Home > Lawn & Garden > Commercial Horticulture > Equipment > Sources for Bed Shapers and Light Trenchers This article contains links to sources for landscape bed shapers and light trenchers for landscape us. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products. Adjusting Rotary Cutters Many people use a rotary cutter (often referred to by the copyrighted name “Bush Hog”) to cut grass and weeds, but, in too many cases, the implement is not correctly adjusted. This can cause premature wear, poor quality of cut, and an excessive power requirement. Adjusting Mid-Mount Tractor Mowers Mid-mount mowers for lawn, garden, and compact tractors typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They are not designed to cut tall, weedy grass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping. Adjusting Finishing Mowers [Image: finishing mower with 4 wheels] Finish (or grooming) mowers typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They are not designed to cut tall, weedy grass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping.  more articles... Leaf Blowers – Good or Bad? In many neighborhoods, the roar of lawnmowers has been joined by the howl of leaf blowers. "The primary complaint with leaf blowers is noise," says Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station. Using a Hay Baler to Pick Up Plastic Mulch [Image: Using hay baler to pick up plastic mulch] Many growers pick up plastic mulch but several machines are available for this job. Work at the LSU AgCenter has demonstrated that, in some cases, plastic mulch can be picked up by a hay baler. PTO Generators for Tractors [Image: PTO generator] Although most people opt for small engine-driven generators, there are some real advantages to a generator that connects to a tractor power-take-off (PTO). Garden Tool Handles With Interchangeable Heads [Image: Interchangeable tool handle] Most garden tools have fixed handles. Some tools, however, are available as separate handle and toolhead components that can be interchanged. Avoid Right-angle Patterns with Rotary Spreaders [Image: Normal Spreader Operating Mode] Some spreader experts and some spreader and granular material operating instructions advise you to go over your lawn twice when spreading fertilizer or granular products, with the two trips over the lawn made at right angles to each other. Don’t do it! Applying Controlled-release Fertilizer [Image: controlled-release fertilizer] Most turf fertilizers contain controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer. There are two types of controlled-release fertilizer and one type can be damaged by your spreader. Calibrating Your Lawn Spreader [Image: calibration of homeowner rotary spreader] To obtain the best results from your granular fertilizers and pesticides, you have to apply them at the correct rate. One easy step you can take to help assure that your spreader delivers the correct rate of material is to calibrate your spreader. For More Information on Lawn Spreaders The more you learn about lawn spreaders, the more you realize how complicated they really are. The LSU AgCenter has published a bulletin that summarizes 24 years of research on spreaders. Hand-cranked Spreaders [Image: hand-carried, hand-cranked spreader] In some situations, a hand-cranked spreader is more practical than a wheeled model. When spreading granules in nurseries, beds of flowers and ornamentals, and other restricted areas, a wheeled spreader can be difficult or impossible to use. Hand- or strap-carried, hand-cranked spreaders are a viable option in such cases. Protect Your Hydraulic Cylinders from Rust [Image: rusted and pitted hydraulic cylinder] A common problem with hydraulic cylinders is rust and pitting of the cylinder rods. If equipment that incorporates hydraulic cylinders is stored outside with the cylinder rods extended, the rods are exposed to weathering. Eventually, the rods will begin to show specks of rust that develop into pits. Once rusting and pitting occur, the rod will destroy the cylinder seal the next time it is activated. More...