What types of walk-behind mowers are there?
There are four basic choices: push reel, electric, cordless, and gas. All have strengths and weaknesses.

• Push reel mowers are powered by you. They’re quiet, they don’t need cords or recharging, and they don’t pollute. But on large lawns, you might not want the workout you get when using a push reel mower. They also tend to be less effective on grass taller than two inches.
• Electric mowers need to be plugged into an outlet to power them, which means you’re constrained by the location of power outlets, the length of your power cord, and any obstacles that may snag the cord. If you have a small yard but don’t want the forced exercise of using a push reel mower, an electric mower may be for you.
• Cordless mowers are powered by a rechargeable battery. You don’t have to deal with the hassles of keeping a cord plugged in, but battery life becomes a constraint. Depending on the battery capacity, the size of your yard, and the height of your grass, you may not be able to complete your mowing job on one charge.
• Gas mowers offer the most power, which is best if you’ll be mowing tall, dense grass or if your yard is larger than 2,000 square feet. But you will have to keep gas and oil on hand as well as keep the engine serviced.

What do all the power measurements mean?
All that matters to you is whether the lawn mower’s blade will spin fast enough to cut your grass. Unfortunately, mowers are rated in far more technical terms.

For gas mowers, there are three power measurements you may see:

• horsepower (hp) refers to the amount of power the engine can produce;
• torque is the amount of horsepower that is transferred to the blade;
• cc (cubic centimeters) is another to measure an engine’s power based on the displacement volume of its cylinders.

There also are two types of engines: two-stroke (also referred to as two-cycle) and four-stroke (or four-cycle). Conventional wisdom is that two-stroke engines offer more power but also more pollution.
For electric and cordless mowers, power often is measured in volts, amps, or watts. To satisfy your inner techie, here’s how to calculate the horsepower:
15. Multiply the volts by the amps to get the wattage.
16. Divide the wattage by 746 to get the horsepower.

More horsepower doesn’t always mean more cutting power. That’s why, starting in 2007, most lawnmower manufacturers began rating walk-behind lawn mowers in torque power or cc’s–not horsepower. If torque isn’t available for a gas mower, higher cc figures usually mean higher torque (and more fuel used per stroke, incidentally).

However, you don’t want to buy a mower based on the power measurement alone. Make sure it has the features, warranty, and quality of reviews you’re seeking.

Readmore Black & Decker LM175 | LM175

Technical Details

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The Basics

Nearly all pouch laminators are thermal machines, which means that they utilize heat to seal the pouch and fuse the layers together. Depending on the machine, the heat is applied by either heated plates or heated rollers. All machines utilize rollers to help ensure secure adhesion, eliminate air bubbles and move the laminated documents through the machine. Low volume machines (primarily for home use) are equipped with two rollers, mid-level laminators (for offices or schools) contain 2-6 rollers and professional laminating machines (for high volume users or copy shops) include between four and ten rollers.

Most machines offer variable temperature control to allow users to adjust the heat level based on the thickness of the laminating pouch. Many pouch laminators also include a reverse feature, which makes it easier to clear jammed or misfed documents. Other popular features include a stand-by mode (preserves power while the machine is not laminating), the ability to laminate without a carrier sheet (used to prevent adhesive from oozing out from the edges of the laminating pouch and onto the rollers), cool rollers (help to reduce curling of laminated documents), and the ability to laminate photos.

When selecting a pouch laminator, you’ll need to evaluate the features that are the most important to your specific needs. If you will be producing a high volume of laminated documents, you may want to look for a machine that has a high maximum laminating speed. If you regularly use thick laminating pouches (7 mil or 10 mil), then you’ll need to ensure that your selected machine can handle thick pouches. Those who only laminate IDs or badges may be content with a model that has a maximum document width of 4″, while those looking to laminate signs or displays will likely want a machine that offers a larger width. Taking the time to review the features of the available pouch laminating machines will help to ensure that you get the best laminator for your purposes.

Home Pouch Laminators (for Low Volume Usage)

Pouch laminating machines for home use offer the most basic features, without many of the advanced options that are used in office or professional settings. These laminators are most commonly available in 9″ and 13″ widths, and can laminate 3 mil and 5 mil pouches only.

Among the most popular models of home pouch laminators are the SircleLam HQ-230 and HQ-330. Both versions offer the following features:

- Maximum laminating speed of 9.85″ per minute
- Laminates photos
- No carrier sheet required
- Adjustable temperature
- Cold setting (for use with self-adhesive “cold” laminating pouches)
- Reverse (for releasing jams)
- Six minute warm-up time
- One-year warranty

The only difference between these two models is the maximum width – the HQ-230 laminates documents up to 9″ wide, while the HQ-330 allows users to laminate documents up to 13″ wide. If you only laminate infrequently, and do not use pouches thicker than 5 mil, then a home pouch laminating machine may be the perfect choice for you. If you are looking for something a bit more robust, then read on to learn about office pouch laminators.

