Mowing ..

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Better tell it to wear safety boots next time it mows for you lol

Was actually thinking that looking back at the photos before I posted.

Another week and an x-ray and he should be free of the bandages.

[DFB FGXR6]

Yep, autumn has definitely arrived now.

[DFB FGXR6]

Topped up the mulch on my front garden today.





Love the smell of a freshly mulched garden.

[DFB FGXR6]

A little gardening therapy in my own garden today, some colour for the front door.



Aside from mowing the lawns, I rarely do much work in my own garden. It's often the last thing I want to do in my spare time. Planting seedlings is one of my favorite tasks though, the future promise of beautiful colour makes it a rewarding job.

I have used Primula for some height at the back of the pot and Pansy Happy Faces at the front because happy faces are the order of the day at the moment. I also laced the potting mix with a generous handful of Osomocote to feed them right to the end of winter.

[roddy1960]

A bit of advice (again) please .. This time not for me . Fairly recently a work mate found his ride on to give up the ghost AND his line trimmer too . Consequently I've been helping him out with my Husqvarna ride on given he has such a large yard and one of my 4 strokes . last time also he tried out my battery powered trimmer .

This morning at work I asked him if he wanted a hand again as both of us have to take the rest of the week off using RDO's . He told me he was sourcing a new Victa self propelled that Bunnings didn't have in stock but will again in a few days . Main reason he's buying it is because it has electric start and his missus wants that feature so she can use it too .

He asked me what I thought of that . I couldn't tell him because I have total experience that you could fit on a postage stamp with both self propelled and electric start other than ride ons of course . Cost quoted was $879 I think.

Generally what do you chaps think of both these features these days especially using this technology ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-XSovBy5us&t=57s...

Does come with a 5 year warranty though and after all... It is a Victa ..


For Murray

[Ross 1]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

A bit of advice (again) please .. This time not for me . Fairly recently a work mate found his ride on to give up the ghost AND his line trimmer too . Consequently I've been helping him out with my Husqvarna ride on given he has such a large yard and one of my 4 strokes . last time also he tried out my battery powered trimmer .

This morning at work I asked him if he wanted a hand again as both of us have to take the rest of the week off using RDO's . He told me he was sourcing a new Victa self propelled that Bunnings didn't have in stock but will again in a few days . Main reason he's buying it is because it has electric start and his missus wants that feature so she can use it too .

He asked me what I thought of that . I couldn't tell him because I have total experience that you could fit on a postage stamp with both self propelled and electric start other than ride ons of course . Cost quoted was $879 I think.

Generally what do you chaps think of both these features these days especially using this technology ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-XSovBy5us&t=57s...

Does come with a 5 year warranty though and after all... It is a Victa ..


For Murray

I liked the Honda self propelled mowers, not electric start but always started first gentle pull every time. Unfortunately twice the price of the one you are asking about. When we had the maintenance side to the landscaping business we only used Honda mowers and never had one die on us, the decks we had to fix a bit but the engines just kept going. The cost is justifiable if it's used everyday for work but not really worth it for home.

[Tonz]

Not really mowing but hopefully in future.

Have been given a caretaker/manager roll of a camp site, budget is zip nothing and the ground is plain beach sand, what can I add to the soil(??) to give it some guts to hold moisture so kikuyu grass can be planted out.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

A bit of advice (again) please .. This time not for me . Fairly recently a work mate found his ride on to give up the ghost AND his line trimmer too . Consequently I've been helping him out with my Husqvarna ride on given he has such a large yard and one of my 4 strokes . last time also he tried out my battery powered trimmer .

This morning at work I asked him if he wanted a hand again as both of us have to take the rest of the week off using RDO's . He told me he was sourcing a new Victa self propelled that Bunnings didn't have in stock but will again in a few days . Main reason he's buying it is because it has electric start and his missus wants that feature so she can use it too .

He asked me what I thought of that . I couldn't tell him because I have total experience that you could fit on a postage stamp with both self propelled and electric start other than ride ons of course . Cost quoted was $879 I think.

Generally what do you chaps think of both these features these days especially using this technology ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-XSovBy5us&t=57s...

Does come with a 5 year warranty though and after all... It is a Victa ..


