Thursday 26 June 2014

Identifying the Parts of a Chainsaw

Before you even think about touching a chainsaw you gotta know what you are actually touching. A chainsaw isn't a toy and knowledge can keep you safe from harm while operating a chainsaw, not to mention this is the basics of basics for a lot of chainsaw maintenance. To  make things a little easier we have down a quick picture for you identifying the parts:

 Petrol Chainsaws


and now that we have identified the chainsaw parts we just need to know what they all contribute to the machine which this excellent blog post "Chainsaw Parts Explained" ahem explains,

Monday 16 June 2014

How to use a Power Auger

For the experienced practitioner this can seem like a bit of a daft question but to the struggling novice this may be a life - or arm - saving article. I think the best way of starting this article is to just have a look at the different types of augers on the market.
             

The Power Auger

           
A power auger is a very powerful machine as the name suggests and another pair of strong hands may be required to control the machine. Needless to say the power auger is very effective at digging holes quickly but this does not mean it will be a walk in the park and there will be a lot of physical exertion with this particular machine.
 
Method:
   
  1. Dig a pilot hole
  2. Position the power with the help of a friend if it is a two person auger
  3. Turn on the machine and slowly increase the throttle
  4. Be careful not to dig too deep!


Health & Safety

Thee items of clothing that you should definitely be wearing when operating a power auger:
 
  1. Steel Toe Boots
  2. Leather Gloves
  3. Protective Eye Wear
All the clothing is pretty obvious for why you should wear it but the eye wear cannot be stressed enough. Stones and other bits of debris can shoot up and if one of those hits you in the eye, its not worth thinking about. Wear the glasses if nothing else.

Friday 13 June 2014

Digging up Your Garden DIY Style

Digging up Your Garden DIY Style

Digging up your garden isn't especially tricky and anyone with a little bit of knowledge and work ethic can get it done with minimal training and expertise. This really begs the question why hire a gardener who will charge x amount per hour when on a Sunday you can really just dig in and get it done yourself. 

Well the reason is if you make mistakes it can leave your garden looking a right mess. So I am here to talk you through how to dig up your garden DIY style!

When to dig

Digging the soil is essential for good plant growth. If the soil condition is poor organic matter can be added at the same time as digging. The best time to dig is from October through December, when the soil is free of frost and can be left to overwinter. From mid-winter until early spring, the ground is frequently wet or frozen and difficult to work with. Heavy soil must never be dug when it's wet as this can damage the soil structure and lead to poor aeration and drainage.

The depth of your topsoil, quality of drainage and whether or not your plot has been previously cultivated, will all determine the digging method required. Single and double digging are the most effective and labour-efficient digging techniques. Before digging, make sure the site is clear of all persistent weeds.

How to dig

The depth of your topsoil, quality of drainage and whether or not your plot has been previously cultivated, will all determine the digging method required. Single and double digging are the most effective and labour-efficient digging techniques. Before digging, make sure the site is clear of all persistent weeds.

Keep an eye for future articles on different techniques with which to dig up your garden! For all your gardening tool equipment please check out our sponsors Timberpro!