I have worked with garden, forestry, horticultural and agricultural machinery all my working life which amounts to almost 40 years of experience. I have a passion for garden machinery and equipment and I would like to share my experience in the pages on this website. I’m here to help you come to a decision on what machine or piece of equipment will work for your particular situation. You can find out more about me here.
Will This Stihl Battery Chainsaw Cut A Load Of Wood On One Charge?
The title of my blog post today is; Will this Stihl Battery Chainsaw cut a load of wood on one charge?
Although I am not particularly enthusiastic about battery tools, however, I am hearing great things about the Stihl range of battery chainsaws. Some of us, including myself, probably prefer something with an internal combustion engine on, however, I can’t deny that these Stihl battery products have come a long way in the last few years.
I have just watched a video on the MSA 161 T Top handle chainsaw and the challenge was “Will this Stihl Battery Chainsaw cut a load of wood on one charge”? It was actually a fallen over maple tree that was being cut, I guess the pieces of wood were around 10 inches in diameter. I was amazed at how quickly the chainsaw cut through the Maplewood, especially with battery power!
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The fact is that this Stihl rechargeable battery chainsaw can cut a load of wood without the need to recharge the battery! I actually thought this result was quite impressive from a battery chainsaw and a good load of wood. Incidentally, the battery chainsaw still had some power left in the battery!
So, looking at the Stihl MSA 200 C-BQ Cordless Chainsaw this is a slightly different saw that was being used in the video. This particular saw is a two-handed chainsaw for general purpose use. The chainsaw used in the video was really a chainsaw for arborists being what we called a top handled chainsaw.
Top Handled Chainsaws
Top handled chainsaws are designed for arborists who are climbing trees regularly. If you use a top handled chainsaw when you are on the ground, which I don’t recommend. Extreme care needs to be taken as you have one hand free and there’s a temptation to use another hand which can be touched on the chainsaw blade if care is not taken. It might sound a bit extreme, but if I use a top handled saw on the ground, sometimes I even put my hand behind my back so there is no temptation to try and move wood, by reaching over the cutter bar. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry.
The batteries for this particular chainsaw that I am referring to are sold separately. However, the great thing is that if you have a number of Stihl garden and arborist products the batteries all fit in the same tools.
The Stihl MSA 200 C-BQ Cordless Chainsaw allegedly matches petrol power, I’m not quite sure about this though. I always think that petrol power has a bit more go than rechargeable machines! However, rechargeable products have come a huge way over the last few years.
A few weeks ago I was working with a gang of tree surgeons and they had several Stihl rechargeable products. These products included a top handled chainsaw, a hedge cutter, a pole hedge trimmer and telescopic chainsaw. They also had their traditional petrol Stihl chainsaws and hedge cutters on site!
I was really quite surprised to see professional tree surgeons using electric rechargeable tools. However, they were saying how good they were especially the top handled chainsaw for climbing, no engine to start and no noise.
MSA 161 T Top handle chainsaw
In the video, you can see the maple tree is quite large. However, the Stihl chainsaw appears to cope extremely well. Before I watched the video, I didn’t expect the battery to manage a full load of wood. However, they did manage to cut a load of wood and managed to have a small amount of power left in the battery.
According to the manufacturer, the battery should last 35 minutes. Now I’m guessing that this must vary depending on how much load you’re putting on the chainsaw.
With the colder weather coming I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about our range of log splitters. Over the past few years, log burners seem to have become very popular, almost a fashion accessory!
As you know I always like to make life easier in the garden and this is definitely something that our range of log splitters can do. It’s good to use an axe sometimes to keep fit, but it’s also nice to have the freedom of a powered log splitter.
We have a range of log splitters starting from £199, which is our cheapest log splitter and our most expensive is £1000. This is a petrol machine powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine.
Our cheapest machine is the Mitox LS40 4 Tonne Electric Log Splitter, this is an entry-level machine that is priced at just £199. It’s an electric machine powered by a 1500 W motor which develops approximately 2 hp.
This log splitter has a splitting force of four tons which is sufficient for the average domestic homeowner. They Mitox log splitter will split a 370 mm log in just a few seconds. The machine has a quick split feature which automatically adjusts depending on the size of the log. It has a robust metal frame that supports the wedges and power unit which enables logs to be split neatly into pieces.
Operation of this machine can be carried out with two hands, with a safety guard to protect the hands from being nipped in the splitter.
