PivoTrim revolutionizes string trimmer head technology
Wednesday July 8, 2009
I've spent a lot of time on the end of a string trimmer. It's usually one of the first chores you get when starting out in the turf care industry, along with push mowing around sand bunkers and collecting trash.
One of the things I've always despised about string trimming (which is not really that bad of a chore) is reloading the twine. First, it can be nearly impossible to unscrew the bottom of the head (was that clockwise or counter-clockwise?). Then after spending ten minutes carefully winding twine around the head and delicately threading both ends through their respective holes (while balancing it all on your knee), then "pop". It unravels in a mess and you're back to where you started. If you do manage to get the head screwed back on, there's still a good chance it will unwind itself inside the head or not feed out properly. The whole process has driven me crazy on many occasions.
Needless to say I was excited to see a product like PivoTrim come along and destroy the old way of dealing with trimmer heads. Gone is the frustration of spooled twine, replaced with four folded pieces of line each on its own pivot point. PivoTrim heads are deceptively simple and extremely effective.
If the easy loading isn't enough, the PivoTrim's design makes it easier to trim around chain-link fence and rocks. It's also more forgiving and easier to control around trees and wood fencing. This results in longer lasting twine, PivoTrim claims line lasts 20 times longer.
One question. Where was this product twenty years ago when I was running a string trimmer every day?
photo © Better Heads LLC
Wii operated lawn mower
Monday July 6, 2009
From the Southern University of Denmark robotics laboratory "RoboCluster" comes the Casmobot. A remote controlled lawn mower operated with a Nintendo Wii controller (Wiimote).
Finally something that will get the kid to mow the lawn! (Bah-dump-bump)
Seriously though, the folks of RoboCluster are developing remote technology for industrial use in many plant care/farming applications. Wii operated lawn mowers would be used to mow extreme slopes and other inaccessible areas and may someday be used by a video-game-loving teen to mow your lawn.
Casmobot FAQ
photo © Kjeld Jensen/University of Southern Denmark
Understanding fertilizer
Wednesday July 1, 2009
Have you ever wondered what the three numbers on a bag of fertilizer are? It's surprising that most people don't know or even care what the numbers mean. They buy in to an slick, packaged, lawn care program which unfortunately is geared more toward selling product than maintaining a healthy lawn.
The numbers represent the percentage of each of the three most important elements to plant growth. The first is nitrogen (N), then phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
Generally, nitrogen is the most important and it is available in many forms. Nitrogen is responsible mainly for providing lush, leafy top-growth and deep green color. Fertilizers can release nitrogen to the plant slowly over time, quickly for immediate results, or both depending on the blend.
Read more about fertilizers:
Plant Nutrition
A Closer Look at Nitrogen
Do-it-yourself lawn care
Monday June 29, 2009
With a weakened economy, people are sometimes forced to cut back on certain perks or luxuries they may have afforded themselves in the past. Lawn care is one of those services that a family on a tight budget may deem unnecessary.
Fortunately lawn care is a task that, for the most part, can be done without the aid of a professional lawn care service. All one needs is the right equipment and a little knowledge of how a lawn works.
photo © Jamie Burke
