~Whipper Snipper... HELP!~

[SilentChorus™]

I have NO idea about whipper snippers, and as a single mum don't have the 'man about the house' to start it for me. Could you please advise me about what would be the easiest to start, and have the least amount of maintainence?

Thank you!

~Dani~

[Terrian]

I have NO idea about whipper snippers, and as a single mum don't have the 'man about the house' to start it for me. Could you please advise me about what would be the easiest to start, and have the least amount of maintainence?

Thank you!

~Dani~

Step 1 - go to Bunnings
Step 2 - Look at the range of Electric whipper snippers
Step 3 - buy Electric whipper snipper
Step 4 - buy as much extention lead as needed

Seriously, I had a petrol whipper snipper for a few years, I now have a black & decker, plug it in, squeeze the trigger, cut the grass & weeds, normal 1/4 acre house block.
If I recall right, cost me about $99 4 or 5 years ago

Good luck

[SilentChorus™]

OMG!!! YES!!!! ANY Excuse to go to Bunnings!!!

My yard is a 1/4 acre... so that would be perfect, do you suggest any brand???

OH.. and where on earth is 'Kilsyth' I have never heard of it...

~Dani~

[some_one]

I will sugggest go for a petrol trimmer. Go to any hardware store look for a cheap trimmer, Mine cost 99 Bucks, cuts fine, 2 years warnty, starts every time, and does its job. No wires no problem.

[Terrian]

OMG!!! YES!!!! ANY Excuse to go to Bunnings!!!

My yard is a 1/4 acre... so that would be perfect, do you suggest any brand???

black & decker was my choice, but I doubt there is any real diffrence, see which one has the more powerful motor (higher watts)


OH.. and where on earth is 'Kilsyth' I have never heard of it...

outer east melbourne, ummmm, not far from Lilydale, further than Ringwood (want google earth reference :)

[Terrian]

I will sugggest go for a petrol trimmer. Go to any hardware store look for a cheap trimmer, Mine cost 99 Bucks, cuts fine, 2 years warnty, starts every time, and does its job. No wires no problem.

to each their own, after having an eager beaver, then a stihl, I prefer my electric one :)

[some_one]

I could not afford a Stihl or a Honda so had to setle for cheaper stuff:((

[scanfor]

I really don't mean to add to the confusion, just my 2 cents worth here.

I had a Ryobi Lawn Hornet for about 5 years, it was very good for the domestic block. But as it got older and more worn, I eventually got sick of spending $50 for tuning every 12 mths on a machine that only cost $150.

I went to Bunnies and replaced it with a "Troy Built" which looks and smells just like the Ryobi - at least I'd have a source of bits when needed from the old one I though. That was 12 mths ago. It has been the most troublesome piece of garbage, and to Bunnies credit, they refunded me after the 2nd go at repairs failed - remember that they are not replacement warranty and it was away for a month each time. The grass keeps on growing while the snipper's being fixed.

I have now gone upmarket and spent the money on a straight shaft Kawasaki. Cost $499 which is a lot of money for a machine that's only used domestically. But because I bought it from a local mower shop that has a good reputation with the commercial guys, and has been in the business for over 25 years, I feel a lot happier about it having significantly less downtime than a cheap petrol piece of rubbish from Bunnies or similar.

I have had electric trimmers in the past, and they are great if all you're trimming is garden edges. Don't put them anywhere near a chain-mesh fence because the trimmer line is so thin it just snaps time and again!

My advice - get a good brand name electric, and avoid the cheaper petrol trimmers like the plague.

Good luck

Scott

[Terrian]

I could not afford a Stihl or a Honda so had to setle for cheaper stuff:((


15 - 20 years ago, stihl was cheap, not as cheap as the eager beaver though ;)

[DavidG]

I was looking at a petrol one for my mum at one stage.

There was one (brand I have forgotten but could be stihl ) which had an easy pull start.

Just pull the cord slowly and suddenly it seemed to release a spring that kicked it over to start.

Real easy but it was not cheap.

[bsrlee]

Based on Dani's original question, a 'house brand' electric weed whacker is what she will be able to use. That includes brands like 'Arlec', 'Talon' etc.

1: No fuel for the kids to set fire to/drink.
2: relatively light
3: relatively cheap
4: No mower rage trying to get the %$&^ started - it either goes or you forgot to turn the power on.

