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An edger is a versatile tool used to shape or round the edges of a number of materials such as wood, plastic, metal, and even concrete. This tool can also be used to saw off cants, which are Square cut wooden pieces, derived from original round logs. A lawn edger helps to clearly demarcate the actual lawn from the walkway or any other concretized surface. The edge of a lawn created with an edger is much neater than that created by simply mowing the lawn. With the ability to edge around 90 feet per minute, the edger increases the efficiency of a user, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal.
Features and working of an edger An edger can either be manually operated or powered. A manual edger is composed of a circular blade attached to a long handle. The user applies pressure on this handle to drive the blade deep into the soil at the edge of a lawn. Often, the blade has a flat top to enable the user to press down on the blade by stepping on it. Powered edgers, on the other hand, function through the rotational motion of the blade. The movement of the blade is powered with an approximately 4 HP electrical or a gasoline motor. Some edgers have a commercial grade two-cycle engine having pushbutton priming to offer fast tool starting. A throttle-controlled centrifugal clutch ensures that the tines are engaged only when the throttle is squeezed. The tines spin at around 240 revolutions per minute (rpm) allowing the tool to dig into the hardest soil to a depth of even 10 inches. The throttle may have three speeds which the user can choose depending on the applications and the resilience of the soil. The cutting head of the edger is generally made of cast iron with around 1-9/16 inch bearings offering longer life and cooler operation. The blades used are approximately 10 inches in size and are sharpened on all four sides. The blade can be quickly reversed and can stay sharp for a longer period of time. The cutting depth can be adjusted up to around 4 inches. The cutter can be moved along different orientations from the vertical to the horizontal up to around 120 degrees. The edging depth can be further enhanced with curved time teeth. The edger usually has four wheels for better balance and stability during operation. The wheels are rendered with steel hubs having ball bearings. Complete front and rear axles enhance tool maneuverability. The average weight of an edger is around 20 pounds. The edger generally has a one-piece die cast gear box with folding handles. The edger can be attached with a crack cleaner that readies cracks for sealing and also expansion joints for recaulking. This appendage consists of heavy duty twisted wire brushes on the cleaning disc having a nine inch diameter. What to look for in an edger The engine efficiency is improved and it is prevented from overheating with the incorporation of dual element air filters. A blade guard protects the blade and extends its life. Twin belts render added power to the tool and also minimize the chances of slippage. To increase the time between successive refueling, a large three quart tank is incorporated with a mud flap to eliminate dirt kickbacks. As with any cutting tool, the edger can be a dangerous gadget if left untended. As a safety measure, the blade can be stopped easily by the user. A judiciously located shield prevents any chips, shavings, or dirt from entering into the belt container and cause breaks in operation. The edger handles are ergonomically contoured to enhance user comfort and soft padded to minimize vibrations and prevent wrist strain during prolonged usage. Some reputed manufacturers of edgers include Little Wonder and Mantis. Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)
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