Can You Use Your Hedge Trimmers To Cut Wet Shrubbery?

Many homeowners often wonder whether they are able to cut through wet shrubbery or whether they will have to wait until it dries. The good news is that your hedge trimmer will not be able to tell the difference between wet growth and dry growth – it will cut through both with little difficulty. The bad news, however, is that there are a number of additional safety and maintenance issues that you must overcome before you can do so.

Ensure that the cutting teeth are sharp
You will need to make sure that the cutting teeth are sharp, as cutting wet shrubbery will reduce the traction of each tooth on the branches. If the teeth are dull, this traction will be even further reduced, which will make the growth more difficult to cut through. If there are bent or damaged teeth, they will need to be replaced.

Ensure that the teeth are lubricated
You will need to make sure that the cutting teeth are properly lubricated, as water can reduce the mobility of their motion. Whilst this effect is fairly minor, it can pose issues for the gears inside the cutting head if the teeth are also dull. The proper amount of lubrication will also prevent water from entering the sensitive parts of the trimmer.

If water is left on metal, it can oxidize and start a buildup of rust, which will ruin your hedge trimmer’s cutting teeth and other parts of the machine. To prevent rust from developing, you will need to dry all of the metal areas once you have finished cutting the shrubbery. This can be achieved by leaving the machine in the sun for a few hours; never put it away wet.

There are a number of safety precautions that homeowners should take when using a hedge trimmer to cut through wet shrubbery that will protect them from instances of injury. When your shrubbery is wet, it is also likely that the ground will be, too. This means that it is easy for you to lose your footing; as trimmers don’t have an emergency break, you could very easily fall onto the teeth. Make sure that you wear boots with good traction and never work alone.

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What Are Dual-Action Hedge Trimmers And What Are The Benefits Of Using Them?

When you walk into a supplier of outdoor power products, you will probably find that hedge cutters are classified according to the action of their blades. The operation of dual-action trimmers comprises two blades that run in opposite directions to each other. The homeowner will actually receive a number of benefits when choosing this machine over single-action ones, which consist of only one moving blade, including:

• Cutting efficiency: A dual-action trimmer will actually increase the efficiency of your blades because you have the power of two saws instead of one, making the machine much easier to use. The movement of the blades also helps to reduce the chances of jams and snags occurring during cutting.
• Multi-directional cutting: A dual-action hedge trimmer allows the homeowner to move the machine back and forth across the foliage without the need to turn it. A single-action machine much be moved in a certain direction to ensure that the foliage is pressed against the stationary bar.
• Reduced vibration: The way that dual-action blades move creates a counteractive effect that actually balances the vibration experienced by the trimmer. This means that your cuts will be more precise, even though some people believe that the increased weight of the machine will counteract this.

When it comes to choosing a hedge trimmer for use on your property, you will need to decide whether you prefer single- or dual-action machines in the process of making your choice. Whilst single-action trimmers are, more often than not, the more popular choice, there are plenty of benefits provided by the dual-action model that make it a hard machine to pass up.

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Can You Use Your Hedge Trimmers To Cut Grass?

Sometimes it may be necessary for you to remove a small section of overgrown grass, a task that would seem pointless to pull your lawnmowers out for. If you find the use of machetes, scythes or sickles to be dangerous or highly strenuous, you may be wondering whether you can use your hedge trimmers to get rid of the grass for you. In actual fact you can, and here’s how:

First, you will need to give the overgrown grass a thorough look over and remove any potentially harmful obstacles, like rocks and sticks. Then, put on the appropriate safety equipment (including safety glasses and long sleeved clothing). You may also like to put on knee guards, as you will be cutting the grass whilst kneeling.

Before cutting, you will need to ensure that you have firmly planted yourself on your knees in front of the grass you wish to cut, holding the hedge trimmers out in front of you. Turn the hedge trimmers on, being sure to grip the handles tightly, and slide it into the grass to one side of where you’re kneeling. Make sure that you keep the blade horizontal and parallel to the ground, bringing it through the growth in a steady motion.

Once you have cut all of the grass within your reach, turn the hedge trimmer off and set about removing the growth you have already cut. You can then reposition yourself (if you need to) to cut the next area of grass.

