Gus Stephens

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Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

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Stories By Gus Stephens

  • Structures
    Structures By Gus Stephens November 4th, 2022

    Specifications For A Hayward S244T Sand Filter

    Specifications for a Hayward S244T Sand Filter. The Hawyard S244T sand filter purifies the water in above ground or in ground swimming pools. The largest of Hawyard's Pro Series line, the S244T incorporates a bed of special sand that functions as the filter media to remove dirt and other impurities from pool water pumped through the filter under pressure. Sand filters for residential pools are a less expensive, lower maintenance alternative to "DE" pool filters which use highly porous, powdered diatomaceous earth as a filter media and are commonly installed on larger public pools. The S244T has a corrosion proof polymer filter tank and full size internal plumbing for free flowing performance. An integral molded drain plug permits draining of tank for winterization without loss of filter sand. Routine backwashing of the filter to cleanse the sand is a simple, single valve operation that may be accomplished in as little as three minutes.

    By Gus Stephens November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Gus Stephens November 4th, 2022

    How To Mix Simazine For A Backpack Sprayer

    How to Mix Simazine for a Backpack Sprayer. Simazine is a pre-emergent herbicide used to protect tree seedlings from weeds, grasses and other vegetation. Simazine acts on the seeds of undesired plants before they germinate. For maximum effectiveness, use Simazine during site preparation before tree seedlings are planted. Simazine may also be safely sprayed over newly planted seedlings. Recommended spraying times are in April, before weeds reach a height of four inches, and in October to control weeds the following spring. The active ingredients of Simazine remain effective in the soil for approximately two years following application. The amount of solution dispensed by backpack sprayers varies widely. Calibration of the sprayer must be determined first to arrive at the correct mixing ratio.

    By Gus Stephens November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Gus Stephens November 3rd, 2022

    Remington Power Hammer Instructions

    Remington Power Hammer Instructions. The Remington Power Hammer Model 476 uses low-velocity .22 caliber cartridges to drive fasteners into steel, concrete and masonry. The hammer is designed to operate with .22 caliber crimped Remington Powder Loads Type A. It can drive Remington Power Fasteners up to 2-1/2-inches long. Penetration in concrete is between one inch and 1.25 inches. In steel, the fastener must fully penetrate the material, with recommended steel applications in the 3/16-inch to 5/16-inch range.

    By Gus Stephens November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Gus Stephens September 6th, 2022

    How To Start A Pool Pump For The First Time

    How to Start a Pool Pump for the First Time. After you’ve installed a new pool pump and completed all the plumbing and electrical connections, one very critical procedure remains when you start the pool pump for the first time. To create adequate suction to pull water from the pool, push it through the filter and back to the pool through return lines, the pool pump must be primed. Priming is required when a new pump is installed or whenever air enters the suction and return lines, such as when the water level in the pool is allowed to drop below the skimmers or when a leaky pump O-ring sucks air into the system. Because a lot of air may be in the system lines after an existing pump has been removed and a new pump installed, priming a new installation may require repeating the priming procedure several times to completely purge the system of air.

    By Gus Stephens September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Gus Stephens September 6th, 2022

    How To Bleed A Wacker Compactor System

    How to Bleed a Wacker Compactor System. The Wacker DPU 6055 is a walk-behind vibratory compactor suitable for compacting all types of soil as well as setting interlocking paving stones and concrete blocks. The DPU 6055 is powered by a 14.1 horsepower Hatz diesel engine and is capable of hydraulically-controlled forward and reverse operation at up to 92 feet per minute. An automatic centrifugal clutch and V-belt delivers engine power to the exciter which transmits centrifugal compacting forces to the base plate. The DPU 6055 is 22.1 inches wide, 33.5 inches high and weighs 1,016 pounds.

    By Gus Stephens September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Gus Stephens September 3rd, 2020

    How To Fix The Idler Spring On A Zero-Turn Mower

    How to Fix the Idler Spring on a Zero-Turn Mower. Zero-turn riding mowers operate with a zero turning radius, cutting so close to trees and other obstacles that little follow-up trimming is required. Most can pivot a full 180 degrees without leaving behind any uncut grass. All zero-turn mowers are rear-wheel drive. The wheels are independently powered by a hydrostatic transmission, and steering is controlled by a pair of joysticks that regulate the speed of each wheel. Models such as the Toro Commercial Z Master series use a single drive belt to operate the twin blades in the cutting deck. The belt is tensioned by a spring-loaded idler arm. Belt slippage caused by insufficient tension may result from a weak idler spring.

    By Gus Stephens September 3rd, 2020 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Gus Stephens September 3rd, 2020

    How To Change The Drive Belt On A 2008 Super Bronco Troy Bilt Lawnmower

    How to Change the Drive Belt on a 2008 Super Bronco Troy Bilt Lawnmower. The Troy Bilt Super Bronco is a 42-inch riding lawn tractor suitable for mowing residential properties up to 1.5 acres. Driven by a 20-inch Kohler engine, the Super Bronco features a side-discharge mowing deck with five height adjustments. A single deck V-belt drives all cutting functions. It should be replaced if signs of excessive wear are apparent. Replace the Super Bronco drive belt with a Troy Bilt OEM replacement only.

    By Gus Stephens September 3rd, 2020 Read More