Mowing ..

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

Wasn't working today so I decided to give my lawn care gear a birthday.

Only have a lowly Masport 270 2 in 1 Mower from Bunnings, had it for about 18 months, came with a five year warranty and runs like a Swiss Watch.

Cleaned everything, removed wheels, adjusted wheel nylock nuts and lubricated axles, oil change, new plug, washed air filter in carb cleaner and fitted new blades.

Ryobi 25.4cc 2 Stroke Easy Start Straight Shaft Line Trimmer, removed spool, cleaned and lubricated everything and fitted new string of correct size.

Fitted new Edger Blade to the Edger attachment.

Fitted new Brush Cutter Blade to Brush Cutter attachment.

Everything is like new again.

Played with my new Ego LB7654E Blower, this thing is an animal compared to my five year old Ryobi 18 Volt blower.

Blew out my shed, garage, driveway and anything else I could think of, it's like a jet blaster, you really have to hang onto it in turbo mode and watch where you point it.

Unfortunately I did not take any photos for those that are more visually minded.

It can take a while to adjust to the 765, especially at max turbo speed! I use mine mainly for car drying with the stubby nozzle attachment.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

I was literally online this morning looking to buy a car drying nozzle for it.

Then gave ups as I was unsure which one would fit and did not want to order something that would not work.

Do all the Ego Blowers have the same size pipe/fitting?

Are you happy with yours?? Where can I get one?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

I was literally online this morning looking to buy a car drying nozzle for it.

Then gave ups as I was unsure which one would fit and did not want to order something that would not work.

Do all the Ego Blowers have the same size pipe/fitting?

Are you happy with yours?? Where can I get one?

Yes, all EGO blowers have the same outlet diameter, although there are some minor tolerance differences.

Up until recently, you had to buy 3D printed stubby nozzles from aftermarket companies. The one pictured above is from the Stubby Nozzle Co. They also sell a clip to hold the turbo button down. The downside to those is the lack of a quick release function, so it can be a nightmare to remove.

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/1529...9%3A1529235204
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/1217...p-for-ego-leaf

However, EGO themselves recognized that these things are being used by detailers and have recently released their own stubby nozzle. The key benefit here is the quick release tab and the more durable injection molded construction. It's also about the same price as the 3D printed versions and will fit all EGO blowers. I got mine from Trade Tools -

Product Number - AST2000

https://egopowerplus.com.au/handheld...hment-ast2000/
https://www.tradetools.com/ego-blowe...b7650e-ast2000

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Nice this helps me greatly, I was looking at the trade tools one this morning.

But I was hesitant as I thought it might not fit.

I will order it now.

[FASTXR]

Some of you may recall that a couple of months back I was enquiring about ride-on mowers for a reasonable (sub-$4K) price.

After far too many hours on mower retail websites and Gumtree/FB Marketplace, and compiling so many notes I could have written a uni thesis, I'm happy to announce that a purchase has been made!







Its a Husky 30-inch and although technically second hand, I cannot get over the pristine condition of it. Everything is completely unmarked, and the tyres even have the rubber nipples and blue ink still on them.



@danzvtil your post about the ignition affecting the hour meter must be what has happened to this one because the meter on mine is showing 110 hours! I would absolutely believe 10 hours but definitely not 110. Does anyone know whether this is something that might be able to be corrected either by me or a dealer?

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by FASTXR

Some of you may recall that a couple of months back I was enquiring about ride-on mowers for a reasonable (sub-$4K) price.

After far too many hours on mower retail websites and Gumtree/FB Marketplace, and compiling so many notes I could have written a uni thesis, I'm happy to announce that a purchase has been made!

image

image

image

Its a Husky 30-inch and although technically second hand, I cannot get over the pristine condition of it. Everything is completely unmarked, and the tyres even have the rubber nipples and blue ink still on them.

image

@danzvtil your post about the ignition affecting the hour meter must be what has happened to this one because the meter on mine is showing 110 hours! I would absolutely believe 10 hours but definitely not 110. Does anyone know whether this is something that might be able to be corrected either by me or a dealer?