Office Pouch Laminators (for Moderate Usage)

Pouch laminating machines for office use offer a greater range of features than those designed for home use, and can handle a medium-to-high volume of usage. These laminators are available in widths ranging from 4″ to 13.5″, and can laminate pouches from 3 mil and 10 mil thick. In addition to being able to stand up to more frequent usage than home laminators, office pouch laminators also laminate much more quickly (in some cases, more than three times as fast as the home machines).

Two the most popular models of office pouch laminators are the Akiles APL-320 and the SircleLam LA-7020E. Below is a comparison of their features:

Akiles APL-320
- Max. Laminating Speed: 24″ per minute
- Carrier sheet not required when laminating 5, 7 or 10 mil pouches
- Max. Width: 12 1/2″
- Four Rollers
- Independent Heat & Motor Switches
- Variable, Electronic Heat Control
- Heating Element: Heated Rollers
- Warm-Up Time: 3 minutes
- Cold setting
- One year warranty

SircleLam LA-7020E
- Max. Laminating Speed: 33″ per minute
- No carrier sheet required (recommended when laminating 10 mil pouches)
- Max. Width: 11 13/16″
- Four Rollers
- Independent Heat & Motor Switches
- Variable, Electronic Heat Control
- Heating Element: Aluminum Heat Plates
- Warm-Up Time: 3 minutes
- Cold setting
- Five year warranty

Both of these machines are equipped to handle daily use, however they differ in a few key areas. The Akiles APL-320 has a larger maximum width, but a slower laminating speed than the SircleLam LA-7020E. Independent heat and motor switches and variable, electronic heat control are included on both laminators, but the types of heating elements differ. Depending on your requirements, either of these machines would be a productive and beneficial addition to an office setting. If you need a machine that is even more powerful, then read on to learn about professional pouch laminators.

Professional Pouch Laminators (for High Volume Usage)

Pouch laminating machines for professional settings are the most robust machines on the market, and offer the most features. These laminators are available in widths ranging from 4″ to 44″, and can laminate pouches from 3 mil and 10 mil thick (with select machines having the ability to mount and laminate simultaneously). Professional pouch laminators also have the highest maximum laminating speed, with some machines laminating 12′ per minute. Nearly all industrial machines come housed within metal casings for added durability.

Though already discussed in the office pouch laminators section, the SircleLam LA-7020E is also popular in professional settings. Other well-liked professional pouch laminators include the SpeedyLam 330R-10 from James Burn International and the Akiles Pro-Lam Photo, which are detailed below:

SpeedyLam 330R-10
- Max. Laminating Speed: 12′ per minute
- No carrier sheet required
- Max. Width: 13″
- Ten Rollers
- Independent Heat & Motor Switches
- Variable, Electronic Heat Control
- Heating Element: Six Heated Rollers
- Warm-Up Time: 5 minutes
- Cold setting
- Max. Pouch Thickness: 14 mil

Akiles Pro-Lam Photo
- Max. Laminating Speed: 38″ per minute
- No carrier sheet required
- Max. Width: 13″
- Six Rollers
- Independent Heat & Motor Switches
- Variable, Electronic Heat Control
- Heating Element: Four Heated Rollers
- Warm-Up Time: 5 minutes
- Cold setting
- Max. Pouch Thickness: 10 mil

Both of these machines are equipped to handle high-volume, professional use, with the primary differences relating to the number of rollers and overall speed. The SpeedyLam 330R-10 from James Burn International laminates nearly four times as fast as the Akiles Pro-Lam Photo and has two four additional rollers, but the Akiles Pro-Lam Photo costs less than half of the price. Depending on your requirements and resources, either of these machines are capable of producing a high volume of laminated documents.

In Review

Whether you are looking to preserve family photos, enhance company ID cards or provide lamination services at your print shop, pouch laminators are cost-effective and user-friendly with numerous models to fit practically any need. Investing the time to research the capabilities of the available machines will not only help you find the best machine for your application, but will also help you make the most of your budget. There are many pouch laminators on the market, and you can learn to distinguish quality laminators by evaluating key features. Remember, what works best for someone else may not be a fit for your unique needs, so performing your own research is a crucial step in the process of purchasing a pouch laminator.

Correctly training your new puppy is not about scolding at every step or having the obedience of a soldier. In the event that you have properly trained your pup, he will be content, balanced, and healthy. The first rule of thumb when training a dog is to start as you mean to go on. If the dog soils in your house, make sure the dog knows you are angry and show the dog where is acceptable to go to do its business. Effective puppy training requires your guidance and leadership. This is very important in order to have a well-mannered obedient dog.

