Month: September 2019

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Are Robotic Lawn Mowers Safe?

Are Robotic Lawn Mowers Safe?

Robotic lawn mowers move relatively slow, people and animals can easily move out of the way.  Although it takes a lot longer to mow, if everyone used them there would be 72,000 fewer hospital visits this year.

You’re standing in your front yard minding your own business when a robot with three razor sharp blades spinning at 5,800 rpm starts racing toward you. What do you do?
Is this some kind of nightmare?  No, you’re awake and this is really happening, so once again, what do you do?
The answer is nothing.  It will just bounce off you and go another direction.  Rather anti-climatic ending wasn’t it?  That is just the way the robotic lawn mower companies want it to be.
The greatest concern most people have about robotic lawn mowers is safety.  ‘Bots with Blades’ just can’t be safe.  According to Ames Tiedeman, National Sales Manager for Systems Trading Corp., the US distributor for the Friendly Robotics Robomower, over 72,000 emergency room visits involved lawn mowers in 2005.  ZERO involved robotic lawn mowers.
These mowers have so many safety features and shut-off triggers that it is amazing that they are actually functional. 
The Friendly Robotics Robomower turns the blades off at 16 degrees, not even high enough to get a hand under.  Even if a small hand could get under, the blades are far back and recessed into a chamber in the body.  It would take creativity, not stupidity, to get to the blades while they are still turning.
Unlike push and riding lawn mower safety devices, robotic lawn mower features are not easily disabled.  The tilt detection devices are soldered on to the main boards.  Even the resistance against the blades and the ability of the software to stop them is measured in thousandths of seconds.
Since these robotic lawn mowers are designed to mulch there is no easy outlet for flying debris.  Pebbles and pine cones do not get tossed very far and at low velocity.
Some robotic lawn mowers have sonar detection systems that if any moving objects get close they’ll slow down and at another point stop the blade before even being touched.  All have some sort of touch sensors that when they lightly bump into a stationary object that they change direction.  So actually getting run over is unlikely.
Another big concern is pets getting chopped to bits, again, no reported accidents involving robotic lawn mowers.  Dogs have a tendency to chase and bark, but not attack.  A dog actually chewing up a robotic lawn mower is more feasible than a robotic lawn mower chewing up a dog.
Robotic lawn mowers move relatively slow, people and animals can easily move out of the way.  Although it takes a lot longer to mow, if everyone used them there would be 72,000 fewer hospital visits this year. 
This article was written to educate people that robotic mowers under intended circumstances are safe.  There has been a great deal of thought and engineering involved to make robotic lawn mowers safe for public use.
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Are Robotic Lawn Mowers in Your Future?

Are Robotic Lawn Mowers in Your Future?

Now that they they are fully autonomous, robotic lawn mowers are beginning to creep in to every day life.

Robotic lawn mowers are going to be the next life-style changing appliance in America.  Think about it, how many times have you wanted to get away for the weekend or go to some event but yard work kept you tied to the house?  I can’t tell you how many golf outings I have missed.
Robotic lawn mowers can mow the yard, go back to the charger, and go back out again on their own without human intervention.  This is a large step forward from only two or three years ago.
Residential robotic lawn mowers run on batteries, so they don’t use gas or oil.  They are pretty much maintenance free except for the occasional replacement of the blades. They waterproof and they don’t rust.
A perimeter wire, like an invisible dog fence is placed around the yard to define the mowing area.  Gardens, flowerbeds and trees can also be easily protected.  Running the wire is not difficult, you can DIY or have it professionally installed.  The wire can be buried up to 2 inches deep. 
The robotic mowers must sense the presence of the wire around them.  If the mower should somehow go past the boundary it will immediately shutdown, so you don’t have to worry about it running down the street (unlike your dog).
You can set the time for them to mow.  Since they are quiet and don’t need to see the yard, they can be allowed run at night while everyone is in the house or even asleep.
On schedule they will depart from the charger and start to mow.  When they run over the wire or into an object they will turn and go another direction.  Some mowers use a random pattern while others go back and forth.  When the battery gets low they find the perimeter wire and follow it back to the charger.  All robotic mowers on the market today do a very good job covering the yard and not leaving uncut patches.
Ensure that the robotic mower you are interested in goes back to the charger on its own the added expense will be worth it.  A rain sensor is a must-have as well, some robotic mowers are heavy and can get stuck in soft areas. 
Robotic lawn mowers are now useful and practical.  They are still an oddity, so if you get one expect the neighbors to come from blocks around to watch it work.
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An introduction to hydraulic excavators

