I have just been reading about the new Stihl MS 400 C-M chainsaw which has the first magnesium piston. Apparently, the magnesium piston gives more power and is lighter in weight. Allegedly it is the first chainsaw with a magnesium piston, however, I also heard that Husqvarna was working on a similar project
Stihl MS 400 C-M chainsaw
The Stihl MS 400 C-M magnesium piston chainsaw is a professional saw that has been designed for forestry and arb users. The list price of this chainsaw is around £1000, although I’m sure discounts are available. This is Stihl’s highest performance chainsaw in the 60cc category, giving 1400 rpm. It also delivers an increase in torque and displacement and power.
Power To Weight Ratio
It looks like the Stihl MS 400 C-M magnesium piston chainsaw has a good power to weight ratio, apparently, it’s 14 % lighter than the MS 362 chainsaw. I have to say I don’t know much about magnesium pistons, but I would like to learn more. I was reading a few articles about how magnesium pistons are used in the racing industry, which would suggest they are good.
Find Stihl Chainsaws On eBay
Mid-Range Chainsaw
To my mind, a 60 to 70cc is a good all-round chainsaw for general-purpose. Traditionally I’ve always had a chainsaw around this size with a 20-inch bar. I also have a smaller saw which is really handy for small pruning jobs in the garden and associated tasks. It’s very lightweight and easy to use.
The Stihl MS 400 C-M Chainsaw is available with a 16-inch, 18-inch and 20-inch cutting bar.
I would like to see reviews on this Stihl chainsaw and to see if it has any teething problems etc.
You can see more information on the Stihl MS 400 C-M chainsaw on Stihl’s website.
Stihl Chainsaws
I’ve owned many Stihl products over the years and I have encountered very few problems. I still use the products today and will carry on doing so. Most tree surgeons that I see working have Stihl products, to me, this says a lot.
Please feel free to comment below. It’s always good to hear other people’s experiences and opinions.
Specification
Displacement cm³
66.8
Power output kW/bhp
4/5.4
Weight kg 1)
5.8
System weight kg 2)
6.88 / 7.07 / 7.11
Power-to-weight ratio kg/kW
1.4
Sound pressure level dB(A) 3)
107
Sound power level dB(A) 3)
118
Vibration values left/right m/s² 4)
3.5/3.5
Oil pump
Adjustable oil filter
Tank volume l
0.60
Chain pitch
3/8″
Chain tensioning
Lateral chain tension
Sprocket – number of teeth
7 Z
Filter
Long-term filter system (pre-separation) / cartridge filter HD2
Bumper spike
Steel claw
Cylinder
Chrome
Oil tank volume cm3
325
Sprocket
Ring sprocket
Anti vibration system
Standard AV-System
Filler cap
Tool-free filler cap
Starting system
ElastoStart / Recoilless Ignition / single-lever control / decompression valve
I recently came across, what looks to be a great piece of machinery, the Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand on Power Unit. This is basically a stander zero turn mower which can take various attachments. According to Toro there are up to 10 different attachments available, I will go through the various attachments further on in this post.
As we know quality machinery isn’t cheap to purchase, we need to make the most out of our investment and purchase wisely. Over the years I’ve owned many different machines and I’ve often thought it’s a shame we can’t have one versatile power unit to power all of our machines. I know this is easier said than done, however, I believe that Toro may have partly fulfilled this dream.
About 12 years ago I purchased a Ferris 5061 inch zero turn lawnmower, it was great machine a friend of mine still using this zero turn commercially. If I remember correctly I paid £10,000 for this machine, it was an ex-demonstration model with about 80 hours on the clock. I think the list price at the time was about £20,000 for a brand-new machine, they are not cheap!
I always thought it would be a great idea if I could use this zero turn lawnmower to power other machinery. It seems like Toro have the answer, so let’s have a look at this machine.
Kohler EFI Engine
Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand On Power Unit
The Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand On Power Unit is powered by a Kohler Command 26.5 hp 747cc EFI petrol engine. It is basically a stand on zero turn mower that takes a 60 inch cutting width deck. A smaller cutting deck is available. I’ve never actually owned a stander lawnmower, however, I have owned a walk-behind and ride-on zero-turn mowers. I really like the idea of the stander lawnmower for easy access. They certainly seem to be very popular at the moment.
Find Toro Grandstand Multi-Force On eBay
It is great that the Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand On Power Unit is able to do so many tasks. If you have not used a zero-turn lawnmower before, they are, in my opinion the most manoeuvrable and versatile machines on the market.
The Zero Turn Advantage
A zero turn lawn mower is powered by two hydraulic motors, the two individual motors are attached to the rear wheels individually. The two hydraulic motors are powered by a hydraulic pump which gives you instant forward and reverse on each rear wheel.
At the front of the machine there are two heavy duty caster wheels that can turn 360° which helps with the superb manoeuvrability.
Most zero turn lawnmowers are controlled by two levers, although there are a few zero terms that now offer a steering wheel. I haven’t actually used a zero-turn lawnmower with a steering wheel, however, I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has used this type of machine.
With the lever -type zero turn mowers, you simply have instant forward and reverse on each wheel. This means that the lawnmower can literally turn around on a sixpence. In my view, zero turn lawn mowers are the most manoeuvrable machines on the market. They are perfect for negotiating around shrubs, flower borders and trees, you are literally cutting continually with a zero-turn.
Just one thing with a zero turn mower, care needs to be taken when turning sharply as you can tear the turf if you’re not careful. With care practice, damaged the turf can almost be eliminated.
Grandstand-Pro-Force-Blower
Removing The 60 Inch Cutter Deck
I wondered how straightforward it would be to remove the cutter deck and to add various accessories. However, from watching the video, it looks like Toro have made removing the cutter deck, really quite straightforward.
