Mowing ..

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

So.... Recently picked up a HusqvarnaLC18 mower as a trade in, its in very good condition, apart from it "just wont ******* start", not even with a squirt of ether....

Air filter is OK.... oh joy.... a "torch" spark plug.... replaced it with an NGK, and whaddya know, it starts!

What engine, the Krohler, Briggs or the "Husqvarna" engine?

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

What engine, the Krohler, Briggs or the "Husqvarna" engine?

Briggs, I've got a BKR5E11 in there now

[Citroënbender]

Is $250 for a Big Bob (slight bitzer) a fair price? Might have found my bargain utility mower…

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Is $250 for a Big Bob (slight bitzer) a fair price? Might have found my bargain utility mower…

Which engine? If it's the Honda GXV 160, I would say maybe. Otherwise, $150 to $200 max.

[Citroënbender]

It’s not that motor; typical rubbish Dumbtree photos - doesn’t look like a Loncin or Krohler though.

Gumtree listing 13201 39945 (gap in digits only to stop devices tagging it as a phone number)

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

It’s not that motor; typical rubbish Dumbtree photos - doesn’t look like a Loncin or Krohler though.

Gumtree listing 13201 39945 (gap in digits only to stop devices tagging it as a phone number)

I see what you mean by bitsa. It has a similar looking valve cover to the Chonda/Krohler Honda knockoff type engines.

I wouldn't pay more than $200 to be honest. It looks to be the older Big Bob design without the handle-to-chassis braces that have been used for the last 20+ years of production. If you can get it at a good price, run it till it turns into an oil burner and then put a new engine on it.

[DFB FGXR6]

The Rover is back on duty for the summer. It's old and needed some help to start after sitting for a few months, but I need its full chute to deal with two weeks of Kikuyu growth. I wish I could buy another one of these ProCut's, maybe I'll have to keep an eye out for second hand one.



Something I have noticed with the Krohler and Honda engines, they seem more sensitive to stale fuel than a Briggs that sits for the same time. No idea why, but both of those engines end up needing a little assistance down the carby throat to get things moving.

[Rallye Sport]

If things are going to go wrong you can guarantee it'll be over the Christmas break. This year was no disappointment

On Christmas eve we had a mainline break that wasn't detected until Boxing day. The pumps were tripped on low pressure so luckily enough we didn't loose too much water or were left with a massive crater. I went in boxing day morning to do the fix and restore the watering program.

Worse still was the next day. We've got alot of Corella's in the area that have been displaced by the sudden and large growth and construction in the area. They've taken refuge on the golf course and are causing quite alot of destruction. I actually don't hold a grudge against them they're just wild animals doing what wild animals do.
This is typical of the damage they do to our greens although we've never seen it on this scale before.



Repair is a tedious and time consuming job, I replaced about 200 plugs over the day. This is the process.

Plugs are taken from the nursery and transferred to the damaged areas.





Next is the tedious bit, getting them level so they don't interfere with play. They're tickled up or down with the scissors then rolled flat with varying sizes of pvc pipe depending on how big the damaged area is. This process may have to be repeated a couple of times to get it right.



And the repaired area. The grain or 'knap' of the turf will never match straight away but should change and heal for a seamless repair in a couple of weeks.



The human response to this problem is to "shoot the bloody things" I'm not onboard with that, you can imagine the local outcry if we did that and I don't see why we should cull for the convenience of some rich old folk playing a social game. This is reinforced by the fact that the whole time I'm doing these repairs I'm dodging golf balls hit by people that value their game over everything else.

A few things have been tried. We brought in a trained eagle to scare them. Combined with flying kites in the effigy of an eagle in the days afterwards this approached worked for a couple of weeks before they cottoned on.

With all of the damage occurring in the half an hour before sunset we've been manually patrolling the course to move them on. This method works but takes 3 staff daily, we start before sunrise so the idea of coming back in for an hour of unpaid overtime at sunset hasn't been well received from the staff

We've put it to the members that the ones that live local, theres alot of them too, could volunteer to do some shifts but so far all we've heard has been crickets...

[janddbone]

We just use a scatter gun out here at the footy oval.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by janddbone

We just use a scatter gun out here at the footy oval.