Manoeuvring the Mitox LS40 4 Tonne Electric Log Splitter is straightforward as it comes complete with transport wheels. It’s a compact machine which is great for storing when not in use.
Mitox makes a range of products for the garden, this is just one of the many products they produce. The Mitox LS40 4 Tonne Electric Log Splitter comes with a three-year peace of mind warranty.
MD Racing 5-Ton Electric Log-Splitter (Special Offer)
MD Racing 5-Ton Electric Log-Splitter
Moving up the scale, we have the MD Racing 5-Ton Electric Log-Splitter, this log splitter is on special offer and is priced at £299.95. It has very good reviews!
This log splitter is a little more powerful than our previous model, offering five tons of splitting pressure. This log split is ideal for most general domestic tasks and very straightforward to use. Simply place the log onto the cradle, pull the lever and watch the log split. With five tons of pressure, even seasoned hardwood should split easily.
Safety First
MD has taken your safety into account by making the machine a two-handed operation. In this respect, it keeps hands clear of any moving parts when the log splitter is in use.
1500 W Motor
The 1500 W electric motor gives the MD Racing 5-Ton Electric Log-Splitter produces approximately 2 hp. Which in turn gives five tons of splitting power. The electric motor provides a maintenance-free and long-lasting solution to powering this log splitter.
The maximum size log that the MD Racing 5-Ton Electric Log-Splitter can take is 25 cm in diameter and 52 cm in length.
Features
A straightforward electric log split that gets the job done!
Exerts a powerful five-ton pressure.
Two-handed operation for safety.
Excellent value for price.
Top reviews.
Transport wheels and handle for added manoeuvrability.
Now moving on to vertical log splitters the Handy 6 Tons, 2200w Log Splitter has a slightly different concept to splitting logs. This log split is priced at £479.99.
This Log splitter has a six-ton force and is powered by a 2700 W motor which develops approximately 3 hp. The electric motor powers a hydraulic pump which operates the hydraulic ram that enables the maximum six tons of pressure.
A 13 to 30 cm log diameter can be placed on The Handy 6 Tons, 2200w Log Splitter. The log settings vary from 107 cm to 81.5 cm to 56 cm.
Specification
230v 2700w Motor Rated Power
13-30cm Log Diameter Capacity
107cm / 81.5cm / 56cm Log Length Settings
6 Ton Maximum Force
4l Hydraulic Oil Capacity
90cm x 119cm x 149cm Overall Size
Now we have come to our largest log splitter which is a Feider FBT-10T100 10-Ton Petrol Log-Splitter. This is our largest petrol-engined log splitter, with 10 tons of force to split almost any log! This machine is priced at £999.
This is the type of log split that can cope with knotty type of woods that the smaller log splitters may struggle with. The machine is powered by a 200 cc four-stroke air-cooled overhead valve engine which gives excellent economy.
This high-capacity machine will cope with logs up to 106 cm in length and 40 cm in diameter.
It comes with a manufacturer’s two-year warranty.
Features
A top of the range petrol log splitter.
Ideal for the homeowner with light wood burner and hearth.
Today we are looking at the Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower, this is our cheapest ride on at £999! In other words, you get a lot of mower for your money!
As you know, I always like to buy the best machinery that I can afford, however, I know full well that we all have budgets. The Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower is a budget machine, which offers value for money. The great thing is that the customer reviews average 4.4/5 which is very good indeed.
So let’s take a look at the Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower. This is a very compact machine that has a 61 cm (approximately 25 inch) width cut, which makes it a highly compact machine in a smaller garden. Often with ride-on mowers, gateways and pathways can cause access problems, however, the Racing mower should be capable of going into most places.
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Engine
A 196 cc 6.5 hp four stroke overhead valve engine powers the Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower. The electric start helps to make life easy and the fuel-efficient engine keeps fuel costs to a minimum. As with all engines make sure and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, keep the oil clean and change at the period stated in the manual. It’s far better to keep the oil clean and to wear an engine out.
Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower Height Adjuster
Variable Cutting Height
The Racing mower has a five-step height adjustment, the heights range from 30 – 70 mm, with this height range you have a cutting height for all seasons. One thing that I would recommend is to cut your lawn regularly. I see far too many people leaving the grass to grow far too long and then cutting the lawn too short.
In an ideal world, you only want to take a maximum of one-third of your grass at one time. So in other words, take no more than 33% of grass height of your lawn. This helps to keep your lawn looking healthy and helps keep your lawn looking good all year round. Within reason, the more regularly you can cut your lawn, the better.