To remove the cutting deck, simply place to pieces of wood 2 x 4 underneath the cutting deck, this just helps to take the weight of the cutting deck. Then remove the pin from the deck adjustment lever simply low the lever so that the cutting deck rests on the two pieces of wood. Then you need to replace the pin to stop the deck lever springing back. After this there are eight bolts to remove and your cutting deck is removed.
Accessories For The Toro Pro Force Series Debris Blower
One of the best things about the Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand On Power Unit is that you can literally use this machine all year round for multiple tasking.
Grandstand-Pro-Force-Blower
Blower Attachment
The blower attachment looks like a great piece of machinery. I wrote a blog post a few days ago about the Toro Pro Force Series Debris Blower. This really is a great piece of kit.
Once you have removed the cutting deck you can now attach the Turbine Pro Force Blower. The blower fits on a kickstand which helps to attach the blower in a straightforward way. There are two small wheels on the kickstand. Simply loosely attach the belt to the pulley and then lift the blower up and it will lock in position. The belt will then automatically be tensioned and ready for use. Then remove the two pins and flipped the guard over for the working position.
The Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand On Power Unit has a quick attach hydraulic hose system which enables attachments to be fitted quickly. It literally takes a couple of minutes to attach the Turbine Pro Force Blower. Once the blower is fitted you are ready to put the wind up those autumn leaves!
The blower develops 7800 CFM at full throttle, that’s quite a bit of air. The air chute can be moved hydraulically 360° this will enable you to move the debris where you want it to go and give you total control over the airflow.
Now let’s move on to winter……
The Boss Dozer Blade
Moving on to winter the Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand On Power Unit has a boss dozer blade that can be used to clear snow. The blade is 5 foot wide and made of poly with no rusting and no scratches!
Toro Grandstand Multiforce All Season Plow
Attaching The Blade
The boss dozer blade or plough is easily attached to the power unit, it comes with a stand which makes for easy fitting. The machine has an easy fit system that has one hydraulic ram for up-and-down. And two more hydraulic rams for left and right control. Once again you have the quick attach hydraulic pipes to control the hydraulic rams.
LED Light Kit
There is an optional LED light kit that goes together with the blade or clearing plough. So when the days are short you aren’t restricted by daylight. There is a flashing light that can be fitted to this machine.
Tyres
Snow tyres are available for this machine or if you prefer to stick with the regular grass tyres all year round. Then there is an optional weight box to give you that extra traction in the winter.
With speeds of up to 10 mph, you will be clearing snow, cutting grass and blowing leaves very quickly and efficiently.
Grandstand Multiforce Broom
Power Broom
The power broom is used to move snow, clear leaves and debris and dethatch lawns. There is a hydraulic kit that gives greater speeds to the power broom. This can pump up to 15 gallons of oil a minute. This gives speeds of up to 250 rpm on the actual broom. If you need to slow the broom down slightly, just reduce the revs on the throttle.
The low-flow hydraulic system powers the three hydraulic rams, very similar to the dozer blade. The hydraulic rams give you a up and down movement and left-to-right movement for maximum versatility.
Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand on Power Unit
Bagging Kit
There is a bagging kit that fits on the side of the Toro Grandstand Multi-Force Stand On Power Unit. The bagging kit offers good manoeuvrability and 10 ft³ collection capacity.
Scarifier And Aerator Attachment
There is also a scarifier and aerator attachment, another great plus point for looking after your lawn.
To Conclude
Good commercial machinery is not cheap. I really like the idea of having one power unit that can do multiple tasks. One thing is for sure that the zero turn concept makes this machine exceptionally manoeuvrable. I think this is an ideal machine for contractors and large gardens, a machine that can work all year round.
Today we are going to look at leaf sweepers, this is a very traditional and straightforward way of clearing leaves that works very effectively.
Leaf Sweepers
There is a range of leaf sweepers, ranging from push models to towed models which can be used behind your ride on mower or quad bike or something similar. We also have a range of various leaf blowers and wheeled vacuums for your looking for something else in the leaf clearance process.
Our cheapest leaf sweepers start at £99.99 and the most expensive is the tow behind SCH sweeper which sells for £1059.
Leaf sweepers are an effective way to clear leaves from your lawn and outdoor areas. The sweeper height is adjustable, which makes it ideal for clearing a range of different surfaces. For example, if you are clearing leaves from your lawn you will probably want your sweeper set to a higher setting. If you are clearing your driveway a lower setting would be more effective.
Search eBay Leaf Sweepers
Sweeping Width
The Cobra PLS66 26″ Push Lawn Sweeper as a sweeping width of 26 inches, which is approximately 66 cm. The replaceable sweeper brush is 25 inches in diameter. One of the many good points about these leaf sweepers is the capacity to carry a lot of leaves. With the Cobra PLS66 26″ Push Lawn Sweeper you can carry a maximum of 200 L. This is probably approximately three times more capacity than an average walk behind rotary mowers collector capacity!
Now sweeping up the list of our leaf sweepers, we have the Agri-Fab 26″ Push Lawn & Leaf Sweeper, which sells for £169. Agri-Fab makes many different products for the garden, these are mainly lawn based products. However, they also make sprayers, vacs and carts for the garden and small estate. I see many Agri-Fab products in people’s gardens on my travels!
The Agri-Fab 26″ Push Lawn & Leaf Sweeper offers a simple, but very effective way to collect these in your garden. It is lightweight and easy to push and quickly removes the leaves from your lawn or garden.
As much as I like to have a machine with an internal combustion engine on, the Agri-Fab sweeper has no engine to maintain and yet is a very simple and effective way to clear your lawn from leaves.
