Wednesday, September 13, 2023

STIHL Weed Eaters - Battery Operated

STIHL Weed Eaters

Just imagine if the grass in your front yard has grown beyond its permissible limits. Or the landscaping around your office building requires a serious hedge cut. Or maybe you are in the country and you may need to clean out a large field for activity. Can you imagine the time and effort it would take to cut through the thick overgrown brush, weeds and other plant matter a snake couldn't crawl through? Sure you could use a lawn mover but sometimes even the wheels wouldn't turn in such a brush. Or maybe you could outsource it to someone else and pay the heavy costs. The wise and economical way to do it is by yourself.

But to get such work done, you will need some serious tools in your hand to save yourself time and effort. Time to get to the next level with the The Stihl weed eaters.

Stihl USA manufactures a wide range of landscaping machine tools meant for some serious work. These are some of the toughest products out there when it comes to clearing thick undergrowth and landscaping. In fact these tools have become invaluable in the landscaping business with many small business owners equipping their landscaping teams with these handy machines. Even private home owners, farmers and property managers are getting their hands on one of these to keep the weed growth in check.

The weed wackers as they are commonly known come in different forms, sizes, capacities, capabilities and power options. 

Types of Weed Eaters:

Weed eaters from STIHL broadly fall into 2 categories:

  • Gas powered
  • Battery powered
The battery powered weed eaters are suitable for most urban scenarios are they are more versatile, quite  and efficient. They are also quite reliable and are up to the task anytime. The details of each category are covered below:

Battery Powered Weed Eaters and STIHL Electric Chainsaws:

  1. These come in both wired and battery pack type.
  2. The batteries are rechargeable Lithium Ion.
  3. They are best suited for small and compact yards.
  4. They boast a range of over half a mile coverage over a single charge.
  5. The battery category is divided into 4 subcategories - 
  • AS Battery System: These are hand held tools with battery packs which are small, versatile and best for low powered gardening work. They are compact, easy to carry and handle. Recommended products in this line include the GTA 26 hand held garden pruner chain saw and SEA 20 Compact hand held vacuum.
  • AI Battery System: The integrated battery line also come with attached battery packs but they carry more juice and can be charged through a wall socket. They are best suited for small hedges and low level weed whacking. Nothing sinister. Include products like the HSA 45 Hedge Trimmer and BGA 45 Blower.
  • AK Home Owner System: These are a set of tools that use the same battery pack and is completely interchangeable. The particular favourite is the RMA 460 V lawnmower best suited for urban areas.
  • AP Professional Battery System: This is an entire system comprising multiple battery power tools, battery components and other equipment that would come together as a package for professional users who want the complete arsenal for a job well done. Includes the World's first commercial grade lithium ion cut off machine TSA 230.

The STIHL electric chainsaws and weed wackers are great for quick and easy use. Being electric machines, the noise generated is minimum and the emissions are nil. It is best suited for urban areas where gas powered machines often generate high levels of noise pollution.









Monday, September 11, 2023

Vande Bharat Express - A Miracle of Modern India

Vande Bharat Express - A Miracle of Modern India




The Vande Bharat Express

Introduced in 2019, the Vande Bharat express has truly been an amazing piece of railway ingenuity to be developed in several decades in India. The train was meant to substitute the short and medium distance trains like the Shatabdi which did not involve sleeping berths. The Vande Bharat not only exceeded the capability of the such trains it was meant to replace in terms of speed, but also in comfort. Today the train runs almost 25 services across India and is poised to add another 6 services shortly. Built at the Integral Coach Factory Chennai, it quickly captured the hearts and minds of people across the nation with its fully air-conditioned swanky interiors, streamlined exterior and high speed acceleration and deceleration capabilities. It was the first semi high speed train totally conceived, designed and manufactured in house by the RDSO (Research Design and Standards Organisation) of the Indian Railways. The tactful use of existing technology designed to provide flexibility and ease of maintenance provided high operational availability with low operating costs. Of course the tickets are a bit more expensive than other trains, but the pricing will improve when more train sets are added. The Vande Bharat not only became the face of Indian Railways in modern India but also evoked the interest of several foreign nations.

