Every homeowner know that cleaning gutters is a pain , but did you know that it can be risky to your wellness ? agree to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission , hospitalemergency roomstreat more than 164,000 ladder - come to injuries each year – and 17,124 of those were head injury in 2007 . [ beginning : Department of Health and Human Services . ] It ’s hard to clean gutter without getting on a ladder , so it ’s no surprisal that inventors are constantly trying to come up with better , safer path to do the job .
At 2 1/4 inches high and 31/4 inches wide ( 5.72 by 8.26 centimeters ) , the Looj is slim enough to locomote through a received gutter . Two treads function the entire distance of the Looj , which helps it undertake mismatched ground . At the front of the Looj is a replaceable three - stage auger – that ’s the part that ’s in reality hypothesize to shovel the leaves out of your gutter . Topping it all off is a removable grip that duplicate as a distant control , let the hustler to stay in one place while driving the Looj up and down the gutter . With the remote control you may exchange the focusing of the auger so that you do n’t end up with leaves all over your roof . you could also reverse the Looj if it go into an unpassable clog , or if you just need to bring in it back to you .
Now that you know the story , permit ’s get out what make the Looj check .
iRobot Looj Mechanics
So , we know what the Looj does : It pitches all the dead leaves out of your gutter . But how does it do that ? Pretty much all of the threatening lifting is accomplished by theauger . gimlet are essentially longsighted screws , and they work by excite whatever take to be motivate – a clump of leaves , in this case – in rescript to break it aside . The Looj ’s screw auger has flexible flap that scoop up the debris as the auger turns and propel it away from the trough . And , because sewer maintenance is a heavy - responsibility occupation , the Looj has tread rather of wheels . iRobot also produces simple machine for the military , and artificer Jim Lynch borrowed the same design for his project . Treads offer the Looj a higher rate of friction than wheels , which means that the Looj is less likely to get stuck on the chore . It ’s not afraid of getting wet , either – the Looj is subject of work in up to one foot ( 0.305 meters ) of urine .
The auger is powered by an internal motor , which is in turn powered by a replaceable and rechargeable battery . The Looj is plan to run on 7.2 volt nickel - cadmium shelling , which are used in other products such as exit signs , model aeroplane and power recitation . Both the auger motor and the drive motor get their directions from an electronic controller with a memory storage that contains the necessary teaching . This electronic controller is domiciliate within the Looj ’s obliterable handle , which itself is powered by two AAA batteries .
Once transfer from the main automaton , the handle function as a outback control . unspoiled at a distance of up to 75 foot ( about 23 cadence ) , the control broadcast directions via radio frequency to an antenna built into the master housing of the golem . In earlier models , the antenna was international ; although it was flexible , it often got caught on gutter straps .
But does the Looj really work as advertised ? And what other trough - cleaning gadgets are out there ?
Using the Looj
Let ’s take a step - by - tone looking at using the Looj . Once it ’s out of the loge and charged , put on the swath clip and skid the Looj onto the hook so that you’re able to climb the ladder hands - barren . When you ’ve touch the gutter , use the grip to place the Looj inside , positioning it so that the auger faces the section of gutter you want to clean . Release the handle from the golem and use the controls to channelise the auger in good order and drive the Looj down the toilet . If it get stuck , or if you ’re ready to move on to another section of the sewer , you could put the Looj in black eye and bring it back to you . When you ’ve finished all of the gutter , snap the hold back into position , revoke the Looj out of the lead and hang it back on the bash magazine for the climbing back to the earth . Use a garden hose to spray away any gunk the Looj accumulates while doing its task .
One of the most helpful aspects of the Looj is the belt clip , which is included with every type . It allows you to keep your hands on the run as you climb up it . Since the goal of the Looj is to minimize the risk of clean your gutter , this is a fundamental add - on .
The removable grip and distant control is another addition . overreach while figure out on a ravel can make you lose your counterbalance , so staying in one plaza and maintaining your basis is important . The distant control allows you to aim the Looj from afar without sacrificing safety .
One common problem with the Looj , however , is that the robot on the face of it does n’t do well with non - stock gutters . For instance , if there are inconsistencies in the gutter ’s surface , the Looj might have a knockout time going over the uneven terrain . If you have an onetime home with pocket-size gutter or depressed gutter straps , the Looj can easy become stuck . If your home has an odd roofline , you ’ll need to make numerous trips up and down the ladder to reposition the Looj , as it does not travel around quoin . In other Logos , the Looj probably is n’t for everybody . But , if your house has a simple roofline with newer industry - stock gutters , it might work well for you .
Looj Alternatives
Of course , the Looj is n’t the only ware useable for those who desire to avoid ladders as much as potential . Depending on what you ’ve got in your garage , there could be something on the market that will work with the creature you already have . If you have a moisture - dryvacuum cleansing agent , you could buy certain cleaning accessory kits to add to it . A wet - ironic vacuum has the capability to either blow debris out of the gutter or vacuum it up , depending on the situation . That set - up allow you a little more flexibleness when undertake either a major clog or a light plague of leaves . And , with an extender that solicit over the edge of the gutter , the operator can remain on the ground for most of the cleaning .
The same principle applies to two other type of intersection : gas - power blower affixation and hose attachments . Likewise , you’re able to find gutter - cleaning attachments for powerfulness washers and even garden hose .
Of course , any of these prolongation tool require that you do the workplace almost wholly unsighted . If you melt down into a particularly fell clog or just want to make indisputable you ’ve give no leaf unturned , you will still ask to use a ladder to get a close look . But , like the Looj , all of these shaft reduce the number of trips you make up and down the rungs .
As fall approach path , those of you with trough will be meditate ways to keep them sporting and foliage - complimentary . ensure you know what kind of gutter you have ; it ’s likely you ’ll be able to find a ware on the mart that can help you . And , if you end up on a ladder , remember to be thrifty .
For lots more information on the Looj and connect topics , see the links on the next varlet .
