invest in battery...

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

You’re right about run times, my petrol hedge trimmer might be running for a 2 hour job, but I’m only actually using it for 1 hr and 15mins, by the time I stop and move the ladder and fart around.
My echo blower has 7 years of play pit sand thru it, so it’s starting to feel tired now my child care centre has changed from low pile to thick fake grass, choices, choices.......under $300 for another 2 stroke or invest in battery...

Provided you keep the batteries maintained (as in keep them charged) and have more then 1 to eliminate down time, provided you dont run the tool flat out constantly throug the 1st battery and then straight away swap in a fresh one and repeat, the lower running noise and lower weight will be the advantage. Also not having to both buy and then mix fuel is also a minor cost saving over time. Overheating brushless gear by running flat stick through full batteries with no chance to cool off is what cooks the electronic controllers. With drills at work some fools cook them really fast overloading them using a battery drill to say drill a stack of 50mm holes through 6mm brass plates back to back as opposed to using a power drill or simply resting the battery drill when it gets too hot to touch the back of it. Thats just stupidity really.

[FTE217]

Got sick of sticking by the battery blower.
Bought a good ryobi 2stroke blower, haven't looked back !
Still use the battery blower for small quick jobs, otherwise nothing like power and a tank of gas !

[danzvtil]

My echo leaks fuel in the back of the car whenever it tips 5 degrees in any direction, which stinks. My 2 stroke patience is wearing thin.
It looks like only the bga100 blower will give me the run time I need without going to a backpack battery ($1349!!!!�� battery only).From what I can see though, the bga100 connects to a belt worn battery via a cable, which would be annoying. I’d be looking at $1k for this set up inc battery and charger. One of my customers is a Stihl outlet, I might hit them up for a working demo.
Option B is this from Bunnings
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-po...r-kit_p0054474
It matches all my other chargers and batteries meaning spares aren’t a problem, even if I get 12months out of it I haven’t burnt too much cash.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

My echo leaks fuel in the back of the car whenever it tips 5 degrees in any direction, which stinks. My 2 stroke patience is wearing thin.
It looks like only the bga100 blower will give me the run time I need without going to a backpack battery ($1349!!!!�� battery only).From what I can see though, the bga100 connects to a belt worn battery via a cable, which would be annoying. I’d be looking at $1k for this set up inc battery and charger. One of my customers is a Stihl outlet, I might hit them up for a working demo.
Option B is this from Bunnings
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-po...r-kit_p0054474
It matches all my other chargers and batteries meaning spares aren’t a problem, even if I get 12months out of it I haven’t burnt too much cash.

Ozitos have a warrenty, kill one get another... dunno if the process is viable for a more commercial purpose. Maybe try the stihl demo and move up or down or 2 stroke from there. The battery belt does sound cumbersome if you have to take it off and put it back on time and time again.

[danzvtil]

I tried the BGA100 it’s power is amazing, but I can’t get the run time I need without spending almost 2 grand, so that’s a fat no. I’ll probably buy another 2 stroke echo or Stihl for EOFY.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

I tried the BGA100 it’s power is amazing, but I can’t get the run time I need without spending almost 2 grand, so that’s a fat no. I’ll probably buy another 2 stroke echo or Stihl for EOFY.

If you go for a Stihl, make sure it's the BG86 as these rev harder.

[MITCHAY]

Well thank **** for the rain. Gonna fire up the Masport next week for sure after lean times

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

I tried the BGA100 it’s power is amazing, but I can’t get the run time I need without spending almost 2 grand, so that’s a fat no. I’ll probably buy another 2 stroke echo or Stihl for EOFY.

They're a great unit but you're dead right without the expensive back pack battery they don't last long. We're lucky enough to have them at work. Whisper quiet so we can use them in the early hours under noise curfew. The blowers get used every morning for greens and around the clubhouse, the backpacks last about an hour and a half.
The whipper snippers are much better, we'll get a four hour session out of them, plug it in at smoko and do another session with them.
We have a pole saw aswell but it gets a bit awkward with the back pack and cord, lol I like to be able to leg it quick if something doesn't go to plan.

[burnz]

Top Fuel Mower's Coming to a lawn near you..

Voice over man
under light see the nitro burning top fuel lawn mower at Joe's garden,
bring the kids, bring your esky, even bring your wife..
for one night only Top Fuel Lawn Mowing.. sponsored by titan fooks.

[marty351]

Originally Posted by burnz

Top Fuel Mower's Coming to a lawn near you..

