Best Lawn Mowers & Tractors
Single-lever 5-position height adjustment between 1 1/4 inch and 3 1/8 inch lets you choose the best cut for your yard. G-MAX 40V Li-Ion Battery System powers multiple tools for complete yard work system--includes (1) 4AH Battery, (1) 2AH Battery, and Charger.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My wife and I wanted a mower that wasn't as loud and noisy as a gas mower, didn't require burning oil, and didn't vibrate as much. The only time we need to recharge the batteries half way through mowing is when we wait way too long between mowings, and the motors need to do some extra work to chop down the tall weeds. We also bought the electric trimmer that uses the same battery system, so we were sure to buy that kit with an extra charger and battery. Update 5/17/2014-. Still using this mower all the time, and it still works great. :-) Using a stick works just as well, and seems to keep things working better."
"A neighborhood teen has been mowing my yard for years using his lawn tractor. Well, it occurred to me that I would not want my yard boy riding the lawn tractor over my walkways so, after researching all the options, I bought this mower for HIM to use. When the larger battery charged fully in about thirty minutes, I thought I would see how powerful the mower was with a brief test push. To my UTTER ASTONISHMENT and PURE DELIGHT, I was not only able give it a "test push," but, steering my power wheelchair with my right hand on the joystick and the mower with my weakened left hand and arm, I was able to mow my entire front lawn! For the wheelchair bound who have retained full upper body nerve function and strength this thing will be a snap - including the 20 inch model. For wheelchair bound users with even less strength than me, there is the 16 inch model."
"Did some investigating and decided to order a new switch that is on the body of the mower (under the cover). The only help I got was that I needed to order a new 'cable' (the cable that is connected from the pull back handle down to the switch I mentioned earlier) even though I had repeatedly told them that the mower would not start depsite manually depressing the switch by hand."
25022 Power: 12A Features: -Mulch side discharge and rear bag. 3-in-1 feature provides multiple options for grass clippings from rear bagging, side discharge and mulching capabilities for versatile needs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I took it out today to mulch up some lingering leaves from last fall and it worked great, plenty of power, and I don't really mind pulling an extension cord."
"I could no longer get the MM675 model, so I went to Home Depot and "upgraded" to the MM1800, the 18" corded mulching/bagging mower from Black and Decker. It didn't feel as strong as my old mower, was more unwieldy, and had this awful plastic shroud that made it hard to maneuver. Bear in mind, I did not consider gas because I don't have the room to keep fuel around and I have a modest size yard. Other nice features include very large rear tires, what might be the largest in the industry. The safety is easy enough to use to not be obtrusive and the bar is full length so you can grab it from either side. Strong metal controls with positive stops made height adjustment a snap. This weekend I gave the bagging feature a try because I wanted to mow up the leaves all of my yard. The bag filled up quickly which was to be expected given the large number of leaves I was mowing, but it was easy to empty. I leave it chained under my deck all year long since I don't have a garage or a tool shed. Update from Spring 2014: I tried a Black and Decker mower this year that was battery operated. It lasted 2 weeks and died when the blade hit a root and bent 90 degrees. It's started to rust a bit (yes, I still keep it outside), but I plugged it in and cut my lawn in a snap."
"A little backstory about why i chose to go with an electric mower: My weekly chore growing up was having to cut the lawn at my parents (1/3 acre); my parents had a craftsman mower which had powered wheels and ran on gasoline. The toughest part about using a corded mower is figuring out the best way to maneuver/cut the lawn without having to constantly adjust the power cord. Once you get that down, you will enjoy using this mower - it's got enough power to handle lawn mowing and even the occasional wayward branch. 1.Buy yourself a nice extension cord that will A) stand out from the lawn color and B) reach from the power source to the farthest corner of your lawn. I keep the cord between my two legs while I mow so that when I do the U turn at the edge of the lawn to do the next line of grass, the cord easily follows behind the mower."
"The mower had no problems getting through it as long as we were patient. I would prefer this electric mower over a gas mower or battery power mower just bc you don't have to stop when you run out of gas or the battery runs out."
Responding to the need for an easy-to-use electric mower for smaller lawns, Sun Joe developed the Mow Joe MJ401E. Responding to the need for an easy-to-use machine that takes care of the smaller yards, Sun Joe developed the Mow Joe MJ401E, a smaller electric lawn mower that delivers the power of a gas machine with the convenience of an electric unit. In addition to its hard-working mowing capacity, the Mow Joe features a three position manual height adjustment. Powerful 12-amp motor cuts a 14-inch wide path.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Amazon is bundling it with a 16 gauge extension cord, despite the fact the manual states that for extension cord lengths under 100ft, a 14 gauge cord is required. For lengths of 100ft or more a 12 gauge cord is required (gauges work backward so a smaller gauge is a thicker wire). I have been using and recommend this extension cord: US Wire 65100 12/3 100-Foot SJTW Orange Heavy Duty Extension Cord."
