Are Reel Lawn Mowers Still Effective?

May 13, 2011 Comments off

Reel lawn mowers might seem old-fashioned to a lot of people. These are the manual “people-powered” mowers with a spinning blade that turns as you push the mower. Many of us might remember our grandparents having one when we were kids, but reel mowers are making a bit of a comeback. Let’s look at some of the benefits and disadvantages of reel mowers.

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The most obvious advantage, and probably one of the main reasons for their resurging popularity, is the fact that they are environmentally friendly. There’s no emissions like with a gas mower, and they don’t use any electricity. The only power source they need is good old-fashioned manual labor.

Are Reel Lawn Mowers Still Effective?

They can also be easier on your lawn than the typical gas or electric powered lawnmower. The blades are not nearly as harsh when they’re spinning, especially when compared to some of the higher-powered mowers out there. As long as you keep the blades sharp, they cut the blades more cleanly and don’t damage them the way other mowers will.

There are a couple of disadvantages to reel lawn mowers, however. The biggest one of course is the fact that you have to power them yourself. This can be a good source of exercise, but not everyone wants to do that kind of manual labor to keep their lawn looking good. And if you don’t like doing it, you might find yourself putting it off which can lead to a messy looking yard, and even more work when you do cut the lawn.

Which leads to another disadvantage – reel mowers get progressively harder to manage as your lawn gets longer. If you let your grass grow long between cuts, you might find it’s quite a bit of work to maintain it.

Sharp blades will minimize the work, but again it means you need to either sharpen the blades yourself on a fairly regular basis, or pay someone to do it for you. This is actually the case on a gas or electric mower as well, but because they operate using blunt force, they’re a little more forgiving of a dull blade.

Reel lawn mowers can be a great way to maintain your lawn, just make sure that you consider everything involved before deciding on one. If you know someone who has one, it might be worth borrowing it and try it out before you go out and buy one for yourself.

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Electric Leaf Blowers Are So Great!

May 12, 2011 Comments off

If you are tired of mixing gas and oil and smelling those harmful that gas blowers provide than I highly advise you invest in a electric blower. The electric leaf blowers by Toro, have customers raving about the power it provides. In recent reviews they are claiming it to be the best outdoor yard tool hands down.

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The Toro electric blower has officially proven that gas powered models are more powerful to be only a myth. With out the mess of mixing gas and oil and the toxic smell you can find just as much, if not more power in an electric blower.

Electric Leaf Blowers Are So Great!

It brings you a convenient way to preserve and enhance the quality of your environment and surroundings with the best electric blower. This 2-speed engine allows you to conquer any task. It is very easy to operate because it weighs only a few pounds.

It is so easy on hand operation because it is so lightweight, at only 4.6 pounds, which allows anyone the opportunity to be able to handle and operate. Whether you need to reach areas down low or up high, you can accomplish any maneuver thanks to the lightweight. Therefore, your arm and hand will not have the strain or stress versus heavier blowers.

You can freely move from one area to the next because it has a 50-foot cord and cord lock system that you can plug in any where with the 2-prong plug. For far and very distant areas, the electric leaf blower can easily plug into an extension cord.

The Toro electric blower has a max air velocity of 160 miles per hour (MPH) and a minimum of 130 (MPH). With an air volume of 155 (CFM). This combination of two speeds and volume air output is versatile and rugged power. You decide what amount of force you want to use in every different area and leave all the hard work to the machine.

The two-piece unit is so easy to store away, all you have to do is simply snap it together/apart for a quick assemble/disassemble. Store it easily in your closet, tool box, or garage or you can simply hang it on any hook.

The 7.0 Amp Motor generates a more than adequate amount of power needed in an electric blower, with the comfort of a low noise level DBA. Letting you, your ears and your neighbors be at peace while running the unit. The noise it makes is the same as a household cosmetic hair dryer.

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Find a Snow Thrower to Suit You

May 11, 2011 Comments off

Maintaining the look of a landscape can sometimes be hard work, especially in harsh and horrible weather conditions. No one can change the weather and with it becoming increasingly unpredictable, things are only set to get worse. However, the good news is that there is something which can be used in order to combat one particularly bad weather condition and that is a snow thrower.

Snow Thrower

What Is The Purpose of a Snow Thrower?

