How to Identify and Fix Common Gardening Problems ?
We provide a variety of viewpoints on how to identify and fix common gardening problems. Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced gardeners :
If your engine runs, but the trimmer blades do not move when the throttle is engaged, the clutch may be broken or improperly tensioned. The clutch is attached to the crankshaft, and engages the gearbox to start rotating once a certain rotational speed is reached.
A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the hedge trimmer for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and cause the engine to stall or run roughly.
The first thing to do is to ensure that the battery is fully charged. If after charging the battery you are still experiencing the problem, then it may indicate a fault with either the battery or charger. The defective item will need to be replaced.
If the engine is not revving up and cuts out before you reach higher revs then you need to do the following checks: Fuel: Make sure it is fresh and correctly mixed (see `Starting Issues`). Air filter: Make sure it is clean and unclogged. Fuel cap: Make sure it`s hand-tight.
This can be due to corrosion, scratches or general wear. As a result, the cutting edges of the cutter comb of your blades are no longer sharp, reducing their ability to cut. Sharpening the blade is required to reface the cutting surfaces restore these sharp edges.
For best operation and longer blade life, lubricate the hedge trimmer blade with a lightweight machine oil before and after each use.
Ideally, sharpening should be done before the blades show visible signs of wear – remember that the lifespan of your hedge trimmer is heavily dependent on regular maintenance.
The hedge trimmer is ideal for smaller workloads or those hedges that require a more precision cut. For anything too large for the trimmer, there is the hedge cutter, which has more power and larger blades to tackle thick hedges and branches.
Line Trimmer vs Brush Cutters
The difference is in capability. A line trimmer is only designed to be fitted with a line trimming head. A brush cutter or a trimmer with brush cutter capability can be fitted with a metal cutting blade for clearing of larger, woody weeds and shrubs.
If your trimmer engine idles, but stalls on throttle, check the following parts: the gasket, primer bulb, fuel filter, air filter, fuel vent, fuel line, and carburetor. The repair and symptom guide will help you better identify the part needed to be replaced and how.
The blade drive is generally the biggest culprit in why freshly sharpened blades won`t cut. The blade drive holds the socket in place to drive the cutter evenly along the deck of the blade. Over time the drive/lever edges wear down and become rounded or worn which affects the performance of the clipper blade.
When your trimmer starts and runs on choke, it could be because the check valve in the gas cap is clogged. Start the trimmer and gently unscrew the gas cap halfway off. Turn the choke off and assess. If the engine is still running, that means the gas cap may be the culprit.
It`s not necessary to lubricate the blades of a hedge trimmer to prevent rusting because they are pre-hardened rust resistant steel. However, you can use a lubricant to clean the blades, we recommend a light spray on lubricant such as WD-40 to give a thin coating.
Use 3 in 1 oil or SAE20 engine oil to lubricate the blades of a hedge trimmer. Any grade engine oil will work well. Give them an oiling every 30 minutes or use, before, and after use. I use a machine oil applicator, but a paintbrush or oil-covered rag would do the job too.
When your trimmer starts and runs on choke, it could be because the check valve in the gas cap is clogged. Start the trimmer and gently unscrew the gas cap halfway off. Turn the choke off and assess. If the engine is still running, that means the gas cap may be the culprit.
It is possible that your guards or blades may be missing some parts. Carefully inspect your guards or blades to see if they are missing any teeth. Another cause for these cut gaps could be interference from foreign objects. Your blades may not be adjusted properly or you may have dull or rusted blades.