Voice over man
under light see the nitro burning top fuel lawn mower at Joe's garden,
bring the kids, bring your esky, even bring your wife..
for one night only Top Fuel Lawn Mowing.. sponsored by titan fooks.

....And tonight on My Mower Rules...

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by burnz

Top Fuel Mower's Coming to a lawn near you..

Voice over man
under light see the nitro burning top fuel lawn mower at Joe's garden,
bring the kids, bring your esky, even bring your wife..
for one night only Top Fuel Lawn Mowing.. sponsored by titan fooks.

You may joke but.....

[marty351]

Mowers can be very dangerous!

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

If you go for a Stihl, make sure it's the BG86 as these rev harder.

Picked up this model today, it’s my first machine with a damped handle, runs well. Just a question, do these stihls have a warm up mode? When started cold and the choke returns to RUN, after about 30 seconds the revs increase. I’ll have to wait and see if it does it on a hot start.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Picked up this model today, it’s my first machine with a damped handle, runs well. Just a question, do these stihls have a warm up mode? When started cold and the choke returns to RUN, after about 30 seconds the revs increase. I’ll have to wait and see if it does it on a hot start.

I have found that, yes, they take a while to wake up so to speak.

[.:4:.]

Kicked a lot of gardening goals this long weekend. All the service items i have replaced in my whipper snipper have payed for themselves. So thats new fuel filter, fuel line, return line, primer bulb, spark plug and i still havent done a proper job, but i have adressed the vaccum leak between the carby and block. Saturday i did my driveway. The 4 edges of the 2 concrete pads werent terrible as the mower gets the legnth, they were just growing over the pads a bit so i tidied that up. The driveway was mown 2 weeks back so it wasnt too bad, but the fence line hadnt been done in a while due to whipper snipper woes. So got that done and cleaned it all up with my mower. Its a 55m driveway so that was enough to fill my bin. Between the bloke who rents my granny flat we take turns so every fprtnight in the warmer months we do the drivewaywand side yard, theyre what you see off the street. But between the 2 of us we havent had a reliable snipper for a while. On saturday i didnt mow the side yard as it wasnt needing it, did clean up the edges though. My lower backyard hadnt been touched in months, so i t was a bit of a handful. Its going to take a few stages but i slashed it then no catcher on the highest setting slayed it yesterday. Today i did the upper backyard. I dont remember the last that was done so i slashed that, the new found reliability of my snipper is great. Because my green bin got emptied this morning i lowered my mower a little and withthe catcher picked up the carnage which was long grass, so my bin will be full for another 2 weeks. But atleast i can look back and say i actually did something usefull in the 3 days off, and justify the beers. I do tend to reward myself for the smallest of things.

[DFB FGXR6]

Decided to show my 18 year old Victa some love today. This machine is well worn and I only keep it for sentimental reasons, it helped start my business and has payed for itself a thousand times or more. Thing is it still cuts so well despite being a bit smokey every now and then.

Behold the power of the Sprint 375



Replaced the spark plug and air filter. These Briggs and Stratton engines use a messy oil soaked air filter.



The front axle bushes were well in need of replacement.



These bushes are replaced in a kit the also includes new axle fastening clips and galvanized sleeve to help account for wear on the base over the years.

Refitted and tight as a drum again, like new. Those axle clips are a bugger to re-fasten though!



I also also replaced the circlip on the height adjuster/front axle after having bodged a repair with some wire about 10 years ago.



New oil, a bit of a clean and ready for some work. Took her out to mow a couple of small jobs today where lightness is a virtue.

[.:4:.]

During my efforts over the past 3 days ive been keeping my grandpa in the loop. He enjoys a yarn thats not a competition about whos ailments are worse and likes gardening. Hes also in his 90s but loves life. His advice back in 2011 i took. All he said was find a chassis you like, and from his experience, if it has a briggs and stratton in it it wont skip a beat. So in 8 years, nothing more then an oil change a while back, its clean and still full. I also did the blades 2 weeks ago, for no real reason. The old ones were fine with a bit of surface rust. But new is new. So its been a first time every time start taking the old blokes advice. Appart from when the tank runs dry, but with some more juice in it and a press or 2 on the primer it starts no problem. Ive had the victa for 8 years and with minimal maintenance its been great.

