I did something different today, bought a brushcutter/line trimmer at Sears. On the way to the dentist, no less, and both bills were the same!
It’s huge and weighs a ton. There isn’t even a place to put it, but I have one now. I just wanted to be able to cut the weeds and tall grass around the house, and also down by the acequia. It’s a matter of being able to walk around freely, to tell the truth, as the vegetation around this old adobe has been out of control for years. Charmingly so, but now we can’t find things.
I’ve been looking at several varieties of these devices for a while, and today I just did it. Mr. Visa can pay for it. We could be dead tomorrow, and I’d never get a chance to put my eye out, so this had to be. Did I mention it was huge? It has a brushcutter attachment that looks medieval. I’m sure I can slice coyotes in half with it and wreak vengeance on the chamisa. The strap has a big red plastic sign that hangs over my back and reads, “DANGER! Maintain 50 ft. distance!”
Kind of an amazing tool for an aspiring fool. Yeah, there’s this whole hillside of sagebrush and a thicket of wild roses to contend with, but we’re renting. It’s not my place. Well, today I stopped caring about that and just wanted to make it better. It’s been nine years since I owned a gasoline-powered tool that wasn’t a chainsaw, and here I am again, Farmer John without a field, acquiring implements of mass vegetative destruction. It’s out there in the dark somewhere now, covered by a tarp.
Waiting to work on a ranch, I think. This little place is just a practice cut.
Comment by Chris
1 July 10, 2008, 7:47 am o'clock |
Yep, those cutters are more fun than a pack of ferrets in your underpants! There is something very viscerally satisfying about clearing out a patch of overgrowth. Kind of like a slasher movie, but without the blood!
Changing the topic slightly, I know you and your domestic goddess are looking for new digs, and I don’t know if you’ve mentioned this, but have you thought of buying your existing place from the estate of your late landlord? Would there be enough room (and a stable temperature/humidity) for your sweetie’s piano if you were able to take over the whole property? Besides, the estate might be able to offer some clever financing options (i.e. a mortgage take-back or a second mortgage) which would allow you to get conventional financing. Not that I would EVER suggest that you are conventional, John…
Comment by Manuel
2 July 10, 2008, 8:55 pm o'clock |
I happen to be in the need of a similiar contraption to wreck havoc some some intruding chamisa at my place in Cordova. I had a local gentleman work on it for the past year (I live in San Diego) and am now at the “fixin” the yard stage. Anyway, what model did you buy? Sounds like one I could use if you have found it to be a good tool. Thanks
Comment by John H. Farr
3 July 10, 2008, 9:36 pm o'clock |
Chris: This place is in a beautiful spot, but it would take a lot of work, including a major addition, for it to offer workspaces for each of us. And we’re not experiencing much financial slack at the moment. Don’t think I haven’t thought about it, but there has to be someplace that’s even better than this particular hillside.
Manuel: Bear in mind that I’m no expert and have only a modest amount of experience with these things, but this one looks like it’ll get the job done. I’ll let you know after I try it out on a huge patch of wild rose brambles. It’s a Sears Brushcutter/Line Trimmer, Model # 79582, I think. 32 cc two-stroke engine, not too loud. The main things I like are the scary-looking brushcutter blade, the heavy pre-cut line that clamps right in (no bumping the trimmer head against the ground to advance a line), and the big handlebar instead of the much smaller handgrip you find on most trimmers. Costs $199, but it’s on sale now for 30 or 40 bucks less.
Comment by GD Armstrong
4 July 13, 2008, 11:45 pm o'clock |
Brush cutters can get a lot done in a short time either on the brush or your person. If you use the metal saw blade on the sage ya gotta sneak up on it, take too big a bite & the brush will grab.
The Vroom-vroom factor can be a kick just like a motorcycle!
There are times that the sign will come in handy even when y’re not using the tool!
GD
Comment by John H. Farr
5 July 14, 2008, 12:43 am o'clock |
Good advice on the brushcutter. I haven’t used it yet, but the moment is coming.
BTW, this thing is slow to rev. Doesn’t vroom-vroom, exactly. Might need to be tuned, eh? But it’s brand new. I thought maybe it’s just a little stiff. We shall see…