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Buyer’s guide to lawn and leaf blowers

September 19, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz Leave a Comment

In the video below a Weingartz expert helps buyers decide which leaf blower is right for them.

  • Pay attention to air speed and air volume
  • Air speed is necessary for light debris and air volume is necessary for more heavy debris
  • Electric and gas leaf blowers are available
  • Electric blowers typically have good air speed but not volume
  • Gas blowers are a bit heavier than electric
  • Many gas blowers come with anti-vibration systems and a trigger lock for extended use
  • Backpack units are larger and can pick up 30%-70% more power than a hand-held blower
  • The throttle comes on the tube or the side of the backpack
  • Sizes range from light commercial use to heavier professional use
  • Vaccuum systems are available
  • The buyer can conver the blower into a vaccuum
  • Look for large wheels when buying a push blower
  • Push blowers are best for commercial application
Filed Under: Lawn & Garden Help, Yard Equipment Repair & Maintenance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Can a 10-year-old use a walk-behind mower?

August 22, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz 2 Comments

Q. My 10 year old son wants to cut our grass with our 21 inch rotary mower. My husband says that he will be fine. I’m concerned that he is too young to operate a rotary mower safely.  Do you have any suggestions for us? 

A. I can still remember the conversations my wife and I had over this issue when our children were growing up. Lawn mowers are one of the more common lawn care tools and need to he handled with safety in mind. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises that children younger than 12 should not use walk-behind mowers.

Physically, a child must be large enough and strong enough to easily start the mower, control the direction, operate controls, and keep all four wheels on the ground. Regardless of age, you also should consider the responsibility and maturity level of your child. When you decide that your child is ready, sit down together and carefully read the owner’s manual. Make sure you both understand all the instructions and safety information. Supervision is very important. Walk with your child during the first few minutes of mowing or until they become confident and never let them use the mower without adult supervision. By always placing safety first, your child will acquire useful skills and a sense of accomplishment.

Filed Under: Lawn & Garden Safety, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Is there anything I can do to keep the mice from chewing my wiring harness?

August 17, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz 1 Comment

Q. I keep my riding tractor in a shed, for the last couple years a mouse got into the engine area and chewed up my wiring harness. Is there anything I can do to keep the mice from chewing my wiring harness?

A. Yes, we sell rodent deterrent tape supplied by Honda parts, part number 4019-2317 the tape sells for around $47.00. Repair the chewed up harness then wrap the rodent deterrent tap around the damaged area: it contains (Capsaicin), the natural ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot. Capsaicin is also the active ingredient in pepper spray used by law enforcement.  The tape is odorless and should deter any future problems in that area.

Filed Under: Yard Equipment Repair & Maintenance Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Battery acid cleanup

August 10, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz Leave a Comment

Q) I have a tractor battery that rubbed a hole in itself and leaked under the hood of my tractor and ran down the frame, how do I clean up the acid so I don’t damage my tractor? 

A) Clean up spills immediately using water and baking soda solution to neutralize the acid (1 pound of baking soda mixed in one gallon of water) making sure the area is well ventilated and you are wearing appropriate safety equipment, following appropriate safety procedures.

Filed Under: Yard Equipment Repair & Maintenance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Sluggish lawnmower is difficult to start

July 25, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz Leave a Comment

Q. My lawnmower has been running sluggish lately and is harder and harder to start. I replaced the gas and there was no improvement. Any idea on what could be wrong?

A. The first thing I would check is your air filter. It is common this time of year for air filters to become clogged with dust particles. Thus, preventing appropriate air flow which will gradually make your lawnmower sluggish and difficult to start. You will also want to check your spark plug to make sure the dirty air filter has not fouled (a thick varnish like coating) the spark plug.

Filed Under: Lawn & Garden Help, Lawn Mower Repair & Maintenance, Yard Equipment Repair & Maintenance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Buyer’s guide to chainsaws

July 18, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz Leave a Comment

In the video below a Weingartz expert discusses chainsaws to help buyers decide which chainsaw is right for them.

  • Electric-powered saws are best for light trimming
  • Gas-powered chainsaws range in sizes
  • Smaller sizes are lightweight and easy to handle; best for occasional use
  • Larger saws are better for heavy use and hard trees with larger diameters
  • 14, 16, and 18-inch bars are best for home use
  • Bars run as large as 40 inches for professional use
  • These saws come with anti-vibration systems and large-diameter caps that can be removed easily
  • All saws come with a chain braking system to prevent injuries
  • Professional-grade saws for prolonged usage may be light but still hold much horsepower
  • Sharp chains are important and it is always a good idea to have a spare chain
  • Ear and eye protection is incredibly important to prevent injuries
  • Helmet systems are available; system includes a hard hat with attached face shield and built-in ear protection
  • Buyers may consider a chap system to prevent leg injuries
Filed Under: Lawn & Garden Help, Uncategorized, Yard Equipment Repair & Maintenance Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Buyer’s guide to walk behind lawn mowers

July 13, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz Leave a Comment

In the video below a Weingartz expert discusses different types and uses of various lawn mowers.

