Re: rec tech mower

On Wed, 16 Apr 2025 05:07:13 -0400, zen cycle
<funkmasterxx@hotmail.com> wrote:

On 4/15/2025 5:58 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

On Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:22:57 -0400, Radey Shouman
<shouman@comcast.net> wrote:
 

I remember the last time I used a corded hedge trimmer.  Worked great.
Went through that cord like buttah.

 
Obviously, you didn't read the 20 page warnings and repudiations of
responsibility usually included with a hedge trimmer.
 
If you insist on not reading the documentation, I suggest you tie a
knot in the power cable about 6 ft from the hedge trimmer handle.
Attach a small weight (1 or 2 lbs) to knot.  When using the hedge
trimmer, the weight will cause the cable to hang downward and away
from the blades.

>
Sure, let's add more weight to a to a motorized cutting object a senior
citizen has to repeatedly lift over their head for an hour in the hot
sun. Brilliant......

The added weight only needs to be sufficient to keep about 6 ft of
3/12 AWG or 2/12 cord approximately vertical.  I'm too lazy to weigh
the cord I use, but my guess is less than 1 lb.  Because the added
power cord is short (low resistance), #16 AWG could be used without
overheating problems.  Incidentally, a consumer grade corded hedge
trimmer weighs 6.4 lbs.

If you must cut over your head, use a long reach hedge trimmer or an
extension pole:
<https://www.google.com/search?q=long%20reach%20hedge%20trimmer%20electric&udm=2>
Or, just get a higher ladder.  Incidentally, the above photos don't
show anyone using a hedge trimmer by lifting it over their head.
 

If your habit of cutting the power cable seems to be incurable, I
suggest that you build some 6 ft sacrificial extension cables with
removable plugs and receptacles.  When trimming, attach one of these
cables to the hedge trimmer end of your long power cable.  After  you
(again) cut through the power cable, just unplug the 6 ft section,
replace it with a new 6 ft section, and continue trimming.  Later,
remove the plug and receptacle and use them for making additional
sacrificial 6 ft extension cables.

>
Hacks abound. Thank you for that suggestion, but what happens when you
hack through the cord beyond the 'sacrificial' section?

You position yourself and the tool in a safer operating position.

Or, you can remove the plug from the damaged end of the cord, cut off
the damaged section, and reinstall the receptacle on the cord.  If
your cord is of the molded plastic flavor, which cannot be easily
reused, you buy a better receptacle and attach it to the cord.  Don't
forget to recycle the copper from the sacrificial damaged section.

If personal safety is your primary concern, you can add some armor to
the power cord by removing the receptacle, sliding a length of old
garden hose over the cord, and replacing the receptacle.  The outside
diameter of the garden hose is larger than the gaps between the hedge
trimmer blades, which should keep the blades from cutting the thinner
cord.  You'll also need some tie wraps or silicon goo to secure the
garden hose to the power cored. 

Suggestion - fix the cord, realize that building 'sacrificial' sections
was a colossal waste of time, tell yourself you'll be more cognizant
next time.

Cognizant?
<https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/cognisant>
"having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or
perception".  How was installing a sacrificial power cord section a
"colossal waste of time"?  The original idea was to save time wasted
by not performing an impromptu power cord splice or replacement.  If
cord cutting is such a problem for you, perhaps a little advanced
preparation might be useful?

I haven't done much hedge trimming, but I have done some tree
trimming.  I have never cut a power cord using either tool.  The use
of a sacrificial power cord section was for a friend who is part owner
of a landscape company.  All of his employees are immigrants.  He
doesn't like paying for their time to repair power cords.  He also
doesn't like stocking extra 100ft cords on his work trucks.  Actually,
it's worse than that because one person is late, then the entire crew
has to wait until that person is done fixing the power cord, before
they can leave for the next job. 

Incidentally, I was taught to not put anything over my head if I
wasn't also prepared to quickly get out of the way as it tries to fall
on my head.  So far, that's been good advice.  You might consider that
when you are using a hedge trimmer over you head.


--
Jeff Liebermann                 jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272      http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann      AE6KS    831-336-2558