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Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts

May 05, 2011

The Main Ingredients of a Garden Shed

The garden is a place of relaxation and free time, the green oasis of personal well-being. You can protect and nurture a piece of nature with your own hands. To get your garden into the right shape, and keep it there, you need the correct aids to make it easier. Let us look at what ingredients a typical Garden Shed should include.

A garden consists out of different sections. You will find flowerbeds, a paved area or driveway and a large lawn in almost every garden. To keep your garden in tiptop shape, you firstly need a lawnmower and edge cutter for the lawn.

The type of lawnmower depends on the size of your lawn. You will also have to decide between an electric or petrol driven, rotary or cylinder, and a push, self-propelled or hover type machine. Many people walk into a store and buy the first machine that catches the eye. The wrong choice of machines could lead to premature failure or endless problems if not designed for the task of your particular lawn area.

For plots or larger gardens the perfect solution will be to use a ride-on mower, or heavy duty self-propelled walk behind mower. Different sizes are available and it is best to arrange for a demonstration on your property before you decide on a machine.

A trimmer will be necessary for those edges around the flowerbeds, against walls and next to the paved areas. You will have a choice between electric or petrol, and bottom or top mount motors. Remember always to use eye protection when trimming. For small gardens you also find manual grass shears.

Leaves laying on your property can also be an eyesore. To keep this tidy you must use a garden vacuum/blower combination. These appliances switch easily from blower to vacuum. It is easier to blow all the leaves onto a heap, even out of the flowerbeds, and then suck them up with the vacuum attachment. Some machines shred the leaves into fine pieces, which can be added to the compost heap. Alternatively you can set your lawnmower on high adjustment and then use it to pick up the leaves.

An important part of every gardener’s tools is the hedge shear. To control wild growth, shape a bush, or cut a hedge into shape, you can either use a manual shear or purchase a more sophisticated electric or petrol-driven model. Loppers and telescopic branch pruners are also handy items for the thicker and unreachable branches. A chainsaw can make life easier on a plot or very large garden.

Two other useful appliances to have around the house and garden are the Garden Shredder/Chipper and a High Pressure Washer. Both these are multi-purpose machines. A shredder/chipper can be used to chop kitchen refuse like vegetables or garden clippings into fine pieces which can then be added to the compost heap for mulch.

High-pressure washers can be used to clean driveways and other paved areas, as well as to clean vehicles and walls. Detergents can be added and some models have adjustable settings for the spraying pressure.

Other ingredients you need to fill your garden shed with and make your garden beautiful include good quality secateurs for pruning, a fertilizer spreader, and a pressure sprayer for insecticides and other fluid type applications. When purchasing any of these, please make sure that the parts can be replaced e.g. blade on secateurs, or nozzles on sprayer. Please ensure that these parts are available from where you purchased the item.

The final ingredient for this perfect recipe is a mixture of odd garden tools and accessories. No garden can do without a spade, fork, pick, general hand tools, hosepipe with hose reel and sprayers, and a wheelbarrow.

For advice on which products will suit your application the best, contact Lawnmower Clinic Pretoria. We offer free advice on all of the products necessary in your specific garden, information on safety precautions, as well as spare parts or repairs and service on these appliances.

CHECKLIST
* Lawnmower
* Trimmer
* Garden Vacuum/blower
* Wheelbarrow
* Hose pipe
* Hose attachments
* Hand sprayer
* Sprinkler
* Spade
* Fork
* Rake
* Shear
* Secateurs/Pruner
* Lopper
* Pressure sprayer
* Fertilizer spreader
* Hose reel
* Gloves
* Hand pruning saw
* Hand tools

ADDITIONAL
* Hedge shear(electric or petrol)
* High pressure washer
* Garden shredder/chipper
* Chainsaw
* Border spade and fork.
* Axe
* Aerator

April 06, 2011

Consumer Education

Fuel-related failures are possibly the number one reason for customer dissatisfaction with a small engine product.

Read this interesting article on fuel related issues.

http://www.stihlusa.com/information/pdfs/fuel_concerns.pdf

July 10, 2008

Create your own oasis

Our homes are our biggest investments and our gardens should be a reflection of that. Your garden should be a peaceful oasis where you can relax, enjoy time with your family and entertain guests.

