By Bakri Baharom @ Koboi Tunjang

D.I.Y stands for Do It Yourself. If you are a pensioner like Koboi Tunjang, D.I.Y has become a pastime, if not a new vocation. Limit yourself to a maximum of 3 hours a day, 5 days per week. Like Koboi Tunjang, it is a daily activity, if there are no other commitments, travelling outstations, raining or if not feeling well. The morning and evening sessions will be 8.00 am – 10.00 am and 5.45 pm to 7.15 pm – with breaks as required. But, Friday mornings are reserved for Community Services – collecting rubbish along the road. Any relative or friend may appear unannounced and the session postponed. No big deal.
 
It is almost certain that your doctor always advises you to get enough sunlight – the source of natural Vit D. What is a better way to kill two birds with one stone? D.I.Y in any activity outside your house under the morning sun. Drink plenty of water, especially during this dry spell in Kedah. You may reap what you sow or save some money. After all, gardeners, helpers and plumbers; to name a few are costly nowadays. Being too dependent on foreign workers is not a good idea.
 
Like Koboi Tunjang, let’s say you have an acre of land with your house on it. The first thing you should consider is owning a Backpack Brushcutter. Learn to read the specifications and ask around for recommendations. There are many brands with different costs in the market. Let’s see the following features:
 
Loaded Engine: T33 / T43
Engine Type: Air-cooled, 2-cycle gasoline
Displacement: 32.6 / 42.7 cc
Displacement Power: 0.9 / 1.25 kW
Carburettor: Float Type
Ignition Method: Noncontact Electronics
Starting Method: Recoiling Type
Fuel: Gasoline + Engine Oil (20-25:1)
Shaft Diameter: 26 mm
Weight: 6.3 kg
 
For this brand, there are two models, T33 and T43. The former has a smaller engine capacity, and less power but weights the same. Both types are 2 strokes internal combustion engines, using petrol mixed with 2-T oil with a certain ratio. To start, you pull the cord wrapped around a pulley. It is similar to generators and outboard motors.
 
The next factor to consider is the cutting method: Steel Blade or String Trimmer. The first is most suitable for tough grass and young stands or tree saplings. There are a variety of blades in the market to choose from. For Koboi Tunjang, using a trimmer line is good enough. The attachment trimmer plate supplied with the brushcutter allows you to use any size of nylon trimmer available: 2.4, 2.7, 3.0, 3.2 or 3.5 mm thickness. Normally, the trimmer comes as square or triangular cuts in a 5-pound roller or 1 or 2-kg pack.
 
Another important factor to consider is Shaft Diameter – 24, 26 or 28 mm. Your Gear Head replacement must match the size that you are using. Otherwise, it will not fit. Similarly, many other spare parts are offered in the market. Your local store mechanic should be able to advise you. Should you source it online, call to make sure your order matches your set.
 
You may also double-up your brush cutter with another attachment: Cultivator Head Tiller which comes in a few different designs. But, the most important issue is the number of teeth on your tiller – 4T, 7T or 9T. Once, you have installed a tiller, then you may use it to loosen the earth, preparing soil beds for your vegetables.
 
As with many tools, safety must be your priority. Your attire should include goggles and boots, minimum. Make sure everyone is at a safe distance, especially if you are using Steel Blade – flying stone may fly far. Do not continue working with your brush cutter if you feel tired or have taken sleeping pills. Read the instructions and warnings in the manual.
 
Never buy petrol in a big quantity, just enough for two or three days working. Do not pre-mix petrol and 2T and store them for a long period of time. It should be prepared as you need it. Always add 2T oil to petrol, not the other way. Shake it to mix well. It will give you a better performance.
 
There is another tip shared by my mechanic, Mazlan. Do not simply turn off your machine once your job is done. You have two choices. One is to switch off the Stop-Cock and let it runs until the fuel runs dry. Second, you switch off the Stop-Cock, and continue your work until the machine stops by itself. Every drop matters. It helps to prolong your brush cutter life. Your experience will be your best teacher.

Note: To date, Koboi Tunjang has bought 7 brush cutters since 1997.

Udin is trying out a brush-cutter. In the foreground is tiller-cultivator attachment.