Cutting Pampas Grass

[jtjmartin]

I have huge clumps of Pampas Grass to cut back this weekend. Some must be 3 feet wide at the base. I have gas powered hedge sheers but I think this year I'm going to try my chainsaw.

I like the idea of tying the grass clumps up before I cut them - especially because the neighbors aren't too happy if the wind picks up!

My problem: how do I increase the tension on the rope enough around these 3 foot wide and 10 feet high clumps to get a really solid tie?

HELP!

[imp]

Originally Posted by jtjmartin

I have huge clumps of Pampas Grass to cut back this weekend. Some must be 3 feet wide at the base. I have gas powered hedge sheers but I think this year I'm going to try my chainsaw.

I like the idea of tying the grass clumps up before I cut them - especially because the neighbors aren't too happy if the wind picks up!

My problem: how do I increase the tension on the rope enough around these 3 foot wide and 10 feet high clumps to get a really solid tie?

HELP!

Make a smaller loop in one end of the rope and slid the loose end through; tighten and tie off to something stable, even a pick up truck or other heavy object.

[jtjmartin]

Thanks, Imp. I will try using the weight of my car for some additional force.

[mecktom]

Jeff...I have used a chain saw May times to cut pampas grass...just take it slow with the saw and it will do a good job.
Gene

[Worth1]

Butchers knot.
Worth

[jtjmartin]

Ok, off to animatedknots.com!

Will that type of knot tighten up a lot?

[Worth1]

It should and stay tight.

[Ken4230]

I put one around the clump, snug it up and ratchet it down. If that's not tight enough, i use another one just below the first one. I leave both on until i get it to the compost pile.
It works really well for me and at my age, i don't need a lot of tugging and pulling.

Ken

[Ricky Shaw]

Like Ken, I use the smaller ratchet tie-downs. My variety still has a lot of oats and messy when I chop them in February, so I put a 50gal trash bag over tightened bundle before I cut. Bagged and done.

[Ricky Shaw]

Pampas grass at 10ft around will require a larger bag. So, that part of the tip won't apply to everyone.

[Worth1]

I had a huge mound of it in the back yard the drought killed it and I was happy to see it go.
It was filled with poison ivy and probably snakes like copperheads and rattlesnakes.
As much as I like snakes I was scared to walk around it.
The ratchet strap is the very best idea so far.
I forgot we lived in the 21st century.

Worth

[Ken4230]

I forgot we lived in the 21st century.
Worth

You would have been a natural in the 16th century, a regular Merlin, i would bet.
You'd probably have loved it, although depending on a big stick and a short piece of metal for survival is not quiet my cup of tea.

Ken

P.S. Love your work ethic, it's a rare commodity nowadays.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Ken4230

You would have been a natural in the 16th century, a regular Merlin, i would bet.
You'd probably have loved it, although depending on a big stick and a short piece of metal for survival is not quiet my cup of tea.

Ken

P.S. Love your work ethic, it's a rare commodity nowadays.

They would have burned me at the stake for witchcraft or heresy I have no doubt.
I would have fared better in the middle east, the birth place of math the written language learning and modern thinking of all things.
Even during the plague they knew some unseen thing was causing it not crazy stuff like the devil.

I have no idea what happened to that place it has baffled me for years.

As for the grass a scythe would make quick work of it too.



Worth

[jtjmartin]

Ken & Ricky:

Wow - I knew I would get some great ideas here. Off to Harbor Freight or the equivalent tomorrow morning for rachet tie downs. The garbage bag idea is killer too!

Thanks.

[zeuspaul]

I use a pair of long handled loppers.