Yard Work 2008 #4

Ten days later. A nice summer-like Saturday, April 12th. Temperatures in the upper 70s. The lawn has been getting watered - not by us, but by the spring rain. It needs to be cut again. And here is the chance - for rain returns on Sunday or Monday.

This time - I got out the edger. It would have taken a little longer than a normal, quick, edging job. Along the driveway, all the pine needles, dust, and dirt from winter had filled in the nice edging job from last fall. This is what is looks like now, after the job is done. I never think to take a before photo. You would surely be impressed.



But - the edger - a Black and Decker 14" Grasshog - just didn't want to work. This is only the 2nd edger we've owned. The first was also a Black and Decker. The difference is the feed of the cutting line. The 1st model we had gave out more line when you 'bumped' the spool cap on the ground. It worked pretty well - but the aluminum handle finally gave out and cracked after about 10 years. So the motor and mechanism still worked, but there was no way to hold it. We purchased the 2nd model - and it has an automatic feed - AFS™ Automatic Feed Spool - No Bumping Required! Centrifugal Force Feeds Line as Needed. Nice selling point at Home Depot. There are just too many options to choose from. Check out The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz for an interest take on this topic. How many different types of cereal, bread, or even Oreos do we need? 45 ways to buy Oreos!

OK - back to the edger... The AFS™ would be great if it worked. It just doesn't work (at least for me, the one I bought). I've looked at the mechanism to see if any parts have become lost or something is jammed. No luck - it looks fine. But it just doesn't work. So - to get more line to feed out - I have to open the spool cap each time. Much more painful than the old 'bump' method.

Live and learn. When this thing finally gives up (or it end up in the neighbor's yard due to a frustrated throw) - we must just go back to the 'old' technology.