  • Electric and battery-powered mowers are best for small lawns
  • A drawback of electric is the cord that can get in the way of the user
  • A buyer may buy a push or self-propelled mower
  • More strength will be needed for a push mower
  • Self-propelled mowers use either front or back wheels that will propel the mower so the user does not have to
  • Mowers are available in 20-inch, 21-inch, and 22-inch cutting widths
  • There are varying engines available
  • A typical engine will have a side valve and be gas-powered
  • Overhead valve engine is more useful for heavier mowing conditions
  • Buyer may consider buying a mulcher with bagging capabilities for a later date
  • Bag is easily removable so user can switch between bagger and mulcher
  • A common deck is steel; however the deck may rust over time
  • Cast aluminum decks will not rust and will absorb vibrations; longer lasting than steel
  • Zenoy decks have the same benefits of aluminum but are lighter weight
  • Iron mowers allow for height adjustment for mowing different heights of grass
  • Self-propelled mowers are single or multi-speed
  • Multi-speed is recommended because of its flexibility for varying mowing conditions
  • For a zone start mower, hold the bail and pull the row; releasing the handle will stop the engine
  • Blade-brake clutch mowers start the same way, but releasing the handle will stop only the blade, not the engine
  • Simply use a key to start an electric mower
Filed Under: Lawn & Garden Help, Lawn & Garden Safety, Lawn Mower Repair & Maintenance Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to mix the correct ratio of fuel and oil

July 11, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz Leave a Comment

In the video below a Weingartz expert explains how to mix the proper ratio of fuel and oil for your lawn care needs.

  • Always make sure to label fuel containers properly
  • This is to prevent using the wrong fuel for a particular item, as doing this can cause damage
  • Mid-grade 89 Octane Fuel
  • Premium 2-stroke oil
  • For 1 gallon of gas mix 2.6 fl oz of oil
  • For 2 gallons of gas mix 5.2 fl oz
  • For landscapers, use container that comes with measuring cup to mix bulk quantities
  • 1 gallon at a time recommended for homeowners
Filed Under: Lawn & Garden Help Tagged With: , , , ,

How to replace the chain on a chainsaw

July 6, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz Leave a Comment

In the video below a Weingartz expert demonstrates how to replace the chain on a chainsaw.
Please refer to your owner’s manual for detailed safety procedures.

  • Make sure chainsaw is not running
  • Locate the bar to the saw
  • Loosen the nuts
  • Loosen the adjusting screw located in between the two nuts
  • Remove the nuts
  • Remove the side cover
  • Dust off any sawdust debris that may have built up
  • Pull the bar off of the stud
  • Remove the chain from the drum
  • Ensure that the bar is not twisted or bent after removing
  • Clean the groove and oil holes of the bar
  • Get out the new chain; feel free to wear gloves if you feel uncomfortable with the sharpness of the chain
  • Set the bar back onto the stud
  • Make sure the cutting teeth on the chain are facing away from you
  • Set the chain on the back of the drum
  • Guide the teeth of the chain into the bar
  • Do the same with the bottom of the bar
  • Reinstall the side case
  • Put the two nuts on
  • Make sure the chain spins freely
  • To tighten the chain, tighten the adjusting screw by using a clockwise motion
  • Hold the bar slightly upwards and tighten the nuts
  • Check that the chain break is working properly
Filed Under: Lawn Mower Repair & Maintenance, Yard Equipment Repair & Maintenance Tagged With: , , , , ,

How to tension the chain on a chainsaw

June 29, 2011 By Mr. Weingartz Leave a Comment

In the video below, a Weingartz expert demonstrates how to tension the chain on a chainsaw.
Please refer to your owner’s manual for detailed safety procedures.

  • Locate the nuts that hold the bar to the saw
  • Loosen the nuts
  • Locate the adjusting screw for the chain rate in center of the two nuts
  • Tighten the screw to adjust the chain
  • Use slight pressure while adjusting chain so that the drive links slightly come out of the bar and groove itself
  • Hold the bar up and tighten the nuts
  • Make sure the chain spins freely
  • Check the braking mechanism
Filed Under: Lawn Mower Repair & Maintenance, Yard Equipment Repair & Maintenance Tagged With: , , , , ,
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