OK, well an update on what has become a Multi tool review!
In the last few weeks a lot of the yard work has died down, especially since a very generous neighbour offered to run down the paddock with a tractor slasher, which has removed most of the work.
On top of that, the focus has now shifted to the house, so the remaining blackberries are on hold.
Overall, the yard equipment performed well, the star player was definitely the Honda brush cutter, which took on anything that was thrown at it with ease, aided by the carbide tip 40 tooth blades, and a good, thick line.
The Victa 2-stroke utility also performed well, happily cutting down scrub up to 70cm high, and still providing a satisfactory finish.
The Revolution backpack brush cutter was very good for moving through the thick of it at speed, thanks to its larger engine, higher rev's, and the removal of the guard, however it's lower torque did mean regular stops to unjam the head, on it's last run, it collided with a hidden stump, and now has a clutch issue that needs to be looked at, the centrifugal clutch will not disengage, and it is not wanting to pick up the rev's anymore, however, this should not be a difficult repair.
The Rok hedge trimmer gets a special mention, as it has done nothing but surprise me, what was bought as a sacrificial lamb, a low end, Chinese Cheepie with the aim of just getting through a job well above it's pay grade (due to the use outside of specification, the Cheepie was chosen, as the high risk of damage was not worth submitting a decent machine too) has instead taken on the full task with ease, and only left me with the same two very minor complaints, the guide tines are a little soft, and bend easily, thus needing occasional re-shaping, and the location of the kill switch is impractical, as it is easily bumped during work, or even while starting, aside from that, this little, low-grade unit has chewed through a task that it really was not intended for, and come out powering on fine!
The Ozito chainsaw has been decommissioned for now, the chain tensioner has failed, causing the chain to randomly loose and gain tension, either flopping around, threatening to eject, or snapping so tight it can't be turned. A little research showed this to be a regular fault with this unit, and being a throw away, parts are not available. I will be seeing what I can do to repair the issue, but I dont hold hight hopes.
The Husqvarna chainsaw has done very well, recovering from it's surgery with ease and bighting straigh back into it, it has tackled everything I have thrown it's way with ease, and after a quick chain sharpen, it has shown it can get through the lot, and fast!
The GMC generator is still out of action, it will be repaired soon, as a unit to provide occasional power needs away from the main Generator, then it will leave the Job, and live out it's days with me, as a useful generator for powering drills etc.
The Ryobi blower is still going strong, however it hates cold starts and takes a lot of effort to get going, and a while to warm up, the Weedeater gutter blower has not yet been put into action, but soon will be.
And of corse the new generator, the absolutely massive Ducar key start!
This generator is proving to be the most valuable asset purchased for this job, it has provided all the power that has been needed, simultaneously giving us tools, light, heat and food!
It can happily run a heater, a series of work lights, a cook top, sanders, drills and the drop-saw all at once in the house, while running another lead to the caravan to give it a heater, lighting and charge for laptops and phones, while a spotlight lights the yard at night from the 12v outlet!
It is also highly responsive, providing the power as soon as it's needed, without hesitation, the engine revs the second the trigger is pulled, and there is no noticeable lag, no mater how much the device draws, or how many devices are drawing.
The original Idea was that I would buy this generator from the owner at the end of the job, however they are very much considering keeping it, in which case I will be making sure to get my own.
