A rotorvator
is only useful if you have large expanses of soil do cultivate regularly,
such as an allotment. They are expensive to buy but they do make a
short job of backbreaking work. They are not particularly easy to
use and take some getting used to.
They
start at the bottom end of the market as electric models that are
basically an electric hoe for light weeding jobs. For serious hard
digging a petrol or diesel model will be required. These come as two
types - the self propelled or wheeled models and the other sort that
is powered through the rotors. The wheeled variety are slightly easier
to use but are at the top end of the market costing a couple of thousand
pounds. The rotor driven models can be purchased for around the 5
- 600 hundred pound figure but can be very tiring to use, especially
if doing a large area.
Unless
you would get a lot of use out of a rotorvator, it will be best to
hire one.
These
are fairly recent introductions to the amateur gardener and are a
very useful piece of equipment, particularly if you make your own
compost or mulches. They come as electric or petrol powered models.
They will make short work of all your garden clippings and even take
branches up to 3/4 inch thick.
Chain
Saw
Although
they are a very useful tool to a well trained professional they are
a very dangerous tool in the hands of an amateur. If you must have
one then take a course on its use and always wear all the protective
clothing and equipment that is recommended.
Brush Cutter
These
also can be a dangerous tool in the hands of an amateur. They consist
of basically a heavy duty strimmer with the line head removed and
replaced with a circular steel saw. They are intended for clearing
heavy brush such as brambles and saplings. Often sold as an attachment
for a strimmer. If you do purchase one, make sure that you have all
the necessary safety equipment to go with it.
Blower/vac
Another
fairly recent introduction to the amateur gardener is the garden vacuum
cleaner / blower. These can either be used to blow leaves into a pile
for removal or used as a vacuum cleaner for sucking them up. Some
of the top model actually chop the leaves up so that they can be used
as a mulch in the garden. They are expensive although the price is
dropping as they become more popular. Available in both petrol and
electric.
