Our outdoor power equipment reviews include lawnmowers, riding mowers, zero turn mowers, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, edgers, blowers, and chainsaws. More than that, our OPE reviews hit on both gas and cordless battery powered tools. Recently, we even checked out the Husqvarna Automower 315 Robotic lawn mower and saw what’s possible when you combine robotics with cordless tech. Outdoor Power Equipment Reviews for Pro Landscapers If you’re a landscaping Pro, you want to make sure your crew is doing their work quickly and efficiently. Zero turns, for example, are not all designed the same. Some cut more quickly than others, while others have the build quality to last. For string trimmers, we look for max line size, speed, and ergonomics. You want power, but you also want to be able to operate a tool all day long with ease. Ergonomics and vibration consistently get more attention from organizations like OSHA and NIOSH.
This is going to be a short review. It is, after all a wheelbarrow. But a common problem with wheelbarrows is that the front tires tend to go flat, particularly when you’re coming off a ledge when carrying a large weight. Concrete is not kind to single-wheel wheelbarrows. Two-wheel models help considerably, but they lack […]
The Exmark Laser Z E-Series Zero Turn Mower is designed for professional landscape contractors with features like a welded, heavy duty, tubular steel one-piece body frame. Available engine options include Kawasaki V-Twin engines and the Kohler Command EFI engine. Its Exmark hydro drive system offers an easy to change belt and is simplified with no hoses to leak. The Ultracut series […]
For about a week now I have had the privilege of using the Stihl MS 441 C-M Magnum. I must say it is a big step up from my classic Jonsered 670 which has the same 25″ bar length but slightly less displacement. Now, as in antiquity, bowls are most often turned from green wood ripped […]
For years I’ve wondered about battery powered cordless lawnmowers. Having seen and measured the torque on cordless drills and drivers—as well as the Greenworks 40V chainsaw—the concept of a 40V cordless mower just makes a lot of sense and seems to be very practical…even logical. I mean, how hard can it be to rig a […]
The Warn cordless PullzAll is a portable motorized winch/hoist with a maximum capacity of 1,000 pounds that’s available in both corded and 24-volt cordless models. Unlike some portable winches, the DC version doesn’t rely on being wired to a nearby vehicle’s battery; it is a self-contained unit with an onboard rechargeable battery pack like other […]
Sometimes you need a little portable power, and the Ryobi RYi2200 2,200 watt Inverter Generator is both little and portable. This 22″ long by 22″ tall generator provides 1,800 running watts that you can have at your disposal. Ryobi claims the new generator is as quiet as a normal conversation and provides clean power for […]
Many of the tools we review at PTR end up being tested and used on inner-city work projects. This is because several of the writers are involved in Parker Street Ministries, a downtown non-profit organization focused on neighborhood revitalization and restoration. We also just enjoy being able to give back to the community. When we […]
It’s a long story, but…termites. That’s what got me interested in reviewing the Werner D6216-3 16 ft fiberglass extension ladder. It’s not that termites are any particular cause for going out and buying a nice ladder, but an infestation leads—in the South at least—to tenting your building. And when you’re tenting a 6,500 square foot facility […]
Briggs & Stratton is a name I’ve often associated with high-power, reliable outdoor tools, but their new Amplifi Hose Powering System is a nice hybrid product that is useful for all manner of tasks. The electric pump is hidden within the base of the attractive hose container and turns your household garden hose into a quasi pressure washer. While it won’t take paint off of concrete, it will add additional water pressure to your home’s garden hose and allow you to do some enhanced tasks. We used it on a variety of projects and found it to be a nifty system that is only limited by its price. Convenience seems to be the key here and, once configured, the Amplifi seems to have that in spades.
Craftsman’s new Long Handle and the matching D-Handle Digging Shovels are made in the USA. The new shovels, branded by Craftsman (and available at Sears and Kmart), feature Powerstep plates which give you tons of room and lots of leverage for using your boots to really dig in deep, even in compacted soil. The round point blade also feature a nice serrated edge for when you want to rock it back and forth to really saw through tough material.
