Thread: ~Whipper Snipper... HELP!~

Originally Posted by 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~

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

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~

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.

Originally Posted by 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???

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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

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

Originally Posted by some_one

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Originally Posted by 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)

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.