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Replies

• 

  Graham Dewhurst December 3, 2012 at 7:37pm

  Hi Steve,

  Re your question on anto vibe gloves. The engineering answer is that all anti vibration gloves are unlikely to have any worthwhile effect on reduction of vibration in the frequency ranges that do most harm to us. Low frequency vibration can be responsible for damage of the blood vessels that carry warm fresh blood to the extremities of the body noteably finger tips and toes, in addition the vibration can affect our joints and cause soreness and stiffness. Prolonged use of heavy(ish), cold, un ergonomic equipment can also be a cause of problems such as carpal tunnel where tendon sheaths become inflamed and the sufferer cannot grip / or release grip. The problem with the gloves is that to be effective on vibration reduction there has to be some degree of movement to disipate the acceleration energy (think of suspension on a push bike). The lower the frequency the more energy has to be absorbed and obviously gloves cannot allow for such movement as they are not that thick. If they were from a material which was thick enough to absorb the acceleration then they would be too thick to allow grip. They can be useful to remove some of the very high freqency vibrations, these tend to cause a buzz in the hands this is because high frequency has less power and needs smaller movement to absorb, however high frequency vibration causes less damage in general. The issue gets more complex because not everyone reacts the same way to vibration due to physical make up and mass of bones, and muscle. Grip size, angle and pressure also play a part in teh transmission of the vibrations to the user - so manufacturers have to take an average reading from several people and then allow for various factors in the published figures.

  The best that you can do is keep hands warm to maintain circulation, quit smoking as this constricts blood supply and take frequent breaks - especially as the effects are cumulative and once affected the problem gets worse so its a case of managing the condition, it cant be cured. If the gloves help you to grip better and keep your hands warm then that is the main benefit.

  The tradename of the material often used for handles which has some vibration absorbing qualities is Sorbothane.

  Re a blower try the Billy Goat wheeled range no carrying around on your back andmore power than a backpack.

  Hope this helps

  Graham
• 

  briggsandscrapem December 3, 2012 at 8:19pm

  Wheel blowers are only useful on certain (usually large) jobs. You have to work in a team of two with someone on a backpack going around the edges and 'feeding' the wheel blowers air stream. We have one and found it to be very effective used in this manner but it's in no way a replacement for backpacks and only of use in autumn.
• PRO

  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk December 3, 2012 at 8:52pm

  Agree with briggs, wheeled blowers are only good on big open spaces and used in conjunction with a backpack. I use mine on my housing estates and factory grounds where there is terrafirma, ie tarmac and block paving, no good on soft ground and grass areas, especially during wet autumns and winter.
  
  I would avoid anti vibe gloves, they only encourage you to use the machines for longer than is safe, and do more damage.
• PRO

  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk December 3, 2012 at 8:54pm

  Oh... and wheeled strimmers are the pits !!
• 

  Lawncare-4u.co.uk December 4, 2012 at 12:51am

  ergo- dyne   gloves from scre-fix  best on market .  i have 2 x pairs  (priceless)

  http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK395&q=...

  buy new back-pack   strimmer and other stihl new , best equipment.

  all good and new quality equipment help  posture/ circulation inc clothing and warm jackets/gloves/boots....

  for some reason my   'havs'  i had 2? years ago seems much better this autumn ?      definatly stop smoking and get as much 'free' exercise/ movement as possible and keep warm.   hot drinks .   7hrs outside freezing doesnt do you any good except 'fresh air' / movement.....

  all the best ( nettle tea and ginko tablets can help a lot also)   www.gardens4u.co.uk   robin
• 

  steve December 6, 2012 at 10:05pm

  thanks graham for your lengthy reply ..plenty food for thought here

  steve

  
  
  Graham Dewhurst said:

  Hi Steve,

  Re your question on anto vibe gloves. The engineering answer is that all anti vibration gloves are unlikely to have any worthwhile effect on reduction of vibration in the frequency ranges that do most harm to us. Low frequency vibration can be responsible for damage of the blood vessels that carry warm fresh blood to the extremities of the body noteably finger tips and toes, in addition the vibration can affect our joints and cause soreness and stiffness. Prolonged use of heavy(ish), cold, un ergonomic equipment can also be a cause of problems such as carpal tunnel where tendon sheaths become inflamed and the sufferer cannot grip / or release grip. The problem with the gloves is that to be effective on vibration reduction there has to be some degree of movement to disipate the acceleration energy (think of suspension on a push bike). The lower the frequency the more energy has to be absorbed and obviously gloves cannot allow for such movement as they are not that thick. If they were from a material which was thick enough to absorb the acceleration then they would be too thick to allow grip. They can be useful to remove some of the very high freqency vibrations, these tend to cause a buzz in the hands this is because high frequency has less power and needs smaller movement to absorb, however high frequency vibration causes less damage in general. The issue gets more complex because not everyone reacts the same way to vibration due to physical make up and mass of bones, and muscle. Grip size, angle and pressure also play a part in teh transmission of the vibrations to the user - so manufacturers have to take an average reading from several people and then allow for various factors in the published figures.

  The best that you can do is keep hands warm to maintain circulation, quit smoking as this constricts blood supply and take frequent breaks - especially as the effects are cumulative and once affected the problem gets worse so its a case of managing the condition, it cant be cured. If the gloves help you to grip better and keep your hands warm then that is the main benefit.

  The tradename of the material often used for handles which has some vibration absorbing qualities is Sorbothane.

  Re a blower try the Billy Goat wheeled range no carrying around on your back andmore power than a backpack.

  Hope this helps

  Graham
• 

  steve December 6, 2012 at 10:06pm

  thanks robin

  will give these gloves a try

  steve
  
  Gardens4u.co.uk said:

  ergo- dyne   gloves from scre-fix  best on market .  i have 2 x pairs  (priceless)

  http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK395&q=...

  buy new back-pack   strimmer and other stihl new , best equipment.

  all good and new quality equipment help  posture/ circulation inc clothing and warm jackets/gloves/boots....

  for some reason my   'havs'  i had 2? years ago seems much better this autumn ?      definatly stop smoking and get as much 'free' exercise/ movement as possible and keep warm.   hot drinks .   7hrs outside freezing doesnt do you any good except 'fresh air' / movement.....

  all the best ( nettle tea and ginko tablets can help a lot also)   www.gardens4u.co.uk   robin
• 

  steve December 6, 2012 at 10:09pm

  cheers brian

  steve
  
  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk said:

  Agree with briggs, wheeled blowers are only good on big open spaces and used in conjunction with a backpack. I use mine on my housing estates and factory grounds where there is terrafirma, ie tarmac and block paving, no good on soft ground and grass areas, especially during wet autumns and winter.
  
  I would avoid anti vibe gloves, they only encourage you to use the machines for longer than is safe, and do more damage.
• 

  Nick Hill December 7, 2012 at 10:27pm

  I have these ones from Strauss Direct, good gloves for summer as they are fingerless.