Mowing ..

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Wrong stripes, I think PJ means this type.... I've posted this pic before, it's my car detailers lawn.


image

Yes, I remember that "Stonework".

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Yes you're going to need a mower with a roller. It can be done with a rotary but the lines won't be a pronounced.

The idea is that the roller folds the leaf over, as the light reflects from the leaf it gives the illusion of light and dark stripes. Light as the grass is folded away from you and dark towards you.

If you hit the same lines time after time you'll end up ironing in a permanent grain magnifying the effect. We try not to do this in sports turf as it causes fast and slow spots in the playing surface.
Double or triple cutting can also help make the lines pop.
As for patterns, thats up to you're imagination and at the end of the day its only lawn, it'll grow back.

Yeah that all makes sense!

I don't know if I can be bothered sorting out a roller, maybe I'll just settle for nice looking lawn hah

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

No direct apology so far. This was the last email from him at 11.03pm last night -

"Hi ####

Sure, I’ll arrange a new belt or refund. The guy doing the job has a heap of experience but everyone under the pump and mistakes happen. I appreciate the feedback and would much rather know about the issues. I hope we can do business again in the future.

Let me know what suits you best as I would need to order the belt.
Cheers........"

The last contact I had with this place was on the 19th of December, agreeing to be partially refunded for this debacle. Well, as of last Sunday, January 8th, I still had not received this refund. I know it was in the lead up to Christmas ect, so I gave them time to respond. By Sunday, I was through with giving them leeway and wrote an email to Victa HQ.

Like my initial emails to the dealer, I spelled the story out in a calm and factual manner, explaining how this is not how a business should be representing a well-respected brand like Victa. I have not had a reply from Victa itself, but two days later I had a refund from the dealer. Had this guy just made good on his word, I would not have raised the issue any further, but the guy just wanted to sweep it under the rug and forget about.

Next, I think a Google review is needed. Franco, any tips?

[DFB FGXR6]

Today I put a price rise on all bar one of my mowing charges, backdated to the start of January this year as my clients have monthly accounts. Not that I'm being greedy, neither will it make me rich, but this will at least pay for the rise in fuel costs. It also put it closer to my hourly rate charge.

At the end of the day, there is a reason why some people farm out the lawn mowing to someone else, it's hard work! It's even more hard work when you do back to back lawns all day long, especially when it's 38 degrees and humid as hell! The money I ask for this should reflect that.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Today I put a price rise on all bar one of my mowing charges, backdated to the start of January this year as my clients have monthly accounts. Not that I'm being greedy, neither will it make me rich, but this will at least pay for the rise in fuel costs. It also put it closer to my hourly rate charge.

At the end of the day, there is a reason why some people farm out the lawn mowing to someone else, it's hard work! It's even more hard work when you do back to back lawns all day long, especially when it's 38 degrees and humid as hell! The money I ask for this should reflect that.

Dude, theres no such thing as a successful business owner who is the 'nice' guy. Yes, there is great customer service and a good job that is being a nice guy. You cannot run close or at a loss. Customer service guy and business guy have to work together. Its a weird ballance, good job, charge enough to cover overheads and make an earning and keep repeat business. You do a good job, well, the best form of advertising is word of mouth.
I learnt a lot from my late dad. He was a director of a mortgage company. I have no insperations, perspirations or aspirations to start and own a multimillion dollar company, but my dad did that. He was just a normal bloke at home. But when it comes to business, theres no such thing as a nice guy.

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

At the end of the day, there is a reason why some people farm out the lawn mowing to someone else, it's hard work! It's even more hard work when you do back to back lawns all day long, especially when it's 38 degrees and humid as hell! The money I ask for this should reflect that.

I don't begrudge that at all - and I most appreciate those who are just upfront and good about things.

I usually work 6 days a week from about 8-6pm. I'm home by about 6:30ish. I honestly don't want to spend the only day off I get a week (Sunday) having do a ****load of work around the house.

Hence why I would be open to paying for a gardener soon.. just need to have a bit more complete in the way of plants etc so its completely justifiable

[Citroënbender]

Why not reach out now? A contractor in charge of stuff they enjoy might give a better result than someone sighing every fortnight as they attempt to resuscitate, encourage or shape up poor choices by the owner.