"I wheeled it around the living room a little - it's light, fairly easy to turn and is so narrow I can actually just push it through my house and out my back door to start mowing (which is nice, because now I don't have to open my garage, go around to the back gate, unlock it, get the mower, come back around, mow and then do it all in reverse when I'm done). If you are here looking to perhaps switch over from a gas to an electric mower, please allow me to share a few thing I wish someone had told me when I first started using an electric mower: - you need the right cord: different extension cords have different gauges (this might have been why my first two electric mowers bit the dust prematurely). I've had 2 electric mowers before this Sun Joe, and I think this is probably what killed them (using the wrong cord). - because electric mowers aren't as strong, you can end up going over the same area multiple times (3, 4, sometimes even 5 if your grass is high enough). I choose to use electric mowers because they're better for the environment, less noisy and I don't have to figure out where to store gas or how to maintain the mower each fall. I'm willing to mow my yard in sections (giving both myself and the mower a rest), and go over areas multiple times, and do it over a course of several days. If you're short on time or patience with a yard larger than a postage stamp, then skip right over this guy and pony up the money for a good gas mower."
"I was hesitant to by a lawn mower online but I've had several Snapper mowers in the past so I thought I'd take a chance and I am so glad I did.When I unpacked mower, I was concerned about it as it looks like a toy. As my grass was a bit higher than I normally let it get,Obviously, it did take a bit longer than normal to finish the lawn, as I had to stop more often to empty bag, but I was astounded at the power of this little mower!ok about 2 hours to mow the front yard and I dumped the grass catcher lots of times."
"I bought this Sun Joe mower to quickly do my lawn and also get around tight areas like trees and flower beds."
Best Riding Lawn Mowers & Tractors
The MZ series zero-turn mower from Husqvarna takes performance, productivity, and comfort to a whole new level. The heavy-duty fabricated cutting deck features twin sheets of 11 gauge steel for added support for spindles and increased overall strength.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought the MZ52 with the Kawasaki motor and could not be happier with my machine."
Best Robotic Lawn Mowers
The Intuitive keypad makes it easy to customize a mowing schedule so your lawn is neatly mowed every day. Automatically returns to base in case of rain or for recharging battery, Cutting Height:1.6"" - 4"", Cutting Height Positions:5, Max Cutting Surface:1/4 Acre.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Trying to maintain my lawn while it's nearly a 110F heat index on a daily basis during these hellish months made me reconsider the idea of purchasing a robot that would perform this task for me. I place order, able to checkout for a sweet deal of just under $700 (I had a bit of a gift card left to use as well) No 2 day shipping, but free nonetheless, so I'm satisfied. Of course the next few days is filled with "optimizing", while I effectively continue to try and jam a square peg through a round hole to make my style of installation work with the robo. But he was acting out against all this nonsense by slicing through or pulling out the boundary wire, not reacting to my 90 degree corners and alarm that he was "outside the working zone" and I couldn't once get him to actually enter into his charging station. Even if I set him right on the wire, 3 feet from the charger, and a straight shot home, he would turn of to the right at the last minute, bumping into the side of the house, causing him to reset and either try again, or wander off in another direction, simply refusing to fuel up so he wouldn't have to be subjected to this disgraceful work environment any longer. On the fourth day I commit to doing things right, 14" gap from the fence/house, 2.5' between pegs, nice round corners, and I used a trimmer to outline a trench down to the soil level for the wire."
"The mower uses the low voltage wire as a guide, half of the Landroid is on one side or the wire and half on the other when its returning to its home charging station. Also map out your yard so you pick a spot to “hide” the mower. The wire that I installed around the yard laid on top of the yard at first but then became hidden after a few weeks. I have always cut my yard so out the gate I used another electric push mower to trim the yard short. Every month to month and a half I run the electric push mower around the edge of my yard where the Landroid does not reach due the guiding wire. My dog doesn’t seem to mind the mower and has quickly figured out what is “out of bounds” for the mower. At first I thought I would miss the “cut lines” in the yard that a traditional mower provides but the constant mowing keeps my grass cut short and you can not see the wheel lines created by the Landroid. I only have the mower installed in my back yard, I don’t have an access area for the front so I still have to trim the grass in the front with my regular mower. I do unplug the mower and move it inside in the winter but I leave the charging station and wire installed in my yard."
Best Tow-Behind Lawn Mowers
If you have a large overgrown pasture, you need the Swisher 44" trail cutter. This mower will cut brush-up to 3" in diameter. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Update 1: Customer support was nice and quick. Update 2: got the parts quick, 40 minutes of work later and up and running again."
"I do not find this to be a problem and is presumably done to help things being chopped up inside to get out from in there in the normal process of mowing going forward. (In other words, the cuttings are not evenly distributed across the rear cleared area as it moves forward; if that matters to you.). I am attaching a 6 minute video of me dragging it around a small brushy area inside my goat pen. Also, I attached the 'remote' control console to the tongue with two of the huge zip wire ties that were holding the mower to the pallet it was delivered on. I ran one of them through the hole in the tongue formerly holding the pin to support the angle adapter which I store in the garage. I bought it to maintain about 10 acres of grass meadow we have that has been shrinking as brush is encroaching from perimeter woods along the sides. I have made two trips around it so far chopping anything that is there from lots of thick brush to small trees that range up to a bit over 2 inches in diameter and 15+ feet tall. The narrow fenced area is pretty cramped, but it gives you a good view of how it works."