Alot of the markets gardeners around here use air guns or 'boofers' that work a treat.
A few years back, before my time, a complaint was made that the greenkeepers were out shooting roo's on the property.
The TRG was sent to investigate
Turns out it was a chippy with a nail gun on a nearby construction site.
We've decided against the idea of anything that could be confused for a firearm.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Something I have noticed with the Krohler and Honda engines, they seem more sensitive to stale fuel than a Briggs that sits for the same time.

Its interestng you've had problems with Honda's and stale fuel, its been my experience (and why I love them) that a Honda (and even a lot of the chinese knockoffs) will start on anything that once resembled petrol....

Including a 5.5hp Chonda powered pressure washer that started and ran on 4 year old petrol...... go figure!

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Its interestng you've had problems with Honda's and stale fuel, its been my experience (and why I love them) that a Honda (and even a lot of the chinese knockoffs) will start on anything that once resembled petrol....

Including a 5.5hp Chonda powered pressure washer that started and ran on 4 year old petrol...... go figure!

Interesting. I only use 91-ron fuel, not E10 either. I was told they run hotter with 95 or 98-ron so never bothered with the good stuff.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

If things are going to go wrong you can guarantee it'll be over the Christmas break. This year was no disappointment

On Christmas eve we had a mainline break that wasn't detected until Boxing day. The pumps were tripped on low pressure so luckily enough we didn't loose too much water or were left with a massive crater. I went in boxing day morning to do the fix and restore the watering program.

Worse still was the next day. We've got alot of Corella's in the area that have been displaced by the sudden and large growth and construction in the area. They've taken refuge on the golf course and are causing quite alot of destruction. I actually don't hold a grudge against them they're just wild animals doing what wild animals do.
This is typical of the damage they do to our greens although we've never seen it on this scale before.

image

Repair is a tedious and time consuming job, I replaced about 200 plugs over the day. This is the process.

Plugs are taken from the nursery and transferred to the damaged areas.

image

image

Next is the tedious bit, getting them level so they don't interfere with play. They're tickled up or down with the scissors then rolled flat with varying sizes of pvc pipe depending on how big the damaged area is. This process may have to be repeated a couple of times to get it right.

image

And the repaired area. The grain or 'knap' of the turf will never match straight away but should change and heal for a seamless repair in a couple of weeks.

image

The human response to this problem is to "shoot the bloody things" I'm not onboard with that, you can imagine the local outcry if we did that and I don't see why we should cull for the convenience of some rich old folk playing a social game. This is reinforced by the fact that the whole time I'm doing these repairs I'm dodging golf balls hit by people that value their game over everything else.

A few things have been tried. We brought in a trained eagle to scare them. Combined with flying kites in the effigy of an eagle in the days afterwards this approached worked for a couple of weeks before they cottoned on.

With all of the damage occurring in the half an hour before sunset we've been manually patrolling the course to move them on. This method works but takes 3 staff daily, we start before sunrise so the idea of coming back in for an hour of unpaid overtime at sunset hasn't been well received from the staff

We've put it to the members that the ones that live local, theres alot of them too, could volunteer to do some shifts but so far all we've heard has been crickets...

The most expensive building in our town is the 5 story courthouse that I maintain the office plants for. My comment about that is its probably a reflection of the sort of riff raff in town that means we need such a large law facility.

Anyway, the building was being destroyed by Corella's. Over the last two years, they have been using a rotating mirror/flasher on the roof, which has actually solved the issue. Although you would probably need a lot of them on a golf course.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bird+...client=gws-wiz

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The most expensive building in our town is the 5 story courthouse that I maintain the office plants for. My comment about that is its probably a reflection of the sort of riff raff in town that means we need such a large law facility.

Anyway, the building was being destroyed by Corella's. Over the last two years, they have been using a rotating mirror/flasher on the roof, which has actually solved the issue. Although you would probably need a lot of them on a golf course.

Cheers for that. It only the greens we need to protect, 21 in total so that could be viable, they can go for their lives on the fairways.