Even turfing matters! The right turf on the right preparation.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Poetic Justice

I don't begrudge that at all - and I most appreciate those who are just upfront and good about things.

I usually work 6 days a week from about 8-6pm. I'm home by about 6:30ish. I honestly don't want to spend the only day off I get a week (Sunday) having do a ****load of work around the house.

Hence why I would be open to paying for a gardener soon.. just need to have a bit more complete in the way of plants etc so its completely justifiable

I have the same reasoning with cleaning the house. I work 6 days a week too, I don't want to mop floors and clean bathrooms on my day off. So, I pay someone to do it for me. And they charge is what it is because I understand how it works.

[danzvtil]

There’s nothing more demotivating than working for less than you are worth.
I had one gardening client who insisted I give him a discount for working a whole day, he was trying to get 20% off his gardening. But by hell, if I’m busting my chops into hr 7 or 8 I want my full hourly rate.
But ultimately your business doesn’t operate in a vacuum, everything has gone up, and your customers expect your prices to as well.

Most of my customers are highly skilled in their professions, earn good $ and pay me to maintain their properties to a high standard so they can come home and relax rather than stress over keeping yard looking nice.

[DFB FGXR6]

Just picked up a new weed sprayer..............

https://duralirrigation.com.au/produ...44059583840575

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...&postcount=746

[roKWiz]

Place I was just staying at had an interesting 18V Ryobi sprayer unit. Never seen one.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Place I was just staying at had an interesting 18V Ryobi sprayer unit. Never seen one.

image

Looks like they are using Solo wand's on those. They also offer a 36V version too -

https://www.ryobi.com.au/products/de...-only-r36bps10

[DFB FGXR6]

I have been binge watching this channel of late............

https://www.youtube.com/@TarylFixesAll/videos

Yes, he's a noisy yank, but I find him strangely entertaining.

[DFB FGXR6]

Sharpened my hedger with the rotary tool today.............



Wish I had invested in one of these a long time ago! Cuts much more precisely now.

[whitelion65]

Did you sharpen just the moving blade!.?
Did you need to de-burr?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by whitelion65

Did you sharpen just the moving blade!.?
Did you need to de-burr?

The "upper" blades, the ones with the angle on them only. I didn't de-burr them in this case.

[DFB FGXR6]

Dragged the MasterCut out of the shed and slashed down a couple of weeks growth on my back lawn.





Came up pretty good, I simply gave the lawn a blow over afterwards to even out the clippings.

[hackney]

Any one watched ‘Tim the lawn mower man’ on YouTube?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by hackney

Any one watched ‘Tim the lawn mower man’ on YouTube?

I have watched a few of his and similar channels. I just wish they would show more real time content rather than the sped-up stuff, I like to hear the engines running.

This guy got me through Covid, hours and hours of chopping trees down!
https://www.youtube.com/@GuiltyofTreeson

I have also been enjoying the more mechanical videos recently.

I get a laugh out of this channel, while also learning methodical processes.
https://www.youtube.com/@TarylFixesAll

I like this channel; she is really good at cutting through the bravado of the industry.
https://www.youtube.com/@Chickanic

This guy is pretty rough, but very compelling.
https://www.youtube.com/@junkyarddog87

This is a good how-to channel, especially for 2-stroke Victa's
https://www.youtube.com/@Varietech-AU

[hackney]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I have watched a few of his and similar channels. I just wish they would show more real time content rather than the sped-up stuff, I like to hear the engines running.

This guy got me through Covid, hours and hours of chopping trees down!
https://www.youtube.com/@GuiltyofTreeson

I have also been enjoying the more mechanical videos recently.

