Mowing .. - Page 31

**DFB FGXR6** · 23-03-2021, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

So, an equipment update the Huski 322L has finally had some use it took me 3 weeks before it came out on jobs, i had to get used the walking backwards to do the vertical cut, but the little bugger has some grunt! I used it on an overgrown 1 acre hills property, it doesnt even slow down in the heavy stuff.
The same property has a 10yo HRU216 with the GXV engine on it, but it wouldnt rev, so i took it home, changed the filthy oil and sparkplug, and found the governer lever was so gummed up with crud it wouldnt increase revs under load. All fixed now and its nice to use a self propelled on such a big place.

Glad you are getting some use out of the Husky. Having recommended it, I was feeling a bit bad with your previous reports on it.

It took me a while to get comfortable with a straight shaft trimmer. I now would not go back to a bent shaft.

Citroënbender · 23-03-2021, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

…It took me a while to get comfortable with a straight shaft trimmer. I now would not go back to a bent shaft.

Nor I; that said if you do a lot of vertical edging (eg, straight edges of concrete driveways and paths) I find it tiring on the middle back. There’s about 200m of straight concrete and rendered edging between my place and the abandoned site next door.

danzvtil · 23-03-2021, 10:54 PM

My baller customer just approved the purchase of a Husqvarna TC138T rear catch ride on for the property today! It will come with a pull behind trailer to use when maintaining the gardens. This is a toy im excited about!

**DFB FGXR6** · 24-03-2021, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

My baller customer just approved the purchase of a Husqvarna TC138T rear catch ride on for the property today! It will come with a pull behind trailer to use when maintaining the gardens. This is a toy im excited about!

Score!!

John 13 · 03-04-2021, 09:28 PM

Husqvarna OR Stihl.?
Looking to acquire a better (not difficult when current one is a Ryobi) domestic quality whipper snipper. Preferably straight shaft with a full crank. Have looked at similarly priced ones from both labels. Not likely to splash out on the 4 stroke Honda, but think that would be the RR.

**DFB FGXR6** · 03-04-2021, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 13

Husqvarna OR Stihl.?
Looking to acquire a better (not difficult when current one is a Ryobi) domestic quality whipper snipper. Preferably straight shaft with a full crank. Have looked at similarly priced ones from both labels. Not likely to splash out on the 4 stroke Honda, but think that would be the RR.

Husqvarna 322L would be my recommendation.

https://www.husqvarna.com/au/product...22l/967175201/

More powerful and lighter than the Stihl FS 55 RC-E.

I have a Husqvarna 522L (same power unit as the 322L) and it has been faultless.

MITCHAY · 04-04-2021, 07:06 PM

Well after a lot of effort I have officially finished my mower edge by cutting, laying, and cementing the end pieces yesterday. Put down the new mulch and the new solar lights which look amazing. They do both white and rainbow too.

Huge reduction in both weeds and runners now they can only go over or under a lot of concrete. Works really good with the mower.

Not as straight or level as I would like but all in it would be about $650-700 for about 20m of edging. All my own labour using only hand tools and my first crack at it.

danzvtil · 04-04-2021, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Husqvarna 322L would be my recommendation.

https://www.husqvarna.com/au/product...22l/967175201/

More powerful and lighter than the Stihl FS 55 RC-E.

I have a Husqvarna 522L (same power unit as the 322L) and it has been faultless.

image

^^^^^^^^ what he said!

**DFB FGXR6** · 14-04-2021, 07:21 PM

Got an email from Stihl today about their new chainsaws.

I have no use for a MS 881 Magnum, but I mean who wouldn't want one of these 121cc beasts in the shed just in case.

https://www.stihl.com.au/STIHL-Produ...tm_source=STNL

Citroënbender · 14-04-2021, 07:42 PM

That’s massive! Who wouldn’t have “bar envy” after seeing that?

I had an old-school (non safety) Pro Mac from back when men were men and it was “only” 62cc!

**Rallye Sport** · 14-04-2021, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Got an email from Stihl today about their new chainsaws.