The 66 cm brush that is powered through the wheels spins 4 ½ times per wheel turn. The height can be adjusted for optimum performance depending on what type of surface you are working on. The wheels have multiple grips on them to keep you working in most normal conditions.
Large Capacity
With the Agri-Fab 26″ Push Lawn & Leaf Sweeper and it’s generous 200 L collector you can very quickly carry out leaf clearance and make an impact on your lawn quickly.
A very effective and simple way to clear leaves from your lawn and property
Easy to push
A decent width to cover your lawn quickly
Height adjustment for optimum performance
Large 200 L capacity
High traction grip wheels for slippery terrain
Specification
Sweeper Type
Push
Sweeping Width
66cm
Brush Diameter
25cm
Brush/Wheel Turning Ratio
4.5:1
Hopper Capacity
200 Litres
Height Adjustment
Yes – Infinitely Variable
Housing
Steel
Wheels
250mm x 44.5mm
Surface Types
Lawns & Hard Surfaces
Suitable for Areas Up To
2000 m2
Weight
13.5kg
Warranty
3 Years
Towed Sweepers
Handy 38 inch Towed Lawn Sweeper
Handy 38″ Towed Lawn Sweeper
Sweeping up the list to our towed sweepers, we have the Handy 38″ Towed Lawn Sweeper. This Handy 38-inch sweeper sells for £179.99. For your interest Handy have been making garden products since 1938. They first started producing products from their Swindon factory in the United Kingdom.
The Handy 38″ Towed Lawn Sweeper is perfect to tow behind your ride on lawnmower or tractor. The 280 L capacity enables you to pick up a terrific amount of leaves before having to empty.
The 10-inch wheels which power the brush off a good grip on various surfaces. There is a simple lever height adjustment which enables you to have the perfect height for various terrains.
The easy tip hopper can be emptied from the driver’s seat.
The SCH TS98 Heavy-Duty Leaf Sweeper it is really in a different league to the previous leaf sweepers described in this blog post. Moving large quantities of leaves just became easier with the SCH leaf sweeper. With its heavy-duty construction, it will give you many years of good service, even with prolonged use.
Getting into tight corners became easier with the SCH TS98 Heavy-Duty Leaf Sweeper due to the differential mechanism. That enhances manoeuvrability on tight corners and stops the wheels scuffing on turf.
The differential also means that both wheels are driving the 91.5 cm width brush that quickly covers your lawn.
There is a simple user-friendly height adjustment for ease of operation.
The SCH TS98 Heavy-Duty Leaf Sweeper as a generous 270 L capacity. The catcher is made from a heavy-duty material which is corrosion-free.
Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower
Today we are going to look at the subject of, how much is an electric leaf blower? This is a question that I am often asked about. I wrote an article a few days ago on, how much is a petrol leaf blower? We will start with our very cheapest electric leaf blower and gradually move up the scale including more expensive electric leaf blowers. We will also be including rechargeable battery leaf blowers which seem to be moving up the ladder in popularity very quickly.
As you know I like to use a decent powered garden and landscaping equipment. I much prefer a machine with an internal combustion engine on, however, I appreciate for some people this just isn’t practical or affordable.
Mains electric or rechargeable battery-powered?
Something that I have always disliked with mains electric equipment is the inconvenience of a power cable. I find the power cable very restrictive and something that always catching up objects like flower pots and shrubs!
I know of so many people who have cut through their electric power cable with electric lawnmowers and hedge cutters. This is not something you want to do with a hedge cutter when you are on a step ladder! However, modern-day power tools offer good protection with power breakers and sensitive trip switches. The other option is to look at our range of rechargeable leaf blowers.
Electric Leaf Blowers
Electric leaf blowers are cheaper to buy than similar battery powered models as the batteries can be expensive on the rechargeable models. Some of the mains electric leaf blower models really do offer quite a bit of blown power. As many of the manufacturers have just placed a cheap powerful electric motor (compared with a two-stroke engine) which gives plenty of blowing power!
I think the biggest issue for me with an electric leaf blower is the trailing power cable, this is where a rechargeable leaf blower could be useful.
Rechargeable Leaf Blowers
A rechargeable leaf blower offers more flexibility than the traditional mains electric leaf blower. However, rechargeable leaf blowers are limited to how long they can run for. The average runtime seems to be around 20 to 30 minutes for a battery-powered leaf blower. There are the more powerful Stihl models which have greater battery life.
It may be worth considering purchasing a spare battery so you have a spare available to keep the workflow going. Just remember that rechargeable batteries can be quite expensive. So you need to weigh up the costs before purchasing.
I haven’t had huge amounts of experience with rechargeable garden tools. However, recently I was working with a gang of tree surgeons and they had several Stihl rechargeable tools and they were very impressed indeed. I must admit they were certainly very quiet indeed. This is something that is worth thinking about if you are in a built-up area or an area where there are noise restrictions.
The Handy 2600w Garden Blow & Vac
Handy 2600W Garden Blow & Vac
The Handy 2600w Garden Blow & Vac is our cheapest mains electric leaf blower and vacuum, priced at just £40. It comes with a powerful 2600 W electric motor and has three function’s, it blows, it shreds, and it collects! The leaf shredding is 10:1 which is pretty good.
The Handy 2600w Garden Blow & Vac comes with a 35 L collection bag, 6 m of electric cable and a shoulder strap. This leaf blower is very light at just 4.5 kg.
Moving up the scale to our second cheapest leaf blowers is the Cobra BV2600 Electric Powered Blower Vacuum, priced at just £45.99. Once again this is a very cheap price for this particular leaf blower.