Generous Grass Collector
Something that’s always an important factor is that the Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower has a generous 150 L collection bag. This is always an important feature on any mower, the larger the bag, the less time we lose when emptying the bag. Emptying the bag can be carried out from the operator’s seat.
Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower Underside
Steel Deck
The 61 cm cutting deck is made from durable steel that should give long life. It’s always good to keep your deck clean for optimum cutting and collection efficiency. At the end of the season, it is not a bad practice to paint or spray your cutting deck with oil to preserve it.
Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower Gearbox
Transmission
The majority of ride-on mowers today come with hydrostatic transmission, this type of transmission gives instant forward and reverse speeds. The hydrostatic transmission also gives you variable speeds, there is no need for a clutch. Normally you just have one lever for forward or reverse, or 2-foot pedals that offer forward and reverse. It really is the most efficient way to power a ride-on lawnmower. The great thing is if you come to a thick patch of grass you can quickly slow the machine down, no gear changing or patchwork, just instant forward and reverse!
Unfortunately, the Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower does not offer this hydrostatic drive feature. It has a gearbox with four forward and one reverse gear. Once again, we have two remember that this is a budget lawnmower, so we can’t have every single feature. However, the reviews really are excellent for a machine that costs under £1000!
Quick Delivery
Delivery can be the following working day, providing you order before 2 PM on a working day.
There’s also an assembly service available for £100. This is a service that I would probably seriously think about. The manufacturer claims it takes 30 minutes to an hour to assemble yourself.
Features
A very compact ride on mower, ideal for the smaller garden.
There are not many ride-on lawnmowers as cheap as the Racing 62PR Ride-On Mower. For a ride on mower which is under £1000, the reviews are excellent.
This Ride On Mower Comes With A Two-Year Warranty
For me, the biggest downside is the fact that the machine does not have hydrostatic transmission. It would be good if Racing made a hydrostatic version, maybe this will happen in the future.
If you are looking for a budget hydrostatic ride-on lawnmower it may be worth taking a look at our ride on mower category here.
Today we are going to look at the Feider RTF4020 Pro Rear-Tine Tiller. This tiller has powered wheels and rear-driven tines, this principle is a much better principle than the tillers that have power-driven tines only.
As you know, I like to keep things simple and make life easy in the garden. If there is a machine that will do the job then I am all for it!
I had my first tiller when I was 17, this was a Merry Tiller which is unfortunately no longer made. However, you may be able to find a good second hand Merry Tiller on eBay. These were very well made tillers in their class, the only thing they lacked was being wheel driven.
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When I was around 20 I then moved on to a rear-wheel type of tiller or rotavator, the first machine was a BCS 745 diesel. I then moved on to a Dowdeswell 650 which was a diesel machine that originated from the old Howard Gems. Once again, a great machine, but sadly no longer made. I will write more on these machines in a later blog post.
See The Old Howard Gem In Action Below
Now getting back on track, a rear tined rotavator is far easier to control than traditional rotor powered tillers. In general, wheel-driven tillers and rotavators normally have between two and four forward speeds and one or two reverse gears. This gives you total control over the machine.
Traditional tillers that are driven by the rotors take a bit more getting used to due to the fact that they bounce around more. However, they can still be a time-saving investment for your garden.
Who Needs A Rotavator?
Rotavators and tillers are ideal if you have a vegetable plot, or you are a landscaper or professional gardener. They’re great for turning barren land into vegetable patches or flower beds and they take the hard work out of digging. Obviously, they can also be used for creating new lawns or recreating an old lawn.
Rotavators or tillers are perfect for using in the spring when you are getting your veg patch ready for sowing. Another great use for a rotavator is for turning compost into your garden. It really helps to break the compost down and mix it evenly into the soil.
Feider RTF4020 Pro Rear-Tine Tiller
The Feider RTF4020 Pro Rear-Tine Tiller is a great rear-wheel budget machine for the keen gardener, for £499, you have a lot for your money!
The tiller is powered by a high performance 208 cc overhead-valve Fieder engine. This engine is built to commercial specifications and benefits from fuel-efficient, noise saving and low emissions. The engine has a decent fuel capacity that gives you a decent operation time between fill-ups.
Chain Drive
The rotors or times are powered by a chain drive which is an efficient way to deliver maximum power. A chain will last for many years as they hardly stretch and are built to last. Whereas, traditionally a belt drive machine will need the belt tightened regularly especially in the first few hours of the machine’s life.
Gearbox
There is just one forward gear and one reverse gear on the Feider RTF4020 Pro Rear-Tine Tiller. This keeps things simple, however, the speed can be adjusted on the throttle lever.
Features And Tilling Width
With the tilling width of 40 cm, the Feider RTF4020 Pro Rear-Tine Tiller quickly gets you over the ground and yet small enough to fit through garden gates and narrow garden paths.
With the forward and reverse speed gearbox the tiller can be quickly and easily manoeuvred. Traditionally, rotor driven tillers just have one forward speed which makes them much harder to manoeuvre.
The tiller has a debris guard which is multipurpose. It protects the operator from flying debris and also as the earth smashes against the guard and helps to break the soil up.
There is a heavy-duty bumper which protects the machine and the engine from any accidental knocks and impact.
Features
A rear tiller rotavator capable of handling tough soil conditions over large areas.
Powerful four-stroke engine with overhead valve technology.
Large fuel tank.
Forward and reverse speed for easy manoeuvrability.
Chain drive for optimum performance.
Debris guard to protect the operator.
Excellent value machine
Conclusion
I always prefer the wheel-driven tillers and the Feider RTF4020 Pro Rear-Tine Tiller offers this feature. Although this rotavator isn’t a heavy-duty contractors machine, it does offer great features and great value for the keen gardener. If it makes your life easier I am up for it! The tiller comes with a two-year manufacturers warranty.
Specification
Engine Make Feider
Petrol 4-stroke overhead valve engine
208cc four-stroke engine
Fuel Tank Capacity 3.6 Litres
Oil Tank Capacity 0.6 Litres
Transmission 2 Speed
Drive Chain
Working Width 40cm
Working Depth -3.5cm (Max.)
R.P.M. of Rotors 3600rpm
Wheel Type with Pneumatic Tyres
Weight 73kg
Warranty 2 Years
The Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum is a French-made budget wheeled Garden vacuum. This garden vacuum is a new machine on the market and is cheaper than its main competitor, the Billy Goat.
At the moment the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum is on special offer for just £399. This is a fantastic £200 saving on the original price.
Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum
A wheeled garden vacuum can be a huge help in the garden, especially in the autumn time when all the leaves are falling. The Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum offers a good option for saving time in the garden when it comes to clearing leaves and debris.
With a huge appetite for leaves and debris, the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum quickly clears areas of leaves and debris, which quickly transforms your garden. As the leaves enter the vacuum direct by a five-bladed serrated impeller which smashes the leaves into small pieces. This helps to make full use of the collection bag by compacting the leaves which can then be composted and used on the garden the following year.
Composting is something that I do all the time in the garden, to be fair it seems that not many people compost in this day and age. The benefits are huge, especially if your soil is of a clay type composition. Composting can literally transform a garden especially if this process is carried out on a regular basis.
With a huge appetite for leaves and debris, the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum quickly clears areas of leaves and debris, which quickly transforms your garden. As the leaves enter the vacuum direct by a five-bladed serrated impeller which smashes the leaves into small pieces. This helps to make full use of the collection bag by compacting the leaves which can then be composted and used on the garden the following year.
There are five different positions on the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum which is perfect for every operating condition. For example, if you are clearing your lawn of leaves it will require a higher setting. Whereas, if you are clearing your tennis court you can lower the setting for maximum efficiency. The vacuum can also be used on gravel drives.
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Engine
The wheeled vacuum is powered by a Feider fuel-efficient overhead valve engine which develops 173cc. For starting the vacuum has a straightforward recoil start system. With the 58 cm suction width, your leaves and garden debris will quickly be cleared.
Weight
The Feider FAST175P lawn & leaf vacuum weighs just 43 kg. With the four large 250 mm wheels, it makes manoeuvrability and negotiating obstacles extremely simple.
Optional Hose Kit
There is an optional hose kit for the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum. This is something that I would recommend as it enables you to get into places where your vacuum cannot go. For example, flower borders, shrub borders and around buildings is an ideal use for the optional hose kit. Your wheeled vacuum becomes like a giant vacuum cleaner!
Warranty
Feider gives their pushed wheeled vacuum a two-year warranty which gives you that extra confidence when buying.
Features
A high-performance 173cc overhead valve four-stroke engine with emission cutting technology.
A powerful wheeled vacuum suitable for multi-surface use.
Impeller blade that makes leaves and debris into mulch.
Lightweight and easy to push.
Large debris collector bag.
Large wheels that make pushing easy.
58 cm cutting width.
Optional hose kit.
Two-year warranty.
Specification
Starting System Recoil
Engine Make Feider
173cc Engine Capacity
Drive Hand Propelled
Working Width 58cm
Height Adjustment 15-60mm (5 Positions)
Air Flow Volume 1080m3/h (at Idle)
Impellor Hardened Steel with 5 Serrated Blades
Debris Bag 150 Litres
Hose Kit Optional
Chipper Chute No
Surface Types Multi-Surface – Lawns; Hard Surfaces; Gravel
Housing Steel
Wheels Front 180mm / Rear 250mm
Suitable for Areas Up To 4000 m2
Sound Level 105dB (A)
Vibration 5m/s2
Weight 43kg
Warranty 2 Years
OKO Preventaflat Tyre Puncture Repair Sealant 1 Litre
Today my article is entitled how to prevent a tyre puncture, this is just a short post.
I don’t know how many of you have suffered from punctures on your garden and horticultural machinery, I certainly have in the past. I’m also sure you know how time-consuming this can be. You set out to undertake a simple task like mowing your lawn, only to find that your ride-on lawnmower has a tyre puncture!
In the past I have literally lost hours of time due to a tyre puncture, I have been stuck in people’s gardens all day. It’s not much fun and it’s costly if you are trying to beat the weather and have more jobs to do!
How To Prevent A Tyre Puncture
Traditionally turf tyres are normally quite soft and generally only four-ply, this doesn’t give much protection against thorns and other sharp objects.
For the last 20 years plus I have been using a puncture repair sealant that almost eradicates punctures. I would say that it stops 98% of puncture repairs, in general punctures on a ride-on lawnmower or similar are caused through thorns.
I think probably the only puncture that the sealant didn’t repair was when I was cutting some long grass and the customer left a broken digging fork lying in the grass! This left a large hole in the tyre that had to be sealed professionally, however, leaving a garden fork long in long grass isn’t the best practice!
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How do you use this puncture sealant?
The puncture sealant is normally sold in 1 L plastic bottles. It comes with a pull-out flexible plastic spout or tube that can be inserted around the air valve. The actual leader of the bottle comes with a tool to remove the air valve from the tyre or the tube. The valve must be unscrewed before you can add the puncture sealant.
The puncture sealant is made of a thick slimy substance, I have no idea what the ingredients are, all I know is that it works and it’s a great time saver.
Applying the puncture sealant
First, place your tyre valve at the 10 to 2 position. Then remove the air valve with the tool provided on the lead of the sealant. Obviously, once you remove the valve from the tyre all the air will be released. Place the tube of the bottle over the valve neck and squeeze the bottle. The puncture sealant is very thick, so it takes a few minutes to force the liquid into the tyre.
You will need to check the manufacturers recommended quantities depending on the size of the tyre. In normal circumstances, a couple of bottles would be adequate for the average ride-on lawnmower.
Once you have inserted the right amount of puncture sealant into the tyre, replace the valve by using the tool supplied. When you remove the valve care must be taken to keep the valve clean. Failure to do this can result in problems later. Replace the dust cap and inflate to the correct pressure and you are ready to go.
What happens when a thorn goes through my tyre?
In my experience when a thorn or unwanted object punctures your tyre, you may notice that the tyre is going flat. This is perfectly normal. If you see any unwanted objects sticking out of the tyre, like a thorn, remove the object. Then reinflate the tyre and keep the tyre moving. By keeping the tyre moving the puncture repellent is splashing around inside the tyre and creating a seal at the same time.
I normally like to keep a bottle of puncture repellent on the shelf in case of emergency.
Occasionally with tubeless tyres, they can come off the rim and you can lose some of the liquid. So it’s a good idea to keep a spare bottle of puncture repellent on the shelf.
To conclude
Preventing a tyre puncture is much better than waiting until you have a flat tyre. Using machinery commercially, in the past, I have lost hours and hours of working time, due to a flat tyre. It’s a very easy way to lose time and efficiency and cost you money.
The tyre sealant almost completely prevents a tyre puncture, it’s a great invention! When I purchase a new machine I either have the puncture repellent but in the tyres before the machine is delivered. Or, have the puncture repellent ready to apply before I use a machine.
Please note that this tyre prevention method is only for slow-moving or off-road machinery. You cannot use puncture tyre repellent in cars or vehicles that use public roads.
Please feel free to ask any questions about how to prevent a tyre puncture, in the comment box below.
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.
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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.
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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.
