Petrol vs Battery Garden Tools?

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#2058334 18-Jul-2018 13:41

Perhaps your neighbours trimming looks finer because they have had more practice, or because they have a hedge species that shapes nicer. Our Grisilinea hedge always looks nicer than our Photinia or Pittosporum hedges - and I cut all of them with the same tool.

I've slowly swapped garden power tools over to electric. Mower and water-blaster are our only petrol powered tools now.

No regrets so far - and I'm at the el-cheapo 18V end of the market (Black and Decker). I agree with others who have suggested brush-less motors.

I'll get an electric mower when our current one dies. It's been blowing blue for about two years, drinks oil but keeps on going.

Mike

Oriphix

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#2058351 18-Jul-2018 14:24

I must say I will defiantly going with battery powered garden tools next time the tools are up for change. Just the weight of patrol tools is to much and I have a big garden. I have a patrol hedge trimmer and chain saw man its heavy compared to the battery ones I tried out.

Ge0rge

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#2058434 18-Jul-2018 18:56

My fantastic wife brought me a chainsaw for my birthday. Petrol powered, weighs next to nothing, has a clip for hanging from a harness when climbing and is balanced enough that it can be used with one hand if needed.

I'm already mixing fuel for the weed eater, and big saw (for which there is no battery alternative) so it's not a big deal to have another petrol saw. Combine that with the fact that battery chainsaws still need bar oil so it's not like you have the full battery life to use in one hit, the quad and rideon both need petrol as well as the log splitter, and petrol becomes just as convenient at home, and much more convienent when away from home.

Personally I can't see me going away from petrol garden tools anytime soon.

dt

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#2058531 19-Jul-2018 00:17

Scott3:

Be careful about doing that. Noise-canceling headphones aren't as effective as passive noise blockers.

If noise levels are at a point where you need hearing protection (actually lower than what most people expect), then I would recommend doing it properly (class 5 earmuffs or earplugs). Note for extreme noise, such as working near some industrial blowers, earplugs aren't good enough.

Valid point and has given me some food for thought.. I more do it for the relaxation factor though.. turn on some tunes and zone out for a bit :)

steve2222

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#2058600 19-Jul-2018 09:02

MikeB4:

i hate line trimmers period. I prefer to use hot water to kill weeds.

OT - sorry.

@MikeB4:

How do you use hotwater for weed control?

Presume it has to be boiling, so how are you getting boiling water to the location of the weeds? Presumably you are not just running outside from the kitchen all the time with a boiling jug!

MikeAqua

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#2058610 19-Jul-2018 09:10

When I lived near Tauranga the council trialled using steam to kill weeds. Abandoned as too slow, therefore too costly.

Mike

kryptonjohn

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#2058611 19-Jul-2018 09:11

... and the batteries can be expensive. I have a B&D matrix 18V drill that came with two batteries. One won't charge - replacement is $90! The drill and two batteries was only $200 so they are sort of saying the skin (drill) is only worth $20!

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tdgeek

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#2058614 19-Jul-2018 09:11

steve2222:

MikeB4:

i hate line trimmers period. I prefer to use hot water to kill weeds.

OT - sorry.

@MikeB4:

How do you use hotwater for weed control?

Presume it has to be boiling, so how are you getting boiling water to the location of the weeds? Presumably you are not just running outside from the kitchen all the time with a boiling jug!

I use Roundup for weeds as it kills to the roots

Turfix for broadleaf weeds on lawns

White Vinegar for moss

kryptonjohn

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#2058629 19-Jul-2018 09:25

tdgeek:

steve2222:

MikeB4:

i hate line trimmers period. I prefer to use hot water to kill weeds.

OT - sorry.

@MikeB4:

How do you use hotwater for weed control?

Presume it has to be boiling, so how are you getting boiling water to the location of the weeds? Presumably you are not just running outside from the kitchen all the time with a boiling jug!