Find a Snow Thrower to Suit You

Snow can be restrictive to say the least, especially when the snow is thick. It can stop many people from living their lives normally until it has gone and that can present many problems. Most people have their driveways blocked full of snow which can be a huge nuisance, especially when they need to drive to work. Well, if you have problems with the snow a snow thrower may be just what you need. It is designed to get rid of the snow by throwing it into a different place and in some cases onto a truck.

Electric versus Gas Snow Throwers

When it comes to choosing either a gas or electric snow thrower, there are pros and cons for both so it is just a case of looking at your own personal circumstances. An electric snow blower can be extremely good when there is not a lot of snow covering your way. Also, with an electric snow thrower they are not as noisy as a gas snow thrower is and they are lighter in weight too.

A big downfall of electric snow throwers however is that because it is electric, it has wires and therefore it restricts how far you can go with it. It is also less powerful too and that is why it is not generally good for when there it a lot of snow around. So, for people with bigger driveways and when there is a lot of snow, the electric snow thrower is generally not advised. The gas one may be bigger and noisier, but for larger amounts of snow you will be getting rid of it in no time.

Do You Have Much Use For a Snow Thrower?

Obviously unless there is any snow, then there is no need for a snow thrower. They are only worth having if snow is creating a problem for you in some way at some time of the year. For instance, if snow is blocking up your driveway or the road, then a snow thrower will help you considerably.

It can also be used to get snow off the landscape or the lawn area too. It is important to make sure that you get the right snow thrower to suit your own personal circumstances. This is because if you get the wrong type it will only be ineffective and a complete waste of money. So, weigh up your options and always shop around!

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How To Choose The Best Snowblower

May 10, 2011 Comments off

The best snowblower for you should be something that is able to fit your needs. Before you head off to buy a snow thrower for the job, it is beneficial to you to have some ideas what features you need for the device. Your main objective is of course to get work done more quickly but because these blowers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, plus you could choose whether you want the electric operated ones or gas operated ones, thus if you know what you need it will make your selection job very much easier.

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However, if this is the first time you are getting a snowblower, how do you know what criteria to have in mind? In order to help you make the right choice in purchasing the best snow blower to help you do the job, below are some tips that you should consider.

How To Choose The Best Snowblower

1. Energy Strength

You need to find out from the supplier, how much work the device is able to complete in a stipulated amount of time. The faster it is, the better of course. You want your snow thrower to be high powered so that it is able to throw snow regardless of whether it is knee deep or compact. However, keep in mind that size does not matter here because you will be able to find equipment that is powerful, yet not bulky.

2. Safety Measures

Whether the machine is safe during use is another very important factor that you have to keep in mind. There will definitely be a time when the device will fail to work or there might be items other than snow which accidentally enter the blower. When that happens, is there any control button which could automatically stop the machine so that the device does not clog and break down as a result. When you are making your choice for the best snowblower, ensure that this safety measure is taken into considerations by the manufacturer.

3. Budget

Unless you have a lot of extra cash to spare, otherwise this is a factor you must keep in mind when you are shopping for your snowblower. It does not matter whether you are shopping online or buying one from your local shopping mall, the price range among the various different models, brands and sizes of the blower will definitely be very wide. Without a planned budget, you might end up with an expensive snowblower which might have a lot of functions but which you do not really need. Thus, you should have in mind what you really need and the budget so that you do not over-spend.

4. Storage Space

Considering the storage space needed is an important factor too because you do not need the snow thrower all the time. When it is not in use, do you have a lot of space to store it if you have decided to get a bulky one? Otherwise, you might want to consider getting a compact one instead.

Armed with the above 4 tips, you are now more than ready to purchase the best snowblower to help you get the job done quickly. However, do not rush into things so that you will not regret your choice.

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Snow Throwers – Getting Ready For Snow

May 9, 2011 Comments off

Snow throwers – already? Where did the summer go? Well, it may not be quite time to start clearing snow, but Fall is definitely the best time to get your snow thrower ready for what’s coming. Waiting for the first good snow storm before breaking out your snow removal equipment is just asking for some serious aggravation.