"This machine is a beast!"
"Will be returning today. Amazon provided information that if you have the crate it arrived in use it for the shipping company who will pick it up.... Unless you were tedious and took extra special care and took apart your crate there was no way it was going back together again... Amazon also said if you do not have the shipping material the shipping company will take care of it that only deals with certain companies in Amazon cannot provide all information for every single company. The shipping company will be back because it was not prepared the way they needed So in five days I have to put the mower on a pallet strap it down and the company will shrink wrap it and it will finally be on its way.. Amazon stated 2-3day refund upon receipt of pick up...."
Best Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers
25022 Power: 12A Features: -Mulch side discharge and rear bag. 3-in-1 feature provides multiple options for grass clippings from rear bagging, side discharge and mulching capabilities for versatile needs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I took it out today to mulch up some lingering leaves from last fall and it worked great, plenty of power, and I don't really mind pulling an extension cord."
"I could no longer get the MM675 model, so I went to Home Depot and "upgraded" to the MM1800, the 18" corded mulching/bagging mower from Black and Decker. It didn't feel as strong as my old mower, was more unwieldy, and had this awful plastic shroud that made it hard to maneuver. Bear in mind, I did not consider gas because I don't have the room to keep fuel around and I have a modest size yard. Other nice features include very large rear tires, what might be the largest in the industry. The safety is easy enough to use to not be obtrusive and the bar is full length so you can grab it from either side. Strong metal controls with positive stops made height adjustment a snap. This weekend I gave the bagging feature a try because I wanted to mow up the leaves all of my yard. The bag filled up quickly which was to be expected given the large number of leaves I was mowing, but it was easy to empty. I leave it chained under my deck all year long since I don't have a garage or a tool shed. Update from Spring 2014: I tried a Black and Decker mower this year that was battery operated. It lasted 2 weeks and died when the blade hit a root and bent 90 degrees. It's started to rust a bit (yes, I still keep it outside), but I plugged it in and cut my lawn in a snap."
"A little backstory about why i chose to go with an electric mower: My weekly chore growing up was having to cut the lawn at my parents (1/3 acre); my parents had a craftsman mower which had powered wheels and ran on gasoline. The toughest part about using a corded mower is figuring out the best way to maneuver/cut the lawn without having to constantly adjust the power cord. Once you get that down, you will enjoy using this mower - it's got enough power to handle lawn mowing and even the occasional wayward branch. 1.Buy yourself a nice extension cord that will A) stand out from the lawn color and B) reach from the power source to the farthest corner of your lawn. I keep the cord between my two legs while I mow so that when I do the U turn at the edge of the lawn to do the next line of grass, the cord easily follows behind the mower."
"The mower had no problems getting through it as long as we were patient. I would prefer this electric mower over a gas mower or battery power mower just bc you don't have to stop when you run out of gas or the battery runs out."
Best Leaf Blowers & Vacuums
Includes: main blower tube - for dry leaves; power insert - for wet, heavy leaves; concentrator - use in corners and crevices; cord storage hook - store the cord by wrapping it around storage hook; bottom-zip vacuum bag (may be used for easy storage of all blower/vac components). Vacuum tube, bottom-zip bag, cord storage hook, shred-all shred ring and time-saving oscillating tube included; Extension cord Sold separately.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"So let me spell it out: A combination leaf blower / mulcher is like a cheat code for life. Cursing the universe for the invention of Fall, I go back to the store for more bags. Either way, I'm thinking I could just solve all of my problems if I get a chainsaw and go on a tree assassination mission throughout the neighborhood so I don't have to deal with this next year. After a friend brought over his gas-powered blower so I could clear off my driveway and patio, I realized where my life had gone wrong and how I could remedy it. "Ok, little guy, you keep telling yourself that," I'm thinking condescendingly as I go ahead and buy three packs of lawn bags. I figure as long as it saves me the task of raking, I'll consider myself ahead of the game. I consider this year's leaf bombardment to be at least typical, and had I gone the traditional route of cursing and tears, I fully expect that it would have again taken three or more packs of bags. My neighbor was already 6 bags into his yard and had barely put a dent into his piles. I'm happy with this unit overall so far, but I've deducted a star because it *is* a tad bit clunky to use. Don't get me wrong, this thing is still like holding a mini-jet engine in terms of noise...If you've spent your life attending concerts, this may not be that big of a deal to you. Sort of like my German Shepherd, this thing can eat too fast if you don't keep an eye on it. The suction will stop and it'll start whining like you just took away its favorite toy."
"My gas powered leaf blower/vacuum broke so I thought I would try an electric one."