I use Roundup for weeds as it kills to the roots

Turfix for broadleaf weeds on lawns

White Vinegar for moss

I seem to have weeds that Roundup is not very effective against: Monstera deliciosa and Acanthis mollis. You can pull or dig out the former but the latter will grow back from any speck you missed, and will take over a large area in no time.

tdgeek

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#2058631 19-Jul-2018 09:32

kryptonjohn:

I seem to have weeds that Roundup is not very effective against: Monstera deliciosa and Acanthis mollis. You can pull or dig out the former but the latter will grow back from any speck you missed, and will take over a large area in no time.

Bugger! Is the former the houseplant? Im surprised thats tough as it looks very "gettable"!

I have a plant that's like a tough hedge, it spreads underground. I gave that a spray, and it took a while but it slowly yellowed and is gone.

Maybe add a surfactant? In case the leaf is like ducks feathers. I add a squirt of dish liquid to a 5L spray setup.

MikeB4

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#2058633 19-Jul-2018 09:32

steve2222:

MikeB4:

i hate line trimmers period. I prefer to use hot water to kill weeds.

OT - sorry.

@MikeB4:

How do you use hotwater for weed control?

Presume it has to be boiling, so how are you getting boiling water to the location of the weeds? Presumably you are not just running outside from the kitchen all the time with a boiling jug!

we use a modifies watering can, fill it with boiled water and carefully pour it on the weeds. They often die within 24 hours. It is way better then chemicals especially around vegetables. There is no over spray, no need to wear masks or gloves and it is very cheap.

kryptonjohn

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#2058647 19-Jul-2018 09:48

tdgeek:

kryptonjohn:

I seem to have weeds that Roundup is not very effective against: Monstera deliciosa and Acanthis mollis. You can pull or dig out the former but the latter will grow back from any speck you missed, and will take over a large area in no time.

Bugger! Is the former the houseplant? Im surprised thats tough as it looks very "gettable"!

I have a plant that's like a tough hedge, it spreads underground. I gave that a spray, and it took a while but it slowly yellowed and is gone.

Maybe add a surfactant? In case the leaf is like ducks feathers. I add a squirt of dish liquid to a 5L spray setup.

Yes Deliciosa is quite attractive and often see it in pots. It spreads thick roots shallow underground, but they're quite soft and can be ripped up by hand. So not physically tough but the roundup seems to burn the leaves but not kill it.

I'm on top of it now but still battling the acanthus. I think the surfactant is a good idea will try that next...

tdgeek

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#2058661 19-Jul-2018 09:54

MikeB4:

steve2222:

MikeB4:

i hate line trimmers period. I prefer to use hot water to kill weeds.

OT - sorry.

@MikeB4:

How do you use hotwater for weed control?

Presume it has to be boiling, so how are you getting boiling water to the location of the weeds? Presumably you are not just running outside from the kitchen all the time with a boiling jug!

we use a modifies watering can, fill it with boiled water and carefully pour it on the weeds. They often die within 24 hours. It is way better then chemicals especially around vegetables. There is no over spray, no need to wear masks or gloves and it is very cheap.

Interesting. Roundup does go inert in 2 weeks, it kills by ceasing photosynthesis, so the plant starves. Maybe boiling water does the same, by disabling the leaves?

kryptonjohn

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#2058675 19-Jul-2018 10:11

MikeB4:

steve2222:

MikeB4:

i hate line trimmers period. I prefer to use hot water to kill weeds.

OT - sorry.

@MikeB4:

How do you use hotwater for weed control?

Presume it has to be boiling, so how are you getting boiling water to the location of the weeds? Presumably you are not just running outside from the kitchen all the time with a boiling jug!

we use a modifies watering can, fill it with boiled water and carefully pour it on the weeds. They often die within 24 hours. It is way better then chemicals especially around vegetables. There is no over spray, no need to wear masks or gloves and it is very cheap.

I like this idea but have no means of filling a can with more than one jug of boiling water and it would lose a bit of heat by the time I got it to where the weeds are.

Plus I would probably trip over the cat on the way out the door and spill the whole lot down the front step.

MikeAqua

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#2058716 19-Jul-2018 11:08

kryptonjohn:

... and the batteries can be expensive. I have a B&D matrix 18V drill that came with two batteries. One won't charge - replacement is $90! The drill and two batteries was only $200 so they are sort of saying the skin (drill) is only worth $20!

Yet a bare tool is not much cheaper than one with a battery!

Mike

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