"There is a small safety sensor switch in the head that senses whether the cutting head is engaged in one of the pre dilled angled slots. Basically it stops the machine working if something does wrong and the cutting baldes fall back towards you.…"

"I would be very concerned that removing the ivy may result in parts of the wall falling down."

"May be an easy fix after all. Dropped it at the dealers yesterday, got a text last night saying the machine was ready. They say it was just dirt and debris around the inside of the switch. Sounds too good to be true but I'll take it! Pouring down…"

"P.S. they also do a grating product which is very strong and in e.g. grey relatively unobtrusive for bridge surface which I saw at The Japanese Garden Centre (East Peckham, Kent) ... didn't take a photo, sorry.…"

"I have a bridge here (not a listed property), over a pond, which is constructed from GRP and clad/faced with wood - to make that easy to replacewhen it rots. Part of the reason for the GRP, rather than steel RSJs, was the light weight to get it into…"

"Also an occasional application of resin removal foam will bring the blades back to a shiny state, reducing friction. Takes a while using a brush to agitate the gunk then wiping off with a rag before re-oiling when its done. One of my HSA86's started…"

"I agree with you about ivy 'dust'. At best it gives me hayfever, at worst it gets into your throat. It's horrible. I wouldn't take on an ivy removal job under any circumstances, but even if I'm cutting it back I'd advise the FP3 mask mentioned below…"

"Soak the blades in WD40, and best to do regularly each time you finish using it. The smallest amount of rust on the blades will make them stick together..."

"the way timber prices are going and the availability it might be a option to use plastic "

"https://www.gardenmachinesltd.co.uk/
 
Ordered one from here yesterday!!"