"-Two speeds: close to the leaf pile and far from the leaf pile. What I don't so much like: -In a perfect world, this would have a more secure method of securing your extension cord to the blower. This is easily remedied by holding the cord in your hand holding the handle or looping it around the blower. Extras: -Few people know this, but a leaf blower is a super useful tool for detailing your car, interior and exterior."
"The metal impeller probably accounts for quite a bit of the weight but it is worth every ounce. Toro engineers did a great job of balancing the motor and impeller because the vibration really is minimal. That is my top interest because I have arthritis in my hands and the old blowers and weed trimmers caused me a great deal of pain. I have 10 feet of outside landscape steps to the driveway next to a big oak that likes to keep those stairs full of leaves. The old blower cause half of the leaves to rise and fall behind me. It did a great job on windows and mirrors and won't scratch the paint. If you know who Alton Brown is, I'm like him, I really dislike single purpose tools."
Best Power Hedge Trimmers
It's powered by BLACK+DECKER's high-powered 40-volt lithium battery system, which offers power, excellent runtime, and the versatility to share batteries with other tools within the system. Cutting Power and Convenience With BLACK+DECKER's exclusive Power Drive transmission, you'll be able to cut up to twice the amount of branches without stalling, and the 24-inch dual-action blades produce less vibration while trimming compared to single-action blade models. LHT2436 24-Inch Hedge Trimmer Key Features: Power Drive transmission cuts up to twice the branches without stalling 24-inch dual-action blades cut branches fast with less vibration 40-volt lithium-ion battery provides longer runtime and longer battery life year after year Up to 6000 square feet of trimmed hedges per charge Fast charger recharges 40-volt battery in about 1 hour 2400 cutting strokes per minute. The BLACK+DECKER LHT2436 Hedge Trimmer has a powerful 40V battery that provides plenty of power and run time and can cut branches up to 3/4-inch think. These lithium ion batteries hold a charge 5X times longer and have double the life of NiCd batteries. Powerful 40-volt lithium ion rechargeable battery delivers the power with long run-time to complete the toughest jobs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I used this trimmer for 2 hours before the battery ran out."
"I was afraid that a battery-powered trimmer would lack the power to get through tough branches, but this thing has plenty of grunt. The batteries are interchangeable, so even though I've got what seems like a million (give or take) bushes around my property, I never run out of juice. I've never had a problem with it, and I grew up with trimmers behaving that way, but it may be a concern for some shoppers."
"While none of the cutting was really heavy work, this clipper cut through it like a hot knife through warm butter."
"Trimmed hedges beautifully."
"I was able to completely change the look of our hedges with this tool and would recommend it to others."
"Cordless is very convenient, great for small jobs, decent battery life, but there is very little torque on this."
"Recently my old Black & Decker corded hedge died after many years."
"Already own the 40 volt weed trimmer so I decided to give this a try."
Best Power Tillers
Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Summary: For those who want to get to the bottom line: I picked the Earthwise since it offered the most features for the least money. Full review: I needed to replace my trusty 25 year old 2 cycle gas tiller/cultivator (engine still purrs, but the transmission bit the dust) and decided to go for an electric model since a number of people in my gardening club raved about theirs. It was purchased by one of my garden club friends about a year ago at Costco, and he had nothing but good things to say about it. While it had decent power and has a wheel-less design (more about the wheels later), I found the two handle configuration of the machine very awkward to use -- it really put a strain on my shoulders and lower back. I also found it hard to control when it bucks (as all tillers do) again due to the handle position. The handle problem killed the Sun Joe from my list, but poor support also factored in. Plus I like the brand, since I grew up using a rear-tine Troy-Bilt tiller that was indestructible (back in the days when they were an independent company and not owned by MTD). The slower tine speed did make it work better when mixing in compost into an already tilled bed. Mantis has been building small gas tillers for many years, and it shows in how nicely their electric version is designed. My garden club friend who owned it said he used it initially to break new ground, and did encounter a lot of rocks. I did not have the opportunity to use the new Black and Decker model TL10 (Amazon sells it, but for some reason I can't put in a product link to it), but it looks very, very nicely designed. High power motor and I love the way it gives you the ability to add weight to the unit by filling a container with sand. While light weight is great when it comes to maneuverability, it also makes you fight with the machine to keep it digging. The fast tine speed makes it bust through pretty much anything - big clods of clay, roots, vegetation and the like get plowed through quickly. The low price shows with regard to the quality of the handle assembly and switch. It went much better once I gave up on the instructions, and just looked at the picture of the assembled machine on the cover of the manual to determine how things went together. Lots of power, fast tine speed, and the wheels get out of the way so you can dig deep. >>Sun Joe - very uncomfortable to use, but since ergonomics vary from person-to-person, you may want to try one out to see if the two-handle design works for you."