The Cobra BV2600 Electric Powered Blower Vacuum he is powered by a 2600 W electric motor, which gives plenty of blowing power. It has the feature of mulching, which therefore means more vacuuming and less emptying. The leaf blower has a large 45 L collection bag. It’s very easy to change from blowing mode to vacuum mode.
Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower
Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower
We are now moving up the scale to the popular Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower. This is not a leaf blower that I have used, however, I know several people who use them, and they are popular for the smaller garden where a petrol model isn’t required. This leaf blower sells for £74.99
This Flymo leaf blower has a slightly larger 2700 W electric motor, which is slightly more than our two previous models. This model can easily be changed from blower mode to vacuum mode. It has a generous collection bag at 40 L and the maximum blowing speed is 212 km an hour.
The Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower is lightweight, weighing just 5.1 kg. It comes with the manufacturers one year warranty.
Now we are going upmarket considerably with the Stihl BGE71 Electric Hand Held Garden Blower, which sells for £99.99. Stihl have been making machinery for the garden, landscaping and forestry industry since 1926. They are probably the market leaders for professionals in the UK and maybe the world, especially when it comes to, chainsaws, hedge cutters, strimmers and blowers.
Although the Stihl BGE71 Electric Hand Held Garden Blower it is more expensive than our previous models it is not actually so powerful. However, you can buy knowing that you have a quality product that will give you many hours of service.
The Stihl BGE71 Electric Hand Held Garden Blower it is a very lightweight leaf blower, weighing in at just 3 kg, it is lighter than our three previous leaf blowers. It is powered by a 1100 watt mains electric motor.
There is an optional vacuum attachment that can be purchased if required. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I don’t normally use the vacuuming feature as I find it much quicker to blow and then collect the leaves and debris by hand. The other alternative for collecting leaves is with a wheeled vacuum or a rotary mower with a collector on. Obviously, you cannot pick up leaves with a rotary lawnmower on gravel driveways, or where there are stones and rocks etc.
It runs off a 24 V rechargeable battery which gives a 20 minute blowing time. It may be worth thinking about purchasing a second battery for extra time as charging takes approximately two hours. There is actually an eco-mode which will give your battery a few more minutes, in fact up to 65 minutes!
Rechargeable garden equipment is becoming very popular at the moment. Cobra also makes a battery strimmer and hedge cutter in their range of equipment.
The weight of this leaf blowers is just 1.7 kg, which is very light indeed. It comes with the manufacturers two-year warranty which includes the battery and charger.
Now we are moving right up the ladder to the Stihl BGA 85 Cordless Leaf-Blower. This is almost in another category as it is a quality product that will give you long service. This leaf blower does not come with a battery, however, if you have other Stihl rechargeable equipment, the batteries are compatible. Long-term, this makes the Stihl tools cheaper by just having one charging unit and a few batteries, depending on how much you’re using the machine.
Please note that some battery machinery can be very underpowered, the Stihl BGA 85 Cordless Leaf-Blower certainly has plenty of power. It is powered by a choice of lightweight and long-lasting 36v lithium-ion batteries developing an impressive 4 or 6Ah.
This Stihl leaf blower has a variable speed airflow which is ideal when you’re in confined spaces. It comes with the manufacturers two-year warranty.
Today we are looking at something a little bit different, which is the RV602 Ventrac vacuum collection system which is an attachment for the Ventrac 4500 series power units.
As you know I like to make life easier in the garden and I like to look at all types of machines for landscapers, gardeners and horticulturalists etc! I know that this machine isn’t suitable for every garden, but I have to say that it fascinates me how the right machine can make life so much easier.
The RV602 Ventrac vacuum collection system is an attachment that fits onto the Ventrac 4500 series articulated tractor power unit. It is attached via the traditional three-point linkage that is fitted to most agricultural tractors and compact tractors. I’m not sure if this vacuum collection system can be fitted to other power units or not. Certainly, when fitted on the Ventrac 4500 it looks like the perfect match.
When I first watched the video on the Ventrac vacuum collection system I thought that it looked rather cumbersome. However, with the articulated steering and the dual wheels fitted, it becomes a very lightweight and much more compact machine. Traditionally ride-on mowers and compact tractors can lead to tram lining, especially if you are mowing the same way each time. With the dual wheels, I’m sure that this must reduce the pounds per square inch on the soil considerably.
Clear Lawns Quickly And Efficiently
A Good Collection System
Looking at the video, it seems like the Ventrac vacuum is making an excellent job vacuuming up the grass and leaves. I didn’t realise to start with that the actual vacuum is powered by an independent 10 hp electric start Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine. In an ideal world this would be better if the vacuum could be powered from the tractors power take-off or hydraulic system. However, realistically and practically the property is not enough power to carry out both jobs at once.
I appreciate that for many people this system may not be suitable for your garden, however, we have a range of blowers and vacuums and leaf collectors that can help you in your garden.
Of course, the only downside of this is that you have two engines to maintain and to start and stop. However, if this was giving me good results and collecting efficiently, I would not be too concerned about having two engines.
High Lift RV602 Ventrac vacuum Collection System
Straightforward Emptying
One of the great things about the RV 602 Ventrac vacuum collection system is that you don’t have to leave the driver seat to empty the collection system. This obviously, increases efficiently considerably and is much more pleasant for the operator, there’s nothing worse to keep jumping off a tractor seat!
Another great feature of the RV 602 Ventrac vacuum collection system, is the ability to be able to load a truck or trailer from the driver’s seat. Traditionally with the majority of ride-on mowers do not have the high lift capacity which is a real benefit with the Ventrac. I have owned an Iseki SXG ride on tractor with a high lift collection system, it’s a good machine. This really is a great system for loading trucks or even just making a heap in your garden for composting, no more forking up, totally effortless!
