The Tecomac blog
Practical guides on machinery, maintenance and gardening, written from real workshop experience.
3 min read
Making your own firewood: when to cut it, how to season it and which machine you need
A practical guide to making firewood: when to cut, how long to season it, how to split it safely, and when hiring a log splitter makes more sense than buying one.
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3 min read
Robotic mower maintenance: blades, cleaning and what to do in winter
How to keep a robotic mower going for years: changing the blades, cleaning, checking the boundary wire, storing the battery over winter and when to book it into the workshop.
3 min read
Trimming cypress hedges: when, how and with which tool
When to trim cypress, why you must never cut back into old wood, how to shape a hedge so it does not go bare at the bottom, and which hedge trimmer you need for the height.
4 min read
Getting the vegetable patch ready with a tiller: when to till, how deep and which model
How to work your vegetable patch with a tiller without wrecking the soil: when to till through the year, working depth, soil moisture, front-tine tiller versus cultivator, and when to hire one.
4 min read
How to choose a generator: power, inverters and what nobody tells you
A guide to choosing a generator: how to work out the power you need, when you need an inverter, petrol or diesel, noise, run time and the most common mistakes at home, on site and out in the field.
2 min read
The Empordà garden calendar: what to do, month by month
When to prune, scarify, sow and service your machinery in the Empordà. A practical season-by-season calendar for the garden and the vegetable patch.
4 min read
Your lawn mower won't start: the 8 causes we see in the workshop and how to fix them
What to do when the lawn mower will not start: stale petrol, spark plug, air filter, oil, safety lever, jammed blade or carburettor. The checks in order before you bring it to the workshop.
2 min read
Robotic mowers: are they worth it? An honest 2026 guide
The real benefits, limits and prices of robotic mowers. When it makes sense to switch to a robot, and how to choose the right model for your garden.
4 min read
The fire protection strip: what you have to clear and with which machine
What Catalan law requires of urbanisations and houses in woodland: a 25-metre strip, clear plots, when to do the work, what to do with the arisings and which machinery each job needs.
2 min read
Battery or petrol machinery: what should you choose in 2026?
An honest comparison of battery and petrol garden machinery: power, run time, maintenance and what each really costs you over the years.
2 min read
Chainsaw maintenance: the workshop guide
How to keep your chainsaw in top condition: chain, sharpening, filters, fuel mix and storage. Tecomac's workshop advice for a longer-lasting saw.
2 min read
Hiring a wood chipper: a practical guide with prices
When hiring a wood chipper makes sense, which model you need for the branch size, and how to put the chippings to work. Hire in Palafrugell from €85/day.
2 min read
Machinery maintenance: how to make your kit last twice as long
Maintenance routines for mowers, brushcutters and garden machinery: oils, filters, winter storage and when to book the machine in for a service.
2 min read
Pruning trees: when to prune and how to do it properly
A pruning guide: why it matters, the right season for each tree, correct cutting technique and the tools for the job, from hand saw to pruning chainsaw.
2 min read
How to choose a brushcutter: a buying guide
Types of brushcutter, engine sizes, cutting heads and harnesses: how to pick the right machine for the job, from the home garden to professional use.
2 min read
Scarifying: the secret behind a lawn that breathes
What scarifying is, why your lawn needs it, when to do it and which machine to use. The job that separates an average lawn from an excellent one.
2 min read
How to mow a lawn: heights, frequency and mistakes to avoid
The definitive guide to mowing: what height to cut at through the seasons, how often to mow, what mulching does and the mistakes that ruin a lawn.