"I waited until now to write my review because I wanted to have a really good "feel" for the product before I posted my thoughts. To break up the clumps I tried various cultivators: A garden weasel ended up all tangled with grass and roots and wouldn't turn. I even tried sharpening my hoe and using it to hack at the clumps to break them up--a very labor intense and slow process. I figured I'd need to rent one at a local rental center, but when I learned it was going to cost me $80.00 for a half day, I started looking for other alternatives. I did stop a few times to untangle debris from the tines, but it was easy to remove and in just a few minutes I'd be up and running again. It digs through the soil, even Michigan clay, without bogging down, leaving a loose, mealy planting bed in its wake. When it hits something solid in the ground, like a root or large rock, it wants to jump and buck like a rodeo bull. For just about 50% more than the cost of renting one of those gas monsters at our local rental center for a half-day, I was able to purchase this tiller that I will be able to use for many years to come; not only in my vegetable garden, but my flower beds as well. Light weight - so if you hit something solid in the ground, like a large root or rock, the machine tends to jump violently. But this can also be an advantage--you can easily use this machine to till between rows in your garden and other narrow areas where a larger tiller won't fit."
Best Power Edgers
With a dual-mode switch for extra power or extra runtime, this battery-powered trimmer and edger features POWERDRIVE transmission to tackle tough overgrowth. Runtime Extension Technology with dual mode accelerator switch for high performance or longer run time.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This Black & Decker LST420 trimmer / edger is part of the 20V Max tool system that uses the same line of rechargeable 20 volt batteries. The "2" setting feels closer to my 110 volt corded weedeater, although I found that the "1" setting was adequate for most of the weed-eating that I was doing. The first time I used the trimmer I got about 23 minutes on one fully charged battery using the "1" setting about 95 percent of the time. Adjustments: The D shaped handle can be moved up and down the shaft, but the angle cannot be adjusted. The following LI-ION batteries can also be used: LBX20, LBXR20, LB2X4020."
"I've heard other men have conversations about their weed eaters and the troubles they've had. Multiple trips to Lowes Hardware to get or replace them. And tell people, please, only if we stand together can we all admit to using electric tools."
"On the two litium batteries, I can weedeat the entire landscaped property without the pain of mixing oil and gas for fuel, fighting with the pull start and lugging all that weight around."
"The only thing it won't take down are weeds that have grown too tall or ones with thick stems, but even most AC powered trimmers don't always take care of those."
"Best power for a recharge I have tried (and I have tried 3 in past 5 years). Rugged and powerful."
"My only gripe is that it is a single string trimmer, for some grass runners it takes multiple passes to cut completely when edging."
"Pros: Powerful. Switching from trimming to edging is a breeze. Easier to operate than gas trimmer/edgers. Cons: Battery life on high power setting (always have both batteries fully charged, if you have a large yard I would recommend at least 1 extra battery)."
Best Metal Detectors
Style: Metal Detector. Rugged metal detector ideal for detecting treasure in extreme ground conditions. Rugged metal detector ideal for detecting treasure in extreme ground conditions.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I think I might have caught treasure fever from watching that show, I suspect I amore susceptible to Oak Island Treasure Fever as compared to other peoples sine I was born and raised in gorgeous Nova Scotia. And by treasures I mean metallic objects of great historical and significant value...like bottle caps, shell casings and nails. I seriously love this unit, for the price it seems a bit like magic...being able to wave it around over the ground and find hidden metal...I don't actually need to find ancient coins from treasure hiding peoples, just finding a nickel or a QUARTER woo to the hooo, is plenty satisfying."
"I bought this to find the old iron stakes on my property."
"Awesome metal detector!"
"Kids love it, very sensitive."
"Excellent Christmas gift for my 13 year old son."
"Bought for grandson with CP."
"Was a gift."
"Doesn’t work at all."
Best Power Log Splitters
Built in Australia with an award-winning, patented design, it's the safer, faster and easier way to make the best kindling for your fire. The simple, safe and easy-to-use design that began as a science fair project has become a perennial award winner, from science fairs in New Zealand to regional and international recognition from Scientific American, International TeenBusiness, Google and more. Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a review for the Kindling Cracker Firewood Kindling Splitter by Kindling Cracker. I had expected the Kindling Cracker to be good, but how could it be much of an improvement on what's already out there? I couldn't be happier with this thing and here's why: I haven't been able to split kindling for a few years because of a bum shoulder, but today I discovered that with the Kindling Cracker I'm able to split SINGLE HANDED (with my trusty 4# Stanley sledge) all the kindling I'm in the mood for."
"So I've cut and split my share of firewood, using chainsaws, axes, mauls, wedges and sledgehammers. As long as I keep the wood lengths to 10-12 inches and no larger than 6" in diameter this tool works exactly as described. I mounted it onto a section of knotty pine for a stable base and I use a 4# maul with a synthetic handle."
"Make sure to avoid wood with knots in it, and don't go too thick-- a piece of wood just smaller than the diameter of the safety ring can get stuck in the ring after it splits."
"I'm one of those guys with an expensive (some would say ridiculously expensive) Swiss hatchet. Works great and MUCH SAFER than making kindling with an axe or hatchet."
