On and Off, and the Confusion Between the Two...

Adjust vent cap, screwing knob one, to one and a half rotations before starting.

Press button on.

Push choke lever to "run" position.

Press primer bulb 5 times.

Push choke lever down to choke position.

Grab cord handle firmly and pull til feeling some resistance slowly, and then pull firmly while holding down throttle level on handle.

Repeat til engine appears to start and move choke level into "run" position. See manual for additional information if engine fails to start.

Sounds easy enough doesn't it? I have to admit that there are times I always seem to skip a step. It never fails that at least once or twice every season I have problems starting the mini cultivator or the string trimmer. I will yank, and yank on the pull cord. Mumble a few incoherent words and grunts. Wait a minute, and yank some more. I then push it aside with more mumbles of "it is probably flooded" and let it set for a few minutes before trying one more time. By the time I have exhausted my arm yanking power and am out of the mood to do the work, I notice I have skipped step 2. Yes, the easiest most obvious step of the whole instruction book....Turn it on.

I'd like to blame it on today's manufacturers. The constantly are trying to improve products, claiming more ease for the homeowner. It all sounds nice, but I have come to the conclusion that added steps add more confusion. Yes, pressing an "On" button is confusing for this home owner.

In my defense my old tiller never had an "on" button. My old string trimmer never had an "on" button. The both just had a throttle and a choke button and there was no need for much else. 

I LOVED my old tiller and string trimmer. I had them for years, they were like old friends. Dependable, broken in, no worries, so easy. They died on me though. They fell apart and left me having to search for replacements. 

I searched and searched for my old models. They had been phased out, newer updated models taking their place. Models with extra steps and "on" buttons.

I hate "on" buttons. They are confusing! When there is a button that has a "0" on one side and a "___" on the other, which is the "on" and which is the "off"? The "0" can stand for "ON" or "OFF". And that stupid line, does that mean it's running or does it mean it's cut off? I can never remember. I have to recheck the manual at least twice each season to remind myself just which is which. Whatever happened to just using the words, on and off? The choke lever is almost as bad with more lines used to determine the choke position. 

I blame it on China. I blame it on them not knowing English and that manufacturers are using lines to stand in for words. Less mistakes on their end, if there are just lines. I hate lines.

In fact I hate shopping for new tools and garden equipment when something breaks. I am always frustrated and cranky by the time I get home. I grumble and complain about the lack of quality steel tools. I hate the sticker shock of a spade having a 60 dollar and up price tag. I hate painted cheap metal tools that can't seem to hold a sharp edge for me. I hate tools that are spot welded instead of constructed of one piece. I hate new and improved which has come to mean cheap and cheaper, except for your wallet.

Today I had planned on doing some string trimming but the grass is wet. I may do it later this morning if the grass dries and it doesn't get too hot too quickly. First though I will have to hunt down the manual again. It's that "0" and "____" thing again. I think I have a mental block. I just can't ever seem to remember. I think while I am at it, I will look for a magic marker so I can write the words on the little button.

It will be easier for me....easier than an "0" and a "___"