Mowing ..

[MITCHAY]

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.

[FTE217]

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]

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]

Those concrete saws are the really scary ones.



Never used one, and never want to!

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Those concrete saws are the really scary ones.

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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]

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.

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nice work mate, it's bloody heavy work.

[Citroënbender]

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]

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]

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

[danzvtil]

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 ;)

[DFB FGXR6]

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.

[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

[danzvtil]

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]

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]

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.

[roKWiz]

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

Similar to VIP and Jims. I can not believe I saw a "Game" lawn mowing ute and trailer the other day.
These guys are a crap roadworks Stop and Go traffic control company who are now trying to muscle their way into other guys businesses.
They have done so many stupid things I've seen personally while out driving, I would hate to see what they do to clients lawns.
Bl**dy wrong.

[GasoLane]

Big Trees in the backyard are nice.............................. Until Autumn. Fortunately my mower doubles as a Vacuum .... Could only get it half done and the bins full.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Big Trees in the backyard are nice.............................. Until Autumn. Fortunately my mower doubles as a Vacuum .... Could only get it half done and the bins full.


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Looking at the second pic, there is something very satisfying about doing that.

[galaxy xr8]

Is there where we post pic's of our garden , I have a little hobby in gardening.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

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Is there where we post pic's of our garden , I have a little hobby in gardening.

Neat looking garden and lawn.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

image


Is there where we post pic's of our garden , I have a little hobby in gardening.

Noice, pity it'd only half quarter of a back yard

[galaxy xr8]

[galaxy xr8]

Thanks guys, yeah it would be better if larger, but unfortunately it is what it is.

[danzvtil]

Ive been using slasher for a month now at my baller property, and im pleasantly surprised, even in cool shady spots, the weeds are brown a week later. What i dont love is the smell, it hangs around for ages.

I have another customer, who went against my advice and installed sir walter buffalo in a shady high traffic area, and now hes loosing it cos it looks like crap. Making things worse, is he wouldnt let me wind back the irrigation as the nights got cooler, the answer to crap grass must always be more water no matter the season. What would i know, im just a horticulturist.

[FTE217]

hehe and countless others all over.
Cheap nasty vewy vewy large weed !

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by FTE217

hehe and countless others all over.
Cheap nasty vewy vewy large weed !

Speak of the devil, guess who's just arrived out front with a crew, JCB and tipper, now that its blowing a gale.

[FTE217]

haha typical - and with 10 hands - 1 trying to work the others all foreman !

[Rallye Sport]

They plant deciduous trees as they are amongst the highest carbon syncing varieties. Pulling carbon from the atmosphere, turning it into leaves then dumping them once a year and starting again.

If they plant more suitable natives like Eucalyptus they're labelled as potential murderers because someones old uncle Bob used to call them dang things widow makers and warned the children never to stand under one.

It's a loose/ loose situation for the councils when it comes to trees, whatever side of the fence you sit on.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

They plant deciduous trees as they are amongst the highest carbon syncing varieties. Pulling carbon from the atmosphere, turning it into leaves then dumping them once a year and starting again.

If they plant more suitable natives like Eucalyptus they're labelled as potential murderers because someones old uncle Bob used to call them dang things widow makers and warned the children never to stand under one.

It's a loose/ loose situation for the councils when it comes to trees, whatever side of the fence you sit on.

Can not blame the council on decisions they made some 50 years ago.
I can not speak to much as I have several large river redgums (widowmakers) at home.

[danzvtil]

The joys of small business ��, was planting at a clients house and holed a swimming pool solar system pipe, came back the next day and tried to fix it, got it 90% done then threw the toys out of the cot and called a plumber who fixed it in 15mins. Cost me 6 hours and $90 in plumbing supplies plus whatever the plumber ends up costing, but you live and learn.��
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