"dropped in a log, secured it on blade, then smacked it with an 8lb sledge hammer and it split instantly."
"At age 60, my arms have weakened a bit and I just don’t split wood often enough to keep up my aim with a heavy maul, but with a long handled sledge hammer, I can split kindling just fine with this handy little gizmo."
"This sits on the porch and he makes larger pieces of split wood into kindling on an as needed basis."
"This device is so ingenious, and so well made, that my husband has been raving about it since he first used it right after the holidays."
Best Power Pole Saws
When you need to go that extra mile, Remington has you covered. Manufacturer note: It is normal for bar and chain oil to seep from the unit when not in use. Easy flip and lock clamps quickly secure pole length, along with nonslip grip for comfortable use.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"After quite a bit of thinking about what kind of pole saw I wanted, I decided to go with the corded one for a couple of reasons. I didn't want the battery to die while I was working, I wasn't sure about the power of a cordless saw vs. a corded one and I realized that I would most likely only use the pole saw once a year, twice at best. The center section is heavy duty fiberglass and is a quality build. My only concern is the plastic handle seems to be a bit cheap and I am afraid that it could break if twisted hard. The unit is hefty and will give your upper body a workout if used for long periods of time. The price I paid ($99) was below the cordless and gas units and right in line with other corded models."
"The pole saw comes in the box in two main parts (pole in two parts, the chain saw). Pole assembly is very easy as the two parts to the pole simply snap together and the chain saw (which can be used as a stand-alone smaller electric chain saw) fits on with a plastic piece and a washer and screw nut."
"We ended up returning it because after we clicked the two parts of the pole together, we found that no power was getting transmitted to the saw. The return was also a bit of a hassle, because the pole can't be disconnected once connected...we didn't have any box that long to pack it, so we had to improvise and make a long box to ship it back to Amazon."
"I found that I have to quickly get the saw rested against a limb I'm cutting in order to manage the weight. I removed the 4 screws, 3 in front 1 in back and cleaned out all the debris with a small screw driver from just under the oiler and just left the cover off because it gets clogged up so frequently. The saw would be perfect if it was counter balanced or lighter and didn't require so much cleaning."
Best Power Chain Saws
The BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 12" 40V Cordless Chainsaw features a 40V MAX Lithium Ion Battery for longer runtime and overall life - it stays charged up to 5x longer. 40V MAX Lithium Ion Battery for longer runtime and overall life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great chain saw, worth every penny."
"At first, I was a bit annoyed because I had to refill the oil well at least twice during a single use and it seemed like the oil was soaking my sawdust and getting all over the wood, but that settled down after a few uses and when it's cold (freezing), the oil moves a lot slower so I only need to fill it once per use. I get more than 2X's the cutting time with the 40-volt battery than I do with the 20-volt battery. It's not much heavier than the 20-volt model and even though I'm a great-grandmother, I have no problem using this saw every day. I've worn the original chain down and was able to buy an Oregon replacement chain here on Amazon for about $20."
"That said, for more than a tree's worth of cutting, I'll still go to the good old gas Stihl 026. I carry it in my trunk to cut up a few pieces of downed trees along the road so that instead of spending a whole day cutting I just get a little here and there."
"This saw acts much bigger than it is. On numerous occasions I have cut down and cut into firewood trees that are 10 to 12 inches at the base on a single fully charged battery. The chain does turn slower than a gasoline powered chain saw, but this actually has an advantage to it."
"It was filled with chain oil for the automatic chain lube system and we had a fully charged battery(They are the same battery, only white in color) from our excellent B&D 40V mower."
"But I will admit that since it's battery powered, the chain does stop quicker than a gas powered saw...and I've had no issues with kick-back (using it properly). Cuts great, quite, no gas, and always starts!"
"Cuts fine, but the oil drains from the reservoir.....store in a plastic tub."
Best String Trimmers
The PowerDrive Transmission delivers more power from the motor to the cutting string so you can get the job done faster.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I used this Black & Decker LST136W 40V Max Lithium String Trimmer for a while before deciding to upgrade to the DEWALT DCST990H1 Max XR String Trimmer. -B&D doesn't have the power to easily mow down heavy thick brush but works very well for lawn grasses and moderate weeds. -B&D battery is about a third the size of the Dewalt and only lasts about 10-15 minutes on high power level. I have been trimming with the Dewalt weekly and lately almost every session requires me to deal with a string issue of some kind. OVERALL. -Get the Dewalt if you live in the country or need to power through thick brush regularly."
"It cuts through weeds and edges along my driveway and walkways without any hesitation. I leave it on the maximum setting 100% of the time, and I can trim around all the trees and natural areas in the yard, and then edge around the back patio, the driveway and the walkways, and still have over 50% battery when I'm done. All you have to do is charge the battery (I throw it on the charger right before I start mowing and it's ready by the time I'm ready to edge), throw it in, and pull the trigger. Why would I ever go back?"