Im sure if you disconnect the hour meter it won't spin, but then if what you say is correct you'll have to reconnect it after 100 hours to be 'honest'. Or just change the oil and put a brand new zeroed hour meter in it.....

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by FASTXR

Some of you may recall that a couple of months back I was enquiring about ride-on mowers for a reasonable (sub-$4K) price.

After far too many hours on mower retail websites and Gumtree/FB Marketplace, and compiling so many notes I could have written a uni thesis, I'm happy to announce that a purchase has been made!

image

image

image

Its a Husky 30-inch and although technically second hand, I cannot get over the pristine condition of it. Everything is completely unmarked, and the tyres even have the rubber nipples and blue ink still on them.

image

@danzvtil your post about the ignition affecting the hour meter must be what has happened to this one because the meter on mine is showing 110 hours! I would absolutely believe 10 hours but definitely not 110. Does anyone know whether this is something that might be able to be corrected either by me or a dealer?

They probably left the key on at least twice to get to those hours. If you plan on keeping it for years then the hours won’t matter.

[danzvtil]

Jesus, it’s been one of those weeks, going against my rule of only using my fuel cans, I poured what was supposed be 5lts of unleaded, into a customers old huski ride on. 2mins later she spluttered to a smoky halt. He had diesel in a red Jerry can.
3 weeks ago I fired a high maintenance customer for being a royal PIA at every visit. It’s political as she is friends with some of my bigger spenders. Today I get a text message out of the blue telling me how utterly unprofessional I am, and that she now has a new gardener who is “much better” than I was. I have no words, junior primary stuff from a grown woman, I may have dodged a bullet.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Jesus, it’s been one of those weeks, going against my rule of only using my fuel cans, I poured what was supposed be 5lts of unleaded, into a customers old huski ride on. 2mins later she spluttered to a smoky halt. He had diesel in a red Jerry can.
3 weeks ago I fired a high maintenance customer for being a royal PIA at every visit. It’s political as she is friends with some of my bigger spenders. Today I get a text message out of the blue telling me how utterly unprofessional I am, and that she now has a new gardener who is “much better” than I was. I have no words, junior primary stuff from a grown woman, I may have dodged a bullet.

Entitlement! "I'm paying you, so I can treat you however I see fit" type of mentality. Then, when they don't have the power anymore (as in your case saying NO), they then turn the situation around as if you did him/her wrong.

I've found it's usually better to politely decline when a current client wants to refer you to their friends and family. It never really works out and ends up being a messy hassle. I usually say that I'm fully booked an not taking on new clients at the moment, that I wouldn't want to disappoint you or me by rushing to fit your job in.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Entitlement! "I'm paying you, so I can treat you however I see fit" type of mentality. Then, when they don't have the power anymore (as in your case saying NO), they then turn the situation around as if you did him/her wrong.

I've found it's usually better to politely decline when a current client wants to refer you to their friends and family. It never really works out and ends up being a messy hassle. I usually say that I'm fully booked an not taking on new clients at the moment, that I wouldn't want to disappoint you or me by rushing to fit your job in.

The other factor is she isn’t quite as ballin as the rest of the friend group, but would expect rockstar treatment, wait for the invoice to be overdue then raise a query with it. Not big dollars either, it was rats and mice, but I need the mental bandwidth to serve the ones who are happy to pay.
As they say, only look forward, not backwards.

[Citroënbender]

Definitely dodged a bullet. Perhaps giving her a copy of Lady Chatterley’s Lover for Christmas wasn’t a good move after all. #projection

Hopefully her ongoing attempts to damage your working relationship with the good clients (and from what you’ve said, I fully expect this), won’t bear fruit.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Definitely dodged a bullet. Perhaps giving her a copy of Lady Chatterley’s Lover for Christmas wasn’t a good move after all. #projection

Hopefully her ongoing attempts to damage your working relationship with the good clients (and from what you’ve said, I fully expect this), won’t bear fruit.

I did attempt to get ahead of it by having a word with the group alpha, as a courtesy. She didn’t blame me knowing what the friend is like.