I'm wondering whether that could be put on a pole that fits in the cups/ holes and left out over night after play. I'll pass the idea on

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Cheers for that. It only the greens we need to protect, 21 in total so that could be viable, they can go for their lives on the fairways.

I'm wondering whether that could be put on a pole that fits in the cups/ holes and left out over night after play. I'll pass the idea on

That's what I was thinking too.

The one I'm referencing seems to be powered, as in its constantly spinning to catch the light and reflect is from different angles. Seems to be working.

As for firing a gun or air cannon, apparently they become used to the noise, so it only works for a short period before they ignore it and carry on as normal.

[FTE217]

Rallye the course I frequent has suffered similar for years but it seems they have been able to reduce them eating g away at the greens for sometime now.
I’ll ask them tomorrow what they have done for I’ve got an early round to focus on.

Re that rotating mirror - damn bush turkeys.
I have one of those huge damn nests behind my place obviously my backyard is right onto bush area.
I’ve read before a mirror could be useful to move them on - think that rotating one could be viable and worth a try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Rallye the course I frequent has suffered similar for years but it seems they have been able to reduce them eating g away at the greens for sometime now.
I’ll ask them tomorrow what they have done for I’ve got an early round to focus on.

Re that rotating mirror - damn bush turkeys.
I have one of those huge damn nests behind my place obviously my backyard is right onto bush area.
I’ve read before a mirror could be useful to move them on - think that rotating one could be viable and worth a try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Be careful. I'm not sure you are allowed to interfere with a BRUSH turkey's nest. So named after the "Brush" like tail feathers not where he lives.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Rallye the course I frequent has suffered similar for years but it seems they have been able to reduce them eating g away at the greens for sometime now.
I’ll ask them tomorrow what they have done for I’ve got an early round to focus on.

Re that rotating mirror - damn bush turkeys.
I have one of those huge damn nests behind my place obviously my backyard is right onto bush area.
I’ve read before a mirror could be useful to move them on - think that rotating one could be viable and worth a try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Much appreciated.
The Mrs is a Chef at a course no more than 20kms away as the crow flies (or Corella) I've spoken with the guys there and they don't get them at all on their course. Go figure?

[DFB FGXR6]

Every Stihl blower compared.................



Not all of those are sold locally, for example the BG66L low noise and certain backpack models.

[danzvtil]

I used my HRU19 today for the first time in a year. Except it’s not mine, I loaned it to a family member of a client while his toro was getting repaired. He liked it so much he offered to buy it. We swapped, I got a $1500 LG dishwasher that connects to the internet.
He is on holidays so pulled it out to run over his kik lawn, totally forgot how light it is (or how heavy the bushranger is ;) )
In other news I’ve now got a second customer just purchase a TC138T huski ride on to replace their ancient cox ride on. Lawn will look mint with all the leaves and crap picked up weekly.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Every Stihl blower compared.................

Not all of those are sold locally, for example the BG66L low noise and certain backpack models.

Petrol blowers, God, how I hated those things when we were staying in Wangaratta tourist park, the council would be out there 6am every weekend blowing down the cycleway along the river right next to our site.

Considering they owned a smaller vacuum type street sweeper which at least gathered all the stuff on the first pass.

Since staying at several sits and using them myself (Stihl, Makita, Ryobi etc) for the convenience I've been considering buying one.
(I guess its like a try before you buy)
The place here is like a rainforest with lots of leaves and what does she leave us, a crappy Ozito cream puff.

Still undecided, between petrol / battery, battery would be good but I don't always have the extra solar available to recharge them as its taken up with 18V Milwaukee workshop tools and using the backup diesel genset seems defeating the purpose of buying battery garden tools. imo

[Poetic Justice]

I'm a bit anxious about mowing the lawn tomorrow.

Melbs weather has been so inconsistent that anytime I've had the time to mow, the weather hasn't accommodated.

It looks like tomorrow for my RDO I should be right to go, but gee it's long!



Picture probably doesn't do it great justice, but I'd estimate current length to be about 10cm or so

What is the best way to attack it.. still with a catcher on highest ride? Or go without catcher and clean it up next week?

[Citroënbender]

If it’s dry enough, I’d mow with catcher twice. Take about 2/3 off with the first pass.