I have no use for a MS 881 Magnum, but I mean who wouldn't want one of these 121cc beasts in the shed just in case.

https://www.stihl.com.au/STIHL-Produ...tm_source=STNL

image

They're a pleasure to use, they sound angry, throw 6ft rooster tails of chips and scare apprentices' and bystanders.

On the other end of the scale these little one handers aren't to be under underestimated. Fantastic power and balance, they're like an extension of your hand.
I need to write up a case to replace our clumsy farm boss with one at change over time.

https://www.stihl.com.au/STIHL-Produ...-201-TC-M.aspx

Citroënbender · 14-04-2021, 08:08 PM

Is that the one most arborists use? Grunty as!

**Rallye Sport** · 14-04-2021, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Is that the one most arborists use? Grunty as!

Yeah, we used to use them doing power line clearance.
Alot of the little hydraladder pickers also have hydraulic saws built in but these would out perform them all day long. You can cut with one hand and push/throw branches the other.

**FTE217** · 15-04-2021, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Got an email from Stihl today about their new chainsaws.

I have no use for a MS 881 Magnum, but I mean who wouldn't want one of these 121cc beasts in the shed just in case.

https://www.stihl.com.au/STIHL-Produ...tm_source=STNL

image

They are the ducks guts of chainsaw brands for me.
Used to have one similar long ago with extended bar for I used to work with loppers in my 20's.
My only gripe was sharpening - those little electric/or battery grinder ones just didn't cut it compared to the good ol round files.
I love using chainsaws, maybe its the sound/power and rooster tails as Rallye mentions

**DFB FGXR6** · 15-04-2021, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

I love using chainsaws, maybe its the sound/power and rooster tails as Rallye mentions

Me too, there something so satisfing about the sound of an angry chainsaw.

Strangely for some reason, I'm more than happy to use a chainsaw but an angle grinder scares me.

.:4:. · 16-04-2021, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Me too, there something so satisfing about the sound of an angry chainsaw.

Strangely for some reason, I'm more than happy to use a chainsaw but an angle grinder scares me.

Im the same, happy to use a chainsaw, but not a grinder. I think it has something to do with the amount of grinder related injuries ive seen on site due to both exploding disks and stupidity.

**FTE217** · 16-04-2021, 05:57 PM

Agree re grinders - they are harder to control with delicate jobs.
Porous tiles to cut, did this not long ago, typically the tiles my wife liked was these trendy looking cobble stone half bricks, cutting them was like butter, how many I wrote off despite taking it easy was mad, glad she over bought.
The kick back at start up is another.

MITCHAY · 16-04-2021, 06:16 PM

Yeah had to use a grinder to cut my cement lawn edge. I'm a computer guy so work a desk all day but happy enough to give it a try on the tools at times. It was just awkward to hold and it wasn't a trigger switch.

I think you can get a better hold on a chainsaw. Plus always fun ripping into ****

**DFB FGXR6** · 16-04-2021, 06:35 PM

Those concrete saws are the really scary ones.

Never used one, and never want to!

danzvtil · 16-04-2021, 06:53 PM

Used my huski chain saw today to take down a 4 mt overgrown ficus standard down to a crown. Trunk was 50cm across with each branch in the crown at least 30cm each. New chain, so it went through like nothing. Im pretty hard on my chains, and I no longer sharpen them as my mower shop has new ones for $30 instead of $60 like bunnings.

MITCHAY · 16-04-2021, 06:58 PM

Can only imagine using one of those bad boys.

When I first picked up the grinder I was thinking how the hell is this gonna go through concrete because it was not sharp at all and was a smooth blade but to my surprise it ripped through it. After that I was thinking **** I hope this disc doesn't break

Definite lessons learned though. Next time I will use goggles because sunnies only did so much and not in the garage where it covers everything in dust

roKWiz · 17-04-2021, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Those concrete saws are the really scary ones.

image

Never used one, and never want to!

Certainly no fan, but sometimes I've used these to start a long cut in hard granite allowing me to split the rest of the stone using hand tools (gads, plugs and feathers)

one in the background ready to be split.