I can never understand why some manufacturers make a nice ride on lawnmower, but then they will have three bags in the back of the machine that you will have to empty individually. This is very time consuming and in most cases totally unnecessary. I appreciate that there may be some instances where you’re tipping the grass and you can’t actually get to the compost heap or something similar. However, if this is your situation, I will try my hardest to keep things simple so you can empty from the driver’s seat. I have never purchased a ride-on machine where I cannot empty the bag or collection system from the driver’s seat. I don’t like handling materials twice when potentially when I only need to do the job once!
Easy Disconnect Vacuum Pipe
Vacuum Cleaner
Another great feature of this machine is the fact that you can disconnect the vacuum pipe from the cutter deck and literary use as a giant vacuum cleaner. Apparently there is a hose clamp that quickly releases the vacuum hose, so there is no need for any tools to release the hose.
This is perfect for cleaning up in areas where your lawnmower cannot enter into. Or for example, in places like flowerbeds, shrub borders and under hedges, this really can save loads of time and make clearing up leaves very easy.
Storage Stand
The RV 602 Ventrac vacuum collection system comes complete with a storage stand on castor wheels. This enables easy fitting and removal of the vacuum to your tractor.
You can see more features and reviews in the video below.
I’m often asked the question, “how much is a petrol leaf blower”. People are often pleasantly surprised when I tell them how cheap you can buy a petrol leaf blower for!
Our Cheapest Leaf Blower
Our cheapest blower is currently the Parker petrol leaf blower, this leaf blower, mulcher and vacuum, it sells for just £79.99, it has recently been reduced by £10. It actually amazes me how cheap they can make this petrol leaf blower for.
I would always recommend buying the best machine that you can afford, but sometimes we don’t have a choice to buy the best. A few years ago I purchased an orbital sander for some do-it-yourself work, I’m not really a do-it-yourself person, or certainly not in the home! However, we were re-decorating the house from top to bottom and to be fair this orbital sander done the job very well indeed and I have no complaints.
I think because I work in the landscape industry and professionally, I always like to try and have the best machine in a particular category. The Parker blower will probably do the job, but you also stand a chance of having a few problems in my opinion, it’s a risk you take.
I did read an article of a contractor buying a Parker blower and apparently it served him well, especially, taking the cost into consideration.
Our second cheapest petrol leaf blowers is the Chipperfield PRO EBV260 Petrol Blower-Vac which sells for £99.95, which again is an amazing price for a petrol leaf blower.
I believe this is a fairly new petrol leaf blower to the market, however, looking at the reviews, they appear to be very positive.
The Chipperfield PRO EBV260 Petrol Blower-Vac is powered by a 25.4cc air-cooled two-stroke engine, which develops 0.9 hp. With an at a glance 0.65 L transparent fuel tank, you can easily see how much fuel is left in the tank.
It’s always good to use a lightweight and comfortable blower; the Chipperfield Pro petrol leaf blower weighs just 6.5 kg. It comes complete with a adjustable rubber grip shoulder strap that takes the weight off your arms and makes operating much easier.
Airflow is excellent on the Chipperfield leaf blower which has a tapered nozzle which helps to increase the airflow, by forcing the airflow into one place. It also has rubber mounts which protect it when the leaf blowers is placed on the ground with the engine running.
Vacuum mode
This petrol blower vac can be used as a vacuum, it comes with a generous 30 L collection bag. Allegedly, the manufacturer claims that it can reduce the size of the waste by 80%. I guess this depends on how dry the material is as this will make a huge difference in efficiency. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I always find it much quicker to use these leaf blowers as blowers rather than vacuums. To me, it is far quicker to blow your debris into a heap and then collect it manually.
Features
A high-quality but remarkably low-priced blower-vac for all your garden clear-up needs
3-in-1 design – blows, vacuums and mulches
Powerful but highly efficient 2-stroke engine with an easy-read transparent fuel-tank
Mulching capability saves space in the collector a makes debris simple to dispose of
Well balanced with a rubber-grip and shoulder-harness – comfortable and easy to handle
Tapering nozzle for high-performance blowing
Rubber mounts prevent impact-damage when you set the blower down
Specification
A high-quality but remarkably low-priced blower-vac for all your garden clear-up needs
3-in-1 design – blows, vacuums and mulches
Powerful but highly efficient 2-stroke engine with an easy-read transparent fuel-tank
Mulching capability saves space in the collector a makes debris simple to dispose of
Well balanced with a rubber-grip and shoulder-harness – comfortable and easy to handle
Tapering nozzle for high-performance blowing
Rubber mounts prevent impact-damage when you set the blower down
Would I Buy One Of The Above Leaf Blowers?
So would I buy one of the above leaf blowers? This is a difficult question for me as I have generally used professional equipment and I like to use a quality product that will last me a long time.
Unfortunately, over the years I have seen people by terrible products for the garden which I know will not last for a long time. I also see people buying products that are not right for the garden and just makes the job very difficult indeed.
As with every purchase we make, budgeting and the cost is always of prime importance. I’ve always tried to go for the best machine that I can afford and also buy a machine which will give me many years of service and that has a good ready available parts backup.
When buying a budget machine I would always look at the reviews and the warranty. I know of many people who have brought budget machines and they have given several years of good service. It really comes down to how many hours you are going to use a machine for.
Stihl SH86CE Vacuum/Shredder
Going Upmarket
If you want to go upmarket, I can definitely recommend you something that will last and that is the STIHL BG 86 C-E Handheld Petrol Leaf Blower. I have owned this particular blower and used many of these leaf blowers over the years. I know of many contractors who use this particular Stihl leaf blower.
