Rank: Forum user 
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Is there anyone out there who could recommend / suggest any alternatives to the use of Brush Cutters (Strimmers) for grounds maintenance activities?
Some areas in question are difficult to access, are close to highways, in play areas or have obstacles either left by members of the public or unseen hazards such as loose stones etc. With litigation potential I have been asked to look at ways to reduce / limit their use.
I am trying to find out about other tried and tested methods (cost effective ones please). Balancing the staff costs, equipment etc is also part of the equation but if you have any information/suggestions I look forward to hearing from you.
Suggestions to date include the use of weed killers, reduced numbers of brush cutting operations.
Many thanks
Roz Davis
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Rank: Forum user
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Just like a lot of operations, maintaining verges etc have been mechanised and operatives use machinery (in this case brush cutters) for ground maintenance where previously hand tools where used. The benefit of mechanisation is usually speed and reduction in numbers of staff. You could suggest that more operative are employed but they use hand tools instead?
Regards Dave
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I have personally not had a great concern over the litigation aspects of loose stones/strimming etc but have during vibration assessments suggested some alternatives to strimming to try and limit exposure, such as the use of non persistent herbicides (this doesn't find favour with many for a number of reasons, including aesthetics), stop strimming in some areas, a relaxation of the 'standard' for strimming from the client side, so that strimming is carried out but less often (that may have some other implication as well), alternative planting schemes and the use of alternative surfacing in some areas. None of them are 'magic' answers though.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Rank: Forum user
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Roz,
Bear in mind that the pesticides regulations/COP require that herbicides only be used when no other suitable (non-chemical or lower environmental hazard) alternatives are available to you.
Regards,
Ross
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Rank: Forum user
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ron hunter wrote:Scythes. Why not? My first thought was a scythe but I wonder how many men of a working age are left, that could use one properly!! The experts are probably either retired or dead!!
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Rank: Super forum user
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A bit of training, the scythe adjusted to the user, a whetstone and off you go. No HAVS, no Noise, no use of carbon fuels, much less PPE, reduced running costs, increased life cycle etc. etc.
Properly applying the principles of Risk Assessment, difficult to arrive at a different conclusion?
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Rank: Forum user
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If it was an option you could approach the client and ask for them to lower their expectations or the frequency of the work (as mentioned above) or simply use handtools (scythe)which would cancel out the other associated risks. Failing that a goat would do the job for free.
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Rank: Forum user
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If it was an option you could approach the client and ask for them to lower their expectations or the frequency of the work (as mentioned above) or simply use handtools (scythe)which would cancel out the other associated risks. Failing that a goat would do the job for free.
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Rank: Forum user
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Roz
Check with the manufacturers like Stihl etc and/or also with the NPTC the training organisation for horticultural machinery.
The stones fly generally due to poor/no guards in place and walking in the wrong direction - discs spin one way and stones will fly with the spin - directional operational control.
Highways etc - reduce the frequency of the cutting - environmental aspect - habitats etc.
Some manufacturers now have combined edge cutters in the movers - have you been to the Saltex exhitition - you may get some answers there and you also get access to the HSE's inductry reps.
Chemical application is useful but limited - surface run-off etc, one suggestion would be for new works that a different planting regime is used, i.e. ground cover not grass?
Growth hormones work but again costly - have you looked into this one?
Good luck
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