Makita Chainsaw
August 5th, 2026Currently using Gavin's DUC353
- August 5th: It appears very blunt and very difficult to cut through even ash. The blade doesn't look that blunt but will sharpen tomorrow to see if that is the issue
Makita Brushcutter:
July 2nd, 2025This is a diary of my use of Gavin's Makita Brushcutter. Thanks by the way :)
The most powerful Makita LXT is the DUR369A. The X1 is with cutting attachments
- DUR369AZX1 36V (AZ No batteries and charger)
- DUR369AGX1 (AG with batteries and charger)
Whereas the Makita is only about a tenth as powerful as the Sthil and the batteries only last a third of the time 0.7lt of petrol it is much lighter, it is not deafening so I don't wear the helmet with ear muffs. The shorter period of use, the light weight also mean it is easier to use, almost pleasant in that I don't have to hype myself up and I don't have to sweat. Definitely something I would have to consider buying. It's just the impact of having Li-ion batteries made ���
2026
- Mar 5th: 1 charge: Around the veggie area with blade
- Mar 18th: 2 charge: 1 around the veggie area and 1 around the bottom parking area of △, both with blade
- Apr 23rd: 1 charge: Around the veggie area with strimmer: Tried a second run but one battery was not charged �. Charged second battery and all OK
- Apr 27th: 1 charge: Down to the boat
- Apr 28th: 1 charge: Edges of inhabited area
- May 8th: 1 charge: 80m along the bund north from 27th April
- May 10th: 1 charge: Further along the bund north from 8th May
- May 12th: 1 charge: After noticing many bluebells I decided to do three small areas. First was continuation north, past the Elder tree a little, where a few bluebells were cut. Secondly I went to the JK patch and cleared the bund there and south a bit to the willow with purple toothwort. I can then rake up the debris and bring it back to monitor it. Thirdly the area that dips below the cut willow on the bund.
- May 15th: 1 charge: Apart from scooting around a few Bluebells and Red Campion the bund is cleared north to same 5m beyond the 'felled willow.
- May 30th: 2 charge: The track from Top to △ Centre and side hedges.
- June 7th: 1 charge: Bottom track in △and the track from △ to Trekensa Gardens: side hedges.
- June 12th: 1 charge: Around veggie area
- June 13th: 2 charges: Work around the Parkup 1 △ along the track verge and 1⁄3 across bottom of △
- June 14th: 2 charge: Down to boat and north past the [willow]
- June 20th: 2 charge: Tidy access to △ and cleared area to poo for incomers. | Clear path to north . . .
- June 20th: 1 charge: Cleared the way to Long term Parkup in △
- June 22nd: 1 charge: Cleared turning area and more in △ and around the growing area.
- June 27th: 1 charge: Using the blade did more work on the track to and to TLTPU (The Long Term Park Up)
- June 28th: 1 charge: Using the blade did more work to TLTPU (The Long Term Park Up) and veggie area
- July 5th: 3 charges: Clearing bund north for invasive plant access from lane to large willow on the river edge.
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Secateurs
July 14th, 2026July 30th 2026 Finally and thanks to Sarah at Burgon and Ball, who decided to sent by Royal Mail yesterday Wed 29th, the secateurs arrived today. Fedex had been ridiculously inept and had them at their warehouse near Exeter for maybe ten days.
The sad news is that the latch on the bypass secateurs is not fit for purpose and I have emailed 'Sarah about this. See Comment below for detail.
Anyway here they are:
Fruitless search:
Flaffed around all, day Friday 10th trying to find secateurs not made in China and ended up at B&Q. but they didn't have the KentandStowe bypass cutters as advertised on their site.
A few calls to K&S really took me to Marshalls Gardens. They have disinformation on their site about the same product, use a £6.99 Evri fee, K&S was free postage, and ultimately a company called Westland may be the actual manufacturers. But MG are the only contact and they can't say where they are made even though it says Designed and Made in the UK on their questionable site.
Hours yesterday and today; cancelled the order as was stressed trying to communicate with them and their mess
Now found Burgon and Ball secateurs
On their site the top row with orange handles are made in Taiwan. The sales person checked and stated that whereas many of theirs are made in China these are def. Taiwan. whoopee!, ordered them £53.97 inc.
Supplied with replacement blade and spare spring. ✅
