The biggest question to answer is how many things do you need to clean, and how often do they need cleaning? The most common uses for a pressure washer include things like cleaning driveways, siding on your home, windows, vehicles, engines and more. But each of these items is really quite different. Too much pressure can damage the item you are cleaning. You need to match the power of the washer to the job.

Like most outdoor power tools, pressure washers are available in electric and gas-powered models. Electric pressure washers are more environmentally friendly, at least in terms of local noise and air pollution. Plugging into an outlet is also quite convenient. Electric-powered tools often don’t need as much maintenance as gas=powered tools. However, gas power provides more mobility. You won’t be tied to an electrical outlet. Again, depending on what needs to be washed, this could be a very necessary benefit.

Another question to ask yourself is whether or not you need hot water for cleaning. Using pressurized hot water is a good choice if you need to clean up grease and oil. Other cleaning jobs can be done just as well with cold water. Some pressure washers have a built-in heating unit. This gives you the option of choosing hot or cold water depending on the job at hand.

The Original Post is Located Here: Pressure Washers Blow Away Tough Cleaning Jobs

Electric hedge trimmers are probably your lowest cost option for keeping hedges professionally manicured. They are lightweight and easy to handle. They usually have plenty of power for most types of ornamental shrubs. The electric motor is quiet and there are no emissions that could harm the environment. The only real disadvantage is the requirement that you be plugged into an electrical outlet. Depending on the size of your yard, this could require a really long extension cord. Although extension cords can certainly be purchased, keeping it untangled and organized is an extra chore.

Cordless electric hedge trimmers eliminate the need for a cumbersome cord. Without the requirement of constant connection, these trimmers can be used wherever your hedges grow. However, the rechargeable batteries on board the trimmer will make it heavier. That’s something to think about if you have tall hedges that require holding the trimmer up for long periods of time. Also, even if the batteries are fully charged, there’s a limit to how long you can trim before needing to plug in again.

If you are responsible for keeping large landscapes looking neat, then you probably need to opt for a gas-powered hedge trimmer. The gas motor is self-contained and doesn’t require any charging beforehand. Assuming you have the fuel, you can trim hedges all day long if needed. With this power and convenience also comes noise and pollution. But today’s trimmers run cleaner than ever before. And for some landscapes, nothing else will get the job done.

The Original Post is Located Here: Choose a Hedge Trimmer to Match your Landscape

Electric lawn edgers are available in corded AC versions or battery-powered cordless models. The AC models tend to have a more powerful motor. They can be used as long as needed without running out of power. There is no need to make sure they are charged up ahead of time. However, you can only edge to the end of your longest extension cord. If your sidewalks and driveways aren’t very long, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Cordless electric lawn edgers provide more freedom to move away from an electrical outlet. They are perfect when you have long stretches of landscape that need edging. If you don’t have conveniently located outside electrical outlets, the cordless version is a good solution. But you will need to prepare ahead of time by charging the battery. Hopefully, the edging will be complete before the battery runs down. Also, cordless edgers will likely be less powerful.

Gas-powered lawn edgers are much more powerful than their electric cousins. They are perfect for bigger yards. They give you complete freedom and mobility without the need for a nearby power source. You can find them in two-cycle and four-cycle versions. The nice thing about four-cycle engines is that they can run on regular fuel. There’s no need for mixing fuel and oil any more. A gas lawn edger is also more likely to have professional features like interchangeable blades. However, gas edgers often require more regular maintenance.

To sum up, the best lawn edger is the one that is most suitable for your landscaping needs. If you need more power and range, go with gas power. Smaller yards will be well served by an electric edger.

The Original Post is Located Here: Your Landscape Needs Should Determine Gas versus Electric Lawn Edger Decision

Like almost all other home and garden power tools, you have the choice of AC electric, cordless electric and gas-powered. The usual benefits and drawbacks apply. When using AC electric power, you are tethered to an electrical outlet. If you have a small property to care for and plenty of extension cords, this isn’t necessarily a problem. AC-powered string trimmers are powerful, quiet and require little maintenance.

Cordless string trimmers free you from the power outlet. But they will have less power. You also have to contend with a discharging battery. Will you finish the job before you run out of power? It depends on how much trimming you have to do.