For Murray

Most likely this one.
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ.../ultimate.html

Or
https://www.victa.com/au/en_au/produ...-ultimate.html

Both are good machines, especially the one with the alloy base in the second link. I would prefer the second one, that alloy base is extremely sturdy.

I know it sounds corny, but these Victa's are more suited to Australian cutting conditions/expectations than the American style mowers, especially half chute Honda's and Toro's.

[roddy1960]

Thanks again ....In the past half hour I found this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7F7fJ7heo&t=166s..

Jonny Smith is one of the crew fro Fifth Gear car show and this is his review on three Toro self propelled and a Hayter (what a name ) .

Probably plenty 'like' a Hayter . He did . Cheers again .

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by Tonz

Not really mowing but hopefully in future.

Have been given a caretaker/manager roll of a camp site, budget is zip nothing and the ground is plain beach sand, what can I add to the soil(??) to give it some guts to hold moisture so kikuyu grass can be planted out.

Ky will pretty much grow in anything as long as you have a clean water source.
If you want to keep the moisture build up a thatch layer, it'll keep the water in and give it some nutrition as the bacteria breaks it down.
Bentonite clay will help retain moisture cheaply and stays in the soil profile so generally doesn't need topping up. You can buy it as kitty litter or in bulk bags from ag suppliers.

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Ky will pretty much grow in anything as long as you have a clean water source.
If you want to keep the moisture build up a thatch layer, it'll keep the water in and give it some nutrition as the bacteria breaks it down.
Bentonite clay will help retain moisture cheaply and stays in the soil profile so generally doesn't need topping up. You can buy it as kitty litter or in bulk bags from ag suppliers.

thanks Rallye, I thought there was something in a clay line but couldnt think what.

[DFB FGXR6]

I planted these Camellia "Hiryu" about 7 years ago and are looking at their best at the moment. This particular variety is a strong grower and makes an excellent screen or hedge.



And this rose called "Sally Holmes" caught my eye this afternoon at a clients house. This a tall grower and produces simple, open blooms.

[.:4:.]

This one is more about gardening i suppose. I knew my brothers backyard was overgrown to put it lightly. He asked for a hand to tackle a weed tree. I knew exactly what he was asking. He was asking for me to do the work. I knew it was being downplayed, but 3 weed trees, 7 to 8m high. Was not expecting that. I have a wood saw in the car as part of work tools. But lucky im not the most trusting person and took my junior chainsaw. Chainsaw did good, i cut them into sections and down, my brother can cut them up by hand.

[roddy1960]

Some people use brush cutters or line trimmers...
Some do it this way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pvRxOnYi7U..

[Fed]

Has anyone here used a hire machine for de-thatching buffalo?
Thoughts?
Is it needed, is it hard physically?

[Rallye Sport]

Careful using the machine on buffalo, it grows on top of the ground and if you go to far it'll remove your growing points.
If you do, set the height on a concrete surface so that the tines only just hit the ground and the wheels take the weight.
Aeration is the real long term solution, that will encourage the bacteria and microbes to break down the organic matter naturally and the plant will get a feed from the bi-products of the process.

[DFB FGXR6]

I have been using this Diamond Edge trimmer line for a few years now, by the best in my opinion. I like how this stuff seems to be more flexible, it doesn't seem to chip as it wears down like other harder lines.

[DFB FGXR6]

Spotted this Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) this afternoon.



It's vibrant assortment of yellow, orange and red really stood out. These small deciduous tress are somewhat slow growing but will adapt to most conditions. Probably one of the better autumn colour displays.

[roddy1960]

My work mate bought one of these on the weekend .

https://www.bunnings.com.au/victa-ul...start_p0080734




.Also bought one of these ...

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-on...r-kit_p3381293

Loves them both ..

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Spotted this Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) this afternoon.

image

It's vibrant assortment of yellow, orange and red really stood out. These small deciduous tress are somewhat slow growing but will adapt to most conditions. Probably one of the better autumn colour displays.

Didn't have to go into isolation or anything did it ? Being Chinese ..

[DFB FGXR6]

It's amazing how the plants know the difference between natural rain fall and a sprinkler.

Three plants in my garden are putting on a show at the moment.