The STIHL BG 86 C-E Handheld Petrol Leaf Blower sells for £319, which is also much more expensive than our cheapest petrol leaf blower. However, I know that this leaflet I will give you many hours and years of trouble-free leaf blowing!
If you’re looking for a petrol leaf blower with a collection bag then another good choice is the STIHL SH 86-CE Vacuum Shredder. This petrol leaf blower sells for £369 which once again I appreciate is much more than our cheapest petrol leaf blower, vacuum.
Billy Goat QV900HSP Quiet Vac Self Propelled Wheeled Vacuum
Today we are going to be talking about the Billy Goat QV900HSP Quiet Vac Self Propelled Wheeled Vacuum. This is Billy Goats largest and most quiet machine. This particular model is Billy Goats largest self-propelled garden vacuum, which offers everything you need in a wheeled garden vacuum. It sells for £3779.99 and at the moment has a £280 discount.
Billy Goat QV900HSP Quiet Vac Self Propelled Wheeled Vacuum
The Billy Goat QV900HSP Quiet Vac Self Propelled Wheeled Vacuum is a 33-inch wide leaf and litter vacuum which is ideal for large gardens, professional landscapers and gardeners and is ideal for industrial and commercial areas.
Honda GX270 Engine
Engine
The Billy goat is powered by a high-performance 270 cc 7 hp Honda engine, which is very quiet indeed. I have owned several pieces of machinery with Honda engines, they are very quiet, reliable and economical engines. Although I would like to start an engine two or three times in the winter, there have been occasions when I have left an engine all winter without starting. The amazing fact about the Honda engines is that they can be left for many months without starting and then start first pull.
Incidentally, this machine has a recoil start which I know from experience is absolutely effortless.
To start the engine, turn the switch on the engine to the on position. Turn the petrol on, and then the choke, pull the starting chord and as soon as the engine fires, move the choke to the off position and you are away!
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Please Note
Honda engines have a fuel tap which turns off the fuel, I normally stop the engine after a days use by turning the fuel off. In this way, it stops the fuel sitting in the carburettor for long periods which can cause problems later. It only takes a minute or so for the engine to stop.
Billy Goat Collection Bag
The Billy Goat can be used to collect leaves and debris by driving in a forward or reverse direction, with a 33-inch white suction chute, the Billy Goat will quickly clear leaves and debris from your garden.
The Billy Goat has a bag capacity of 136 L which is a considerable amount of leaves and debris. The bag is attached simply with four hooks and can quickly be removed for emptying. It is important not to overfill the bag as this will create blockages which will slow your work rate down considerably in the long run. You will soon get used to how much debris is in the bag, you can simply put your foot on the bag and feel how much debris is in the bag. It’s a case of trial and error to start with!
Collapsible Hose
The Billy Goat also has an optional hose kit available, this is ideal for getting in the areas where the Billy Goat cannot go. For example, the hose can be used to clear leaves around flower borders, shrubs, and under hedges etc.
Hydrostatic Drive Transmission
Hydrostatic transmission
The Billy Goat QV900HSP Quiet Vac Self Propelled Wheeled Vacuum is fitted with hydrostatic transmission, which to me is the best type of transmission to have on the majority of garden and horticultural machinery.
Hydrostatic transmission offers instant forward and reverse speed without using any clutch or gears. Basically, the Billy Goat transmission consists of an oil-driven motor on the axle, which is powered by a small hydraulic pump. On walk-behind hydrostatic drive machines, you normally have a hand lever pull one way for forward and the other way for reverse. This gives you variable speeds in forward and reverse with no clutch or gear lever to move. It also gives you variable speed instantly which is great when you’re going through thick patches of leaves so as you can slow the machine right down.
Easy Steering With The Hydrostatic Transmission
Some machines, for example, zero-turn mowers have two hydrostatic motors which gives instant forward and reverse on the two rear wheels. This offers exceptional manoeuvrability and is the most efficient type of transmission drive in my view.
Operating the Billy Goat QV900HSP Quiet Vac Self Propelled Wheeled Vacuum
The Billy Goat QV900HSP Quiet Vac Self Propelled Wheeled Vacuum has a screw-type height adjustment at the rear of the machine. It is recommend that the vacuum chute is set approximately 1 inch above the ground. This may vary depending on the type of terrain you are travelling over. If the grassed areas are slightly rough may need a slightly higher setting.
For more details, please see the video below.
Over 40 years in the business
To give you confidence in buying a Billy Goat vacuum, Billy Goat probably the largest manufacturers in garden vacuums. They have also been building garden vacuums for over 40 years.
Optional extras
Parking Brake Kit
Parking Brake
Optional extras include a replacement bag, a parking brake which is ideal if you are working on slopes. However, if the engine is not running, in normal cases with hydrostatic drive the machine will not move.
Collapsible Hose
There is a 10-foot collapsible hose that can be stored on the machine, this is definitely an accessory that I would strongly recommend.
Liner Sleeve
Liner Sleeve
This is something that I would probably use just to give further protection to the machine. It is really meant for sandy conditions, however, I feel it’s always good to protect your machine as much as possible.
Conclusion
As you know I’m all for making life easy in the garden, whether you are a professional gardener or landscaper or have a large garden. The Billy Goat is one of those machines that once you have one you won’t want to be without one!
My advice is always to go for the best machine that you can afford. The cheapest Billy Goat starts at £649.99, this is a push model and is ideal for narrow paths and smaller gardens. The Billy Goat QV900HSP Quiet Vac Self Propelled Wheeled Vacuum is a top of the range model and has everything you need for a good garden vacuum!
