Showing posts with label yard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yard. Show all posts

5/23/2011

Toro 51599 Ultra 12 amp Variable-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum with Metal Impeller Review

Toro 51599 Ultra 12 amp Variable-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum with Metal Impeller
Average Reviews:

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I bought this Toro electric blow and vac in utter frustration after spending a small fortune on similar gasoline powered products. I use it as a vac several times per week and even daily in the Fall. I found that the very cheap gasoline blow and vacs start falling apart very quickly indeed as the result ofpoor and shoddy design so I moved up to the top of the line, Echo, which appears to be very well made and engineered. My first one, an ES211, did outlast its 2 year warranty, it had a starter assembly and cord replaced under warranty but then just wore out during the third year. The second ES211 lasted 18 months until something broke inside the engine and it wouldn't even rotate. The third one (a $290+tax ES231 heavy duty model) is just over a year old and overheats very quickly, smokes badly, and is melting the plastic grill surrounding the engine.
The dealers lie and tell me that it's my fault and that the problem is lack of lubrication. As a lifelong, now retired, professional mechanical engineer and having owned 2-stroke engines since a teenager I have always used the correct gas/oil mixture in 2-stroke engines including motorcycles of course.
The Toro Ultra Blower and Vac does everything I need. Let's list the advantages. It is amazingly light and doesn't strain your back lugging its bulk plus a heavy bag of leaves around the way a gas powered model does - this is very important and not to be dismissed as you get up in years. It always starts when you turn the knob - you sure can't say that about gasoline powered garden equipment. It converts from a blower to a vac very quickly without needing a screwdriver and undue force - Toro obviously corrected this problem from the prior model. It is very quiet compared with gas models - your neighbors will appreciate this. It doesn't have a spark plug or an air filter that needs frequent attention. It doesn't get dirty, grimy, and oily from gasoline exhaust and leaky carburetors and tubing. You don't have to buy expensive gasoline and oil and be required to mix and find a place to store a separate highly inflammable gas/oil mixture. The Toro has a cast magnesium impeller that handles the occasional twig or stone quite handily. The leaf bag is well designed, it disconnects easily and is a snap to empty. The vac suction and air blast from the blower seems equivalent to the Echo. Last but not least is P R I C E , my Toro was $69.99, at that price I could buy four of them for the price of one Echo ES231.
Now for the only disadvantage I can think of. I use a 100 ft. 13amp. electric cord and reel. You sacrifice some ease of mobility because you have a cord dragging behind you all of the time - nothing in life is perfect I guess.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toro 51599 Ultra 12 amp Variable-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum with Metal Impeller

Product Description:
Powerful and effective, the Toro Ultra 3-in-1 Blower, Vacuum, and Leaf Shredder makes completing yard work fun and easy. With air speeds up to 235 mph, this electric blower nevertheless is lighter, quieter, and cleaner than similar gas blowers. And with a sleek, ergonomical design, it's a tool that is easy to use and will grab your neighbors' attention.
The Toro Ultra 3-in-1 Blower, Vacuum, and Leaf Shredder:

    Is electric so it is lighter, quieter, and cleaner than similar gas blower.
    Has a variable speed motor.
    Features a metal impeller for mulching debris.


Convert from blower to vacuum without tools.

The metal impeller shreds leaves into a mulch.

The impeller can reduce up to 16 bags' worth of waste to one bag. Match the Power to the Task for Better Results
Tackle big clean-up jobs the right way with this powerful blower vac. A variable speed 12 Amp motor lets you select from an infinite variety of speeds between 112 mph and 235 mph. This means that you can use low speeds to clear off hard surfaces and clean up tight areas without making a mess and without sacrificing the blower's high-speed functionality.
Air Speed and Air Volume to Get Yard Jobs Done
Unlike some manufacturers, who simply reduce the size of their blower nozzles to achieve higher air speed ratings without increasing the practical value of their tools, Toro gives this blower vac the ability to balance between air speed (measured in mph) and air volume (measured in cfm) to ensure maximum power and performance. This Ultra blower vac offers air speeds up to 235 mph and air volume up to 255 cfm, allowing you to move a substantial volume of leaves and debris with ease.
3-in-1 Versatility Makes Managing Tasks Easy
A convenient quick-release latch lets you convert your blower into a vacuum in seconds without any tools, while a metal impeller makes it easy to mulch debris.
The magnesium serrated metal blades on the impeller shred leaves and other unwanted debris into a fine mulch that you can use around your lawn and garden, saving money and recycling important nutrients. It also makes it easy to dispose of unwanted yard waste, since the impeller can reduce 16 bags' worth of leaves to one bag.
Clean and Efficient with Electric Power
Compared with gas blowers, electric blowers are quieter, more eco-friendly, and require less maintenance. They start up instantly without requiring you to master a finicky pull cord. There's no messy gas-oil mixture to worry about, and you don't have to contend with noxious fumes to get a job done.
This high-powered blower also weighs in at a very manageable 7.5 pounds, making it easy on your back.
This blower/vac is backed by a full two-year warranty.
What's in the Box
Power unit, blower tubes, vac tubes, vac bag, and operators manual.