Snow Thrower

So, on a nice sunny day in the fall of the year, dust the cobwebs off your machine and check out at least these items:

Snow Throwers – Getting Ready For Snow

Change the oil in your engine. If you have last winter’s oil in your engine it will be contaminated with water from condensation, and chemicals from the combustion process, especially is you used it in heavy snow last winter.
Dump any gasoline that was left in the tank from last year–if you did not put stabilizer in the gas at the end of last season. It is usually a good idea to replace the gas line filter at this time as well. Then fill your gas tank with fresh gas.
Check out any belts you have on your machine. Make sure they are tight and in good shape. If there are any cracks or fraying, replace the belt.
Test all your controls and make sure they work smoothly. A drop or two of liquid graphite at hinge points will usually make things work better. Grease any fittings you have on your machine, and oil the bearings and any other places that require it. It’s best to refer to your operator’s manual before applying oil and grease.
Check your auger and impeller (two-stage machines) for cracks and missing pieces. If you find any problems you should have them repaired now–or if there is significant damage, you may want to replace the damaged part. Picking up rocks along with the snow you are clearing away can raise havoc with augers and impellers.
If you have any rusty places on your machine, you will want to keep those spots doused with a rust preventing oil–or better yet; sand the spot down, apply a metal primer, and then repaint the area.
Check out your tires for cuts, cracks, and the ability to hold air. There is something especially discouraging when you want to use your snow thrower to clear off your driveway before going to work (especially that big snowplow mound of snow at the end of your drive), and discover you have flat tire. That’s a real bummer.
If your machine has tire chains, now is the time to inspect them closely for bent or broken links, as well as any places that show excessive wear. Replace bad links now. Make sure chains are installed properly and won’t slip off when you need them most.
With fresh gas and oil, and everything repaired and oiled up, the final check is to start the engine to make sure everything works as expected. You can’t check the engine under load, but you can determine its ease of starting and idle smoothness. If it starts hard in warm weather, it may not start at all in cold weather.

O.K., you’re all set for the coming snow. But even if you are reading this during your first big snowfall, it would be to your advantage to check over the items presented above before you tackle that first big drift. Snow throwers are wonderful machines, but only when they work well. And, they work best when properly cared for.

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Looking After Your Snow Blower

May 8, 2011 Comments off

Have you ever went out to shovel or snow blow your driveway and not be able to start your snow blower? Most likely your snow blower would not start because the motor was to cold. Put a portable heater by the crank case and warm up the oil and it should start. That takes about an hour depending on how cold it is.It works the same as a block heater in a car. If you do not have a portable heater use a hair dryer.

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If you have a garage or a shed keep your blower in out of the weather and make sure that you remove most of the snow and ice before storage. Otherwise wet snow will cause it to freeze up. Also make sure your auger is free of snow or ice. If the auger is frozen it could cause you to break a shear pin or a belt.

Looking After Your Snow Blower

If you have a heated garage make sure you have a gas line antifreeze not the regular one but there is a special one that you can use. Check with your dealer. There is one that you can use in snow blowers and snowmobiles. Condensation might build up in your gas lines or tank in a heated garage causing the snow blower to back fire and maybe freeze up in the cold. The gas line antifreeze should take care of that problem. You should change oil regularly. That will help starting and your snow blower will warm up faster, It is easy to change the oil on most. Use a light weight oil 5W30. If you don’t want to change oil (I highly recommend this anyway) use synthetic oil 0W30 OR 5W30. Your dealer should have synthetic oil. I believe that using synthetic oil and changing oil regularly is the life of a machine.

When you start your machine don’t start on full throttle. You could blow your motor as it takes a few seconds for the oil to circulate especially if you use regular 5W30 oil or if it needs an oil change. When it is real cold the motor is stiff and the oil could be thick. I have two snow blowers. I had 5W30 regular in one and synthetic 5W30 in the other. Last week it was minus 34 and a windchill in the minus 40’s The one with the regular oil would not start. The one with the synthetic did.I changed the oil in the other one, used synthetic and it started.

Keep your throttle on a little over half when starting and let you machine warm up. Test your auger before snow blowing. Also when you shut down your machine turn the throttle of slowly. Don’t blow snow at full speed. Use first gear for heavy snow and second or third gear for light snow, I recommend only first and second but a lot of people use third. The higher gears should be used only for travel ling your snow blower from one point to another. For instance I have two driveways on both corners of my house 40 ft apart so I use high speed to travel the blower to the second driveway. You should see you a dealer and have you machine checked over Make sure your belts are not worn. I always try and keep spare belts on hand.

Life could be a little miserable if you don’t look after your snow blower especially in Northern Canada where we get a lot of snow, wind and cold. A couple days ago it went from minus 30 to 0 degrees in 36 hours and we had rain. We also had a foot of snow. The next time I went to start my snow blower It would not move. The wheels were frozen I hit the wheels with a rubber maul a couple of times before the blower moved. I hope you find this information helpful.