Keep in mind that hedge trimmers have been designed for cutting shrubs, bushes and hedges, so only an experienced gardener should attempt to use them for cutting anything else. Take your time and move at a slow pace, and you will be able to avoid unnecessary injury.

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How To Remove Rust From Your Hedge Trimmers

Many homeowners invest in hedge trimmers to keep their unruly plants and hedges in check – there is nothing more unattractive in a garden then a scraggly bush that could do with a good trim. Unfortunately, as the blades of these trimmers are made out of metal, they are known to rust when exposed to large amounts of moisture or water.

To remove the rust that has formed the blades of your hedge trimmer, you will need to begin by scrubbing off the surface corrosion. You can use a steel wool pad to do this – simply rub it along the blades in a back and forth motion that scrapes the rust off.

To remove the more ingrained rust, you will need to apply a lubricant (such as mineral oil) to the blades of your hedge trimmer, as this will soften the remaining corrosion. Wait 10 to 20 minutes, then scrub at the rust again with a steel wool pad. Once you’re finished, you will need to wipe the trimmer clean with a cloth.

If the rust has still not been entirely removed from your hedge cutters, you can make a paste by combining 2 parts table salt with 1 part lime or lemon juice. Use a paper towel to apply this paste to the rust stains on the trimmer, leaving it to sit for at least 2 hours before scrubbing once more with a steel wool pad. Use a damp cloth to remove the paste and dry the blades.

To prevent rust from re-forming on your hedge trimmer, you should ensure that the equipment is always properly stored indoors and that, if the metal blades come into contact with moisture (through rain or damp hedges, for example) that you dry them immediately.

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While Buying Second Hand Mowers

We all wish to save some money, especially if the product is available as second hand. Buying second hand mower is one such good option that can save you a lot of money. But, that can be harrowing task if you fail to find right mower. Not only this will waste your time and money, but also become a useless burden for the rest of your life. Hence, it is important that you go through certain things about second hand mowers to ensure that you are settling a good deal and getting a good quality mower. 

• Research well: Research well on the entire features being provided on current lawn mowers. This might include, steering, turning radius, bagging, fuel capacity, etc. 

• Check modes: In second hand mowers, switching modes can be quite a task. Hence, don’t forget to check how hard it is to move between the modes.

• Go for complete package: Try to get complete package. Even if you are buying used mower, you are suppose to get entire attachments. So, know about the attachments that come with chief brands of mowers. Keep in mind that if any of the attachment is missing the price will be lower. 

• Make a list of query: You must know some basic things about the product like, the age, maintenance cost, the fuel capacity, delivering and the shipping costs. 

• Ask for guarantee or warranty: No matter if you are buying used product, guarantee and warrantee is still required. You must push for this, if they do not give you any guarantee, take it on rent for 30 days trail period. If in this period it runs well you can buy it and if not you can return it.

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Benefits of Electric Hedge Trimmers

If you are looking for a hedge trimmer to keep your unruly garden hedges in check, you may be struggling to decide between the electric, petrol or gas, and manual models on the market. Whilst all three types are suitable for shearing garden plants, there are many benefits associated with the electric trimmer.

 Firstly, it is available in two types – the corded and the cordless, or battery operated, electric hedge trimmer. Each type has its own advantages and benefits, allowing you to choose the best possible electric model for your needs. The corded electric trimmer is a great option, as it won’t run out of power halfway through your hedge cutting (unless you experience a power outage), so you never have to worry about how much power the trimmer has left. The cordless, or battery powered, electric trimmer is great for larger yards and hedges as you will never have to worry about reaching a power outlet.

Both the corded and cordless electric hedge trimmer models are designed to be lightweight, powerful, reliable and reasonably portable. They are great for shearing high hedges as you can easily lift them to the required height. Electric trimmers will not cost you an arm and a leg, nor do they require a lost of time for cleaning and maintenance.

 As the electric models run on and electricity and not fuel, they do not emit any greenhouse gases, making them the perfect choice for the prudent hedge trimmer who also wishes to reduce their carbon footprint.

With all these benefits, and more, doesn’t it make sense to invest in an electric hedge cutters over any other model for use in your garden?

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