"I have tried my luck with cordless electric trimmers before and the batteries never lasted very long, or they were underpowered so I was hesitant to go that route again - but like most people I can't stand dealing with oil+gas mix, or priming and yanking the cord 50x to get a gas model to start after you've owned it for a year or two. If you really have a larger yard, I think on a moderate speed setting you should get 45 minutes to 1 hour of trimming so you may want a 2nd battery if you have a lot of trimming to do."
Best Outdoor Powertool Parts & Accessories
The AFS replacement spools are compatible with the following BLACK+DECKER string trimmers: #GH400, #GH500, #GH600, #ST6600, #ST7000, #CST1000, #CST2000, #NST2018. Compatible with most BLACK+DECKER string trimmers; 30-feet replacement line is factory wound for a superior feed.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It generally does very well, though there are some weed types that it can't cut well...but then again, these types couldn't even be cut too well with a lawn mower. Therefore, we really do get a lot of use out of this. It has been at least several months since I've had to replace the line."
"What's best about this string is the Black and Decker automatic feed works really well so 1) I don't have to tap to feed the string 2) A spool of this string easily lasts a year of use or more."
"I'm on my second summer and my 2nd spool still has some line left in it after two full months of use (just this summer) in a medium sized yard with heavy growth."
"Pros: -Easy to install. -Lasts a long time. -Inexpensive for a package of three. Cons: -This latest round of line string had an issue where I was forced to unwind/rewind much of the string."
"We don't do a lot of weed eating so I am willing to spend $13 a year for the convenience of snapping in a new spool and being done with it."
"I like it, but like some other things I've had to buy that fall in the category of accessory, I'm disappointed by the cost of this item."
"This weedeater line works perfectly for my weedeater."
"I purchased this product on one promise they made -- that it auto feeds cord instead of you having to manually do it or stomp it on the ground. I constantly was having to stop, take over the cover, refeed the cord and go for another ten feet when it did the same thing."
Best Outdoor Power Tool Battery Packs & Chargers
DEWALT DCB205 20V MAX XR 5.0Ah Lithium Ion Battery 2-Pack is a Premium XR Lithium Ion pack that provides up to 60% more capacity than standard 20V MAX battery pack (DCB200). Enter your model number to make sure this fits.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you want the highest capacity available make sure you compare prices of the 204 and 205 then decide if the extra 1 Ah is worth it to you."
"Great price on batteries that last a long time!"
"good long lasting batteries at a great price."
"Great add-ons for my DeWalt tool collection."
"Good capacity and size."
"Greatly extends drills working time."
"They last for a while and then some!"
"I'm amazed at how much power they can pack into such a small container."
Best Pressure Washers
Power. Tailor the pressure output of the spray to your cleaning needs with Pressure Joe's five quick spray nozzles. 5 Quick-Connect spray tips (0º, 15º, 25º, 40º and soap) tackle light, medium and heavy duty cleaning tasks.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Works great!"
"Unfortunately, after we disconnected everything and went to the backyard to reconnect it again the connector piece that connects the machine to the water hose wouldn't make a good seal. We were able to carefully tighten it and turn the water on and use it...sometimes the grip would hold for a minute or two but most of the time the hose shot off the machine spraying water everywhere. If you buy this machine, register it online and immediately (they won't send you the part if you don't register it) call the manufacturer and ask for the replacement connector."
"Here are my experimental results without boring everyone with the math... 1.90 Gpm - ALL Soap low pressure nozzles. 1.15 Gpm - 2.0 Sun Joe high pressure nozzles. 1.35 Gpm - 2.7 Dusichin high pressure nozzles. 1.45 Gpm - 3.0 Twinkle Star high pressure nozzles. (No Data - 2.5 high pressure nozzles). The best performance was from either the 2.7 or 3.0 nozzles, with the most power from the 2.7 nozzles. PS I added a nozzle chart to the pics, if you see 2.5 Gpm nozzles, that means 2.5 Gpm at 4000psi, since this machine has a 2000psi max, you have to follow the chart down to 2000psi and look for the nozzles that match with our Sun Joe 1.76 Gpm, BOOM!"
"Snow Joe 2030 GPM TEST SPX3000. no tip .30 sec for 1gal. Hey remember they're advertisements for your eyeballs, and your finger to purchase with a click. Test details: Using a sacrificial rag over the nozzle which will have a hole blown through it by the nozzle pressure, inserting that into a shop vac hose, and then going into a funnel, that is going into an empty 1 gallon milk jug container. I dare anyone to take the high-pressure tip and stick it into an empty milk jug and pull the trigger, LOL! (Nice Pump). The SPX3000 unit rated pressure is 1450 from page 4 of the user manual. As a result of consumer testing, I believe the public, we will find that all the manufacturers have all tweaked the numbers and facts, so each competitor can look better than the other. I will highly recommend this unit on it's own merit, it is simply the best electric washer I have used so far, and has a 2 year warranty to back it up, I don't appreciate the deceptive numbers, enough said. I am going to update my test results, to also include the line pressure on each tip. Fluid filled pressure gauge with Quick Connect, should be here in about 2 weeks."