Maximize your enjoyment of your outdoor space this spring and summer by creating an outdoor area that the entire family will love. Why wait until you can squeeze a vacation into your schedule to escape to Mauritius or Bali? If you can just walk outdoors and dive into your pool or climb into a hammock and fall asleep listening to the rustle of palm fronds, you're there. Mentally, anyway.

The process of maintaining and beautifying your garden must be part of the enjoyment, and the correct choice of gardening equipment can save you hassles, time and money.

What size mower?

The type of lawnmower you use depends on the size of your lawn. You will also have to decide between an electric or petrol driven, rotary or cylinder, and a push, self-propelled, or hover type machine. Many people walk into a store and buy the first machine that catches the eye. The wrong choice of machines could lead to premature failure or endless problems if not designed for the task of your particular lawn area. Keep in mind that the wider a machine cuts, the quicker you will finish the job at hand, saving time, and usage of the machine.

For plots or larger gardens the perfect solution will be to use a ride-on mower, three wheeler mower, push type or self propelled machine, tractor drawn slasher, or an ATV mower. Different sizes engines and cutting widths are available and it is best to arrange for a demonstration on your property before you decide on a machine.

A trimmer will be necessary for those edges around the flowerbeds, against walls and next to the paved areas. You will have a choice between electric, with either bottom or top mount motor, or petrol. Remember always to use eye protection when trimming.

Brushcutters are also an option when the terrain is uneven. A brushcutter has a straight shaft and differs from an edge trimmer in that it has a solid blade, rather than a nylon line. However, many brushcutters are available with both kinds of cutting head, for different kinds of application.

What to consider when making the purchase?

“You pay for what you get”. The more expensive a lawnmower or trimmer, the better it is. But the most important factor is to select the correct product for your specific application. Here a specialist dealer can assist you with your decision. The wrong product may cost you more in the long run, due to quicker replacement, and more maintenance and repairs.

Imagine using a small motor car on a 4x4 trail, or a racing bicycle in a mountain bike race.
A ride-on mower is of no use in a garden where you can’t even turn with it.

It is also important to purchase a brand of lawnmower that is well supported with after sales service, and comply with SABS regulations. Electric driven lawnmowers must be fitted with a single blade and a brake on the motor as per SABS regulations. The selection of electric cable is also important. Length and thickness must be suitable for the size of the motor. Your warranty coverage is influenced by incorrect cable usage.

Important considerations when selecting a new edge trimmer or brushcutter:
-What do you want to do with the product
-If purchasing a trimmer, decide between electric or petrol driven
-Is it a well known brand with adequate back-up and spare parts availability?
-Select the type of cutting tool for your brushcutter
-Always “test drive” the product – ergonomics is important. Consider the length, weight distribution, and ease of use

What about after sale service?

Lawnmower Specialist dealers sell new products at excellent value for money, as well as replacement parts on most recognized brands of mowers and trimmers.

They all have workshops on their premises, and offer warranty repairs where appointed as agents, general repair work as well as servicing. Specialist dealers all service what they sell! You will find the best advice on the correct machinery for your specific application from these specialists. Most mass merchants offer lower end products with no after sales service.

Taking care of your products

Lawnmowers, trimmers and other outdoor power equipment need to be serviced regularly, at least once a year for longevity. Regular maintenance at home in between these services will also avoid premature or unexpected breakage. Unlike other household appliances, they work under severe conditions. Unevenly worn blades cause vibration. Grass clippings penetrate areas and block ventilation. Dust could penetrate engines, especially when air filters are dirty.

Unfortunately most people do not maintain their products, and only take it for a “service” to a lawnmower specialist dealer when it does not want to operate anymore! In case of a motor vehicle, you don’t wait to take it for a service when it does not want to start anymore.

- Service your machine regularly.
- Always use genuine replacement parts
- Always mix the fuel according to manufacturers specifications when using two-stroke mixtures.
- Use your machine with the deflector or nylon head guard on trimmers/brushcutters
- The head guard has the dual purpose of protecting the operator, those around you as well as windows and cars, and also keeps the nylon line at the correct length, as longer line will damage the unit through excessive stress on the head, gearbox, shaft and engine.

Living expenses are constantly on the rise, and the option of adding value to your home is best. Create an oasis where you can relax and have fun.

Submitted to SA Gardening (September 2008 LMA Supplement)