[Poetic Justice]

Cheers.

It's hard 'cause even at times, it feels like with the mower at its highest setting its either struggling or doing damage

[Citroënbender]

I’m self taught, so others with professional training might have better ways. But I’d start by pushing the mower ahead slightly, pulling back, rinse and repeat until you’ve got one “strip” mowed clear.

Then mow no more than half a stripe each pass.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Poetic Justice

I'm a bit anxious about mowing the lawn tomorrow.

Melbs weather has been so inconsistent that anytime I've had the time to mow, the weather hasn't accommodated.

It looks like tomorrow for my RDO I should be right to go, but gee it's long!



Picture probably doesn't do it great justice, but I'd estimate current length to be about 10cm or so

What is the best way to attack it.. still with a catcher on highest ride? Or go without catcher and clean it up next week?

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’m self taught, so others with professional training might have better ways. But I’d start by pushing the mower ahead slightly, pulling back, rinse and repeat until you’ve got one “strip” mowed clear.

Then mow no more than half a stripe each pass.

How did you get on PJ?

As mentioned, you need to take it down in steps. It will still be hard on you and the machine, but it's the only way to knock down that sort of growth. You may also take to it with you line trimmer first, slashing down the worst of it to make it easier on the machine. I basically have to do that with some of my fortnightly clients who have a yard full of Kikuyu.

If it were me, I'd be using a two-stroke mower on the highest setting, taking half width passes if necessary. Then lower down to the desired level and making another set of passes. If needed, I would have slashed down the really high spots, usually around the sprinklers.

Also, resist the temptation to completely butcher it. While it certainly makes the grass lower initially, the natural response from there is for the grass to grow like mad, flight or fight sort of thing. So, take it down to a manageable level, then next mow, take it down another notch.

[383hq]

Holy grass growing Batman - its up to the gutters and roof !

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Poetic Justice

I'm a bit anxious about mowing the lawn tomorrow.

Melbs weather has been so inconsistent that anytime I've had the time to mow, the weather hasn't accommodated.

It looks like tomorrow for my RDO I should be right to go, but gee it's long!

image

Picture probably doesn't do it great justice, but I'd estimate current length to be about 10cm or so

What is the best way to attack it.. still with a catcher on highest ride? Or go without catcher and clean it up next week?

That looks like every single one of my lawns at the moment, kik or buff. I had a Santa Ana couch today that needed 4 passes, and that’s going from 3 to 2 on the height adjuster. Some of these lawns I’ve taken to doing half width cuts and pushing by hand, low speed on the bushranger still bogs down.

[FASTXR]

Been tossing up getting a ride on mower for a while and would appreciate any insights as to decent brands/models.

My block is about 900m2 but I have a grass reserve out the back and a neighbour and I normally take turns to keep it as under control as possible to reduce any fire hazards and to deter snakes. He has a ride-on and I've been doing what I can with my push mower but I'm starting to get a bit jack of that.

Budget will probably be reasonably restrained, around the $1500-$2500 mark if at all possible (but could be tempted to go up to $3k for a good machine) and yes I realise this is well and truly in second-hand territory.

Here are some current examples in that price range on Gumtree:

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wodo...wer/1320794169

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/tugg...on-/1320827299

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sydn...wer/1320555801

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kill...wer/1320807350

Any particular brands/models to look out for (or avoid)?

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by FASTXR

Been tossing up getting a ride on mower for a while and would appreciate any insights as to decent brands/models.

My block is about 900m2 but I have a grass reserve out the back and a neighbour and I normally take turns to keep it as under control as possible to reduce any fire hazards and to deter snakes. He has a ride-on and I've been doing what I can with my push mower but I'm starting to get a bit jack of that.

Budget will probably be reasonably restrained, around the $1500-$2500 mark if at all possible (but could be tempted to go up to $3k for a good machine) and yes I realise this is well and truly in second-hand territory.

Here are some current examples in that price range on Gumtree:

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wodo...wer/1320794169

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/tugg...on-/1320827299

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sydn...wer/1320555801

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kill...wer/1320807350

Any particular brands/models to look out for (or avoid)?

I like John Deere. but I'm biased. Husky and Deere.