Fixes and tips for outdoor power tools

Cool running. Because electric and petrol-powered blowers are air-cooled, regularly remove debris from the cooling system vents. This easy job can prevent the build-up of excessive heat, which could eventually burn out the engine.

 

Tighten it up. Engine vibration from within a power tool can loosen the nuts on the exterior housing. Keep them nice and tight 

by dabbing clear nail polish or special thread-locking compound onto the bolts before retightening the nuts. 

 

One-step clean-up. How can you remove wet leaves that are stuck to paved areas? Attach a scrubbing brush to the end of the leaf blower—you can scrub off and blow away debris in one easy step.

 

To move a leaf pile to a collection point or wheelbarrow, blow the looser portions of leaves and clippings at the top of the pile first, then quickly follow with a blast  to the denser base.

 

Before powering up a leaf blower, familiarise yourself with local laws governing noise. A blower that is too loud could cost you a lot more than angry complaints from the neighbours.

 

Top up. Check the fuel level of a chipper/shredder at regular intervals. If you run out of petrol while working, you’ll have to unclog the hopper or the chipper chute and clean the discharge area before restarting the engine.

 

Stay sharp. When the chips for mulching become stringy, or the chipper discharge slows down, it’s a sure sign that the blades need to be sharpened without further delay.

 

Shredder know-how. Don’t shred leaves or branches that are green or wet. Not only can they clog or jam the machinery, but they also yield a mulch that may turn mouldy in time.

 

Cooperate and save. If you don’t have enough trees to make renting a chipper-shredder cost-effective, but you still want shredded leaves for mulch, ask several neighbours to split the expense. Everybody gets to use the equipment, and you get your mulch.

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