Even a large yard is easy to clean up with this blower.


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11/18/2010

Black & Decker MM675 Lawn Hog 18-Inch 12 Amp Electric Mulching Mower, Flip-Handle Review

Black & Decker MM675 Lawn Hog 18 inch 12 Amp Electric Mulching Mower, Flip-Handle
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(More customer reviews)
buying on the internet is always scary. So far, I've relyied on other peoples review on Amazon.This time, I feel like I must to help a few people out.
First, my co-workers were skeptical about an electric mower, but I've had the experience in the past.
Here are some of the benefits:
- you can look under your mower by flipping it over and not worry about gaz or oil leaks.
- grass is cut from end to end of a yard easier with the flip handle than those that don't. (that should include all gaz mowers) Instead of closing in on the middle of your lawn, you start on one end and finish at the other end.(I like it)
- this mower doesn't retain anything underneath. I didn't know that some mowers would do that.From my previous experiences, you had to clean up the mower every couple of use.
- height adjustment is super simple.
- electronic brake.If you release the power (bar!), the blade stops in a micro second.This is great for safety.
- no smells of any sort (except first few minutes being a new electrical product)
I wouldn't trade it, and my yard is not small.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Black and Decker MM675 Lawn Hog 18 Inch 12 Amp Electric Mulching Mower, Flip-Handle



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10/20/2010

Black & Decker MM275 18-Inch 9 amp Electric Mulching Mower Review

Black & Decker MM275 18 inch 9 amp Electric Mulching Mower
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Before I bought my mm275 mower I was unsure whether I would want to put up with yet another electric mower.In particular, would it be able to hack through the thick grass better than our old tired mower?The answer is, yes, it does, even though it has the lower power 9 amp motor.It is quiet, it starts with no effort (well, mostly, more on this later) and it doesn't stink.And it cuts the grass at a pretty capable rate.I can walk at almost normal speed when the grass is 2-3 inches above the blade.
To use an electric mower you have to have electrical outlets that are not much more than 100 feet from every part of your lawn.You have to mow in dry grass only.And you have to not mind doing the cord dance, which doesn't bother me.
This mower has one problem, which is the switch.After half a summer of operation, the on-off switch on our mower is almost worn out.Pretty soon it isn't going to turn on anymore.This may be due to the "revving-up games" that my kids played before we became wise to the situation.Black and Decker have a replacement switch back-orderered for me, and I have reason to believe that with more judicious use of the switch (and a 12 gauge extension cord rather than 14 gauge) this next switch will probably last a lot longer.If it doesn't, you'll see a much less positive review here next year, and I'll be turning my mower offby unplugging the cord.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Black and Decker MM275 18 Inch 9 amp Electric Mulching Mower

Product Description:
Quiet, lightweight, convenient, clean: Black & Decker has built a great mower for the homeowner. This Black & Decker 18-inch electric mulching mower features an electric 9-amp motor that is plenty powerful for the average homeowner's yard without the hassle of pull-cord starting, mixing gas and oil, running out of fuel, smelly fumes or pollution. Because it it's so light (just 39 pounds), even the least brawny homeowner can handle this cutter without trouble. Another nice feature is the one-touch lever that raises and lowers all four wheels at once from 1 inch to 3-1/2 inches, saving the trouble of adjusting each wheel's height. Assembly is minimal with no tools required. It it's a great mulcher, but if you prefer to bag, you can add the side bag attachment that's sold separately. This electric mulching mower has an 18-inch cutting deck, is made of tough polymer, and comes with a removable discharge chute, built-in mulch door and combo blade for mulching. This product is backed by a lifetime guarantee. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

