Tool Loans

We have a range of tools our members can borrow

How to borrow our tools

Brian Songhurst [plot 22N] & Joe Horner [plot 45S] look after the site tools and organise repairs as needed. FLAG owns mowers and strimmers. Any FLAG member can use them.

When using any of the machines please use the correct fuel - straight petrol or 2-stroke as marked on the machines. Using straight petrol in a 2-stroke will cause the engine to seize. Fuel is normally available in red cans for 2-stroke and green cans for 4-stroke.

Also please wear safety glasses and suitable clothing e.g. the strimmers can flick stones.

For your first time please email Brian or Joe who will provide access and explain the equipment to you.

For subsequent uses then please contact one of the key holders as per the phone list below.

Brian and Joe ask "If anything goes wrong with a tool, do let one of us know and we can get something done about it. Please don’t just leave it for someone else to find out!"

Key holders:

Brian Songhurst (22N) 07914 145293

Joe Horner (45S) 07713 687878

Michael Waddy (55S) 07975 698424

Richard Cloutman (32) 07790 343909

Bob Grover (57) 01727 861028

Please use the FLAG petrol-driven tools carefully.

If you do break one or can’t get it working please contact Brian [plot 22N] or one of the key holders. We don’t criticize but we need to know so we can get them working again and help you use them more effectively.

We have 3 mowers. They all have 4-stroke engines and use straight petrol from the green can.

After use please empty the collection box and clear the underneath and cut grass hole that feeds the box with a stick - do not put your hands inside the blade area. A brush is provided in the shed.
Please don't refill the mowers after use as the petrol evaporates a bit and makes starting harder.
If you do kindly refill a green can buy premium grade petrol as regular has 10% ethanol which does not store well and causes difficult starting.
Please also use the mowers on a high setting on our rough ground to save damaging the blade when hitting the high spots. If you have rough grass to clear use the Ryobi brush cutter.

We also have 3 strimmers and 1 brush cutter. The strimmers are fitted with bump heads which let out the strimmer line automatically when you tap the button on the end on a hard surface. A reel of 2.4mm strimmer line is in the shed for re-filling – it vital you use 2.4mm for the size of these engines – thicker line will slow them down making them less effective. On your first use we will show you how to refill the heads with new line.

We recommend using the 4-stroke Honda strimmer which starts more easily and uses straight petrol from the green can.

The Ryobis are all 2-stroke and use a 40:1 mix stored in the red can.

Please contact Brian [plot 22N] if the red can is empty before mixing anymore two stroke fuel. It is vital you use the premium grade 2-stroke oil stored in the shed and definitely not engine oil which will clog the carburetor.
Do not fill the strimmer tank after use. The petrol will partially evaporate increasing the oil concentration and make starting difficult next time.
Please use the Ryobi fitted with the brush cutter (solid blade) for heavy strimming on clumps of grass, brambles, thick weeds and brush.