An introduction to hydraulic excavators

Coit Tower is a typical San Francisco landmark located on Telegraph Hill to the north side of the Financial District. Coit Tower could be seen from many places of the city, and is reachable via a steep road and from the usual walking path.
Coit Tower stands 180 feet tall, and many visitors like to contact the top of the tower for eye-catching looks of San Francisco and the nearby areas. Coit Tower as well features a series of murals painted in the Works Progress Administration, portraying local occupations and neighborhoods.

Coit Tower was built with funds provided by Elizabeth Wythe

Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who donated a third of her fortune upon her death during 1929 to smarten the city of San Francisco. Lillie Coit was a world voyager, and brought back many relics from her experiences, but in fact regarded San Francisco as her true home and desired to stay a permanent legacy to the city. The funds were used to build two memorials: Coit Tower, and a sculpture in Washington Square that depicts three firemen.
It is generally believed that Coit Tower was built as a memorial to the firemen of San Francisco, as Lillie Coit was a lifelong enthusiast of the fire department. However, in spite of the tower’s similarity to a fire nozzle, many historians agree that Coit Tower was just built to improve the beauty of the city. Coit Tower is as well surrounded by steep sceneries grounds which are as well pretty pleasant to be walked through
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Visitors to Coit Tower could take a pulley to the top, appreciating the mind blowing murals along the way. The murals have been reinstated and as well particularly treated so that they would always remain integral, and are considered a very vital part of the history of San Francisco. Among other things, the murals portray farmers in the fields, a bank robbery, and a view into the port, a busy city street, and a lot of variety of other scenes as well. San Francisco Shuttle Tours are accessible of Coit Tower in which the murals are explained in detail. The walk is extremely physically demanding, and space for cars is also limited. Getting to Coit Tower is well values the attempt, however, as visitors are content with a peaceful setting and the striking views of a beautiful city.
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Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings

Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings

When shopping for patio furniture,

people want something that will be comfortable for themselves as well as their guests. There are a number of great options in patio furniture it can be hard to choose. Aluminum sling patio furniture is a lesser known patio furniture, but nevertheless is a great choice for elegance and comfort in a patio setting.

Aluminum seating provides practical inexpensive

outdoor seating with elegance. Aluminum sling patio furniture is actually one of the less expensive types of patio furniture available. The lower cost however does not sacrifice quality. The components of aluminum strap patio furniture are heavy-duty, and resistant to all types of elements including scratch and dent, stains, and intense sunlight.
Aluminum patio furniture is just as elegant as higher end types of patio furniture. Aluminum in this type of furniture can be crafted to give a more traditional furniture style like that of wrought iron. It can also be crafted in a more contemporary streamline design. As opposed to bulky wrought iron furniture however, aluminum sling patio furniture can be easily stacked for storage.
Aluminum sling patio furniture is available in a variety of styles. All traditional patio furniture elements are available including patio dining tables and chairs, patio bar chairs, and chaise lounges. However, aluminum sling patio furniture has some unique chair styles including rocking chairs, swinging benches, and recliners. All these great options will ensure a comfortable outdoor patio setting.
All these wonderful features make aluminum sling patio furniture an excellent choice for any outdoor seating. It is versatile, practical, and economical. And if comfort and elegance are top priorities for patio furniture, aluminum sling patio furniture is the way to go.
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Aerating Your Customers’ Lawns