Puppy Kindergarten

Puppy kindergarten is an excellent method of initial dog or puppy training by giving young dogs a chance to get out of the house, meet other dogs and people, pick up some basic skills, and have a little fun along the way. The best time to enroll your puppy in a class is after his or her vaccination series is complete, which should be at about four months of age.

Puppy Training Toys

Puppies generally, are very affable creatures and always look at opportunities to please their master. Accidents, if they happen inside the house, are not to frustrate their new family. Puppies naturally chew, especially when teething, having toys for him to chew, will stop him munching your household items, because of boredom. Ensuring your puppy has adequate supplies of toys to chew upon is not only to help protect your furniture but also to prevent you pup harming himself. Many hundreds of puppies a year need emergency operations to remove golf balls, sharp objects, cotton reels and other potentially dangerous house hold items from their stomachs.

Setting Boundaries

Puppies need clear boundaries and inconsistency is probably the most common cause of problems in the pet owner relationship. If you do not offer reliable leadership your puppy will be anxious and confused and many behavioral problems, including aggression, are caused by these negative and conflicting emotions.

Should you Allow your Dog to Dig in the Garden?

Digging may be just the thing to keep him occupied. Providing your dog with a variety of toys that hold his interest may be the ideal solution to your problem. Digging is a natural activity for a dog.

Puppy Crate Training

Crate your puppy any time you can’t watch it closely. Puppies can easily get into problems extremely rapidly whenever not regularly closely watched, and making use of a crate for this reason will support you in training your puppy what habits will be appropriate and precisely what is not. Crate training seems like an inhumane way to train your dog, because the dog will only have enough room to turn around in the cage. Having said that, it demonstrates to your pup bladder and intestinal management, plus it induces them to think of the crate as a secure area. Crates can be sectioned off for small pups and made larger as he/she grows.

Crates can also be used as a comforting personal space for your dog, a place where you can tell him to go to as needed. This can be handy in a number of different training situations, such as when dealing with dogs who bark excessively or dogs who are afraid of thunder. Crate training is one of the most effective methods of housebreaking your puppy, as long as it’s done properly. Dogs are also much happier when they continue to receive training because they continue to receive mental stimulation and challenges to work towards. Puppies become uninterested fairly rapidly with regular pats about the head. The majority of pets really don’t actually enjoy getting patted upon the head; observe their expressions and see how many will hesitate or even shy away whenever a hand descends in the direction of their head.

The Secrets to Dog or Puppy Training Success?

Try  Mary meyer to remember that consistency is crucial; continue to keep carrying it out until eventually your doggy will get the hang of it, which in my opinion is the key element to effective dog or puppy training. Bear in mind the saying regarding how old dogs are unable to master new tricks? It is not entirely correct however correct in a number of approaches simply because it is a lot less difficult to train a younger dog when unwanted behaviors are yet to be established. Take into account that you, and only you, are entirely accountable for teaching your dog.

When is a frog toy, not just a frog toy for kids? When it’s Polly the Travel Frog! True, she’s a stuffed toy, and yes, she’s a frog, but she also happens to be much, much more. Let me start back at the beginning, because as we all know, it’s a very good place to start.

As an elementary reading specialist, I was concerned about children lagging behind in their basic reading and writing skills, and of course their knowledge of geographic literacy. Some of third and fourth grade students I knew were unable to answer basic questions about the world, and their writing skills were alarming. I wanted to find a way that would not only enhance these deficit skills but also motivate their desire to learn.

Out of this need, my friend and I created Polly the Travel Frog, an educational, plush frog and website designed to get kids (and adults) excited about learning. Our goal was to build a global community of participants who would communicate and share their travel experiences, classroom activities, or fun family adventures for others to read and comment about.

Enter Polly-a friendly little frog that wants to travel the world. Her personal goal is to meet new people and learn new things. Her friendly smile is contagious, and everyone that meets her wants to get involved.

Teachers:
Get your students involved in the writing process by having them write and post stories about Polly. They can also read stories written by others and leave comments for them. This activity can easily be set up as a literacy center if you have computers in your classroom, or done in the computer lab setting. If you want your students to become better writers, they need to practice on a daily basis. Kids really love Polly and will ask daily to participate.

Parents:
Use Polly the Travel Frog as a fun way to document family outings and vacations. Take pictures of Polly and write about your family adventures through the eyes of this curious little frog. Your children will beg for you to help them write, and as the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect!”

Grandparents:
Do you want to encourage your grandchildren to learn about the world? You can take Polly with you on your next vacation, and when you come home, post your pictures and stories on Polly’s website. Your grandchildren will be able to view your adventures online and can leave comments for you. It’s fun!

The best part of Polly the Travel Frog is that kids love her! She’s a cute stuffed frog Zubels toy, that does so much more than sit on a shelf!