Disabled tools or rather tools for the disabled.

Looking for solutions to my gardening problems.

I have a messed up shoulder and leg, (left side), and I'm looking for tools to clear ground cover etc. I used to use my dad's scythe 45 years ago to help keep a meadow down to a good level, but with my weak / disabled left side, I can't use two handed tools like that anymore.

Does anyone know of a scythe that has either stable opperation one handed, or a "funky" handle, that will allow use of my left arm, but close to the body with reduced movement.

Talking to a friend, he said to move to a petrol weedeater, with the strap properly adjusted they can be used one handed.

If there are producers that cater for arm/ mobility disabilities in their tool range, could folks post what you've found?

Chrishophori,

Tough situation!  Off hand I cannot think of a one handed scythe, but I will briefly comment about disabled friendly tools.  A large portion of disabled friendly tools are either special made or highly customized for use as per the specific disability.  Is there any chance you could modify an existing scythe?  Alternatively, perhaps a scythe is not exactly the best tool for your particular situation.  Could some sort of trimmer/weed eater/mower work in place of a scythe.  I understand the desire to do the work without external power, but maybe this is a case where it is more appropriate?

I wish I could help more,

Eric

Eric Hanson wrote:Chrishophori,

Is there any chance you could modify an existing scythe?  Alternatively, perhaps a scythe is not exactly the best tool for your particular situation.  

Could some sort of trimmer/weed eater/mower work in place of a scythe.  I understand the desire to do the work without external power, but maybe this is a case where it is more appropriate?

I wish I could help more,

Eric

Thanks Eric for the reply, a weed eater/ strimmer may be the only real option, but the memory of the smooth action and exercise of a scythe is stuck in my head.

I'm sure with an international research grant, a normal scythe could be adapted, with only a couple of years work! ;-)

I'm out in the boonies so hand tools 'feel' the way I want to go, there's no point in going electric due to distances for power cords etc, but a gas powered strimmer, with cutting blade as well as strimmer nylon, is probably what I'll end up with.

I'm sure there's a museum of disabled farming tools, (or farming tools for the disabled), somewhere in the world!

Chrishophori,

If gas puts you off and corded electric is unrealistic, there are some newer battery powered trimmers that pack the punch of a gas trimmer.  EGO has a trimmer with a particularly interesting feature—it will automatically feed in the trimmer line.  I already have battery trimmer, but I love the idea of being able to stick a line up to the trimmer head and have the trimmer draw the line in for itself.  This might be easier if you have a bum shoulder.

Just a thought,

Eric

If you can afford one, a heavy-duty electric lawnmower might be preferable to a string trimmer.  We have a 20 inch Ryobi battery electric mower that we use to cut trails through our fields.  I love it!  I have various achey pains (probably arthritis) and I find it very easy to use.  I'm pretty sure I would'nt be able to use a string trimmer.

This mower is able to cut down small trees, so I also use it to make trails through the food forest.

Thanks for the ideas guys, I'll check them out.

I use a sickle mower attached to my lawn tractor. I don't know of an electric version offhand, but there might be one out there. I know there's a tiny, hand-held electric version, but that wouldn't be practical for an entire meadow.

(I'm down a shoulder too, only in my case it's on my right side.)

Thanks Ellendra, perhaps we could get a double wide scythe, I'll do the righthand handle if you'll do the left?

Grandchildren work for chocolate. Adoption might be out of your price range. I bet you could trade pork for labor. Find a drink and ay him in beer. But other than that I’m stumped would a hand sickle  work?

Hank Waltner wrote:Grandchildren work for chocolate.

I bet you could trade pork for labor.

But other than that I’m stumped would a hand sickle  work?

Hi Hank, no grandkids yet, I don't know what the kids are doing, but it's not making babies!

Pork for labor... hmmm bringing home the bacon!

Hand sickle would have me face down in the dirt, long back, short arms and bad balance!

I rigged up a tool that may work for you.  I took it apart so I can't take a picture any more but anyone that is reasonably handy could recreate it.  I took an old push mower, stripped off the engine and everything else I didn't need until I just had a 4 wheeled cart of sorts.  I hooked my Ego battery hedge trimmer to it and used it to clear brush.  If I remember correctly, I added some weight to the side opposite of the blade to make it more evenly weighted.  If you have a bad arm and leg it may be too heavy for you to push easily, but it shouldn't be hard to make a lighter version.  You could make a super easy one with just 4 cart wheels connected to a square of plywood with the battery powered hedge trimmer connected to it.  

Hi Chris, I use to design and build customize equipment/ gadgets for some clients. I made you a drawing of what I envisioned may work for you. In this design you will be using the twisting motion of your hips with a kick from your upper leg.
While power tools is good. exercise is also important better if you are accomplishing something while working out.