If your customers don’t have the thick, lush lawns they’ve imagined, you can rack your brain trying to figure out the cause.
 While you interrogate them about their watering practices and second guess yourself on fertilization, the problem might be a lot simpler.  It might be time to aerate.
Are there tracks in the lawn?  Are there tons of weeds despite a good fertilizer with weed prevention?  Are pests becoming a problem?  Is water pooling in the lawn after heavy rains?  Are there bare spots that you haven’t been able to help?  The soil might have compacted, and it might just take a little aerating to make the lawn thrive.  If the customer has clay soil or it’s a dry area, you’ll need to aerate more frequently.  There’s a simple and pretty unscientific way to tell when it’s time to aerate.  Grab a stick.  If the soil is difficult to penetrate with the stick, you should aerate. 
You should choose a nice, clear day to aerate.  If the soil is wet, you will have a huge mess and a lot of explaining to do to customers.  You’re also going to get compacted soil much more quickly if it’s wet.  If it’s too dry, you won’t be able to penetrate the soil with an aerator.  Pay attention to the weather.  You should have nice weather for as long as possible (a week at least) after you aerate for maximum benefits.
If you don’t yet have an aerator attachment for your mowers, you can rent one.  I recommend renting them before you buy one anyway.  There are different types of aerators with different features, and the best way to determine which you prefer is to try them out.  Aerators with spreaders allow the plugs (or cores) of soil to be spread throughout the lawn.  It’s fine to leave them, but they should be raked to make the lawn look better right away.  If you have a lot of clay soil yards or live in a dry area, you want longer spikes on your aerator.  You also want more spikes to play the odds.  The more spikes you have, the more likely at least some will penetrate harder, dryer soils.  In particularly dry areas, it’s a good idea to water a day or two before aeration, just to promote penetration.  Then simply mow in the same pattern you were going to mow anyway, with the aerator attached.
Aerating a lawn allows air, water, and nutrients to get to the roots of the grass.  It allows earthworms to move about.  Other good little organisms that take care of pests and naturally fertilize the lawn will thrive.  You’ll also break through some weed roots, and the healthier lawn will have a better fighting chance against the weeds.  You’ll have fewer problems with flooding, and the lawn will be more drought-tolerant.  Bare spots will fill in much better.
Right after aerating is the perfect time to overseed if you are trying to repair bare spots or filling in during fall for a green winter lawn.  By core aerating the lawn, you’ve perfectly prepared the soil to thrive on the seeds.  This should be done as soon as possible after aerating, and it’s best to remove the pulled plugs from the lawn if you’re going to seed.  It’s also a great time for water to get deep into the soil in dry areas, so watering after aeration is preferable.  If it’s fertilization time, it’s also a good idea to aerate first if it’s needed.
In hot, dry climates, you might need to aerate in summer, fall, and at the beginning of spring, depending on how dry the winter was.  Cooler weather grasses are better aerated early in fall.  They are too fragile and will recover more slowly if aerated in the summer, and fall is the perfect time to prepare them for winter.  If the soil is heavy with clay, you might need to aerate more often.  It’s a good idea to keep your stick (knife, screwdriver, etc) handy to check if the soil has compacted. 
Aerating will save your customers time and money watering in the summer as their lawns will be better able to withstand drought, and they will be thrilled with their healthier, fuller lawns.  It’s well worth investing in a good aerator.
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Adding a Water Feature to Your Yard