[roKWiz]

I actually mowed my acre on Sunday for the first time since October as that was the last time I saw any grass here. Geeze after some rain finally it came back thick and lush fast.
Next doors chickens have been in here mulching up the leaves and soil so that may account speed.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I actually mowed my acre on Sunday for the first time since October as that was the last time I saw any grass here. Geeze after some rain finally it came back thick and lush fast.
Next doors chickens have been in here mulching up the leaves and soil so that may account speed.

Despite the lack of rain, plants (lawn in this case) don't forget what to do with some moisture.

I don't suppose the grass you have is Kikuyu? That stuff always comes back with a vengeance after some rain.

[.:4:.]

I guess i find out tomorrow, but i addressed the vaccum leak behind the carb on my snipper this morning. My proof of concept was a light smear of roofers silicone on the gasket that looked shot and it went from not working to working great with a piece of old fuel line keeping the choke partially on. The silicone was only minimal, but it proved a point. So in my travels this morning i picked up a tube of high temp gasket goo. Upon pulling the carb off, yeah, it doesnt take a rocket surgeon to see the gasket is crumbling. Cleaning off the silicone took all of about 30 seconds, i went light on it. So i still went light with the gasket goo but a bit more thorough. Pressed the shot gasket down just to make sure nothing got into places it shoudnt. Did the same with the surface between the carb and gasket, had a minor spooge to clean up, then went to town on the area where the gasket was non existant anymore. That area was the furthest away from the intake port so im not concerned. It spooged outwards. In my mind, the line between it running good, running good but still having a vaccum leak so minor chokage, and me stuffing it up is a very thin line. If it runs good with a minor vaccum leak im happy enough, but not happy if i have stuffed it. Next step is get rid of the gasket all together.
But with my proof of concept i did run the thing for 5 hours flat stick over the long weekend and it loved every minute of it. All the service items i have replaced i also replaced in the snipper of the bloke who rents my granny flat. Today i picked up a new fuel cap for his as it leaked. So for 2 snippers with new fuel lines, filters, return lines, prumer bulbs, spark plugs and a tube of goo and a fuel cap its been under $100 investment i have footed. Cant really argue about the cost, and with the tools out, it doesnt take twice the time to do 2.

[.:4:.]

Im impatient, so i gave the goo a few hours to set, not the 24 the instructions recomended. And not to be unexpected it didnt start. To compensate for the gradual increase in the vaccum leak the carb had been adjusted. The plastic knobby things werent playing so i ripped one off. Underneath was a simple adjustment screw. Had i known this earlier life would be much less annoying. So it revs to the moon and now idles perfectly. So it wasnt a 30 second job getting the carby to play, but it took maybe half an hour of trial and error. Atleast my vaccum leak theory was correct enough for proper function. Pretty happy with that. And yes i did smash out some more edges, no choke, and it revved hard. No tricks. It just did what its supposed to.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I ran one for about a year. It had all the features but just didn’t cut the mustard. These mowers are suited to American style lawns that are cut very high and are usually mulched. In the end I got sick to death of unblocking the catcher Shute and trailed it in on my Rover.

Only buy one if your have a long lush lawn such as fescue otherwise it will drive you nuts.

I do only mulch and cut tall, problem is most people in Australia cut their lawns way way too short. I generally run my mowers on the highest setting, no catcher.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

I do only mulch and cut tall, problem is most people in Australia cut their lawns way way too short. I generally run my mowers on the highest setting, no catcher.

Totally agree. There are some basic horticultural reasons why lawns are better kept tall and its something that try to convey to my customers (in my retail role) when they are trying to decide on lawn varieties. It can be a challenge to convince customers, particularly older gentleman, about the this.

The American style mowers certainly don't cater to the Aussie "cut it as low as possible so I don't have to do it again for a while" syndrome. The reality is, the harder you cut, the quicker it will grow back, a flight or fight type of situation.

I really detest when a client asks for me to "cut it lower". Its bad for the lawn for a variety of reasons not to mention harder on the equipment and harder on the poor bastard behind the equipment.

[DFB FGXR6]

Cleaned up a ute load of Capital ornamental pear leaves today. Used a combination of my hand held blower and the big girl Stihl Magnum backpack blower. Luckily managed to fit everything on at the end of the job.

[.:4:.]

Im guessing the jerry is to promote composition?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Cleaned up a ute load of Capital ornamental pear leaves today. Used a combination of my hand held blower and the big girl Stihl Magnum backpack blower. Luckily managed to fit everything on at the end of the job.

Could you call around to my place? Save me doing this three times every Autumn
.