[DFB FGXR6]

About a month ago, I lost drive on the Mulchmaster. Thankfully, it failed at home and after finishing my mowing run for the day. What I thought would be a simple belt change turned out to be more involved. In fact, the belt itself still had a few threads intact, but one of the tensioner pullies had slipped off the bearing.............







From what I have since learned, once the bearings fail on these, they heat up the plastic pully and melt them free.

After a few minutes searching the PDF parts manual, which I have saved for all of my machines now, I found that Victa only sells the complete tensioner assembly and not the induvial pullies. In any case, these are not all that expensive, but they are special order and why it's taken me a month to get around to fixing this issue.

Victa: CH86896AW

https://bwmachinery.com.au/wp-conten...Parts-List.pdf

https://www.outdoorking.com.au/index...oducts_id=8845



Replacement of the belt and tensioner is a bit of a fiddle, but not hard. First, remove the blade carrier from the driveshaft to give access later on. Then, release the speed control cable by loosening the double nuts that hold it to the assembly, then unhook the cable from the pivoting tensioner arm. Next, remove the nyloc nut from the second pully, this bold also holds the assembly in place and passes through the chassis, you will need two 13mm ring spanners.



New unit ready for install following the above in reverse.



The Mulchmaster was the last machine I entrusted to the "care" a local repair shop. I had dropped it in for a belt replacement, a month and $220 later, the machine was handed back on a Saturday morning. On the first job, the thing was driving way too slowly, even in top gear. Thinking back, I am certain they didn't even do a test run before signing off on the job, because if they had, they would have known something wasn't right. By this time, it was 1pm on a Saturday and the shop closed. Annoyed, I removed the belt shroud to discover they had put the belt on incorrectly. The short period of running had also cut the belt.





I then spent a month arguing with the arrogant shop owner, who was insistent I bring the machine back, which wasn't going to happen. My argument being they charged me for a repair that I ended up having to do myself to get it running and earning money again, and that the belt was compromised. In the end, we agreed for them to simply cover the cost of a new belt and call it a day. After waiting for weeks to be issued a refund, I sent an email to Victa head office that a "certified dealer" was doing the brand a disservice. I got no response from either Victa or the dealer, but the money was in my account 24 hours later.

I say all of the above because I already had a belt in stock, and that I'm shocked that the compromised belt lasted 14 months. Even so, I ordered another belt to keep in stock.

Victa - CH85666A

https://www.outdoorking.com.au/index...oducts_id=8534



To fit the belt takes a bit of finagling. First, feed the belt from the top of the deck, pulling through to hook over the blade boss and then onto the engine pully. You then snake the belt around the pivot arm pully and up to the gear box pully. Get the belt started on the gearbox pully, then rotate till it walks into place.





Next, you need to reset the speed control. First, move the lever to the fastest position, pull back on the cable to tension the pivot arm, then adjust and tighten the double nuts to lock everything down. A quick test run, then another readjustment of the cable, the belt cover can be reinstalled.

I ended up giving the machine a test run on the neighbors lawn, and I'm pleased to report the Mulchmaster is now fixed and running well.

[Citroënbender]

How much difference does something like this make in a non-cropping application? As in, topical spraying to various sizes of tree/shrub.

https://specialistsales.com.au/shop/...ume-penetrant/

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

How much difference does something like this make in a non-cropping application? As in, topical spraying to various sizes of tree/shrub.

https://specialistsales.com.au/shop/...ume-penetrant/

For weed control or as a foliar feed? I can't see any reference to foliar feeding on that product.

[Citroënbender]

For weed control.

Ocna, Crepe Myrtle, African Boxthorn, a few unwanted (suckered from now removed) Sansanqua. Used in conjunction with something containing picloram and triclopyr.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

For weed control.

Ocna, Crepe Myrtle, African Boxthorn, a few unwanted (suckered from now removed) Sansanqua. Used in conjunction with something containing picloram and triclopyr.