"I did a lot of research when it came down to getting a electric pressure washer and hands down this thing did not disappoint."
Best Wood Chippers, Shredders, & Mulchers
The WORX WG430 Leaf Mulcher is the all-in-one solution to an annual problem: piles and piles of leaves in the yard. The WORX Flex-a-Line bladeless mulching system uses normal, heavy-duty grass trimmer line instead of dangerous metal blades to easily and safely mulch through leaves and debris. The WORX WG430. Leaf Mulcher. At a Glance: Powerful 13 Amp motor generates 8,500 RPM Easy, tool-free assembly Mulches up to 53 gallons of leaves per minute Ultra compact for storage Disposes of leaves and debris straight into bags Ideal source of fertilizer Dust-reducing, clean-air motor cooling system. Showcasing a powerful 13 Amp motor that delivers 8,500 RPMs, the WORX Leaf Mulcher will reduce a mass of dead leaves and twigs to 1/11th of its original size. With the WORX Leaf Mulcher's 13-inch cut diameter and oversized mouth, you can mulch up to 53 gallons of leaves per minute. The WORX Leaf Mulcher actually transforms your yard's dead leaves and debris, which would normally end up in a landfill, into vitamin-rich mulch and compost that can be recycled into your garden or flowerbeds. Compact, Versatile, and Easy to Use At less than 20 pounds, the WORX Leaf Mulcher features a compact design, in which the disassembled parts nest neatly together for convenient off-season storage on a shelf in your shed or garage. For further convenience, The WORX Leaf Mulcher's safe Flex-a-Line bladeless mulching system features tool-less cutting line replacement and a universal bag holder that accepts both paper and plastic bags. What's in the Box WORX WG430 Leaf Mulcher, 24 replacement lines, and one universal bag holder. 13 Amp motor efficiently mulches up to 53 gallons of leaves per minute, deposits debris into a bag (not included).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I am a huge believer in creating compost and living in Oregon with an abundance of trees and leaves has led me to try a number of different products that mulch. Pros: All 3 pieces of equipment shred leaves sufficient to allow for mulching and ultimately composting. All units can emit (spit out) pieces of debris that could result in trauma to your eyes or any exposed soft tissue so safety should be a key issue when running these machines. Inability to handle even small twigs is a major downside for the Flowtron and WORKX since both use filament line to act as leaf eaters. If you intentionally or inadvertently toss in twigs or even small branches into either machine the filament length is whittled down quite quickly and you will be inserting new line often. The major downside of the McCulloch is the need to hand feed the leaves, twigs, or anything else that you are chipping or shredding. The Flowtron and WORKX allows you to grab large handfuls of leaves and quickly toss them into the unit. Both the Flowtron and WORKX talk about the ability to shred moist leaves but I would tell you that although this is possible you end up after 5 minutes stopping the machine and scraping off a large amount of mushed leaf product and the trimmer line rapidly is eaten up as well. Of all three units, I would have to say that the McCulloch's ability to chip leaves, twigs, pine cones, seeds from cedars makes it my favorite."
"As I pick up leaves I simply discard the ones that may clog the machine due to length. I believe I am only reducing a pile of leaves that could be estimated at six or seven bags down to one bag of mulch."
"I thought it did a good job mulching the leaves and am really glad someone put the effort into creating this much-needed piece of equipment and offer it at a reasonable price."
"Simple product which works, love this."
"Went right to work mulching oak leaves for several hours. The leaves mulched down to just a couple plastic bags that would otherwise fill 11-12 bags without mulching. Considerable dust created during mulching process-sensitive individuals might need a mask."
"I really love this leaf mulcher."
Best Weed Torches
Remove paint, grease, oil and plastic from metal.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The assembly was strait forward, it's very clear what fittings go where, I got a very small capsule of pipe threading putty with the torch but a nice large pouch of it with the handle accessory."
"Since most foliage is well-watered and lush, it's rather difficult to set a lawn on fire. Follow the "how to light" instructions on the shaft of the burner (the long red thing with the can on the end). If the flame shuts off unexpectedly, check to see if your hose is kinked. It might take a few months but eventually, you'll rid the lawn of unwanted weeds."
"I bought this as a way to reduce weeds from growing, but also to torch the ice created on my front porch since it faces north and builds up. You cannot really expect to melt your whole driveway with this as it takes too long, but it works for smaller areas. The wood will dry out and catch fire if you are not careful so better to use in pastures or patches of dirt only. If you smell burning turn it off... then put out fire or you will just light another one like a bad cartoon."
"...takes care of business in a hurry."
"This is fun to use..."
"I bought it to be used as a forge torch, but the really shabby setup I had wouldn't work WITH SUCH A HUGE FLAME!"
"My boyfriend loved this gift, recommended by a friend."
"There was no fuel handle/meter on the handle like my other model, so I couldn't even modulate the amount of leakage (hissing and odor from a joint) enough to feel safe lighting it. No: the old model works like a charm with the enclosed joint compound."