Features
State-of-the-art cyclonic filtration with exclusive dust sock technology
Six-blade armour plate steel fan
Rear turf tyres and front castors for excellent maneuverability
Simple to handle two-latch bag system
Optional Hose Kit with extendable handle
Bag Volume : 136 litre mesh turf
Specifications
Engine : Honda 4 stroke 270cc
Drive : Yes, self -propelled
Working Width: 84cm / 33”
Volume : As low as 97 LWa and 77 dBa at full RPM and 96 LWa and 76 dBa at 2800 RPM
Stihl HSA 56 Cordless Hedge Trimmer with Battery and Charger
Today we are looking at a few special offers, starting with A cordless Stihl hedge cutter for under £100. As I’m sure you’re aware Stihl make quality garden products, they have been specialists in chainsaws, forestry machines and garden equipment for many years. The new
I have personally used Stihl products for over 30 years and I am still using their products today and I will carry on doing so!
I must admit that I’m not a great fan of electric or battery-operated tools, I much prefer something with an internal combustion engine on. However, the other day I was working with a group of tree surgeons and I noticed that they were using several battery-operated tools. I kind of made a joke about them, however, they were saying how good the range of Stihl battery tools are.
Although this team of tree surgeons, obviously still have their larger petrol chainsaws, they were using a battery-powered pole saw and hedge cutter. A battery-powered top handle saw that is generally used for climbing, this particular tree surgeon was really praising these new battery tools up.
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I must admit when I saw these tools in action, I was pleasantly surprised, although, it is still not quite the same as having an engine on a machine. However, that’s just my personal take and I have heard very good things about these battery tools. They are especially useful if you are in a residential area and there are noise restrictions.
Lightweight Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer
So, Let’s Have A Look At The Cordless Stihl Hedge Cutter For Under £100
The Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer is lightweight and very well balanced. It has a double-sided cutting blade, this is something I would always recommend as for efficient cutting it’s good to be cutting on your up-and-down strokes. There are a few single-bladed hedge cutters around, however, to me these single-bladed hedge cutters are wasting energy and time. A double bladed hedge cutter makes use of every downward and upward movement.
Battery
The Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer it is powered by a 18 V lithium battery, which gives around 40 minutes cutting time. Please be aware that battery time can vary considerably depending on how hard the hedge cutter is working. The Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer comes complete with its own charging unit. It may be well worth considering looking at a second battery to backup your hedge cutter.
There is also a battery level indicator that warns you when the battery is becoming low. This could be a time when you recharge and start clearing up your hedge cuttings, while your hedge trimmer is recharging.
Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer Blade
Extremely Quiet
I must admit where I was working the other day, there were four tree surgeons working using a range of Stihl power tools. It did seem amazingly quiet as I’m used to hearing a two-stroke engine running, especially when there are several men working. The only noise I could hear in the distance was the diesel chipper running!
The Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer has a “quiet award” making it one of the quietest tools on the market. This is ideal for working in urban areas or areas where there is a noise restriction.
Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer With Cover
Lightweight
Traditionally hedge cutters can be quite heavy, I have been used two using a Stihl two-stroke petrol engine 30 inch hedge cutter. It’s a great tool, however, they can be quite heavy on the arms and shoulders, I never seem to quite get used to the weight of a petrol hedge cutter!
The Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer weighs just 2.3 kg, which is very light indeed. The vibration is also minimal that causes considerable less operator fatigue. For safety, there is a lock function that stops the hedge cutter accidentally starting. There is also a key to turn off the machine totally when not in use.
Storage
For those of us who have a range of garden tools, it’s always good to look after them and keep your garden storage tidy and organised. The Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer can be mounted to a wall when not in use, therefore taking up minimal space.
Warranty
Stihl offers a two-year warranty on the Stihl HSA 45 Cordless Hedge Trimmer, which is great. I know that Stihl products are very good, and they obviously have great faith in their products to offer a two-year warranty.
Most of us are probably not thinking about purchasing a new lawnmower this time of year. However, sometimes as the grass cutting season draws to an end, it’s a good time to purchase a new lawnmower. Incidentally, there are many times that I’m cutting grass right up till Christmas Eve, so the grass cutting season may not be over yet!
Today we are looking at something slightly different, the Toro pro force series debris blower. I appreciate that this debris blower may not be the right machine for most gardeners, however, it is always good to see machinery in action, that makes life easier!
I am someone who likes to make gardening and landscaping easier, so I’m always looking at various types of machine. If there is a machine that can make life easier, I am all for it!
Toro Wireless Remote Control
Toro Pro Force Series Debris Blower
The Toro pro force series debris blower as one of the most powerful machines on the market. It is powered by a 24.6 hp Kohler Command engine, with an electronic governor. The electronic governor sounds like a great idea as I have found on the Kohler engines the traditional governor can be a bit slow to react. The electronic governor should solve this issue. Having used Kohler engines for many years, I’ve noticed was the manual governor that sometimes they can be a bit slow to react you need more power. The range of Kohler EFI engines are now becoming more popular which gives increased efficiency and better governor control.
24.6 hp Kohler Engine
I think one of the main features of this blower is the fact that it has a “boys toy feature” the fact that it is radio remote. When I say radio remote, this is a towable machine, so the machine isn’t fully radio remote. However, the wireless radio remote allows you to stop and start the engine from the operator’s vehicle. You can adjust the throttle remotely up and down, from low to high revs and vice versa. It also allows you to adjust the blower nozzle 360° from the operator’s seat!
Electronic Governor
So, in other words, no jumping on and off the operator’s seat to make adjustments, which to me is a very practical feature indeed. I can never understand why manufacturers of ride-on lawnmowers want to have a series of bags to unload. When in theory you should just be able to stay in the operator seat and control everything from the operator’s seat. However, without going too much off track, I appreciate in some circumstances people may need to load the grass clippings into compost bins or something similar.
Heavy-Duty Trailer & Tow Hitch
Who Needs The Toro Pro Force Series Debris Blower?