The Backstory of Travel in India

When was the last time you travelled by train? I mean the normal long distance type with berths in regular coaches with separate cars for air-conditioning. I think most of you might agree that for the last 30 years or so there has not been much of a change when it comes to train travel. The same old coaches with exactly same seating arrangements and never shortening travel times. There is absolutely no need to even discuss about the state of toilets on board. All previous governments had the same answer when the public questioned them about the state of Indian Railways - "The Indian Railways is a mass transport system which provides probably the only affordable long distance travel means to about 80% of the population in India at subsidised prices." That was all. There was no place for passenger comfort, better amenities, faster travel times least of all luxury. The common man was not in a position to enjoy better rail travel even if he was willing to pay for it. There simply was no alternative.

As much as I hate to admit it, the facts are true. India, with a population of more than a billion people with diverse geographic features and limited road connectivity had no mass transport system that could safely and reliably transport huge number of people across the vast distances other than trains. Aircrafts are not an option since there are limited number of airports and flying was and is still expensive to an extent. Since Independence, the Indian Rail was the only mass transport system that could support such a mission. Since then, it has transformed into a behemoth with one of the worlds largest rail track system and huge number of trains. The coaches more or less remained the same, but the locomotives became better. We moved from diesel to more electrification. The rail connectivity and frequency of trains improved. But that was it. There was no radical change in passenger comfort.

Enter Sudhanshu Mani

This man has to be one of the best things that happened to Indian Railways and to the public in general. A mechanical officer who was appointed as the general manager of Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, whose career spanned an impressive 38 years, had the audacity to dream big. To have such ambition and dreams to actually serve the nation is almost considered a blasphemy in the departments. Not because they have ill intent, but because of several departmental bottlenecks and setbacks. Any person who was willing to change the old ways was taking an enormous risk. Should the initiative be a success, he would be venerated, if not he would be axed from the department without second thought. Despite the risks involved, Sudhanshu Mani decided to go ahead with the design, development and execution of India's first high speed Electrical Multiple Unit train - The Train 18. The name comes from the fact that it was designed and developed within 18 months of conception. No mean feat for a governmental enterprise in India. To dream is one thing, but to inspire several hundred people working under you to initiate and complete the task is no mean feat in itself. For such exemplary achievement he is truly called the father of Vande Bharat Express.

Political Will

A lot of great initiatives which could have done a lot of good perished in the past due to a lack of political will. The real power centre which can make things happen lies here. Over several decades no body can fathom the number of great ideas and improvements that were condemned to the graveyard due to a lack of political will or support. The BJP Government under the leadership of PM Modi managed to identify the benefits and radical change the Vande Bharat concept would bring to the nation. Surely, it would add political mileage as well but that was merely a consequence. In fact while the proposal to manufacture the Vande Bharat trains were being debated, there was another storm brewing between two different departments in the Railways itself. The electrical and mechanical divisions of the Indian Railways were fiercely tussling with each other over a clearance certificate. While the mechanical department was responsible for the manufacture of the train, the electrical department was responsible for issuing a certificate of safety. However, in order to expedite the production process, the Chief Commissioner of Rail Safety issued the all clear without obtaining this certificate. This lead to an outrage from the electrical department and lead to a stalemate for several months. Such situations which create disturbances within such a vast organisation need to be approached delicately and settled with care. It was well handled by the Government without much publicity and the issue was resolved internally, paving the way for manufacture of Vande Bharat train sets in large numbers.

Vande Bharat Ticket Prices & Routes

The train has different pricing along different routes depending on the distance. There are two classes - the CC Chair Car (Economy) and the Executive Class (Business Class). You can click on this link with Goibibo for the complete pricing and destination list of Vande Bharat Express : Goibibo List

Sunday, September 10, 2023

CBD Gummies For Pain Relief

 


What are CBD Gummies?

CBD gummies are candy or gummies that have been infused with Cannabidiol Oil or CBD Oil which is a natural plant compound extracted from Industrial Hemp Plant. Industrial hemp is a close cousin of the Cannabis plant, however the amount of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) content is less than 0.3%. This makes it legal to cultivate and process in many states and countries. This plant contains almost all the same compounds found in cannabis but in much lower concentrations and therefore does not lead to dependability, psychedelic effects or addictions.