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Plastic or Metal? The Story of the Snow Shovel

May 7, 2011 Comments off

The lowly snow shovel has been around in various forms for hundreds of years. Starting with some of its earliest forms made from wood the snow shovel has progressed through the years and can now be found both in plastic and metal forms. With out this lowly and humble piece of equipment a good part of the world would struggle to maintain a comfortable form of life. Moving snow is essential to both our economy and our standards of living. Without it we would not be able to get out of our houses or for that matter keep our home safe.

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Besides keeping the driveway clear or the side walks clean often time we must also shovel off our homes, sheds and cars so they will not suffer damage. Without doing this we would be stuck staying inside or trudging through the snow on our own two feet which is no easy task. In the not so distant past snow removal simply involved citizens going into the streets to level the drifts for sleigh traffic by hand. Today of course we have many other ways to remove snow but the shovel is still the most common of those methods for our personal properties. The question here is which makes the better shovel. Plastic or metal?

Plastic or Metal? The Story of the Snow Shovel

The metal shovel came first. At first these were heavy and cumbersome being made of steel. Often this also kept size to a minimum as the larger the blade the heavier it became. Today the metal shovel is often made of aluminum so the weight problem is a thing of the past. You can find them in all different sizes and shapes. Some of the most popular ones are similar in shape to a snow plow that you might find on a truck. With its curved blade it is easier to push the snow up in to piles. You can still get the standard flat style as well which is used better for scooping the snow up and throwing it into piles. One draw back of the metal shovel is that the tend to bend when you don’t have an absolutely flat surface to shovel. Also snow can stick easily to some of them and when you try to get the snow off by hitting it on the ground upside down you usually end up bending it more. All in all though it is light weight and easy to use.

The plastic shovel is newer of course since plastics were not always around. They are light weight which is one of their greatest advantages. You can get them in all shapes and size just like their metal counterparts and with plastic you get more color choices as well. Snow does not tend to stick to these shovels as much as the metal ones and you can hit them on rough edges or hard surfaces and not worry about bending them. There is one concern with the use of plastic shovels though; they can break. Depending on the type and quality of plastic used they can break in colder weather. Another concern some have about using plastic is that when they do break and you give it the toss it can harm the environment since the plastic takes a long time to degrade. Some could argue the same for metal but metal is easier to recycle.

So which one do you prefer or say is the best choice? For me I will stick with plastic. With its light weight, ease of use and no stick qualities I find plastic the better choice. I also prefer the scoop style rather then the traditional flat style. I can still pile the snow up high when needed but the scoop allows me to push the snow around with less lifting since I do not need to empty it. Which ever shovel you choose or prefer I am sure it will get the job done. And unless we all decide to heat our driveways and sidewalks so that snow and ice never sticks; we will always have a place for the lowly but very essential snow shovel.

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Background Information About Tractor Lawnmowers

May 6, 2011 Comments off

Every man dreams of having a lush green lawn. In fact, men take such pride in the appearance of their lawn that competitions are held in some neighborhoods to see who maintains his property the best. Hours are devoted to cultivating fine blades of grass that stand tall against the blowing winds. Nothing will make a man prouder than to have the best lawn in the neighborhood.

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Over the years, home riding tractors have grown tremendously in popularity. The primary reason for this is that we have gained much lawn acreage from the sprawling suburban landscapes which buffer the major metropolitan areas of this country. Millions have moved from the cities to the suburbs lured by housing developments on large plots of land. Along with the mass exodus from the concrete jungles of the cities to the spacious green expanse of the suburbs, horticulturalists have created more durable strains which allow for grasses to thrive in even the most arid of climates. Because of these things, lawn maintenance has become much more important. Most people’s experience with lawn care and maintenance comes from a push power.

Background Information About Tractor Lawnmowers

A push mower can be suitable for a homestead that has small acreage but is much too insufficient for any sizable lawn. Not only does a push mower make it much more difficult to properly maintain your lawn but it’s a lot of backbreaking work as well. Any landscape that contains a noticeable gradient will require you to push a mower up hill at some point. This can wreak havoc on your back. By having a lawn tractor, you gain a great advantage in the proper maintenance of your lawn. A push mower tends to require trampling over your lawn which can destroy roots and cause browning. A lawn tractor or riding mower allows to you precisely map out your route while rolling over the landscape.