Adding a Water Feature to Your Yard

If you feel that your backyard is lacking a certain something, a water feature might be just the thing to bring new life to your outdoors.
There are many different types of water features to consider, such as a pond or a waterfall.  Flowing or still water has a peaceful relaxing quality to it, and water features allow you to bring this natural beauty right into your own yard.  You may be thinking that the care and upkeep of a water feature may not be worth the hassle, but they are much less labor intensive as you may think.  By following a few simple guidelines and understanding how your water feature lives and breathes, you can enjoy this natural work of art for as long as you own your home.
Water fountains are considerably easier to deal with then a water garden.  Fountains must be regularly cleaned, but really require little upkeep.  If you want a successful water garden you will probably need to invest a little more time, especially when you’re first trying to get it established.  When creating a water garden, it is vital that you understand the relationships between the plants and animals coexisting in this environment.  If you want your water garden to thrive, you’ll need to take special care to choose the right fauna and flora.
Many new pond owners have problem with algae.  If you don’t want to be cleaning out your pond every few weeks, adding a few fish can greatly help as can floating plants which help to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the algae.  Ensure you don’t have an excessive amount of chlorine in your water, especially if you have fish.  You may want to install a pump and/or a filter along with regularly checking the pH level of water (should be between six and eight).
If you’re having your pond installed for you, ask the professionals for advice on getting started.  If you are still unsure about where to start you can also buy one of several books which can guide you step-by-step through the process of creating your own water garden.  Once your pond is established you will likely find the upkeep to be quite minimal.
Many people find that adding a water feature to their yard can literally transform their entire surroundings.  Ponds, fountains, and waterfalls add a natural beauty and serenity to any outdoor area, no matter how small or modest.
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A Mini Landscaping Lesson

Landscaping has often been likened to the painting of a picture. Your art-work teacher has doubtless told you that a good picture should have a point of chief interest, and the rest of the points simply go to make more beautiful the central idea, or to form a fine setting for it.

So in landscaping there must be in the gardener’s mind a picture of what he desires the whole to be when he completes his landscaping project.
Should you include lots of bare open lawn in your landscaping theme? A large extent of open lusious green lawn space is always beautiful. It is restful.
This type of open landscaping adds a feeling of space to even small grounds. If you cover your lawn space with many trees, with little flower beds here and there, the general effect is choppy and fussy. A bit like an over-dressed person. Not the most visual appealing result from your landscaping efforts. 
When landscaping, a single tree or a small group is not a bad arrangement on the lawn. Do not centre the tree or trees. Let them drop a bit into the background. Make a pleasing side feature of them. In choosing trees for your landscaping project, keep in mind a number of things. You should not choose an overpowering tree. The tree should have a good shape, with something interesting about its bark, leaves, flowers or fruit.
For the beauty of landscaping, the catalpa is quite lovely by itself. Its leaves are broad, its flowers attractive, the seed pods which cling to the tree until way into the winter, add a bit of picturesqueness. The bright berries of the ash, the brilliant foliage of the sugar maple, the blossoms of the tulip tree, the bark of the white birch, and the leaves of the copper beech all these are beauty points to consider when planning your overall landscaping arrangement.
Landscaping may follow along very formal lines or along informal lines. The first would have straight paths, straight rows in stiff beds, everything, as the name tells, perfectly formal. The other method is, of course, the exact opposite. You should consider the advantages and danger points in each.
In conclusion, plan for open lawn spaces in your overall landscaping design and keep a visually appealing tree to blend in the background. Think balance and you will come up with a beautiful landscaping design for your yard.
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A Look at Metal Gazebos

If you’re looking for the strength, stability, sturdiness, and longevity of a metal gazebo, you have plenty of options to fit your needs. They come as 4-sided structures, all the way to 12-sided structures,

A Look at Metal Gazebos

as well as irregular structures like rectangles, ovals, and multi-sectioned shapes. They often boast many flourishes, such as swirling, plant-like shapes. Despite their not being made of wood, they have a very graceful feel to them capable of complimenting any outdoor setting.
Most metal gazebos come in aluminum, or steel and wrought iron. Aluminum is the less expensive and more lightweight material. It will do just fine under most circumstances.  But if you’re looking for a much more permanent structure, steel or wrought iron is your best bet. These metals are much heavier than aluminum and therefore stand up better to hard winds.
Another consideration for some consumers is that steel and iron are not likely to be damaged by vandalism. So while steel and iron are more expensive than aluminum, you might save money in the long run, because they will last.
Most metal gazebos don’t have a contiguous roof to keep off rain or snow. You can either leave your metal gazebo that way and appreciate it for its aesthetic value, or you can add a fitted canopy. These are often made out of a heavy canvass or polymers.  This open design means metal gazebos are great for displaying plants that hang in pots from the roof or climb like vines up the sides. Adding plants to a metal gazebo will bring more shade and beauty to the area.
The best part about any metal gazebo is its ability to withstand everything that a wood gazebo is prone to. Rot, termites, fading, warping, twisting, chipping, checking, discoloring – these elements are nothing to a metal gazebo.
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A Guide To Silk Palm Trees