For more details on the benefits of CBD Oils, its usage and effects, you can read here in more detail:

CBD Gummies are soft candies that are very much the same as regular gummies. The only difference is the addition of CBD Oils in the candy. These are an easy way of taking your regular dosage of CBD without carrying around a bottle of tincture or pills. These are storage friendly and the fact that they are sweet adds an additional incentive to consume especially for those with a sweet tooth. They come in various shapes, sizes, flavours and colors. However, be aware to keep them away from kids as pure CBD Oils are permitted by FDA to be consumed by only those kids who have certain seizures for which medication is not effective.

CBD Gummies for pain relief:

CBD Gummies are not something new. The main component being CBD Oil has been under research for several decades now. Medical research has indicated that CBD gummies have several health benefits:
  • CBD gummies have helped in preventing seizures in people for whom regular medicine has had no effect. Seizures cause powerful spasms in the body which can leave the effected person in a lot of pain. In fact the important component of CBD gummies being CBD (Cannabidiol) is FDA approved for use through a medicine name Epidiolex for this purpose.
  • CBD gummies provide pain relief and help reduce inflammation. This is important for people who suffer from diseases like arthritis as it provides a natural alternative to chronic pain relief.
  • Insomnia can cause a lot of headaches due to lack of effective sleep. CBD gummies help people with this condition relax and have better sleep cycles which in turn reduces their pain and suffering.
  • CBD gummies help people with stress and anxiety to relax and calm down. People who are faced with such conditions often have psychological pain which can be reduced with CBD gummies.
  • People suffering from neurological diseases like Parkinsons and Schizophrenia can consume CBD gummies as it helps calm them and reduces aggression.
  • People suffering from Cancer also consume these gummies for pain relief when regular medications are not effective.
  • Even pets like old dogs and cats effected by certain painful diseases can be fed CBD gummies to help ease their pain. They even have special CBD dog treats and cat feeds.

Other Benefits of CBD Gummies:

  • Research has proven that people with anger issues who consumed CBD gummies have a more measured response to adverse situations and a controlled state of mind.
  • A study involving rats has indicated that CBD gummies could improve memory cognition.
  • Pain medication typically contain many chemicals which are harmful to the liver. CBD gummies are a natural alternative which is generally well tolerated by the body and does not cause harmful side effects.
  • CBD gummies are a natural supplement which can be taken even if not suffering from chronic pain or any illness in proper measured doses. It helps in general well being.

Types of Gummies:

There could be various types of gummies and the difference is very important to note for consumers. Some gummy types are legal in some states whereas, some could be illegal. It is necessary to understand that a small percentage change in a particular compound or the source of extraction could mean the difference between legal and illegal. There are broadly two types of gummies with several sub categories:
  1. CBD Gummies: These are gummies which contain CBD oils and are generally legal in many states and countries as they contain less than 0.3% of THC.
  2. THC Gummies: The main constituent of these gummies is THC with different levels of CBD Oil. THC is a psychoactive component and in sufficient concentration could lead to a high. These are generally prescribed for people who have seizures against which general medication is not effective. Theses are prescription only in states where they are legal and are considered illegal in states which have not legalised their use. They have several sub categories such as Delta 9, Delta 10, HHC, etc.


CBD Gummies Near Me?
The best place I would recommend for a CBD gummy purchase would be The American Shaman of Las Colinas located in Texas. They currently have two branches within the state. Their staff is well educated on the subject and they contain a wide range of CBD gummies and other products. To know more I recommend that you read about them here:

What are CBD Gummies Made of?

CBD gummies contain the following:
  • Water
  • Gelatin
  • Corn Syrup
  • Sugar
  • CBD Oil extract
It is best that you check the ingredients label on the bottle and speak with the store assistant before making a purchase to ensure that it is the product which is best suited for your purpose.

Other Important Points

Please consult your doctor before considering purchasing and consuming CBD gummies as they may interfere with your existing medications if any. Also it is important to note that CBD gummies even though may not contain significant portions of THC may still show up in a drug exam. Therefore those of you who are required to mandatorily undergo a drug test for an interview or other reasons should be aware of this fact.

CBD Gummies for Life

CBD Gummies are a great natural substitute for chronic pain relief, anxiety, sleep disorders and general well being. The evidence is also increasingly being corroborated by doctors and several research papers. The lack of synthetic chemicals, minimal side effects and no psychedelic effects makes CBD gummies ethical, legal and safe.









STIHL Weed Eaters - Battery Operated

STIHL Weed Eaters Just imagine if the grass in your front yard has grown beyond its permissible limits. Or the landscaping around your offic...