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10/13/2010

WORX WG712 13 amp 16-Inch Electric Lawn Mower Review

WORX WG712 13 amp 16 inch Electric Lawn Mower
Average Reviews:

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Ok, I confess.I was a bit skeptical, especially when I realized the Worx electric mower was only 16" wide-- I'm replacing a 20" Snapper. Even a little more skeptical when I pulled it out of the box-- I never, ever imagined a lawn mower could appear like something half space-ship, half cartoon in real life and still do a decent job-- but it looks very cool and modern! Then I noticed those familiar styled little plastic wheels that used to adorn my kids' Big Wheel trikes-- another strike. Finally, I flustered trying to "snap" together the 2-piece plastic grass-catcher.

But not to worry-- really, this is a "positive" review.

Once I got over all that and pulled the machine out onto my small urban front and back lawn, all doubts blew away.

The Worx 16-inch mower "works" like a dream (couldn't resist that). The 16" swath it cut was just right for my two 12x15' patches of grass. The 13 amps were perfect to cut my overgrown semi-wet grass without any trouble at all. I was relieved to discover the mower engine has a not-too-loud blower sound a little like a turbine. That seems to be less obnoxious than other electric mowers reviewed on Amazon. And the cutter deck height was simple to change with their single lever 6-height adjustment feature.

I stored the catcher untouched in my small garage. Using the mulcher attachment, most of the grass easily & cleanly worked its way back into the lawn with little obvious mess. About only thing that needs improvement here is use of a small black plastic clip to hold the attachement in. I'm sure that will eventually be lost.

As far as the "Big Wheels" go-- I wish it had real rubber ones, but so far the mower performance has eclipsed any complaints I might have had initially. I also am not impressed with their catcher-- I'd much rather see a 1-piece molded plastic version on future models.

So, as of its first use, I love my new mower and have happily laid my old smoking Snapper to rest. I'll report back after the summer has past with my final evaluation.

Click Here to see more reviews about: WORX WG712 13 amp 16 Inch Electric Lawn Mower

Product Description:
The Worx electric lawn mower features a 16-inch cutting blade, a quiet yet powerful 13-amp motor, and can be used to mulch as well as to mow. Freeing you from oil and air filter changes and without producing harmful emissions, this electric mower starts easily with the push of a button. The mower's cutting height can easily be adjusted from 3/4 inch to 2-3/4 inches with a one-touch, six-position lever. The ergonomic, soft-grip handle reduces fatigue, improves control, can be adjusted in height for any member of the household, and folds down when not in use for compact storage; the mower's lightweight construction and built-in carrying handles make it easy to transport. The spacious grass box collects up to 13 gallons of clippings, includes a viewing window to determine how full it is, and detaches quickly for emptying and cleaning. This electric mower is ideal for small yards and homes with limited storage space.

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9/16/2010

Black & Decker MM875 Lawn Hog 19-Inch 12 amp Electric Mulching Mower with Rear Bag Review

Black & Decker MM875 Lawn Hog 19 inch 12 amp Electric Mulching Mower with Rear Bag
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I purchased the Lawn Hog 12amp 19" from Amazon.com in April/2005.I have a large yard area. My front and back yards combined equal, at least, approximately 8,000sq. ft.

Over the years, I have had numerous different gas mowers.My last gas mower was a Sears 6.5HP 22" Self-Propelled with a Briggs&Stratton engine.
Pulling 15-20 times to start it (sometimes it took even more pulls) gets very tiring and frustrating! Don't they all claim a "3-push 1-Pull Start"? I decided to search online at Amazon.com for reviews of electric mowers. I hate having to mess with gas, oil, tune-ups, noise, shaking that made my hands numb during mowing (which I finally mitigated by wearing gel-padded cycling gloves).

My grass is "tall fescue" - it grows very thick - I live in the high desert in the Antelope Valley, CA (elev. 2346 ft.).As you can probably guess, it gets quite hot here during mid-to-late summer (105-115+).Even when I start mowing early (9-11am) it is already near 100 degrees so, I searched for the most powerful electric mower I could find.I wanted to make sure my time spent under the sun would not exceed that of a gas powered unit of equal power. Just as other reviewers have stated it arrived in a big box on my front porch.Assembling the handle and attaching the bagger was a snap.It IS a two-prong input into the handle of the Lawn Hog - I already had that type of cord. I plugged it in, pulled up the orange handle up and WHAMO! It roared to power!