It will need a bit of basic maintainance - after use, unplug & brush/hose off the green goo that is stuck all over the business end, drip dry & hang up inside. Only extras you really need are a roll of the right size plastic cord to fit the head & a long extension cord (Bunnings have a very reasonable one in dump bins in all their stores - just unde $20 for 20metres IIRC).

If your home does not have an earth leakage detector, get one of the plug in ones & use it - it may save your life, specially if you fall in the fish pond with the thing plugged in or the grass is underwater.

[Jacksin]

IF your yard is a quarter acre, why not buy a mower and lift the cutting height to allow for uneven ground? It seems to me that it will be a lot quicker to cut the grass with a mower.

[JDarvall]

That honda from bunnings apparently is working well on a farm I know. Regular use. I wouldn't buy anything cheaper though. For me personally, I'd get a Husqvana or a stihl. It'll cost you, but the troubles you'll avoid by getting a decent one in this case are well worth it IMO. I've had a lot of problems with Ryobi ones.

Make sure you use good fuel from a major service station. Apparently the ethanol contents of the cheap places kills the motors.

Goodluck.

[Geoff Dean]

I have a Ryobi (weed wasp I think). Had it for ten years, gets a floggin and the only maintenance I have had to do is replace a worn out Bump stop head (Twice).

Have always said when the time comes to replace I will get a 4 stoke Honda. Don't have to mix fuel, starts 1st time every time, good range of accessories. (Current RRP is $679)

[daleroy]

I have a Ryobi (weed wasp I think). Had it for ten years, gets a floggin and the only maintenance I have had to do is replace a worn out Bump stop head (Twice).

Have always said when the time comes to replace I will get a 4 stoke Honda. Don't have to mix fuel, starts 1st time every time, good range of accessories. (Current RRP is $679)

I have the base model Honda 4 Stroke. Cost $399 from memory. Starts easily, first pull if you follow the instructions :P and is light enough for my wife to use. Highly recommend it. Has oodles of power etc.

[wheelinround]

Don't by a TALON

[MurrayD99]

I started with a Xenoah, then got an electric start Homelite (NBG) and now have a Toro. All these are two-stroke. If the Honda is as easy to start as people are saying, probably be a good idea to pay the difference even if it hurts. My Toro is excellent but it was very expensive.

[Geoff Dean]

I have the base model Honda 4 Stroke. Cost $399 from memory. Starts easily, first pull if you follow the instructions :P and is light enough for my wife to use. Highly recommend it. Has oodles of power etc.

Bought the Honda garden tiller that uses the same engine as the whipper snipper last weekend. RRP $835, got it for $772 after haggling for a bit.

Used it to till about 150 square meters of garden bed. It went brilliantly, took me 4 hours to do what used to take me 4 days with a garden fork.

[Spelunx]

Another vote for the Honda here!

I bought the base model 4 stroke, RRP $399, got it for $380 with a packet of cord and first service free chucked in.

Have used it twice so far, for about an hour each time.

Starts on the second pull every time, first pull with the choke on, second pull with it off, and away she goes.

As stated before, with a four-stroke you don't have to worry about mixing fuel, you just fill it up with Unleaded, check the oil, and away you go.

[SilentChorus™]

1: No fuel for the kids to set fire to/drink.



That's why I am in the Fire Brigade!!! :wink:




4: No mower rage trying to get the %$&^ started - it either goes or you forgot to turn the power on.



Now THIS I could see happening... would be a VERY scarey sight!!!

There are just SO many choices out there that you guys have given me... I do have two power points outside... one is actually in the back yard.

Thinking maybe I might just pay some guy to do it... LOL.. then if the damn snipper won't work... he can grumble at it!!! :q

~Dani~

[Bluegum]

I had a Ryobi for about 10 years till it died on me. Not a bad unit but I ended up buying a Stihl FS 38. Its their level entry whipper snipper easy to start and does all I need it to. We have an 800 square block and it gets used each week. I am happy with it and with it only $249 I thought it was a bargain

[Jacksin]

My two cents worth-- I bought a Shingu 2 stroke straight shaft many years ago and belted the daylights out of it when I had a small lawn mowing round and its still going strong. I cant remember the last time it was serviced the only thing I remember doing is occasionally greasing the bearing at the spool head.

I would avoid Bunnings like the plague and try a specialist lawn-mower shop who will access your needs, unless you want to served by people who know absolutely bugger all about the products they sell.

[Terrian]

well, just whipper snippered the back yard, ran out the extention cord, plugged it in and away I went, gotta tell ya, I love not having to fill it with petrol and pulling a damn cord (other than the extention cord :)