A Guide To Silk Palm Trees

The best way to create a truly magical, tropical, and exotic setting is by adding beautiful palm trees to it. Unique in their beauty, palm trees can transform any place, multiplying its beauty and exoticness within seconds. However, to plant tropical palm trees and take care of them can be cumbersome. Hence, life-looking, exact replicas of palms are available in silk which can be bought, assembled, and kept indefinitely without any hassles or pain.

Research shows that silk palm trees are among the most popular silk trees. 

As such, they come in plenty of sizes, shapes, and types. Multitudes of companies exist that are dedicated to producing silk bamboo trees.
Some companies that produce excellent-quality, beautiful silk palm trees include Silk Tree House, Inc, Indoor Tropical Foliage, Silk Trees, Silk Plants Plus, Silk Plant Design Center, Kinkade Studios, Earthflora, Valentine Floral Creations, Autumn Foliages, Brands on Sale, Andreas, Inc, Your Silk Garden, Silk Worx by Lori, Silk Reflections, Silk Plant Jungle, Seasonal Impact, Oasis Illusions, Hillcrest Mill, BotanicusEtc, Amazon Foliages, and Northwest Supply, among others.  Shipping normally includes an additional fee, but companies such as BotanicusEtc, among others, ship their trees for free.
Different silk palms like areca palm, cycus palm, parlor silk palm, bamboo silk palm, kentia palm, real wood date palm, phoenix palm, Buddha palm, and many, many more are all available at the aforementioned companies, ranging in size from small to giant.
Northwest Supply, Office Scapes Direct, Amazon Foliages, Seasonal Impact, Brands on Sale, Kinkade Studios, and Save on Crafts are some companies that provide discounts and hence, offer quality trees with huge savings.
All trees come in non-decorative baskets or containers, but some even include a decorative container or pot without charging any extra fee.
Companies usually provide a hundred percent guarantee, but some like Hillcrest Mill, BotanicusEtc, and Office Scapes Direct offer a full refund if trees fail to match up to the expectations and returned within a specified time period.
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A Guide To Red Roses

A Guide To Red Roses

William Shakespeare penned the words, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet.”
From the days of Romeo and Juliet to modern times, a red rose has been synonymous with love. Today, roses are popular all around the world. However, in its initial stages, roses grew abundantly only in Central Asia. The Persians and Egyptians, who later developed a cultivated variety, discovered the wild roses.
A red rose held in a person’s hand is figurative to socialism and social democracy by the United Kingdom Labor Party. Later, several other European and South American socialist parties also accepted this icon. In Greek and Polish languages the word rose itself denotes the color red.

There are a number of famous red rose varieties.

These include Lancaster’s red rose, which is perhaps the first cultured rose variety and the hybrid tea rose, called ‘Mister Lincoln’. Red roses are a frequent selection for romantic dates and valentine day bouquets. If a person wishes to gift a unique item, a red rose plant in itself is distinct.
Red roses are available in various categories. These varieties include English roses, climbing roses, shrub roses, outstanding hybrid tea roses and rose bushes. However, people should be aware of the fact that red rose bushes and shrubs are subject to diseases. These ailments could include occurrence of black spots on leaves or flowers that don’t open or are deformed when they open. Use of Orthene and Malathion sprays could be useful in keeping red rose gardens free of weaknesses.
There are many emotions involved in gifting red roses. These could include expressions of love, magnificence, bravery and admiration. Other reasons that make receiving red roses a common practice include best wishes, appreciation, sincerity and passion.