Murraya paniculata is a tall bushy shrub that makes an excellent screen and is best known for it's sweetly scented flowers.



Salvia Heatwave Sizzle is a long flowering low shrub with exceptional heat and drought tolerance.



And Camellia Yuletide is one of the longer flowering Camellia's. It has a compact habit and is able to tolerate sunnier spots. One of my favorites.

[Tassie f100]

The plants need the nitrogen which is in rainwater,but not in stored water

[danzvtil]

One of my clients called today ready to resume his regular lawn and garden services, it’ll be nice to get the Honda out again.
Last week, I picked up a few hours for my childcare client cleaning the inside. She had to fire the cleaners as she couldn’t afford to pay them, and do it herself 3 nights a week, but last week was too tired to finish it. Well bugger me, I kind of enjoyed it, it’s hardly rocket science, and good dependable work, post covid, I might consider taking on the contract, it’s good money.

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

One of my clients called today ready to resume his regular lawn and garden services, it’ll be nice to get the Honda out again.
Last week, I picked up a few hours for my childcare client cleaning the inside. She had to fire the cleaners as she couldn’t afford to pay them, and do it herself 3 nights a week, but last week was too tired to finish it. Well bugger me, I kind of enjoyed it, it’s hardly rocket science, and good dependable work, post covid, I might consider taking on the contract, it’s good money.

Don't knock cleaning, "where there's muck there's money!".

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by Work Horse

Don't knock cleaning, "where there's muck there's money!".

Love that ......

Without muck , I'd have no money . At least 50% of my job is cleaning .

[danzvtil]

Honda Update: got to use it today on a long wet lawn. No good, wouldn’t even throw into the back of the catcher, it just kept clogging up no matter how slow you push it.It was ok on the damp short grass though.
Mental note, future long grass will be slashed by the victa.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Honda Update: got to use it today on a long wet lawn. No good, wouldn’t even throw into the back of the catcher, it just kept clogging up no matter how slow you push it.It was ok on the damp short grass though.
Mental note, future long grass will be slashed by the victa.

We have a very elderly Buffalo at work .I think they bought it second hand after Moses finished with it , it's that old . Our groundsman loves that mower . I've been there almost 25 years and I can't recall it not being there . Wheel hubs are a bit sloppy now , she smokes a little bit and you can smell the oil when you're getting into some long stuff but she still starts pretty quick every time .I've used her pretty often even though there are two much newer mowers . Had a quick look and found this .. I see they have three levels of mowers including full commercial . Nice stuff for sure but you might know if this is pretty up to date ..the vid integrated in the link feateres the fully commercial mower i think with the safety and damage control features and the three speed gearbox ...A bit more advanced than the old girl at work ..

https://www.hondashop.com.au/product...ercial_mowers/....

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Honda Update: got to use it today on a long wet lawn. No good, wouldn’t even throw into the back of the catcher, it just kept clogging up no matter how slow you push it.It was ok on the damp short grass though.
Mental note, future long grass will be slashed by the victa.

I have just replaced my old Honda Buffalo Classic HRU 196 with a new Honda Buffalo Pro blade brake HRU 196. The middle one in roddy's link.

I have always used Hondas the engines go forever. One of the failings IMHO is all the Hondas I have used will not catch wet grass. If I am cutting wet grass I end up with one green hand from constantly clearing the shoot. My latest Honda catches a little better.

The Mulching insert works well.

As everyone else says my latest Honda is very heavy. Occasionally I will have to lift my mower over a central heating unit in someones side way. I struggle to lift it and I am reasonably fit and 94 kg's.

[DFB FGXR6]

I used the little Stihl saw this afternoon to slash down some bamboo.



And the little man watched on to make sure I did a good job.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I used the little Stihl saw this afternoon to slash down some bamboo.

image

And the little man watched on to make sure I did a good job.

image

What sort of a supervisor is he ?...Looks pretty fair and not TOO demanding or is he ? Looks can be deceiving with bosses ..

Nice saw ...can't go wrong with Stihl ...Funny thing these days with chain saws and a few other tools ..bit like are you a Ford guy or a Holden guy ...

Similar ...Stihl or Husqvarna especially with saws...and even with Makita versus DeWalt although there's a few other worthy competitors with power tools these days ..