Obviously, the Toro pro force series debris blower is more for large estates, golf courses, parks, etc rather than the average garden. However, if you have a garden with a few acres this could be very useful tool for blowing leaves, clearing pathways and driveways. The Toro blower could also be used after scarifying your lawn to blow the moss and thatch into large rows for collection.
What Do You Pull Your Toro Blower With?
The Toro pro force series debris blower is a towable machine which can be towed by the Toro WorkMan or something similar like a John Deere Gator. Compact tractors, quad bikes, ride on mowers can also be used. At 475 lbs in weight, most of the above machines would cope with this sort of weight. The low ground pressure grade tyres help to keep turf damage and ease of pulling to a minimum.
To Conclude
Toro offers two years warranty or 1500 hours, whichever comes first. So they obviously have confidence in their product. As I mentioned this machine isn’t for the average garden but certainly extremely useful for the golf course, large estate or garden and park areas and commercial landscapers.
Air Flow
In independent 3rd party testing, the Pro Force™ demonstrated greater CFM, or air volume flow, than any single nozzle turbine-type debris blower currently available.
Engine
24.6 hp (18.3 kW) twin-cylinder air-cooled Kohler® Command Pro® with electronic governor
Fan
Axial flow
Height
33 inches (83.8 cm)
Length
79 – 115 inches (200.7 – 292.1 cm) from adjustable tow hitch to nozzle outlet
Nozzle Type
Impact-resistant plastic with 13″ (33 cm) outlet diameter
Tires
20 x 10-8, 4 ply turf tire
Warranty
2-year or 1,500 hour manufacturer’s limited warranty
The Billy Goat KV601SP self-propelled garden vacuum offers more power than the previous model and most importantly this model is self-propelled. So it takes any effort of pushing a machine away.
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The Billy Goat KV601SP Self-Propelled Garden Vacuum
The Billy Goat KV601SP self-propelled garden vacuum is a 27-inch model that offers powerful garden vacuuming. The Billy goat is powered by a powerful 6 hp Briggs & Stratton professional series engine.
I have owned many machines over the years and my guess is that 75% of these machines have been powered by Briggs and Stratton engines. When I look back, I can honestly say that I have almost had zero problems with the Briggs & Stratton engine’s that I have owned.
With the leaves falling right now the Billy Goat KV601SP self-propelled garden vacuum offers the perfect way to keep your garden tidy. You can either drive the machine up and down and clear leaves from your lawn and driveway. Or you can use the optional hose attachment which becomes like a giant vacuum cleaner for vacuuming leaves and flower borders and those awkward places that you cannot reach.
The Billy Goat KV601SP self-propelled garden vacuum it is ideal for clearing leaves from driveways, paths, lawns, tennis courts and all those awkward to get to places. Especially with the optional hose attachment that goes in places where blowers and rakes can’t go!
Robust Transmission
Self-Propelled
The Billy Goat is a self-propelled garden vacuum which takes the hard work out of pushing the machine. It has one forward speed and is highly manoeuvrable.
Adjustable Height
The Billy Goat has an adjustable height for maximum performance. For example, if you are clearing leaves on your lawn, you need to raise the machine slightly, so that you are not pushing through the grass. Whereas on a hard surface like a driveway, you can set the machine lower for maximum suction.
5-Blade Serrated Impeller
Accessories
Optional extras are available for the Billy Goat KV601SP self-propelled garden vacuum, including, a hose kit, a caster wheel kit which increases manoeuvrability. Billy Goat also offers a nozzle wear kit which helps to protect the nozzle on your hose.
If you’re looking to reduce the amount of waste going into the collection bag there is a shredder screen kit that can reduce leaf waste up to 12 times. This obviously means fewer journeys to the compost heap!
Hose Kit
There is also a liner sleeve, this helps to protect the machine when it is used in sandy conditions. Sand can be particularly abrasive so I would definitely recommend this optional extra. It is probably not a bad idea to add it to protect your machine against general wear and tear.
Finally, there is a cover to keep your Billy Goat vacuum dry and clean when not in use. I would definitely recommend an outbuilding to house your machine, although if space is limited the cover could be an option.
Caster Wheel Kit
Look After Your Billy Goat Vacuum
As with all machinery it pays to look after your investment to keep it running properly. Make sure you clean your machine down after use, I often use a leaf blower to blow machinery down after use.
It also important to look after the Briggs & Stratton professional engine. I would recommend an oil change after the initial 10 hours of first use and then refer to the engine manual for future recommended oil changes. I always say that it’s cheaper to keep the oil clean rather than wear expensive engine parts.
As with all engines and this is something that is often neglected. Make sure and keep your engine air filter clean, it’s amazing how much dust and dirt can build up in an air filter, especially if you are collecting dry leaves.
Most air filters only take a few minutes to clean and are very easy to access. Simply remove the air filter and remove any dirt, ideally with an airline. Most air filters are dry paper filters which are very easy to clean and to replace. It is of utmost importance that no dirt or debris enters the engine as this will cause unnecessary wear and tear and shorten the life of the engine.
How Did The Billy Goat Perform?
The Billy goat has a good capacity for leaf collection, however, it is much easier to collect your leaves regularly rather than trying to collect wet sticky leaves all at once. As with rotary lawnmowers and leaf vacuums they have a tendency to block when you are trying to put too many wet leaves through.
The Briggs & Stratton 6 hp engine is very easy to start, spare parts are readily available at sensible prices.
The Billy Goat KV601 self-propelled garden vacuum is one of those machines that not that many people own, however, to me it’s a great machine to make life in the garden easier.
If you look after your Billy goat vacuum properly it will give you many years of trouble-free service.