Certainly worth the try. We (I) have started using Buffer 700 to improve the effectiveness of glyphosate in the nursery.

https://apparentag.com.au/product/apparent-buffer-700/

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

How much difference does something like this make in a non-cropping application? As in, topical spraying to various sizes of tree/shrub.

https://specialistsales.com.au/shop/...ume-penetrant/

A penetrant will definitely make a difference, I've had success with Pro-film and Pulse. Alot of the new school glyph's are known as bi-active the missing ingredient is the penetrant making them safer around waterways but less effective overall.

The most important thing like DFB said (I still need to take a pic of our product for you) is the use of a pH buffer. I've had the best results, kill rate, speed and kill of stubborn weeds than anything else.

[Interceptor]

Whats the reccomended solution for lawns with Bindi & goats head weed problems?I have an ongoing issue with goats head appearing in my front lawn & a garden bed, usually just pull them out when they appear, but its getting a bit repetitive.

Otherwise I resort to using Dicamba, wait for it to die & then use a blowtorch (tip: the Sheen X-300 flame gun is an awesome bit of kit!)

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Whats the reccomended solution for lawns with Bindi & goats head weed problems?I have an ongoing issue with goats head appearing in my front lawn & a garden bed, usually just pull them out when they appear, but its getting a bit repetitive.

Otherwise I resort to using Dicamba, wait for it to die & then use a blowtorch (tip: the Sheen X-300 flame gun is an awesome bit of kit!)

What species is your lawn again, I seem to remember it being Buffalo/Sir Walter?

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

What species is your lawn again, I seem to remember it being Buffalo/Sir Walter?

Honestly, I have no idea

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

Honestly, I have no idea

If it is Buffalo, then you need to use the appropriate chemical or risk causing damage. MCPA is what you should look for.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/yates-25...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.mitre10.com.au/searles-h...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Otherwise, as you mentioned earlier, DICAMBA is the go.

If you are unsure, post a pic up close of the lawn and one of us here can help ID it for you. (Ideally showing the leaf blade)

[Rallye Sport]

If in doubt MCPA at label rate for the species if grass.

We're using an interesting new one called Pylex on our Bent grass greens at the moment. It specifically targets broadleaf species and warm season grasses like Ky and Couch without so much as touching the cool season Bent. Results have been remarkable, we didn't realize just how much the other species had invaded our greens until they started dying off. In fact they look pretty average at the moment but the bent is pushing through the gaps and they should be pure in a couple of months.
Not cheap at around $1000 and application, 1ha/2 for which we need two apps.

https://nuturf.com.au/products/plant...ylex-herbicide

[DFB FGXR6]

Why do I find the term "garden scratcher" so funny?

[janddbone]

MCPA is correct. Also Metsulfuron methyl can be considered at the early non seeding stage. Or both of course as needed.

[FTE217]

Done the lawns again over the easter break - hopefully with autumn slowly turning up will decrease the fortnightly cuts.
Sure has been a busy summer the growth has been quicker than I can recall - anyone notice that ?

[Citroënbender]

Yes, my idea is that it’s a carry-over from the 2022 Big Wet. Everything green got its roots and limbs boosted by the huge amount of rain back then. So they’re well equipped to utilise what rain we did have.

Speaking of lawns, anyone else see the Texan (I think) lawnie who went after petty thieves with his whipper snipper? It was on YT about two days back.

[FTE217]

yer CB the 22 big wet sure was a soaking.
The humidity increase since also been a contributer.
I'm bottom of a small gully, I reckon water still keeps draining from way under the surface to this day, my place is suffering mould/dampness the side that cops it all.
Wife decidied to renovate our main bedroom last Nov, having re located the main cupboards I could check under the floorboards, damn moist as and you can see a small trail that definately is coming from behind house.
Big job to correct this damn it !

[danzvtil]

Was at the mower shop today, saw a new display for commercial battery equipment.
Kress.com
Appears china made.
Battery system has an 8min recharge with a trailer/vehicle mounted cyber tank, itself recharged overnight. Costs $15k. Councils will be getting the chequebooks out methinks.
Looks like a root and branch rethink of how commercial operators can work with battery power.
I will watch with interest.

[cs123]

I happened across this youtube channel. A Canadian couple who repair small engines. Pretty interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIUaZKtTiP0