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The afternoon got away from you and just maybe you just might of have a few too many of you favorite adult beverages. Now you want to mow your own lawn. Do you think that the law should be able come on your own land and give you a DWI or just what should the law be?

The law should not be able to get you for dwi but maybe they should be able to give a dumb a-s ticket

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Carscw said:

The law should not be able to get you for dwi but maybe they should be able to give a dumb a-s ticket

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sure sounds good to me.

Yeah would prob be a reckless endangerment ticket.

Ticket if he's only mowing the yard in the snow. LoL

Sprinkler Buddy said:

Ticket if he's only mowing the yard in the snow. LoL

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sure would be safe in Florida and New York right now. it was almost 50 here today and snow is gone.

I couldn't understand anybody who would drink and mow!

A mower is dangerous you know.

I've never drank and operated the mower, but I did operate the mower after taking a hay fever tablet once which must have made me quite dazed because a few hours after mowing I went outside to get some fresh air and there were about three patches I'd missed and the lines were all squint...

After that I bought some Non-Drowsy hay fever tablets!

Parkmower said:

Yeah would prob be a reckless endangerment ticket.

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Do you really think they would have a right to come on your own private land and give you that endangerment ticket unless they had another reason? Now I can understand if you were on public land you could get a DWI.

reynoldston said:

Do you really think they would have a right to come on your own private land and give you that endangerment ticket unless they had another reason? Now I can understand if you were on public land you could get a DWI.

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If there were other people around, like your family or kids. And you were possibly putting them in remote danger I bet they'd come stop you. But I think it would need to be reported by someone. How would they know if you were drunken mowing unless somebody called them?

In Virginia, technically they can arrest for for public consumption if people can see you drinking in your front yard. This law probably predates the United States and is only likely to be used if the police officer or one of your neighbors is a real jerk or you're acting like a real jerk. However, I'd made a long habit of only doing one dangerous thing at a time, so I save the cold ones until I'm done mowing, chainsawing, shooting, reloading, boating, welding, whatever. May be dull, but I still have all my body parts, eyes and hearing.

Grass ala Mowed said:

In Virginia, technically they can arrest for for public consumption if people can see you drinking in your front yard. This law probably predates the United States and is only likely to be used if the police officer or one of your neighbors is a real jerk or you're acting like a real jerk. However, I'd made a long habit of only doing one dangerous thing at a time, so I save the cold ones until I'm done mowing, chainsawing, shooting, reloading, boating, welding, whatever. May be dull, but I still have all my body parts, eyes and hearing.

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Good advice!! Kinda goes along same lines as "one crime at a time" not that I'm a criminal or commit any crimes.

That is why my brother-in law was missing a lot of his fingers before he passed away.

Now if your drunk and operating a mower on your own property, you are danger to yourself and others. However I don't think that should be a defination of DWI. Someone mentioned reckless endangerment or something, that sounds closer to it to me. This was 20yrs or so ago, but I did here of a guy, father to someone I knew then who had his drivers license taken away for DWI's then started driving a 3 wheeler or something like that back and forth to the convience store for supplies?, got that taken away from him and then started driving the mower to the store while drunk and they put him in jail for that.

I think an MUI would solve the problem! :thumbsup:

Walleteater1 said:

Now if your drunk and operating a mower on your own property, you are danger to yourself and others. However I don't think that should be a defination of DWI. Someone mentioned reckless endangerment or something, that sounds closer to it to me. This was 20yrs or so ago, but I did here of a guy, father to someone I knew then who had his drivers license taken away for DWI's then started driving a 3 wheeler or something like that back and forth to the convience store for supplies?, got that taken away from him and then started driving the mower to the store while drunk and they put him in jail for that.

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I can well understand it if he was running it on public road or land, the fool got what he deserved. But what if he never left his own lawn does he then?

reynoldston said:

The afternoon got away from you and just maybe you just might of have a few too many of you favorite adult beverages. Now you want to mow your own lawn. Do you think that the law should be able come on your own land and give you a DWI or just what should the law be?

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A guy I know, who was once a Sheriff in Virginia, got a DWI on a golf cart once in Florida, but he was driving backwards on a main street at the time. As far as a DWI on a lawnmower, Country music star George Jones was famous for drinking and driving his John Deer lawnmower to a beer joint, but again on a public road. I think you would have to be very visibly wasted before the police would bother you on your own property. However, as a law enforcement officer myself, I can tell you that many a drunk in public arrest has been made in the front yard or on the portch of the individual's personal home.

St8shooter said:

A guy I know, who was once a Sheriff in Virginia, got a DWI on a golf cart once in Florida, but he was driving backwards on a main street at the time. As far as a DWI on a lawnmower, Country music star George Jones was famous for drinking and driving his John Deer lawnmower to a beer joint, but again on a public road. I think you would have to be very visibly wasted before the police would bother you on your own property. However, as a law enforcement officer myself, I can tell you that many a drunk in public arrest has been made in the front yard or on the portch of the individual's personal home.

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I can believe that, because when you're on your own property you get into a false sense of security that you can do what you like without being bothered by the police.

Although driving your JD around your front lawn while being drunk may not be harming anybody else, it would if you accidentally swerved onto the side walk or even the ROAD!

reynoldston said:

I can well understand it if he was running it on public road or land, the fool got what he deserved. But what if he never left his own lawn does he then?

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I think it's more in the defination of the law in my opinion.
Should someone be driving a mower drunk on their property?- My opinion. NO
Should they be charged with a DWI that could effect their regular drivers licensce when operating a mower that is NOT an insured and registered vehicle and NOT being operated off their property? - My opinion. NO
Should someone be charged with something because of driving a mower drunk on their property?- My opinion. YES

Walleteater1 said:

I think it's more in the defination of the law in my opinion.
Should someone be driving a mower drunk on their property?- My opinion. NO
Should they be charged with a DWI that could effect their regular drivers licensce when operating a mower that is NOT an insured and registered vehicle and NOT being operated off their property? - My opinion. NO
Should someone be charged with something because of driving a mower drunk on their property?- My opinion. YES

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So if you are on your own property minding your business but had too many adult beverages you are saying it is OK for the law to arrest you.

I think things have gotten a little out of hand. This used to be the land of the free but there seems to be laws against everything. However, I do think that it may depend on the circumstances etc. It does seem to me that there should be a little flexability when on your oen property. I myself am not much of a drinker maybe 4 to 5 beers per year. I have a neighbor that has a riding mower whick in the past allowed his 6 or 7 year old daughter to ride on the hood all the while he'd be drinking beer and cutting grass. Oh, he did make her wear hearing protection. In his case I think maybe police intervention would be appropriate. Yes, I have spoken to him. His daughter is now 8 and she now drives the tractor, but atleast he doesn't drink:laughing:

reynoldston said:

So if you are on your own property minding your business but had too many adult beverages you are saying it is OK for the law to arrest you.

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If someone is minding their own buisness on their own property, how would anybody know their drunk? C'mon, Law enforcement has better things to do than go around and do lawn mowing sobriety checks on a Summer sunny day in peoples yards? If someone is driving their mower drunk on their property and doing stupid and dangerous things and drawing attention to themselves like idiots then slap them with a fine and or arrest them if it comes down to it.

Walleteater1 said:

If someone is minding their own buisness on their own property, how would anybody know their drunk? C'mon, Law enforcement has better things to do than go around and do lawn mowing sobriety checks on a Summer sunny day in peoples yards? If someone is driving their mower drunk on their property and doing stupid and dangerous things and drawing attention to themselves like idiots then slap them with a fine and or arrest them if it comes down to it.

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I guess we can always go a another step. What if, your neighbor is in law enforcement and hates this person because they are both of a differant race and would like nothing better to do but cause a problim and that is the only reason. Who is in the right the drunk or the law enforcement? It could very well happen in my neighborhood. Yes by all means a person is a idiot to mow when drunk but that isn't the question.

reynoldston said:

I guess we can always go a another step. What if, your neighbor is in law enforcement and hates this person because they are both of a differant race and would like nothing better to do but cause a problim and that is the only reason. Who is in the right the drunk or the law enforcement? It could very well happen in my neighborhood. Yes by all means a person is a idiot to mow when drunk but that isn't the question.

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I Don't know what to tell you other than if someone had a LEO for a neighbor and each other weren't really friendly to each other for whatever the reason why would they put themselves in that situation by being seen drunk, mower or not?

Wow this went from somebody mowing drunk. To cop with a vengeance and a ethnic operator. Sounds like a movie in the making. A dramatic story filled with suspense.

Parkmower said:

Wow this went from somebody mowing drunk. To cop with a vengeance and a ethnic operator. Sounds like a movie in the making. A dramatic story filled with suspense.

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I know what you mean, I am just a person with way too much time on his hands. Just wanted to see where this would go. Me being a nondrinker I am running out of stories. I put the same thing on a motorcycle forum and it got away from me. They had me as a crazy drunk going down the highway which I am not. Now maybe just a crazy drunk going down my lawn:confused2:

Parkmower said:

Wow this went from somebody mowing drunk. To cop with a vengeance and a ethnic operator. Sounds like a movie in the making. A dramatic story filled with suspense.

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Maybe at the end they form a great friendship where the cop retires and the two start a landscape business together

Parkmower said:

Maybe at the end they form a great friendship where the cop retires and the two start a landscape business together

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Or maybe a tavern

reynoldston said:

I know what you mean, I am just a person with way too much time on his hands. Just wanted to see where this would go. Me being a nondrinker I am running out of stories. I put the same thing on a motorcycle forum and it got away from me. They had me as a crazy drunk going down the highway which I am not. Now maybe just a crazy drunk going down my lawn:confused2:

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Black Rain - 'Sunday morning' race - YouTube

LOL! They probabaly conjured up something like this in their mind.:laughing:

Walleteater1 said:

Black Rain - 'Sunday morning' race - YouTube

LOL! They probabaly conjured up something like this in their mind.:laughing:

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That's for sure, a old man on a Harley, that's me. Maybe more in my dreams because a crotch rocket would eat my Harley up with speed but not in comfort.

I sold my cycle 2 years ago. Work takes up too much of my time to enjoy it like the old days.:frown:

Walleteater1 said:

I sold my cycle 2 years ago. Work takes up too much of my time to enjoy it like the old days.:frown:

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Now come on everyone needs their toys, mowers now and maybe a little later in life another cycle. I was 65 when I bought mine.

Too much traffic around here and they don't abide by the laws. People are always running signs and lights. Sold the Harley a long time ago.

fastback said:

Too much traffic around here and they don't abide by the laws. People are always running signs and lights. Sold the Harley a long time ago.

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Yes you sure have to watch the traffic, Also you can get hurt with a mower or any equipment if you don't use your head. Sorry to hear you sold your Harley but I am sure you had your reasons.

B ack to the original question. No. Where is this persons wife, mother, father, brother, sister, or friend. Without a domestic abuse or reckless endangerment of someone other than themselves i feel the law has no right coming on to the property. I feel the law has to many rights to infinge apon us the way it is.

Fabman said:

B ack to the original question. No. Where is this persons wife, mother, father, brother, sister, or friend. Without a domestic abuse or reckless endangerment of someone other than themselves i feel the law has no right coming on to the property. I feel the law has to many rights to infinge apon us the way it is.

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No as I started this trend nothing other then the person just had too much to drink to drive a car down the road. Can he get in trouble driving across his lawn on his mower mowing grass, nothing more. I feel the same as you the law should not have a right comming on your property. I guess everone could have their own opinion on this. Yes there should be no reason for the law to do so, but who knows what ever unknowen reason?? maybe just to ask a question???

Guy Busted For DUI On Lawnmower - YouTube

Found this video on youtube. Apparently where this happend you could get a DUI on your own property by listening to the video.

Walleteater1 said:

Guy Busted For DUI On Lawnmower - YouTube

Found this video on youtube. Apparently where this happend you could get a DUI on your own property by listening to the video.

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The police officer said he was on public property that I can understand but said if you were in your own back yard also. I don't drink but I also think the back yard thing is going too far. That part of it is turning into a police state if you are not doing anything but drank too much on a bicycle in your own back yard. Sorry that is just going too far. Now if he went down the sidewalk in his front yard it is a different thing.

There are some members of the police forces that only have a Marginal knowledge of the laws in their jurisdictions...
By the time they become well versed in their local laws, they are usually about to retire... so the new younger troop is out there making the wrong statements again...

Laws allow you to do a Lot of foolish things on private property... as long as reckless endangerment is not involved... at various points, attorneys are plugged into our lives just to support some third party's need to inject their position...
I suspect it is all just more things to learn to tolerate so we can live in the proximity of each other... :smile:KennyV
PS... and like they say : If it's important enough... Or Stupid enough, the Courts will ultimately make the final decision...

Legally speaking, and I am, I have been an attorney in Illinois for over 25 years, on both sides of the fence. In Illinois, you can be arrested for DUI on a lawnmower, which qualifies as a "motor vehicle," and it does not have to be on public property. Just yesterday, I had a client who was arrested, asleep in his car, keys in the ignition, in a Menard's parking lot. Since it was his second DUI in 5 years, he's doing 5 days in the county jail and will loose his drivers' license. I never thought of it, but I have a tall boy cold one on the John Deere every time I do my 1/2 acre. I guess I could get busted for open liquor in a motor vehicle. This is why moving to Colorado for retirement looks better and better every year. The People's Republic of Illinois.

Down here in south Alabama the law wouldn't mess with us about drinking a beer while cutting our yard. Now if you were at a customers house drinking (knowing you are going to drive afterwards) then there might be some trouble. If a cop messed with me in my yard I would race hell and open a law suit for harassement. That's just me though. Not saying that I drink and use my mower.

honestblades said:

Down here in south Alabama the law wouldn't mess with us about drinking a beer while cutting our yard. Now if you were at a customers house drinking (knowing you are going to drive afterwards) then there might be some trouble. If a cop messed with me in my yard I would race hell and open a law suit for harassement. That's just me though. Not saying that I drink and use my mower.

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Now you are in court for the harassment suit who would win? Attorney Steve k is saying you won't in Illinois but is it differant in Alabama? I am on your side and really don't think the law should mess with you in your own lawn.

Here in Alabama it all depends on where you are. In Oxford you would go to jail for being drunk in public now go 20 miles east I bet you will see a cop drinking on his mower. My brother inlaw is a cop in GA and said they don't care as long as you don't bother any one

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reynoldston said:

The afternoon got away from you and just maybe you just might of have a few too many of you favorite adult beverages. Now you want to mow your own lawn. Do you think that the law should be able come on your own land and give you a DWI or just what should the law be?

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Stupid sh"t like that causes trouble for yourself or others and is the reason they keep making more and more laws to try to protect irrisponsible morons from themselves,wich by itself is a lost cause anyway cause stupid is as stupid does

But hey,go ahead, get drunk en start mowing.
With a bit luck you only clip your toe nails.:tongue:

my 2c

Bison said:

Stupid sh"t like that causes trouble for yourself or others and is the reason they keep making more and more laws to try to protect irrisponsible morons from themselves,wich by itself is a lost cause anyway cause stupid is as stupid does

But hey,go ahead, get drunk en start mowing.
With a bit luck you only clip your toe nails.:tongue:

my 2c

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Woo I'm not the one to drink and mow, seeing we don't know each other maybe you are the one? I never said it was a smart thing to do. I am just saying too many laws. Just look at all the safety switches on the new mowers so we don't clip our toe nails we have to pay for and don't want. As soon as the drunks fall off the mower it will stop runing anyways so his toe nails will be safe. That is as long as he isn't useing my mower seeing I have the switches bypassed.

Oh No! the switches are bypassed. Here is a new question. Does the law have a right to come on your property and ticket you if they see your lawn mower running unattended?:laughing:

Walleteater1 said:

Oh No! the switches are bypassed. Here is a new question. Does the law have a right to come on your property and ticket you if they see your lawn mower running unattended?:laughing:

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Please don't put the idea out there because some DO-GOODER get the idea in there head and it will be law. Lets keep going a little far-er I think we should have to wear a helmet and maybe a seatbelt.:thumbsup:

reynoldston said:

Woo I'm not the one to drink and mow, seeing we don't know each other maybe you are the one? I never said it was a smart thing to do. I am just saying too many laws. Just look at all the safety switches on the new mowers so we don't clip our toe nails we have to pay for and don't want. As soon as the drunks fall off the mower it will stop runing anyways so his toe nails will be safe. That is as long as he isn't useing my mower seeing I have the switches bypassed.

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Sorry,no offence,..i thought you spoke for yourself. :wink:

BTW,i don't drink,..i don't even like the stuff.

reynoldston said:

Please don't put the idea out there because some DO-GOODER get the idea in there head and it will be law. Lets keep going a little far-er I think we should have to wear a helmet and maybe a seatbelt.:thumbsup:

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Your right! Next would be licensing,registration and insurance.:frown:

Walleteater1 said:

Your right! Next would be licensing,registration and insurance.:frown:

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Hay now we are getting somewhere more money and red tape for our government. They could use the extra money to send someone around to make sure you have your seat belt on and wearing your helmet.

Walleteater1 said:

Your right! Next would be licensing,registration and insurance.:frown:

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And an annual inspection.

Parkmower said:

And an annual inspection.

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I think a muffler probe for emmission testing would help the environment and save the Arctic seals:smile:

Walleteater1 said:

I think a muffler probe for emmission testing would help the environment and save the Arctic seals:smile:

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Are we talking about the muffler or the driver

Now you guys are catching on.....ya see, that's job creation. You have created jobs, public sector jobs, but jobs, none the less.
Just like they did in the "birthplace of democracy", Greece. It worked there for thousands of years, well hundreds, or uh about 6 years, not so well recently, but hey, how many people really want to work 40 hours a week anyway?
The European union will pay for that lack of production, not to worry.
What was this thread about again?
Got it!.....Driving your lawn mower and drinking enough to be legally inebriated. I'm all for that as long as it's not one of my neighbors....

Walleteater1 said:

Your right! Next would be licensing,registration and insurance.:frown:

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You really really need to see a dentist

Bison said:

You really really need to see a dentist

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That's not me. That's the face the Weedeater Co. gave everybody for the Weedeater1

No so long as the <consumer> does not present any risk or disturbance to their self or neighbors.

Walleteater1 said:

That's not me. That's the face the Weedeater Co. gave everybody for the Weedeater1

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can you prove it?

Bison, read some of my posts on the Weedeater one. I've had nothing but problems since I bought it. Others have said the same thing and had the same problems as me. I don't need a mower to do amazing and extra ordinary things except mow a modest lawn. I can't wait until April for a whole new season of a set of new problems to encounter.

Walleteater1 said:

Bison, read some of my posts on the Weedeater one. I've had nothing but problems since I bought it. Others have said the same thing and had the same problems as me. I don't need a mower to do amazing and extra ordinary things except mow a modest lawn. I can't wait until April for a whole new season of a set of new problems to encounter.

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Looks like its time to put a for sale sign on it and pass the problems on to the next person. Find yourself a good used top brand mower or get yourself a payment book on a new one. I had the same thing happen to me when I was younger but it was a Craftman JUNK and I bought a used John Deere which I am still using on a 1 acre lawn.

reynoldston said:

Looks like its time to put a for sale sign on it and pass the problems on to the next person. Find yourself a good used top brand mower or get yourself a payment book on a new one. I had the same thing happen to me when I was younger but it was a Craftman JUNK and I bought a used John Deere which I am still using on a 1 acre lawn.

