Proper Maintenance of Garden Tools

Proper Garden Tool Maintenance

The winter period is the ideal time for maintaining and selecting garden tools. Nowadays, there are plenty of technical innovations, and it can practically be said that quality tools make a quality gardener. These "quality" toys need to be taken care of and given regular maintenance. Winter is the perfect time for this maintenance.

Mowing and Lawn Maintenance Tools

Brush Cutter

If a brush cutter is your helper, give it regular maintenance at an authorized service center. If you want to do the maintenance yourself, start with a visual inspection. Clean the machine of grass residue and dirt. Carefully remove the air filter and blow it out. If it's damaged, you need to purchase a new one and replace it. Clean dirt around the compression valve. Brush away settled dust around the cylinder ribs of the engine. You can also clean the starter plugs, pulleys, and cables. Check all lubricants in the machine. Purchase the necessary cutting line.

Scythe

If you're a supporter of the classic mowing method, then it's also advisable to treat and maintain your scythe and sickle in winter. The scythe needs to be gradually hammered from both sides. Use a whetstone and anvil for smoother sharpening.

Lawn Mower

Sharpening lawn mower blades is very important. The blades should be sharpened at an authorized service center. Perform this maintenance regularly. This is a machine that required a higher initial investment and should receive adequate servicing.

Garden Shears

Shears are best taken to an authorized service center or cutlery shop for regular adjustment and sharpening. If you decide to do the maintenance yourself, first unscrew the center screw, then remove rust and residue deposits. Sharpen the blade only from one side. If you sharpen both sides, the shears will be non-functional. After sharpening, oil the sharp edge. Also oil the center screw.

Rake

Clean rakes, whether with wooden or metal ends, of grass and soil residue. You can disinfect wooden handles with a solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate. If the handle is cracked, it needs to be replaced. Secure any loose handle attachments. If you found raking your lawn difficult this year and you've seen new rakes that you could use better, don't hesitate and purchase a different model.

Don't regret the time or money spent on garden tool maintenance. Quality and well-prepared tools will make your start into the new working year easier. You won't get unnecessary blisters or have to search for them tediously in every corner.

If gardening is your passion, then treat yourself to quality, sturdy, and practical tools that will make your work easier, save time, and make you feel like a professional.

Tools for Soil Cultivation

Cultivator

The cultivator should ideally be taken to an authorized service center for regular maintenance along with your brushcutter. If you decide to perform maintenance yourself, check and clean the air filter. If damaged, purchase a new one. Check the throttle cable and clutch cable, as well as the belt tension. Check the gearbox oil level. Clean the spark plugs and adjust them to the correct position.

When draining the oil, first start and warm up the engine. Then turn it off. Drain the oil while the engine is still warm. Remove the oil tank cap to drain the oil. Drain the oil into a sealable container and take it to a recycling center. Never pour used oil onto the ground or into drains. Refill with new oil, check the oil level, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and treat them with protective cream. Store the cultivator prepared in this way in a dry place.

Hoes and Small Hoes

Hoes and small hoes are very frequently used tools. You work with hoes practically all year round - from weeding, hilling vegetables, to deeper soil cultivation under tree crowns in autumn. You can also carry a small hoe in "pocket" form with you for maintaining graves. With hoes, it's important to always clean the metal part from soil residue. Check the handle. Tighten it in the connection area with the metal part, or replace it with a new, more stable one.

Sharpen the hoe blade. The blade should be sharpened from one side only. It must be short. You can disinfect the handle with a solution of copper sulfate.

Warning! If you have older, worn-out models, replace them with new, sturdier ones. You'll get fewer blisters and increase work safety. Don't soak hoes in a bucket of water - the handle will rot and the metal parts will rust.

A properly sharpened hoe is sharpened from one side only. Small hoes don't need sharpening. Always clean tools from soil residue. Never soak any garden tools in a bucket of water thinking that the wood will swell and a loose handle will be temporarily functional. Your handles will soon rot and the metal parts will rust.

Loose handles can be temporarily fixed with a metal or wooden wedge. Drive it into the slot in the handle. However, don't skimp on quality tools, and if your older tools are wearing out, purchase new ones.

Sharpening Tools

Work goes much better with sharp tools. If you decide to sharpen at home, use a bench grinder. Fix it firmly to the workbench. Sharpen tools at the correct angle. You need to choose a suitable grinding wheel. It shouldn't be too fine or too coarse. Long grinding heats up the metal and the edge won't be properly sharpened. If you're not confident about sharpening, take your tools to the nearest knife sharpening service, locksmith or authorized garden tool service center.

Keep Your Garden Shed, Cellar, or Tool Storage Tidy

Keep the space where you store your tools dry and clean. Take out all your garden tools and sweep away cobwebs in the corners and on the ceiling. Remove soil buildup and grass remnants from the floor.

Oil the hinges on your shed door. Wipe down handles and locks. Clean the door frames. Check if the threshold is rotten. If it's loose, tighten the screws. If necessary, reinforce or replace the threshold. Also inspect the window and clean the window frames.

The time you spend on tool maintenance now will be greatly appreciated and rewarded in spring. If it's already freezing, take your tools into a heated space where you can rest and warm up while maintaining them. Most of you are digging in the garden now and it's important to think about warming up tired muscles too.

Final Recommendation: Take care of your tools, but don't forget about yourself. Make time for relaxation during the day - time to rest and reflect, sleep, or read.

How do you maintain your tools?

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Author: Hana Michalíková