Gas-powered string trimmers have the edge in terms of power and mobility. They are the most powerful models you can buy and you can trim unlimited areas as long as you have fuel for the tank. However, they are noisy and heavy. They expel fumes and pollution. And they require additional maintenance throughout the season. If you choose gas power, you should at least go with the four-cycle engine to avoid having to mix gas and oil.

Whichever kind of string trimmer you buy, take time to read the manual. Some models are more complicated than others. You will save a lot of frustration if you understand how your trimmer works and the best way to take care of it.

Some lawn care pros advise you to use smaller string than the manual recommends. They say that by going with string that is one size smaller, you can wrap more string on the spool and go longer between string refills without losing trimming effectiveness.

The Original Post is Located Here: Tips for Choosing and Using Your String Trimmer

First, an electric lawnmower will reduce your carbon footprint. It’s no secret that our planet is in peril. Regardless of your personal convictions on global warming, it stands to reason that things can only get better if we each reduce the negative effect we are having on the environment. Using an electric lawn mower is a great way to start. You will be putting fewer emissions into the atmosphere. You will be reducing your dependence on fossil fuels. And you’ll be accessing power that was generated using cleaner methods.

A great personal benefit is that electric lawn mowers will help you save gas money. Since oil is in limited supply, it will only continue to go up in price. Every time the price of gas increases, that increases your cost of landscape maintenance as well. Plus, you constantly have to go to the gas station to keep your gas can filled. And that gas can must be stored somewhere that’s safe and well-ventilated. With an electric mower, all you need is an electrical wall outlet.

Finally, electric lawn mowers are easier for you to operate and maintain. There’s no pulling a cord to get the mower started. You don’t have to clean and replace spark plugs. There’s no engine filter to clean. Just flip a switch to start mowing and then clean the grass clippings off the mower when you’re done.

To sum up, there are three great reasons to switch from a gas lawn mower to an electric one. You can reduce your personal carbon footprint, you will save money on gasoline purchases, and mowing will become a much less bothersome task.

The Original Post is Located Here: Three Great Benefits to Using an Electric Lawn Mower

Garden tillers are rated in horsepower. The rating will refer to the actual power of the gas engine. To make sure your tiller will be able to handle the job, you need to match the power of the tiller to the hardness of your soil. Just purchasing any tiller will not magically prepare your soil. For example, small machines would be no match Texas clay soil hardened by persistent drought.

Tillers are equipped with different kinds of tines. Bolo tines are designed for deep tilling. They are capable of turning unworked soil into something more manageable for planting. If your landscape area is rocky, then you would need to use pick and chisel tines. They are designed to break up the soil and make it easier to remove rocks and stones before planting. Finally, slasher tines are made to mow through heavy vegetation in advance of additional soil preparation.

Garden tillers are made in two basic varieties. Rear-tine tillers require less work from the operator. The blades are positioned behind the motor giving the tiller a more favorable balance. Front-tine tillers have the blades positioned just below or in front of the engine. Front-tine tillers are best for use on soil that has been tilled before. They will require more arm strength to control.

Garden tillers are not the easiest power tools to handle, especially compared to something like a string trimmer or leaf blower. However, they are a huge improvement over manual methods of preparing the soil for planting.

The Original Post is Located Here: Garden Tillers are Essential for Preparing the Soil for Planting

There are a few things you can do between mowing days and even during the off-season to keep your mower in top shape and ready to go when you are. First of all, make an effort to store your mower inside. Next, if you are storing the mower for more than a month, empty the gas tank or add fuel stabilizer. Finally, you should clean or replace the spark plug and air filter at least once a year. Let’s see how these activities will keep this important lawn tool in ready-to-mow condition.

Store your lawnmower inside. The weather is not kind to tools of any kind. Wind, rain and blowing dirt can wreak havoc on a gasoline powered lawnmower. Many homes have an outside shed for storing garden and landscaping tools. If that isn’t an option for you, then perhaps you have a garage with enough room to keep the lawnmower inside. If all else fails, you can buy a small plastic storage unit that will be large enough to keep your lawnmower covered and protected.

Empty the gas tank or add fuel stabilizer. If it will be some time before your next mowing day, try to empty the fuel tank. The easiest way is to just let the motor run until the fuel supply is used up. Otherwise, you can add a bottle of fuel stabilizer to keep the gasoline from breaking down into components that will end up clogging the fuel system.