In my opinion, this mower is comparable to a 6.5HP gas mower - others may disagree but I will tell you, this thing is POWERFUL.It cuts the grass with the cleanest cut out of any mower I have ever owned and does no damage to the lawn sprouts (as long as you do not set the height adjustment to scalp your lawn).The height adjustment is fingertip easy.

TIP#1: To assure the bag fills evenly
With the bag empty - cut for about 2-3 minutes, stop the mower, take off the bag, shake the accumulated contents to the rear of the bag and put the bag back on the Lawn Hog. Now you should be able to cut until the bagger reaches capacity and it will fill evenly.

TIP#2 KEEPING THE CORD OUT OF THE CUTTING PATH
Say, for instance, you want to mow your lawn up and down in an East-to-West pattern moving north as you mow.Uncoil your cord and accumulate it 5-10 feet away from you to the South - now, you will always be mowing and moving away from the cord location and, as long as you do not jerk a lot with your turns, the cord will not get in the way.

You may also want to consider purchasing a few plastic/steel spikes and situate them at strategic points on your lawn perimeter.Place the cord appropriately behind the spikes - this will stop the cord from following you and getting in your path - it takes experimentation but eventually you will get to know the perfect points to place them allowing you to mow nearly as effortlessly as with a free reign mower.

TIP#3 KEEPING THE UNDERCARRIAGE FREE OF DEBRIS BUILDUP
It is important to keep the undercarriage of the mower free and clear of debris, ESPECIALLY THE BLADE - a dull blade will make a dull cut and will start damaging your grass sprouts.This will cause browning and leave the lawn shoots exposed to disease, rot, insects etc. At lawncare.scotts.com website (by the way, a WEALTH of everyday practical information is located there about everything regarding lawn care, flowers, shrubs etc.) I came across a tip that suggested:
COATING THE BOTTOM OF YOUR MOWER WITH A NON-STICK SPRAY - they suggested any Non-Stick Oven/Pan Food spray would do. I purchased a can of PAM spray. The next time I cut the lawn, I first cleaned the undercarriage as well as I could by scraping it with a 3-inch plastic paint scraper.I was careful not to push on the blade too much for fear of throwing it out of balance. I then turned the Lawn Hog upside down and leaned it up against my garage wall (can't do this with a gas mower, can ya?!) and sprayed the inside with a thin coating of PAM (including the blade).I set the Lawn Hog down, right side up, and waited about 5 minutes to allow the spray to adhere. (The undercarriage of the Lawn Hog, which houses the blade, is plastic so be careful if you use any metallic scraping tools - you can easily put gouge marks into the undercarriage causing even worse accumulation of dirt, grass, unbalancing the blade etc. making it harder to clean up).I then cut my entire lawn. When I was done, I propped the Lawn Hog up against my fence and was happy to find minimal grass/dirt accumulation.I got busy with my 3-inch plastic paint scraper and the scrapings came off with nominal effort.Even the residue on the blade came off easily. THIS REALLY WORKS and it is relatively inexpensive too!
NOTE: SPRAY COAT THE BOTTOM BEFORE YOUR FIRST USE!It will make subsequent cleaning a breeze (I wish I had read about this tip before my first mow).

The Lawn Hog is very light and easy to push.As the bag accumulates, it takes a tiny bit more effort to push, but for me, it is negligible.

I used the Lawn Hog from April to June when I decided that a riding mower might prove better in reducing my physical exertion.I purchased a Sears 13.5HP Riding mower.All the headaches associated with gas, oil etc. started coming back to haunt me but I figured I owed it to myself to try.The first mow was a breeze.The next week I went out to start it and it was dead. I waited two weeks for replacement parts.After repairs, during which time I used the dependable Lawn Hog, the Riding mower ran fine but then, one of the front tires went flat and would not reseat itself properly.Another repair call, another delay.I noticed that no matter how I used the 6-position height adjustments the riding mower sometimes scalped areas of my grass and sometimes left other areas too long in length. I then attempted to change the riding mowers oil - WHAT A MISTAKE!The oil outlet valve did not protrude past the side edge of the riding mower and the oil spilled all over my garage floor and the mower housing itself.I decided, "THAT'S IT"!I returned it to Sears.
I am now happily mowing my lawn with the Lawn Hog and I cannot even imagine, in my wildest dreams, ever going back to an environmentally insane, stinky, oily, noisy, shaking gas mower of any kind.
By the way, the mulching function works fantastic and I now mulch much more than I bag, just remember to keep the blade clean.
I AM VERY HAPPY AND PLEASED WITH THIS MOWER.
I hope this has helped.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Black and Decker MM875 Lawn Hog 19 Inch 12 amp Electric Mulching Mower with Rear Bag