Its the best way to achieve long length way cuts for large fireplace hearths or steps, something that's not readily avaiable outside sandstone country.
Thing to remember with these is, water is your friend.

Worst bit is disguising the power tool cut marks by dimpling the surface afterwards.

OLDBLOKE · 17-04-2021, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Certainly no fan, but sometimes I've used these to start a long cut in hard granite allowing me to split the rest of the stone using hand tools (gads, plugs and feathers)

one in the background ready to be split.

Its the best way to achieve long length way cuts for large fireplace hearths or steps, something that's not readily avaiable outside sandstone country.
Thing to remember with these is, water is your friend.

Worst bit is disguising the power tool cut marks by dimpling the surface afterwards.

image

image

nice work mate, it's bloody heavy work.

Citroënbender · 17-04-2021, 07:37 PM

Husky demo saw, I reckon consistently the hardest power tool to get started. They’re docile once you gain confidence in handling/directing. Ego is earned when you can freehand a wall cut up a marker pen line and it’s dead square after.

danzvtil · 27-04-2021, 09:27 PM

So tool update....
Ive had a month of using the TC138T
(here https://www.husqvarna.com/au/product...38t/960510198/ )
Its a nice piece of equipment, the pick up is excellent with a lot of leaf litter and berries ending up in the catcher, which is great as the property owner is pretty particular about the lawn staying tidy.
To empty the catcher, i just back up onto a tarp and empty one handed from the driver seat. All controls are simple, and the engine servicing looks easy with a well located drain valve. I also got the tow behind trailer which is much better at carting all your tools to the work site.
So im now using 3 pieces of husqvarna equipment, and like the old honda accord ad, they just work.
In other equipment news, im thinking of upgrading my stihl battery powered hedge trimmers to the top battery range (AR i think) so i can get the better commercial blades. I also need a new pole chainsaw to replace the old ozito unit im using, and cant get one compatible with my current stihl battery system.
Business is excellent, Im not actively looking for more work, as just servicing my existing customer base will keep me going, its taken 2 months ;)

Tonz · 27-04-2021, 09:37 PM

Think I said it before...just dont go ticking off the franchise boys, I learnt the hard way at SA composters 20 years ago.
I still know who they are but 2 alibies against me police were not interested.
Still glad I hurt their business though

**DFB FGXR6** · 27-04-2021, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Business is excellent, Im not actively looking for more work, as just servicing my existing customer base will keep me going, its taken 2 months ;)

Well done! That is the ultimate goal I guess, not having to chase jobs and being able to choose who you work for. Early on, I said yes to everything and everyone, all that did was burn me out.

danzvtil · 27-04-2021, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonz

Think I said it before...just dont go ticking off the franchise boys, I learnt the hard way at SA composters 20 years ago.
I still know who they are but 2 alibies against me police were not interested.
Still glad I hurt their business though

Im no threat to Jims/VIP, i have no interest in running from pillar to post mowing 150 lawns per week.
What i do have is just a handful of very well to do clients, and only deal with them or friends referred by them, I dont even have a business listing or website, or vehicle signage, just the way i like it

hayseed · 27-04-2021, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Im no threat to Jims/VIP, i have no interest in running from pillar to post mowing 150 lawns per week.
What i do have is just a handful of very well to do clients, and only deal with them or friends referred by them, I dont even have a business listing or website, or vehicle signage, just the way i like it

That's the Best way to Make a Successful Business. IMHO
Find a Niche the Big Guys can't(or wont) service, service the hell out of It, & Keep it to yourself..

**DFB FGXR6** · 28-04-2021, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Im no threat to Jims/VIP, i have no interest in running from pillar to post mowing 150 lawns per week.
What i do have is just a handful of very well to do clients, and only deal with them or friends referred by them, I dont even have a business listing or website, or vehicle signage, just the way i like it

That is exactly how I have built and ran my business. I have no interest in chasing every single job or having to deal with people who want me to cut their knee high lawn for $15.00. I have a select group of clients, most of which have been with me for nearly 20 years now.