Clean or replace the spark plug and air filter. At least once a year, you should remove the spark plug and either clean it or replace it. You should also clean or replace the air filter. Foam filters can be washed, dried and put back in the mower. Paper filters should simply be replaced. You can either do this before storing the mower for the off-season or right before mowing season starts again.

By following these three easy practices, your mower will always be eager to start and ready to run.

The Original Post is Located Here: Keeping Your Lawnmower in Top Ready-to-Mow Shape

Of course, the big advantage to buying a used riding lawn mower is cost savings. Brand new riding mowers are priced at a premium. Buying the latest model usually means paying the highest price. However, when you buy used, you can often get not just a good price, but a great one. Many people who are selling their mower have already purchased a new one, plan to purchase, or they are moving and don’t want to take their current mower with them. It’s usually a good idea to ask why they are selling. But you will almost always save a lot of money compared to the price of a new riding lawn mower.

When you buy a used riding lawn mower, you have access to more reviews. New lawn mowers that have just been introduced to the market are often untested and untried. You really have no idea how long they will last or the problems to which they will be prone. You can trust brand names somewhat, but even the best brands sometimes turn out a dud. Buying a used mower gives you the advantage of checking up on the history of a model. Not only will you find more actual user reviews, you can also check directly with the current owner to see if there are any problems. You will be able to get good information about fuel usage, maintenance needs and more.

By purchasing a used riding lawn mower, you can compare your needs with the experience of the current owner. You will get a much better idea if a particular model is right for your situation or not. Compare lawn sizes and types of vegetation. If there is a good match and if the current owner is happy with the mower’s performance, then chances are good you will be satisfied as well.

The Original Post is Located Here: Advantages of Buying a Used Riding Lawn Mower

The gas-powered push mower requires more effort to use, but is usually fine for medium-sized lawns. With this type of mower, the engine spins the blades and you provide the motive power. If your lawn is hilly, the push mower could give you quite a workout. Smallish level lawns are perfect for the gas-powered push mower.

Corded electric mowers are easy to use and environmentally friendly. Mowers that you plug in usually provide mowing power comparable to gas mowers.  They are available in self-propelled and push mower configurations. The only drawback to a corded mower is, well, the cord. You have to stay plugged into the main power supply. If you have a large yard or few outside outlets, the corded mower could be less than convenient.

Cordless electric mowers provide more flexibility than corded versions. You don’t have to plug these mowers into the wall, but you do have to keep the battery charged. There is the possibility the battery will completely discharge before the job is done. Some cordless mowers are now available with solar charging, making them the ultimate green solution among powered lawn mowers.

Manual reel mowers often used for very small lawns. If you want to go totally green, you could opt for a manual reel mower. When these are properly maintained and sharpened, they provide excellent results. However, if you have anything larger than a very small lawn, you probably don’t want to work this hard.

The Original Post is Located Here: Five Types of Walk-Behind Mowers

The most obvious benefit of a cordless leaf blower is avoiding that wrestling match with 100 feet of extension cord. Corded leaf blowers are excellent tools. They are both quiet and powerful. But they were limited to use where you had access to electricity. Depending on the size of your yard, that meant you were constantly wrangling long extension cords. You had to keep them from getting tangled in the shrubbery. Really long cords actually added a fair amount of weight to deal with. Although it was better than raking, using a corded leaf blower meant constantly dealing with staying plugged in. Cordless leaf blowers free you up to move around your landscape as needed.

Cordless leaf blowers are available in both gas and electric models. Gas models are more powerful and are the preferred option for many professional lawn care companies. You can use it as long as necessary throughout the day. You never have to recharge it; you just keep it filled with fuel. However, gas leaf blowers are noisy. You really need to think about the time of day before you begin disturbing the neighborhood with your leaf blowing activities. Gas-powered blowers also add harmful emissions to the atmosphere.

Cordless electric leaf blowers have no harmful emissions and are very quiet. However, most electric models can’t match the power of gas blowers. You also have to recharge electric blowers, usually after each use. In fact, some large yards may be too big to clean up with a single charge.

To sum up, cordless leaf blowers have simplified the task of gathering fallen leaves and disposing of them. Whether you choose gas or electric will depend on the size of your yard and how often you need to clean it up.

The Original Post is Located Here: Benefits of a Cordless Leaf Blower