I get a laugh out of this channel, while also learning methodical processes.
https://www.youtube.com/@TarylFixesAll

I like this channel; she is really good at cutting through the bravado of the industry.
https://www.youtube.com/@Chickanic

This guy is pretty rough, but very compelling.
https://www.youtube.com/@junkyarddog87

This is a good how-to channel, especially for 2-stroke Victa's
https://www.youtube.com/@Varietech-AU

Watched one we’re he had a electric lawn mower on loan from Campbelltown mowers.Did it with ease! One guy made a smart alec remark that that was a load s@#t.He has trouble with a petrol mower.I fired back & said no it is not, I have a Ryobi 36V mower, and it cut through our very overgrown nature strip in our brand new house(developer should have been all over that) it cut through with relative ease.They pack a punch.I was very sceptical to begin with, but I have well & truly been ‘converted’! Tim also replied ‘it’s all smoke & mirrors’! Great comeback.

[danzvtil]

I like this channel; she is really good at cutting through the bravado of the industry.
https://www.youtube.com/@Chickanic

I like how she wears her skimpy short shorts in the thumbnail, and she’s like 40. You go girl ;)

[DFB FGXR6]

Today I tackled the big cleanup on this old Stihl 028 AV Super, which I have fully documented in my usual thread, so I will just post the before and afters here.

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...postcount=2041

Before -





During -











Reassembled, ready for the mechanical work.













As I had the carby exposes, the fuel lines had snapped off and were laying in the airbox. I'm going to have the Stihl dealer get it going, replacing whatever is needed. Can't wait to hear it running!

[Citroënbender]

Much better! Is the oiler working OK?

They (Stihl concession) might just want to slap a new carb on it, hopefully they’ll discuss options before removing originality.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Much better! Is the oiler working OK?

They (Stihl concession) might just want to slap a new carb on it, hopefully they’ll discuss options before removing originality.

I did not even bother to attempt starting the machine, before or after the clean, so no idea about the oiler. I'll leave that up to the dealer.

As for the carb, I'm not phased which way they go. The one on it will be the original Walbro, ideally that would be preferable to a cheap aftermarket equivalent.

Either way, I will take the machine in with a list of what I want done.

[DFB FGXR6]

The orange colouring on the recoil cover badge was removed during the cleaning process on the 028. Last night, I tracked down a new-old-stock replacement, it just looks naked without the orange colouring.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Today I tackled the big cleanup on this old Stihl 028 AV Super, which I have fully documented in my usual thread, so I will just post the before and afters here.

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...postcount=2041

Before -

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During -

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Reassembled, ready for the mechanical work.

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As I had the carby exposes, the fuel lines had snapped off and were laying in the airbox. I'm going to have the Stihl dealer get it going, replacing whatever is needed. Can't wait to hear it running!

Awesome work, it'll be super sweet to be able to use it again, these old things may not be as efficient as the new saws but are defiantly not to be underestimated.
It could be a gateway though, it starts by tinkering with and collecting nos parts for a saw, the next thing you know there'll be a project car in the driveway, its a slippery slope

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Awesome work, it'll be super sweet to be able to use it again, these old things may not be as efficient as the new saws but are defiantly not to be underestimated.
It could be a gateway though, it starts by tinkering with and collecting nos parts for a saw, the next thing you know there'll be a project car in the driveway, its a slippery slope

The old saying "they don't make em like they used to" applies to that chainsaw. In several places, this old 028 is metal where my new MS 271 is plastic. Certainly a more robust construction overall............heavier though.

While the old and new saws share similar capacities, the 028 being 51.5cc and the 271 being 50.2cc, there is no doubt the newer one has bigger balls.

Also, see below for more tinkering!

[DFB FGXR6]

Today I refurbished the carby on my old red Victa. Considering I blew up the bridge leading to my usual go-to small engine repair shop, I'm having to do these jobs myself now.



The main job was replacing the diaphragm and gasket.









Old diaphragm.............



Parts cleaned, new parts installed...............





Replacement governor springs..............





Reinstalled and ready for a test fire...........



The engine fired up on the second pull, I then adjusted the governor to the correct speed, changed the oil and re-torqued the head bolts.



Then a quick clean and lashings of Meguiar's Hyper Dressing..............







All documented here -
https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...postcount=2047

[DJM83]

You need a Youtube channel mate, id love to watch the detailing/gardening/mowing videos!

[Citroënbender]

I see an ultrasonic cleaner in your future, Mr B.