Strimmer troubles

[Green Aura]

Our petrol strimmer is poorly. No idea really what the problem is but it won't start. The last time we used it it sounded like the engine was running too fast (?) and it kept cutting out after only a few minutes each time - now, as I said, it won't start at all.

Any ideas? We're slowly being buried under 4' high grass which I'm desperate to get cut. I'm seriously considering buying the scythe I wanted to get instead of the new (now defunct) strimmer.

[Odsox]

Have you cleaned the air filter ?
A semi blocked air filter would give those symptoms, running too fast because the air/fuel mixture is too rich, plus failure to start because you are wetting the spark plug with neat petrol.

If not .... I agree, go and buy a scythe, much more therapeutic.

[Millymollymandy]

It's not a Ryobi is it?

[Green Aura]

No - we killed that one last year. This was its replacement and supposedly a "professional" brand.

added - OH is stripping it down as I write. He came in 5 minutes ago brandishing a plastic washer which he's forgotten to put back in! But it started briefly. Heyho

[Mrs Moustoir]

When ours conks out and won't start, it is normally down to a dodgy spark plug. Have you checked that GA?

[oldfella]

"Strimmer troubles" I'v got muscles like Popeye trying to start my bloody thing I've kicked it, I've put new stringy thing in it, a new plug in it, and still it won't start even found a little tiny hole in the teat you press to get petrol in the carburetor, so replaced it at great cost , oh and I even put Petrol in it, so if you can find out whats wrong with yours for Gawds Sake tell me

[Green Aura]

Don't know what he did but it's managed to disgorge an entire tank of petrol all over the garden - starting while it was running!!!

I've bought a scythe

[Millymollymandy]

Our Ryobi one had problems because the manufacturers forgot to tell people about the correct mix of oil and petrol you were supposed to put in it - until my OH contacted a repair person who said his place was full of Ryobi strimmers and what you were supposed to put in it which was not what was in the manual. Then it worked for a bit then the motor blew up again - this is the 2nd motor the OH had, because it had several attachments like hedge trimmers and mini chainsaw on pole now given up and bought a whole new brushcutter type strimmer (which is what the Ryobi was) which is much better and with a good harness so it's easy on his back. Sorry I can't be any more technical than that.

[frozenthunderbolt]

A sharp scythe will work a lot faster than a strimmer on long grass especially.

[Green Aura]

A sharp scythe will work a lot faster than a strimmer on long grass especially.

Due to a combination of rain, with the odd patch of sun and not functioning strimmer, we've got that in abundance

[grahamhobbs]

A sharp scythe will work a lot faster than a strimmer on long grass especially.

I agree, we seem to have forgotten about scythes but, once you have mastered the technique (they must be very sharp and swept close to the ground (don't chop with them)), they are much easier, quicker and pleasant to use than a noisy, dangerous strimmer. Just use a sickle for the awkward bits.

May I suggest, www.thescytheshop.co.uk/

[Millymollymandy]

OMG all of a sudden there's something wet falling from the sky, what is it, what is it?

Back to strimmers - if you just want to cut grass then maybe a scythe will work but if you are using the blade kind (brushcutter) then I don't know if a scythe will get through nettles and brambles and long woody weeds.

[grahamhobbs]

Yes, it will go through nettles, brambles, etc but you need to fit a shorter blade.

[Green Aura]

I bought it off Fleabay - much cheaper and I think the bloke must be pretty good. He emailed us first thing this morning to find out how tall we are to position the snath. I looked on the other site but they were a bit dear and we won't get a huge amount of use out of it as the grass area will shrink dramatically once this flipping rain stops and we can get on with our plans.

Although, if I take to it, I might just do the field at the back. The lad who mows all the communal areas in the village always misses it out because it's not in a public area.

[Gem]

Have fun with your scythe! I was a big fan of mine when I had the allotment (during initial clearance and to keep the neighbours weeds at bay) but dont need it so much these days with the little garden.

I have been thinking of using it for the front garden which is starting to resemble a hay field but I fronts a main road and I think the police might be called in if they see someone wandering around with a bloody great scythe..