There are many different variables to take into account when considering purchasing a lawn tractor. If you are only sitting on an acre of land, you will not need a riding mower meant for a large expanse of rangeland. Models range in price and options. Some models will allow you to add other attachments to the tractor and make it multi-purpose. Attachments like a front end plow for plowing snow or a tiller for turning over your gardens can be very useful. Knowing what type of maintenance your land requires is vitally important before purchasing your lawn tractor. Once you know exactly what you want to use your lawn tractor for, finding a reputable dealer online and find yourself a great deal.

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Why You Need Snow Blower Reviews To Help You Get Ready For The Next Blizzard?

May 5, 2011 Comments off

Looking up snow blower reviews is a vital step that you need to take before the next snow falls. This is because you never know when you might need to use a snow thrower instead of just a shovel. It is not surprising to find your front porch covered with a thick layer of snow on a cold winter day when in the past, you only tend to get 2 – 3 inches of snowfalls. With the change in the climate in recent years, it is always best to be prepared at all times.

Snow Thrower

Using a shovel to remove the snow on your driveway was a very common sight in the past but blowers have now gained much popularity. This is probably due to their speed at removing the snow and thereby saving you lots of time and energy which you could use to invest in other things like spending more time with your family. However, you might not know which one to get and that is when snow blower reviews come into play.

Why You Need Snow Blower Reviews To Help You Get Ready For The Next Blizzard?

In other to look up such reviews so that you have an idea which brand or model to get, you should start from the internet. Before you decide, you should carry out some research of the various ones at different review websites. There, you will be able to read about the previous customers’ feedbacks on the different brands or models.

It is common for people to write reviews on the ones that they have bought after they have tried them out. You will then be able to tell which perform better than the rest, what price range they belong to as well as which type of snow blower is more suitable for you, based on the power of the machine.

For instance, the electric operated snow blowers are smaller in size and lighter. They are more suitable for removing snow from areas which are only 2 – 3 inches deep in snow. You also need to be prepared that you have to tolerate having cords lying around and might even be in the way when you are blowing snow. However, being light weight, they are easy to carry out and will not be a strain on your back. In addition, they also tend to be cheaper than the gas-operated snow blowers.

On the other hand, if you live in an area where there are constantly very heavy snowfalls, then you might want to consider some more heavy duty, such as the gas-operated snow blowers. They are more powerful and require less effort on your part to remove the snow from your driveway. However, they will tend to be more expensive than the electric snow blowers.

Therefore, getting your hands on some snow blower reviews is important because you can then find out about the advantages and disadvantages of the various snow blowers before you make your purchase. You do not want to make the wrong choice and not know what to do with it later on.

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Toro Power Curve 1800 – Where To Get The Best Deal On The Toro Power Curve 1800

May 4, 2011 Comments off

Are you interested in buying a Toro 1800 Power Curve? If so you’ll be making a great choice as there are some fantastic deals on this model at the moment. This useful Toro Electric Snowthrower has recently been redesigned and improved, so it’s even more powerful and easy to use than before. If you shop around you can find a good price or better still, read on to get a great deal and hassle free service.

Snow Thrower

Better Than Before

Toro Power Curve 1800 – Where To Get The Best Deal On The Toro Power Curve 1800

The latest model of the Toro 1800 electric snow thrower has been completely redesigned and now features larger wheels. When you move it around it’s now more maneuverable over uneven or rough terrain such as bumpy ice and snow. The motor has been up rated from 12amps to a more powerful 15amps, making the Toro 38381 the most powerful electric snow blower available to you.

More Popular With Users

The handle now has an ergonomic design so it’s more comfortable to use, and reduces fatigue for larger snow clearances. Directing the snow which shoots up to 30 feet from this little snow blower is now easier than ever with a 160 degree adjustable chute. The chute is now height adjustable too so you can direct the snow exactly where you want it.

Shop for Your Toro Online

You could go round brick & mortar stores for your Toro 1800. You might be lucky or not so, and find it’s out of stock or overpriced. To find the best price will take some running around. Avoid the legwork and get your snow blower delivered free of charge to your home.

How To Get The Best Price

You could spend some time comparing all the prices or go to one of the dozens of comparison sites. But the information they give is sometimes out of date and often inaccurate. A better alternative is to visit a site dedicated to Toro Electric Snow Blowers which will give you all the information you need to get the best possible price right away.

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