Product Description:
A powerful electric motor and the ability to bag or mulch give the Black & Decker 19-Inch Lawn Hog Electric Mower the versatility to match your mowing style. The large cutting deck adjusts easily to your preferred grass height, and a special comfort grip handle can be adjusted to match the perfect mowing posture for you. Electric power provides a consistent cut without dealing with the mess and added cost of gasoline engines.

This corded, electric mower is environmentally friendly and maintenance free. View larger.Electric Motor Protects Hearing and Reduces Maintenance
The Lawn Hog features a 12 Amp motor, which produces plenty of power to cut and mulch even deep, wet grass. The environmentally friendly electric motor produces lower noise and emissions levels and eliminates stopping and starting to refill gas tanks or clean dirty filters and spark plugs.
Built-In Adjustable Features to Match Your Lawn
Choose a deck height between 1 1/4 and 3 1/2 inches--all fours wheels raise and lower with the push of a button. Set the length higher if you mow often or keep it tight to give yourself added time between mowing.
A Comfortable Grip That Adapts to You
The specially cushioned grip reduces vibrations that can lead to fatigue while giving you added safety and control. And the handle can be adjusted to the perfect height for you, allowing you to stand upright with arms extended to mow comfortably.
Bag or Fertilize While You Mow
Keep your lawn tidy by gathering clippings in the included bag, which detaches easily for dumping or composting. Keep the bag off to mulch your lawn with the trimmings, providing a natural fertilizer.
Perfect for your small or medium sized lawn, the Lawn Hog will mow within a 100-foot radius of the nearest outlet. The compact size is easy to control for a precise cut, and the handle folds for easy storage when not in use.
The 19-Inch Lawn Hog Electric Mower is covered by a full two-year warranty.
What's in the Box
MM875 Lawn Hog Electric Mulching Mower, rear bag assembly, rear mulching insert

Setup and adjustment is easy, whether you choose to bag clippings or you use the mulching insert to fertilize naturally as you mow.

MM1800
MM875
CM1836
CM1936
Key FeaturesLightweight mulching and rear-bag mower perfect for yards where an electrical outlet is within 100 feet of the furthest area to be cut.Mulching and rear-bag mower that is perfect for yards where an electrical outlet is within 100 feet of the furthest area to be cut. Energy Star ceritfied corldess mower produces zero emissions; folds down for easy, compact storage.Removable 36V battery can be charged seperately from the mower unit, and multiple batteries can be purchased for extended runtime.PowerCorded 12 amp motorCorded 12 amp motor36V intergrated battery36V removable battery Deck Size
(cutting swath)18-inch19-inch18-inch19-inchMulch/Bag/DischargeRear bag with mulching insert and discharge capabilitiesRear bag with mulching insert and discharge capabilitiesRear bag with mulching insert and discharge capabilitiesRear bag (mulching insert and side discharge chute sold seperatley)Cutting AreaUp to 1/4 acreUp to 1/4 acreUp to 1/3 acreUp to 1/3 acreRuntimeN/A N/A Up to 12,000 square feet Up to 12,000 square feet Height AdjustmentOne point, single lever adjusts all four wheels simulanteously One touch, single lever adjusts all four wheels simulanteously One point, single lever adjusts all four wheels simulanteously One touch, single lever adjusts all four wheels simulanteously Height Settings1-1/4- to 3-1/2-inch1-1/4- to 3-1/2-inch1-1/2- to 3-1/2-inch1-1/2- to 3-1/2-inchWheel Size7-inch7-inch front / 8-inch rear7-inch front / 8-inch rear7-inch front / 9-inch rearWeight46 pounds52 pounds64 pounds72 poundsWarranty2 years2 years2 years2 years


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