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That's definately crossed my mind more than once and it may come down to it this year. Not trying to blame the Wife but she was insistant on mowing the lawn last year. I have been the one to do it since forever and she has never been on a rider her whole life and convinced me that the Weedeater wouldn't intimadate her and she would use it. I was smitten by the price of the mower, the cheapskate that I am. And I learned again you get what you pay for. Well as it turned out the mower is problem prone, the wife is scared of the thing, rode it in first gear once and never again and all I am left with is to use it when it does work and come to this forum and rant about it when it doesn't.:frown:

Walleteater1 said:

That's definately crossed my mind more than once and it may come down to it this year. Not trying to blame the Wife but she was insistant on mowing the lawn last year. I have been the one to do it since forever and she has never been on a rider her whole life and convinced me that the Weedeater wouldn't intimadate her and she would use it. I was smitten by the price of the mower, the cheapskate that I am. And I learned again you get what you pay for. Well as it turned out the mower is problem prone, the wife is scared of the thing, rode it in first gear once and never again and all I am left with is to use it when it does work and come to this forum and rant about it when it doesn't.:frown:

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Been there done that,..the first time my wife mowed the lawn she blew the engine,...it was also the last time.
Weadeaters are pieces of crap regardless of brand,half the time it causes heart attacks to get them started and i hate the noise and the stink.:thumbdown:

Solution,...i use an old fashioned scythe instead.
Very peacefull and no noise,and i am done mowing in the time it took to get that other contraption started.:thumbsup:
That useless thing is still hanging somewhere waiting for a victim :wink:

Bison said:

Been there done that,..the first time my wife mowed the lawn she blew the engine,...it was also the last time.
Weadeaters are pieces of crap regardless of brand,half the time it causes heart attacks to get them started and i hate the noise and the stink.:thumbdown:

Solution,...i use an old fashioned scythe instead.
Very peacefull and no noise,and i am done mowing in the time it took to get that other contraption started.:thumbsup:
That useless thing is still hanging somewhere waiting for a victim :wink:

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Yea I have one of those. I use it for the bank around the pond. It's like therapy, no noise, no gas, just the momentum, very relaxing.
I'm the one who thinks the inventor of the weedeater (string trimmer) should be punished, as I hate those devices, noisy, stinky, and ergonomically ridiculous.
I was using one today(gas powered string trimmer), naturally, I had to fix it first, as the fuel line to the filter in the tank had failed. a quick fix but none the less a fix.
I suppose that in certain situations it's the only option....but I still hate the dam thing.

RobertBrown said:

Yea I have one of those. I use it for the bank around the pond. It's like therapy, no noise, no gas, just the momentum, very relaxing.
I'm the one who thinks the inventor of the weedeater (string trimmer) should be punished, as I hate those devices, noisy, stinky, and ergonomically ridiculous.
I was using one today(gas powered string trimmer), naturally, I had to fix it first, as the fuel line to the filter in the tank had failed. a quick fix but none the less a fix.
I suppose that in certain situations it's the only option....but I still hate the dam thing.

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IMO If it can't be trimmed with a scythe,..it don't need trimming :tongue:

I have ornamental grasses that need to be cut once a season or a wet spring will kill the roots. These would be really difficult to cut with a scythe. I use a trimmer with a metal blade (brush cutter). takes about an hour and i hang the thing up for months. I'm literally talking to myself the whole time... discussing the shortcomings and deciding on the re-design.
I keep thinking I need to combine the Dyson vacuum with the weedeater somehow.

RobertBrown said:

I have ornamental grasses that need to be cut once a season or a wet spring will kill the roots. These would be really difficult to cut with a scythe. I use a trimmer with a metal blade (brush cutter). takes about an hour and i hang the thing up for months. I'm literally talking to myself the whole time... discussing the shortcomings and deciding on the re-design.
I keep thinking I need to combine the Dyson vacuum with the weedeater somehow.

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Get a goat :wink: