How to Safely Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Bladeby James Huntley | Updated 11/14/19When your lawn mower blade gets dull, it has to be either replaced or sharpened. Some newer mower types have blades that should not be sharpened and if the old blade is bent or broken it should absolutely be replaced for a new one. You should never try to sharpen a blade on the mower. It is almost impossible to do and can be dangerous. To prevent the engine from accidentally starting when I work under the mower deck, I always remove the wire from the spark plug and bend it away so it can not come into contact with the spark plug. Manually turning the mower blade could ignite the engine, even with the fuel valve in OFF position. You might have to empty the fuel tank before you tilt the mower to remove the blade. You should at least turn the fuel valve to OFF position. Now, tilt the mower on the side with the fuel tank facing up. Find a suitable wrench for the blade bolt. Wear a thick glove, holding the blade stable while you loosen the blade bolt. The blade bolts are usually threaded in opposite direction with the blade revolution. To loosen the bolt You should move the outer end of the wrench towards the cutting edge of the blade. Here we have the blade removed and the bolt with two washers. This blade has no support holes and is only held in place by the big washer that is concave and builds up a great pressure when the bolt is tightened. You should mark which side is down on the blade and then clean it carefully before you start to sharpen it cause you have to balance it afterwards and any buildup gives you incorrect balance. This blade is very dull and has dents from hitting stones on the lawn. It should actually be replaced, but I decided to try if I could sharpen it and use it one more month. I put the blade in a vice and use a grinder to sharpen it. The edge should be made about 30 deg from horizontal. Don’t put too much pressure on the grinder. Just make a slight cut in each pass and repeat it several times. The cutting edge of the blade is relatively short, all inside the oval circle on the picture. If you need to remove lot of metal to make a good edge, the blade becomes very warm. You should allow the blade to cool down between passes to avoid hardening. When you finish sharpening the blade has to be balanced. Make sure that the center hole of the blade is clean and apply little bit of oil to it for lubrication. Put a screwdriver in the vice or just hold it horizontally and place the blade on it as shown. If the balance is correct the blade stays like that. If one end is heavier the blade will turn and the end facing down has to be ground more and the balancing repeated. Become a yard master! Get tips and ideas for creating a beautiful backyard from https://www.yardmasterz.com/yard-care/how-to-safely-sharpen-your-lawn-mower-blade/
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Lawn Mower Comparison GuideComparing Lawn Mower TypesGiven the wide variety of lawn mowers available – there are literally hundreds of different types to choose from – you should think carefully before you buy. Take a close look at your lawn and your needs before you begin the process of purchasing a mower. If you’re purchasing a new mower for your new home, be sure to figure out how much lawn you have. Figure out the square footage of all the lawn you’ll be mowing; most lawn mower recommendations are based on lawn size in square feet, or even acres if your lawn is larger. If you’re replacing your old lawn mower, you might already have a good idea of what type is best for you and which you prefer. Here are some things to consider:1. Take a good look at your lawn. Walk around the yard and determine what obstacles you might have to deal with. Are there trees, shrubs, walls, stones, ponds? If so, an electric cord mower could be problematic as the trees and walls will inhibit your movement. Is your lawn smooth or uneven? Is it level or on a slope? Self-propelled mowers are easier to use on slopes, but a push mower is the best choice for an uneven lawn. 2. Take a critical look at yourself. Do you like getting some exercise from mowing your lawn or do you see it at just more work? Would you feel comfortable changing oil and spark plugs on your mower or would you like to dispel with such work? If you don’t like mowing and don’t like maintenance work, you should consider buying a good-quality mower that does the job quickly. You might even want to consider hiring a gardener to do your mowing. 3. How much are you willing to spend? Will you be living in the same house in 5 years? Are you prepared to spend more to get a high-quality mower or do you prefer a less expensive but also less reliable one? When you buy a new lawn mower, you do get what you pay for. Reel MowersReel mowers are quiet, inexpensive and nonpolluting. When you push a reel mower, it turns a cylinder of curved blades against a stationary knife and cuts the grass a lot like a pair of scissors would. The mower is safe to operate and needs virtually no maintenance for years other than periodic blade adjustment. You should not have to sharpen the blades for years. Reel mowers are made for small, flat lawns up to a quarter-acre in size. They are not suitable for high grass. Click here to read about my recommended Reel Mowers. Electric/Battery Powered MowerIf the grass area on your yard is small, you mostly have trees and flowers or your lawn is divided into a front and back yard, you should consider an electric mower. Electric mowers are quite similar to gas push mowers except that an electric motor is replacing the gas engine. Under the motor there is a cutting blade and the cutting width is slightly narrower than with a gas mower. Electric mowers are light and quiet and easy to use. The only thing to worry about is the electric cord; you’ll have to use this to run your mower so it should not be longer than about 100 feet. If you don’t want to deal with the cords, consider going with a battery powered lawn mower, which can normally run about 45 minutes to 1 hour on a full battery charge. They’re just as powerful as some gas powered mowers and they’re friendly on the environment. Gas Push MowersGas-driven push mowers are still the most common lawn mowers for homeowners. They have a gasoline engine sitting on top of the mower deck, turning the horizontal blade. Gasoline engines have improved over the years – they are less noisy than they used to be, but they are still loud enough to wake the neighbors on a Saturday morning and they still pollute the air. Push mowers don’t have driven motors so they have to be pushed over the lawn. There are many brands to choose from and I have spent a lot of time comparing mowers in this category; keep in mind you get what you pay for. Push mowers like this are best for lawns up to half an acre in size. I highly recommend a mulching mower. Click here to read about my recommended Gas Push Mowers. Self Propelled Walk Behind Mower
If your lawn is larger than a half an acre or it’s hilly, you should seriously consider a self-propelled mower. Their front or rear wheels are driven from the engine, usually with a variable speed control. These mowers are easier to push and use and they are suitable for carrying clipping bags that would be very heavy to handle with a push mower. Rear wheel drive mowers have more traction on hills, but front wheel drive mowers have better maneuverability in corners if you push the handle down and lift the front wheels while turning. Self-propelled mowers are often bigger and heavier than push mowers. On the other hand, you can get the job done faster and on some models you can enjoy great features like electric starters. Click here to read about my recommended Self Propelled Mower. Riding MowersRiding mowers, also called garden tractors, are great for lawns bigger than ½-acre in size and comprised of any kind of grass. A ride-on mower will cost you quite a bit more than a walk-behind mower, so be sure to consider your needs and how often the mower will be used if you are considering a riding mower. Although a riding lawn mower is a larger investment than other mowers, they have distinct advantages over smaller models. Certainly, one benefit is the riding feature – great for a hot day with a lot of lawn that needs mowing. They can mulch or side-discharge the lawn clippings. Robot Mower – Automatic MowerThe newest trend in gardening is certainly the Automatic Robot Lawn Mower. This new mower, also called a “robomower”, literally does the work for you. They can mow the lawn during the night and then return to their charging station when the battery gets low. The benefits of robot mowers are numerous. You don’t have to push or ride a mower to get your lawn mowed, you don’t have to deal with clippings, you free up some of your precious weekend time, and the mulch it creates is a healthy alternative to your lawn over fertilizer. Become a yard master! Get tips and ideas for creating a beautiful backyard from https://www.yardmasterz.com/yard-care/lawn-mower-comparison-guide/ Lawnmower Repair - Troubleshooting Problemsby James Huntley | Updated 11/01/19From time to time you might have some trouble with your lawn mower. Many of them are minor and you can save yourself lots of money just by localizing the problem and then see if you can fix it yourself. The first sign of a problem is often a strange sound, heavy vibration or lack of control. you can sometimes connect the problem with an event like running over a stone on the lawn or the mower refuses to start after you did some work on it. Before we go any further on this, we have to realize that some lawn mower repairs are specialized and require both special tools and a skilled person to make the work done right. It is not possible for me to cover all brands and types of mowers and you have to realize that any work you make on your mower is on your own risk. In this article I will start with the most common problems that most owners should be able to deal with. Lawn Mower Does Not Start
Engine is Smoking Thick Gray Smoke
Light or Medium Smoke, Followed by Uneven Engine Run
Loss of Engine Power
Poor or Uneven CutExcessive VibrationStarter Rope Hard to Pull
Grass Catcher Not Filling (If Equipped)
Hard to Push (Push Mower)
Loss of Drive or Slowing of Drive Speed (Self Propelled Mower)
These are things you should check out first if You have a problem. I will go deeper into some of the problems in separate articles. Look for underlined links within the text. Become a yard master! Get tips and ideas for creating a beautiful backyard from https://www.yardmasterz.com/yard-care/lawnmower-repair-troubleshooting/ Black Friday Battery Lawn Mower Dealsby Christian Rogers | Updated 11/11/19Our Top Picks for Black Friday
Editors Pick: GreenWorks 25223 G-MAX 40V
Best Features: WORX WG774 Intellicut 20″ Mower
Top Value: Black & Decker CM2043C 20″ Cordless Mower
Best Battery: EGO Power+ 21 Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Mower
Best Power: Snapper XD SXDWM82K 21 Inch Cordless Mower Kit
Best Self Propelled: Greenworks 21-Inch M-210-SP Self-Propelled
Best Mower for Large Yards: Yard Force YF120vRX Lithium-Ion 22”
Best Battery Riding Mower: Ryobi 38 in Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower RY48111
Best Robotic Lawn Mower: Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 315
Top 5 Cordless Mowers We ReviewedSo you’re shopping around for the best battery lawn mower for your buck? The new generation of cordless, battery powered lawn mowers aren’t your Daddy’s old mower. These beauties pack power, style and some cool tech into an otherwise boring piece of gear that sits in your garage 99% of the time. Let’s face it, lawn mowers aren’t the sexiest of backyard tools. At least for me, they bring back nightmares of having to mow the yard as a kid when I’d rather be out doing something fun with my friends. If you are going to blow a few hundred bucks on a tool, wouldn’t a nice chain saw or nail gun be a lot more rewarding? There are a lot of models & options available, so we put together our list of the best cordless lawn mowers that won’t break the bank, but will still get your lawn looking amazing. TOP PICK – GreenWorks 25223 G-MAX 40V 19-Inch Cordless Lawn MowerThe GreenWorks Model 25223 mower came as the #1 lawn mower pick for 2019/2020. It has a bunch of amazing features that any homeowner will love. GreenWorks is a relatively newcomer to the home & yard care industry, but don’t let that bother you. They make an extremely high quality product which can be seen in the 25223 mower. With this lawn mower you get two 40V lithium ion batteries and charger (same as the B&D model above). You also have a 7 way, single lever grass height adjustment which can handle even the tallest grass. 3 in 1 bagging, mulching & discharge ability. The handle collapses for easy storage and transportation. This model has a 19″ cutting width and weighs in at only 53.1 pounds, which makes it very easy to push and maneuverable around borders and other objects. This mower has over 2 hours of charge time and has enough power to tackle just about any lawn. The GreenWorks Pro 25223 also has power adjusting technology which senses the grass height and increases or decreases power as needed to help save the battery. With 69% 5 star ratings at Amazon, others also agree that this is a solid lawn mower, with plenty of power on tap. A bonus is if you already own a leaf blower by GreenWorks, the batteries are the same. Sweet! Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
#2 WORX WG774 Intellicut 20″I’ve had very good experiences with the WORX brand products in the past. I’ve owned a WORX leaf blower back in 2018 as well as a hedge trimmer. Both have been going strong for over a year now so I was excited to test out the WORX WG774 Intellicut 56V. WORX did right by me, so I was sure this lawn mower would perform just as well as their other gear, and I was right. The WORX has all of the features you would expect in a quality cordless lawnmower in this price range. It comes with 2 56V batteries and charger that will let you cut up to 9,400 sq/feet of lawn. It features a 2 in 1 mulching and rear bagging option and easily folds down into a compact unit for easy storage. I was able to mow relatively tall grass with ease and got about 50 minutes of run time. I even let the kids push it around and they didn’t struggle, even in thicker grass. One of the cool things that I haven’t seen on other lawn mowers is the wash out port. You can literally hook up a hose to the port and it will clean under the deck, removing all of the grass clipping debris that accumulates. I love this feature. You can use the “Turbo Mode” for an extra boost of power, but keep in mind you’ll run through the batteries fast if you use Turbo too much. The WORX weighs in at about 65 pounds, which is pretty average. Unfortunately, this unit isn’t self propelled, so if you have hilly areas to cut, it will likely be a bit of work with this mower. But for flat yards, this lawn mower performs great. A 3 year manufacturers warranty is included. And if all this wasn’t enough, it’s got a awesome looking design, which you all know I like. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
#3 Black & Decker CM2043C 20″ Cordless MowerBlack & Decker has been making high quality, affordable power tools and equipment since 1910 and the CM2043C cordless lawnmower is no exception. While this mower is a bit on the higher end price wise, I really like the features packed into this model. You get two 40v MAX lithium ion batteries, which gives you plenty of run time to get your lawns mowed without having to sprint around the yard hoping it charge. The variable speed motor does an excellent job in conserving battery life which extends the run time. This model also features mulching, side ejection and bagging. The height adjustment is very simple, with 6 settings that can cut from 1.5″ to 4″ and handle all varieties of grass. Did I mention that this lawn mower can actually sense the thickness of the grass and adjust the power when it needs more juice for the really thick stuff or drop the power for lighter grass. Again, this conserves battery life, which is a brilliant feature. If you’re tired of gas powered mowers and gummed up carburetors that never start when you need them, the Black & Decker CM2043C is one of the premier mowers on the market. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
#4 EGO Power+ 21 Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Mower
As for features and performance, it’s extremely quiet, has a good bit of power(600w High Torque motor) and features a 56V Lithium-ion battery which gives you up to 2 miles of mowing time. This mower folds up into a very compact unit that makes storage a breeze. If you’re like me, where garage space is at a premium, you’ll be more than satisfied with how little space this mower need when folded down. A few other cool items to note are the 5 year tool / 3 year battery warranties. LED headlights for those times when you just have to mow your lawn at 2:00am, and multi-adjust height settings for getting the perfect cut. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
#5 Snapper XD SXDWM82K 21 Inch Cordless Mower KitI’m thoroughly impressed with nearly all of the goodies included with the Snapper XD. This lawn mower is a beast and while it’s a little more expensive, in the $450 range, if you have some serious mowing to do, and don’t want to go with a gas lawn mower, definitely put the Snapper XD on your short list of lawn mowers to consider. So you get about 45 minutes mow time from two Briggs & Stratton 82V Lithium-ion batteries, which is more than enough to handle most residential lawn mowing applications. The a batteries charge very quickly, so even if you do run out of battery power, you don’t have to wait long to get enough charge to finish your mowing job. This unit is one of the heavier models I reviewed, coming in at 90 pounds, but it still considerably lighter than most gas powered models and relatively easy to maneuver. One Amazon purchaser said that even his 10 year old daughter could push the lawn mower with ease. However, I would like to see them make a self-propelled version of this mower, just to help a little with the additional weight. The ergonomics of this lawn mower are great and it looks cool too (that’s important right?) It’s very comfortable to push and it folds up nicely for storage. Neighbors have commented on how quiet it is compared to the old, gas lawn mower I had for years. It’s nice to know that there’s less noise pollution in the neighborhood. Another nice perk is that there’s a full Snapper yard care system that includes a leaf blower, chain saw, hedge trimmer & weed edger. They all use the same battery system, so it’s a 100% interchangeable system. Review Summary
Top Features
Needs Improvement
Best Self Propelled Mower – Greenworks 21-Inch M-210-SP Self-Propelled
The M-210-SP is one of the latest self propelled battery powered mowers from Greenworks. It features a durable 21″ steel deck which will allow you to tackle big lawns with ease. With this lawn mower you get a quiet brushless motor that has tons of torque and a long life. The 3 in 1 design of this mower allows you to easily rear bag, mulch, or side discharge your grass clippings. A great feature you won’t find from many other manufacturers is the dual battery port, which allows you to store one battery, while the 2nd battery powers the mower. When one battery runs low, you have battery number 2 ready to roll, saving you a trip back to the garage. Other cool features include an onboard USB port for charging cell phones, tablets and devices. The M-210-SP has SmartCut technology which automatically adjusts the cutting height depending on the height of the lawn. Easy push button start is nice as well. When you’re all done, this model folds up into a small footprint for vertical storage. Obviously the self-propelled feature is the main allure for this particular mower. At 70lbs, you don’t even notice the weight, even when mowing thick grass. This package comes with one 40V Greenworks battery and rapid charger. The 40V GMAX battery is interchangeable with the full line of Greenworks 40V tools, including hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, edgers and snow throwers. You can expect to get about 40 minutes of run time on a fully charged battery and batteries will rapid charge in approximately 30 minutes. Like all Greenworks battery lawn mowers, you get a 4 year warranty on the machine and 2 year warranty on the battery/charger. Yes, the price tag is a bit hefty, but you’re getting a solid self propelled mower in the Greenworks M-210-SP. You’ll be glad you spent a little more on the self propelled model. Best Mower for Large Yards – Yard Force YF120vRX Lithium-Ion 22” 3 in 1 Mower
WOW! Right out of the gate the Yard Force YF120vRX 22″ self propelled mower is a MONSTER. This unit boasts a 120vRX brushless motor that has torque and power for days. So much so that you’ll think you’re using a gas powered mower which is exactly what you need if you’re going to be mowing larger yards. What makes this mower especially effective for big yards up to 1/2 acre is the dual battery port, which let’s you run for over 100 minutes when the twin 120v Lithium Ion batteries are at full charge. You can recharge a battery in about 30 minutes and be back on the job in no time. This package comes with the mower, (2) 120v Li batteries and the quick charger. As for the mower construction, it is rock solid and heavy at 109lbs. But don’t let the weight of this cordless lawn mower scare you. The self propelled motor makes pushing this unit through tall grass a breeze. The 22″ steel deck converts from bagging, to mulching, to side discharge with no hassle at all and the bag release is smooth and easy. The YF120vRX has easy push button start, single lever mow height adjuster and a quick release adjustable folding handle. Speaking of folding, this model folds down to 70% of it’s normal size. This makes storage in your garage or shed so easy. So the bottom line with the Yard Force is that if you have some serious lawn to cut, I’m talking in the 1/2 acre or more range, this beast will handle it without issue. You’ll think you’re using a gas mower with all the power on tap. You’ll find the price tag to be on the higher end, but let me tell you that you’re getting so much bang for the buck with this model, that you’ll quickly forget about the price once you start mowing down the back 40 of your property at record speeds. Best Battery Riding Mower – Ryobi 38 in Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower RY48111If you have an extremely large area of lawn to maintain, having a riding mower is essential. If you also like the convenience and simple maintenance of a battery operated mower, you’re going to love the Ryobi 38″ electric rear engine riding mower. While there are still not a lot of options for battery riding mowers, Ryobi has a winner on it’s hands with the RY48111. This model looks like a hybrid of a riding mower and dune buggy. Don’t let the looks fool you as this mower can handle seriously tough lawns..hills and all. If you’re worried about the battery life, don’t. You will get 2.5 hours run time from the 48V 100 Ah battery, which will let you mow approximately 2.5 acres of lawn. To charge the mower, simply plug it into any standard 120v outlet. Some of the other features included with this lawn mower are LED headlights, USB phone charger, cruise control, 38″ dual blade deck and 12 position manual deck adjustment. According to other owners, you can safely take this mower on 10-15% inclines without spinning the wheels. At 595 pounds, you will want to avoid soft or wet areas of your yard. You will easily leave some major tire tracks in the ground or even get stuck. Just something to be aware of. If you choose to go with this Ryobi, you’ll not only have a reliable machine that can handle even the largest mowing jobs, but you’ll be helping the environment by removing the harmful gas fumes produced by traditional riding mowers. It’s definitely a big investment, but riding mowers have never been cheap. In comparison to equivalent gas riding mowers, the Ryobi is a value and one you should consider. Best Robotic Lawn Mower – Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 315If you’re all about new “smart” technology then a robotic lawn mower just might be what you need to keep your lawn looking great while you sit back and watch the football game. Can you image how much time you’ll have for activities when you let your new robot mower handle the yard care duties? Believe me, it’s got my attention as well. So here’s the specs and details for this Husqvarna model. The AutoMower 315 weighs about 20 pounds and has a 70 minute mow time on full charge. You can charge the battery in one hour. The 315 can be adjusted to cut the lawn from 0.8″ to 2.4″. The max incline this mower can handle is approximately 22 degrees. To set things up, you will need to have boundary wires installed around your yard either by yourself or an authorized installer. These keep the mower on your property. After all, you don’t want to be mowing your neighbors yard right? You will also need to install the Connect@Home app on your mobile device. From there you can set and adjust the mowing schedule. The Bluetooth connectivity works up to 100 feet. Next, the Automower will train itself to learn your yard so it can smartly mow your lawn perfectly every time. The grass clippings are cut very fine and act as natural fertilizer for your grass. No bags to empty or endless raking. The Automower is so quiet you can schedule it for night mowing without bothering the neighbors. Imagine waking up to a gorgeous lawn after a good nights sleep. Rain or shine, the Husqvarna AutoMower will keep your yard looking amazing while you spend your free time doing the things you enjoy. Cordless Lawn Mower Buyers GuideEven though most of the cordless lawn mowers on the market today are very similar, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on a few of the details for what you should be looking at in a new battery mower. Take a second to read through this buyers guide and you’ll have no problem picking the right lawn mower for your lawn. Battery Voltage & Run TimeYou probably noticed that there are some different battery voltages in the units I reviewed above. Anywhere from 40V up to 84V. So does this mean the 84V battery will last twice as long as a 40V battery? Not necessarily, while you will get more run time from the larger voltage battery, the voltage is similar to the horsepower of the lawnmower. The higher voltage battery, the more power the electric engine can produce. The higher voltage lawnmowers will generally cost more than lower voltage models, so take that into consideration when choosing a model. Mower Blade Cut WidthThis is fairly self explanatory. A 19″ cut width will cut less grass in a single pass than a 21″ cut width. While this may not seem like much, it’s usually best to get the most cut width you can afford, but don’t sacrifice battery voltage or other nice features just for the larger cutting width. Lawn Mower WeightThis can be a big deal, especially for homeowners who are older or not able to push a traditional, heavy gas powered mower. Most of the cordless mowers weigh between 40 an 90 pounds, and you will notice the difference in weight after pushing it for 30 minutes, especially in thicker grass. A mower in the 50-60 pound range will be powerful, yet light enough for just about anyone to use without problem. Single vs. Dual BladesThis comes down to personal preference really. The only mower I tested with dual blades was the Poulan and it performed nicely, but not any better than the single blade models. This was the first dual blade lawnmower that I had ever used, but I don’t think it’s a “must have” feature. More importantly is keeping your blades sharp. Using a mower with a dull blade will look like you tried to mow your lawn with butter knife. Corded Lawn Mowers vs. Cordless MowersElectric Lawn Mowers
The big issue for corded electric lawn mowers is having to deal with that power cable. The cable clearly limits just how far you can you can go from your power source. Also if you have trees, shrubs and garden ornaments to navigate around then this becomes increasingly difficult with a cable trailing behind you. To increase your range you could use an extension cable, but this has serious safety implications in that it increases the risk of running over and accidentally cutting the cable. Also makes it more likely that your cable will become tangled up along the way. Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers
Cordless electric lawn mowers have no such limitations. You just have to make sure that your battery is fully charged and you can mow away without having to worry about an electric cable. The range of your mower will be limited of course by how long the battery will hold its charge; the premium lawnmowers have batteries that will allow it to mow a third of an acre from a single charge. If your lawn is larger than this then you could purchase a model where you can remove the battery. This then gives you the option of buying a second battery to increase the range of the mower; simply swap over the batteries when the charge of the first one has run down. Having a battery on board does increase the weight of the lawn mower slightly, but they’re still very easy to push along. Amazon, Amazon Prime, the Amazon logo and Amazon Prime logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission when you click on links and make purchases on Amazon. Become a yard master! Get tips and ideas for creating a beautiful backyard from https://www.yardmasterz.com/black-friday/battery-lawn-mower-deals/ Toro 51619 Ultra Blower Reviewby James Huntley | Updated 11/12/19For those who want a corded leaf blower, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac is a standout model. Owners and experts say it has a lot of power. It’s also effective at sweeping up wet and dry leaves, clippings and other debris. The metal impeller is larger than in the past and is considered effective at shredding. Though most say it’s easy to handle, the few negative user reviews we spotted include complaints that the Toro is heavy. Some say the leaf bag can be awkward to handle, and a few say that it doesn’t hold up as well as the rest of the machine. Specs:
DurabilitySolid internal components. To finely mulch leaves and twigs, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac uses a metal impeller with serrated shredding blades, a durable design that’s preferred by experts. The mulch bag and zipper aren’t as long lasting, according to user reviews. This is a new model so long-term durability is yet to be established, but the previous version had a good track record, with users saying it was still going strong after several seasons of use. The warranty is for two years. PerformancePowerful corded blower converts to a vacuum. The Toro 51619 Ultra Blower Vac is an update of a well-reviewed and well liked leaf blower, the Toro 51609 Ultra Blower Vac (Est. $85) [B007POATV4], which has been discontinued by Toro but is still widely available at retail sites. TheSweetHome.com says that the changes in this upgrade appear to be minor (pending its own testing) so performance should be similar. The specs show that it features a slightly more powerful motor, capable of moving up to 410 cfm of air at speeds of up to 250 mph. User reviews are starting to come in, and so far it’s mostly aces, with terrific performance largely reported both when blowing leaves and sucking them up and mulching them. With a new, larger impeller, mulching leaves and other debris cuts down their volume by about 88 percent. A variable-speed trigger allows users to select the right power level for each job. Ease of useGood handling with a few caveats. The Toro Ultra Blower Vac is designed to make changing from blowing to vacuuming mode a breeze. The new model’s more powerful performance also brings with it a one pound increase in weight, to 8.5 pounds. While we can’t be sure that’s why, we did see several user complaints saying that the new Toro is heavy. A nice touch is that when the blowing and vacuuming are done, everything can be stowed inside the vacuum bag, which can then be hung on a wall. At a noise rating of 68 dB, the Toro is relatively quiet, especially compared to a gas model, but still loud enough that wearing hearing protection while using it is a good idea. Become a yard master! Get tips and ideas for creating a beautiful backyard from https://www.yardmasterz.com/toro-51619-ultra-leaf-blower-review/ Black Friday Battery Powered Lawn Mower Dealsby Christian Rogers | Updated 11/11/19Our Top Picks For Black Friday
Editors Pick: GreenWorks 25223 G-MAX 40V
Best Features: WORX WG774 Intellicut 20″ Mower
Top Value: Black & Decker CM2043C 20″ Cordless Mower
Best Battery: EGO Power+ 21 Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Mower
Best Power: Snapper XD SXDWM82K 21 Inch Cordless Mower Kit
Best Self Propelled: Greenworks 21-Inch M-210-SP Self-Propelled
Best Mower for Large Yards: Yard Force YF120vRX Lithium-Ion 22”
Best Battery Riding Mower: Ryobi 38 in Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower RY48111
Best Robotic Lawn Mower: Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 315
Top 5 Cordless Mowers We ReviewedSo you’re shopping around for the best battery lawn mower for your buck? The new generation of cordless, battery powered lawn mowers aren’t your Daddy’s old mower. These beauties pack power, style and some cool tech into an otherwise boring piece of gear that sits in your garage 99% of the time. Let’s face it, lawn mowers aren’t the sexiest of backyard tools. At least for me, they bring back nightmares of having to mow the yard as a kid when I’d rather be out doing something fun with my friends. If you are going to blow a few hundred bucks on a tool, wouldn’t a nice chain saw or nail gun be a lot more rewarding? There are a lot of models & options available, so we put together our list of the best cordless lawn mowers that won’t break the bank, but will still get your lawn looking amazing. TOP PICK – GreenWorks 25223 G-MAX 40V 19-Inch Cordless Lawn MowerThe GreenWorks Model 25223 mower came as the #1 lawn mower pick for 2019/2020. It has a bunch of amazing features that any homeowner will love. GreenWorks is a relatively newcomer to the home & yard care industry, but don’t let that bother you. They make an extremely high quality product which can be seen in the 25223 mower. With this lawn mower you get two 40V lithium ion batteries and charger (same as the B&D model above). You also have a 7 way, single lever grass height adjustment which can handle even the tallest grass. 3 in 1 bagging, mulching & discharge ability. The handle collapses for easy storage and transportation. This model has a 19″ cutting width and weighs in at only 53.1 pounds, which makes it very easy to push and maneuverable around borders and other objects. This mower has over 2 hours of charge time and has enough power to tackle just about any lawn. The GreenWorks Pro 25223 also has power adjusting technology which senses the grass height and increases or decreases power as needed to help save the battery. With 69% 5 star ratings at Amazon, others also agree that this is a solid lawn mower, with plenty of power on tap. A bonus is if you already own a leaf blower by GreenWorks, the batteries are the same. Sweet! Review Summary
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#2 WORX WG774 Intellicut 20″I’ve had very good experiences with the WORX brand products in the past. I’ve owned a WORX leaf blower back in 2018 as well as a hedge trimmer. Both have been going strong for over a year now so I was excited to test out the WORX WG774 Intellicut 56V. WORX did right by me, so I was sure this lawn mower would perform just as well as their other gear, and I was right. The WORX has all of the features you would expect in a quality cordless lawnmower in this price range. It comes with 2 56V batteries and charger that will let you cut up to 9,400 sq/feet of lawn. It features a 2 in 1 mulching and rear bagging option and easily folds down into a compact unit for easy storage. I was able to mow relatively tall grass with ease and got about 50 minutes of run time. I even let the kids push it around and they didn’t struggle, even in thicker grass. One of the cool things that I haven’t seen on other lawn mowers is the wash out port. You can literally hook up a hose to the port and it will clean under the deck, removing all of the grass clipping debris that accumulates. I love this feature. You can use the “Turbo Mode” for an extra boost of power, but keep in mind you’ll run through the batteries fast if you use Turbo too much. The WORX weighs in at about 65 pounds, which is pretty average. Unfortunately, this unit isn’t self propelled, so if you have hilly areas to cut, it will likely be a bit of work with this mower. But for flat yards, this lawn mower performs great. A 3 year manufacturers warranty is included. And if all this wasn’t enough, it’s got a awesome looking design, which you all know I like. Review Summary
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#3 Black & Decker CM2043C 20″ Cordless MowerBlack & Decker has been making high quality, affordable power tools and equipment since 1910 and the CM2043C cordless lawnmower is no exception. While this mower is a bit on the higher end price wise, I really like the features packed into this model. You get two 40v MAX lithium ion batteries, which gives you plenty of run time to get your lawns mowed without having to sprint around the yard hoping it charge. The variable speed motor does an excellent job in conserving battery life which extends the run time. This model also features mulching, side ejection and bagging. The height adjustment is very simple, with 6 settings that can cut from 1.5″ to 4″ and handle all varieties of grass. Did I mention that this lawn mower can actually sense the thickness of the grass and adjust the power when it needs more juice for the really thick stuff or drop the power for lighter grass. Again, this conserves battery life, which is a brilliant feature. If you’re tired of gas powered mowers and gummed up carburetors that never start when you need them, the Black & Decker CM2043C is one of the premier mowers on the market. Review Summary
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#4 EGO Power+ 21 Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Mower
As for features and performance, it’s extremely quiet, has a good bit of power(600w High Torque motor) and features a 56V Lithium-ion battery which gives you up to 2 miles of mowing time. This mower folds up into a very compact unit that makes storage a breeze. If you’re like me, where garage space is at a premium, you’ll be more than satisfied with how little space this mower need when folded down. A few other cool items to note are the 5 year tool / 3 year battery warranties. LED headlights for those times when you just have to mow your lawn at 2:00am, and multi-adjust height settings for getting the perfect cut. Review Summary
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#5 Snapper XD SXDWM82K 21 Inch Cordless Mower KitI’m thoroughly impressed with nearly all of the goodies included with the Snapper XD. This lawn mower is a beast and while it’s a little more expensive, in the $450 range, if you have some serious mowing to do, and don’t want to go with a gas lawn mower, definitely put the Snapper XD on your short list of lawn mowers to consider. So you get about 45 minutes mow time from two Briggs & Stratton 82V Lithium-ion batteries, which is more than enough to handle most residential lawn mowing applications. The a batteries charge very quickly, so even if you do run out of battery power, you don’t have to wait long to get enough charge to finish your mowing job. This unit is one of the heavier models I reviewed, coming in at 90 pounds, but it still considerably lighter than most gas powered models and relatively easy to maneuver. One Amazon purchaser said that even his 10 year old daughter could push the lawn mower with ease. However, I would like to see them make a self-propelled version of this mower, just to help a little with the additional weight. The ergonomics of this lawn mower are great and it looks cool too (that’s important right?) It’s very comfortable to push and it folds up nicely for storage. Neighbors have commented on how quiet it is compared to the old, gas lawn mower I had for years. It’s nice to know that there’s less noise pollution in the neighborhood. Another nice perk is that there’s a full Snapper yard care system that includes a leaf blower, chain saw, hedge trimmer & weed edger. They all use the same battery system, so it’s a 100% interchangeable system. Review Summary
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Best Self Propelled Mower – Greenworks 21-Inch M-210-SP Self-Propelled
The M-210-SP is one of the latest self propelled battery powered mowers from Greenworks. It features a durable 21″ steel deck which will allow you to tackle big lawns with ease. With this lawn mower you get a quiet brushless motor that has tons of torque and a long life. The 3 in 1 design of this mower allows you to easily rear bag, mulch, or side discharge your grass clippings. A great feature you won’t find from many other manufacturers is the dual battery port, which allows you to store one battery, while the 2nd battery powers the mower. When one battery runs low, you have battery number 2 ready to roll, saving you a trip back to the garage. Other cool features include an onboard USB port for charging cell phones, tablets and devices. The M-210-SP has SmartCut technology which automatically adjusts the cutting height depending on the height of the lawn. Easy push button start is nice as well. When you’re all done, this model folds up into a small footprint for vertical storage. Obviously the self-propelled feature is the main allure for this particular mower. At 70lbs, you don’t even notice the weight, even when mowing thick grass. This package comes with one 40V Greenworks battery and rapid charger. The 40V GMAX battery is interchangeable with the full line of Greenworks 40V tools, including hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, edgers and snow throwers. You can expect to get about 40 minutes of run time on a fully charged battery and batteries will rapid charge in approximately 30 minutes. Like all Greenworks battery lawn mowers, you get a 4 year warranty on the machine and 2 year warranty on the battery/charger. Yes, the price tag is a bit hefty, but you’re getting a solid self propelled mower in the Greenworks M-210-SP. You’ll be glad you spent a little more on the self propelled model. Best Mower for Large Yards – Yard Force YF120vRX Lithium-Ion 22” 3 in 1 Mower
WOW! Right out of the gate the Yard Force YF120vRX 22″ self propelled mower is a MONSTER. This unit boasts a 120vRX brushless motor that has torque and power for days. So much so that you’ll think you’re using a gas powered mower which is exactly what you need if you’re going to be mowing larger yards. What makes this mower especially effective for big yards up to 1/2 acre is the dual battery port, which let’s you run for over 100 minutes when the twin 120v Lithium Ion batteries are at full charge. You can recharge a battery in about 30 minutes and be back on the job in no time. This package comes with the mower, (2) 120v Li batteries and the quick charger. As for the mower construction, it is rock solid and heavy at 109lbs. But don’t let the weight of this cordless lawn mower scare you. The self propelled motor makes pushing this unit through tall grass a breeze. The 22″ steel deck converts from bagging, to mulching, to side discharge with no hassle at all and the bag release is smooth and easy. The YF120vRX has easy push button start, single lever mow height adjuster and a quick release adjustable folding handle. Speaking of folding, this model folds down to 70% of it’s normal size. This makes storage in your garage or shed so easy. So the bottom line with the Yard Force is that if you have some serious lawn to cut, I’m talking in the 1/2 acre or more range, this beast will handle it without issue. You’ll think you’re using a gas mower with all the power on tap. You’ll find the price tag to be on the higher end, but let me tell you that you’re getting so much bang for the buck with this model, that you’ll quickly forget about the price once you start mowing down the back 40 of your property at record speeds. Best Battery Riding Mower – Ryobi 38 in Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower RY48111If you have an extremely large area of lawn to maintain, having a riding mower is essential. If you also like the convenience and simple maintenance of a battery operated mower, you’re going to love the Ryobi 38″ electric rear engine riding mower. While there are still not a lot of options for battery riding mowers, Ryobi has a winner on it’s hands with the RY48111. This model looks like a hybrid of a riding mower and dune buggy. Don’t let the looks fool you as this mower can handle seriously tough lawns..hills and all. If you’re worried about the battery life, don’t. You will get 2.5 hours run time from the 48V 100 Ah battery, which will let you mow approximately 2.5 acres of lawn. To charge the mower, simply plug it into any standard 120v outlet. Some of the other features included with this lawn mower are LED headlights, USB phone charger, cruise control, 38″ dual blade deck and 12 position manual deck adjustment. According to other owners, you can safely take this mower on 10-15% inclines without spinning the wheels. At 595 pounds, you will want to avoid soft or wet areas of your yard. You will easily leave some major tire tracks in the ground or even get stuck. Just something to be aware of. If you choose to go with this Ryobi, you’ll not only have a reliable machine that can handle even the largest mowing jobs, but you’ll be helping the environment by removing the harmful gas fumes produced by traditional riding mowers. It’s definitely a big investment, but riding mowers have never been cheap. In comparison to equivalent gas riding mowers, the Ryobi is a value and one you should consider. Best Robotic Lawn Mower – Husqvarna AUTOMOWER 315If you’re all about new “smart” technology then a robotic lawn mower just might be what you need to keep your lawn looking great while you sit back and watch the football game. Can you image how much time you’ll have for activities when you let your new robot mower handle the yard care duties? Believe me, it’s got my attention as well. So here’s the specs and details for this Husqvarna model. The AutoMower 315 weighs about 20 pounds and has a 70 minute mow time on full charge. You can charge the battery in one hour. The 315 can be adjusted to cut the lawn from 0.8″ to 2.4″. The max incline this mower can handle is approximately 22 degrees. To set things up, you will need to have boundary wires installed around your yard either by yourself or an authorized installer. These keep the mower on your property. After all, you don’t want to be mowing your neighbors yard right? You will also need to install the Connect@Home app on your mobile device. From there you can set and adjust the mowing schedule. The Bluetooth connectivity works up to 100 feet. Next, the Automower will train itself to learn your yard so it can smartly mow your lawn perfectly every time. The grass clippings are cut very fine and act as natural fertilizer for your grass. No bags to empty or endless raking. The Automower is so quiet you can schedule it for night mowing without bothering the neighbors. Imagine waking up to a gorgeous lawn after a good nights sleep. Rain or shine, the Husqvarna AutoMower will keep your yard looking amazing while you spend your free time doing the things you enjoy. Cordless Lawn Mower Buyers GuideEven though most of the cordless lawn mowers on the market today are very similar, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on a few of the details for what you should be looking at in a new battery mower. Take a second to read through this buyers guide and you’ll have no problem picking the right lawn mower for your lawn. Battery Voltage & Run TimeYou probably noticed that there are some different battery voltages in the units I reviewed above. Anywhere from 40V up to 84V. So does this mean the 84V battery will last twice as long as a 40V battery? Not necessarily, while you will get more run time from the larger voltage battery, the voltage is similar to the horsepower of the lawnmower. The higher voltage battery, the more power the electric engine can produce. The higher voltage lawnmowers will generally cost more than lower voltage models, so take that into consideration when choosing a model. Mower Blade Cut WidthThis is fairly self explanatory. A 19″ cut width will cut less grass in a single pass than a 21″ cut width. While this may not seem like much, it’s usually best to get the most cut width you can afford, but don’t sacrifice battery voltage or other nice features just for the larger cutting width. Lawn Mower WeightThis can be a big deal, especially for homeowners who are older or not able to push a traditional, heavy gas powered mower. Most of the cordless mowers weigh between 40 an 90 pounds, and you will notice the difference in weight after pushing it for 30 minutes, especially in thicker grass. A mower in the 50-60 pound range will be powerful, yet light enough for just about anyone to use without problem. Single vs. Dual BladesThis comes down to personal preference really. The only mower I tested with dual blades was the Poulan and it performed nicely, but not any better than the single blade models. This was the first dual blade lawnmower that I had ever used, but I don’t think it’s a “must have” feature. More importantly is keeping your blades sharp. Using a mower with a dull blade will look like you tried to mow your lawn with butter knife. Corded Lawn Mowers vs. Cordless MowersElectric Lawn Mowers
The big issue for corded electric lawn mowers is having to deal with that power cable. The cable clearly limits just how far you can you can go from your power source. Also if you have trees, shrubs and garden ornaments to navigate around then this becomes increasingly difficult with a cable trailing behind you. To increase your range you could use an extension cable, but this has serious safety implications in that it increases the risk of running over and accidentally cutting the cable. Also makes it more likely that your cable will become tangled up along the way. Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers
Cordless electric lawn mowers have no such limitations. You just have to make sure that your battery is fully charged and you can mow away without having to worry about an electric cable. The range of your mower will be limited of course by how long the battery will hold its charge; the premium lawnmowers have batteries that will allow it to mow a third of an acre from a single charge. If your lawn is larger than this then you could purchase a model where you can remove the battery. This then gives you the option of buying a second battery to increase the range of the mower; simply swap over the batteries when the charge of the first one has run down. Having a battery on board does increase the weight of the lawn mower slightly, but they’re still very easy to push along. Amazon, Amazon Prime, the Amazon logo and Amazon Prime logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission when you click on links and make purchases on Amazon. Become a yard master! Get tips and ideas for creating a beautiful backyard from https://www.yardmasterz.com/black-friday/battery-powered-lawn-mowers/ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Feature ComparisonTake a look at some of the product specs of the portable outdoor bluetooth speakers I reviewed. If you’re going to be doing any serous entertaining in your back yard this summer, you’re going to want to crank some tunes. A portable outdoor bluetooth speaker system is exactly what you’ll need to get the party going and you don’t have to spend a fortune for a great sounding wireless speaker that also looks good and stands up to water and weather. I got my hands on a dozen of the best bluetooth speakers that are in the $200 range and below. I picked my favorite 5 speakers based on sound quality, ease of set up, quality of construction, ergonomics and style. You can definitely spend a lot more money on a portable speaker set up, but in my opinion there’s no need. There’s plenty of great units in this mid price range that will knock your socks off and have you enjoying hours of listening while you barbecue with friends and family or hang out by the pool. Check out the list below.
Top Pick – OontZ Angle 3XL by Cambridge SoundWorksMy final pick from the wireless outdoor speakers that I tested is the Angle 3XL, one of the larger portable speakers offered by OontZ. As one of the most affordable options on the list (tied with the GGMM speaker), it’s certainly a good investment. It’s lightweight for its size and has all of the standard features a portable speaker needs. The sound quality is good for a speaker at this price point, with plenty of clarity even at high volumes. With a built-in mic, this speaker can be used for phone calls or accessing voice assistants. It’s compatible with an Echo Dot. Importantly, it’s also water resistant, so it’s safe for pool- or any backyard entertaining scenarios. However, it can’t be submerged in water, as it’s not fully waterproof. That’s not ideal, but it’s not a huge con. This speaker offers around 8 hours of play time, though it may die in as few as 5 hours if you’re playing it at top volume. It can be played using a power cord, of course, but a longer battery life would be nice for a speaker like this. Where this speaker really stands out, though, is in the volume at 20 watts of power. It has the capacity to get much louder than other speakers of similar size, and the difference is clearly noticeable. It would work perfectly for bringing to multiple outdoor events, since it’s easily portable yet packs a lot of sound into a small device. Review Summary
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2. Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker IIThis portable Bluetooth speaker from Bose was my next test. It’s on the other end of the spectrum from the Sound Link speakers in that it’s super compact and completely wireless, designed for carrying around from place to place easily. This speaker has a couple extra perks that I think is crucial in a Bluetooth speaker, though there are trade-offs. Firstly, the speaker is built with a rechargeable battery that can be charged using a USB cord. It offers up to 8 hours of play time on one charge, which isn’t as much as some other brands though it’s still plenty enough for regular use. You can also play the speaker using USB power if the battery is running low. The Bluetooth connectivity on this speaker is great — it’s consistent and rarely, if ever, spotty. The range is supposed to be around 33 feet, and that seems to hold true in my backyard testing. Not only can you play music through Bluetooth, but you can also connect to digital voice assistants like Siri, Google or Alexa using the built-in mic on the Bose speaker. You can also use the speaker to make phone calls, although you may not want your phone call blasted across the room. Speaking of the sound, this speaker has impressively rich, full sound for such a small speaker. That’s not surprising, considering that it’s a Bose product, but it’s still a nice bonus for a small, unassuming portable speaker like this one. The volume is loud without sacrificing sound quality. One last perk of this speaker is that it’s water-resistant, so you can use it by the shower or pool without any problems. That’s a major plus in my mind, since bringing the speaker to the beach or pool is practically the whole point of buying an outdoor Bluetooth speaker! This speaker is easy to use for the technologically-proficient, though the controls might be a bit tricky for some. In addition, the 8-hour battery life is likely not enough for those who want a speaker that can play background music all day long. Review Summary
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3. MacroBoom IP67 Bluetooth Speaker by RoamProofThe MacroBoom was definitely designed for rugged, outdoor use. It’s completely waterproof, has a fairly long battery life of 15 hours, and is able to be charged using solar power in addition to a regular USB connection. That’s a pretty unique set of features, and this speaker would be ideal for a weekend camping trip or day hike. It even comes with an included tote bag and carabiner in the package, along with a mount for attaching it to your trail bike. Aside from these bonus features, this speaker is a good all-around performer. It has a built-in mic for taking phone calls. The generous battery life makes it easy to use without worrying about a dead speaker, though keep in mind that it’ll die sooner if you’re playing it at consistently high volume levels. It has slightly louder volume than you’d expect for a speaker of this size. The sound quality is good. It’s clear throughout all volume levels and has plenty of bass. The Bluetooth connectivity is stable within range as well. If you plan to buy this for home use, you might buy a pair of two and connect them using the dual pairing feature. I didn’t happen to take this speaker camping, but I did try out the solar charging feature. It does work, but predictably is slower than charging with a USB — a lot slower. It barely charged at all over the course of a full day of sun. It’s probably more of a back-up option for when a regular power source is unavailable. The speaker is waterproof for up to 30 minutes of submersion in shallow water, so it’s easy to take it by the pool or beach without worrying about the occasional dunk. It’d also work well as an outdoor shower speaker. Review Summary
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4. GGMM E5 Wireless Smart Speaker with Amazon AlexaThe GGMM E5 speaker is one of the more sleek looking speaker systems of the bunch. It comes in a shallow rectangular square shape with a detachable leather strap, so you can carry it around like a tote bag if need be. It’s an easily-portable medium size, not too big and not too small. This speaker offers about 15 hours of play time, depending on the volume. Unlike the other outdoor Bluetooth speakers on this list, the GGMM speaker offers Wi-Fi connectivity in addition to Bluetooth, which is convenient for saving on battery life. The Bluetooth connection is remarkably stable, while the Wi-Fi connection can introduce a slight lag at times depending on the quality of the internet connection. The sound quality is great considering the low price. One perk is that there are bass and treble knobs, so you can adjust the sound to your own liking. The volume is typical for the size — it gets loud enough for your average low-key pool party. This speaker comes with a built-in mic as well as an app for connecting to Amazon’s voice assistant service, Alexa. Using assistants like Alexa is so convenient — you can adjust the volume or change the song without having to get up and go to your phone. However, the app itself is not the most smooth or modern-feeling, and you do have to have an Amazon account to be able to use Alexa. The other downside to this speaker is the lack of waterproofing or weatherproofing of any kind. I’d be nervous using it outdoors in an area where it may rain or fall into a body of water. But it’s totally portable, so you can bring it in when you’re not outside using it. The set-up for this speaker is easy and fast. Since it’s reasonably priced, it’d be a good option for buying multiple speakers and placing one in each room. Review Summary
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5. Pyle Wireless Bluetooth Weatherproof SpeakersThe first set of speakers I checked out were the Pyle Bluetooth speaker. They are the largest of the bunch and comes in a pair of two. While it does offer a wireless Bluetooth option for playing music, the sheer size of the speakers requires that they use a corded power supply. Luckily, the power cord is 25 feet long, which is far longer than most people would need. The cord connecting each speaker is generous, too. These speakers are “weatherproof,” but nowhere does Sound Appeal describe them as fully or partially waterproof, so I would hesitate to leave them out uncovered in a storm. For light drizzles, wind and other weather, however, they stay put and experience no damage. That makes them perfect for a porch or other covered-outdoor-area situation. In terms of ease of use, you can’t get much easier than this. Simply plug them in and connect via Bluetooth. The sound is adequate for my needs, but on the other hand, they aren’t as loud as one would expect for speakers of this size. As for the quality of the sound, it’s well-balanced and clear. It’s great quality for the price. Now for the downsides. The Bluetooth connectivity can be a bit spotty with these speakers if the source roams too far away, even though the range is supposed to be 60 feet. In addition, the large size makes them not quite as convenient for those who want a versatile speaker — they’re better for mounting in one spot permanently. They’d probably work well for those with a large property or those who like to throw large parties often. If you decide to use them for that purpose, these are a good bargain. One recommendation is to plug them into a switched outlet rather than a standard one so that you’re able to turn the speakers on and off easily as needed. Reaching the volume switch could be a pain otherwise, especially if you mount them up high, which seems to be their intended use. Review Summary
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Portable Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker Buyers GuideWhile a lot of the portable wireless bluetooth speakers on the market my look very similar there are some different features that you will want to consider when purchasing a speaker system for your outdoor space. Here is a short wireless speaker buyer guide to help get you pointed in the right direction. Speaker Sound Output & VolumeSince you’re probably going to be using your speaker system outdoors much of the time, you’ll want to get a unit that can perform well at higher volume levels if needed. This is especially important for parties and large gatherings where listeners may not be centrally located. For this, you’ll want to pay attention to the output watts for the speakers you’re considering. Any speaker with 20+ watts is going to have enough power to play at higher volume levels. However, keep in mind that this not only drains the battery faster, but not all speakers will sound as good at higher listening levels. Of the speakers I tested, the Oontz Angle at 20W output performed very well at louder levels. Make sure you get enough watts to handle any listening level you may need. Bluetooth or WiFi (Wireless)
While both bluetooth and wifi speakers connect without wires to their sound source, there are a few differences in the way they function that may be important to consider. Bluetooth speakers are generally battery powered, compact and very portable. The connection range is generally limited to about 30 feet, so you need your sound source relatively close by. A WiFi speaker connects to your home internet network connection and has a much greater range. You can also connect multiple speakers that can be located in different areas of your home or yard. Some wireless speakers have both bluetooth & WiFi capability, but make sure you get a unit that fits your particular needs. Weather & WaterOutdoor speakers need to be tough and durable. If you’re going to be using them by a pool or body of water, it’s a good idea to consider getting a model that’s at the very least water resistant. Some speakers like the MacroBoom IP67 are waterproof and can be submerged in shallow water without causing damage to the waterproof speaker system. Be sure to check the specs and ensure it’s listed as weatherproof or waterproof if you’re going to be using the system mainly outdoors. Wireless Speaker Style CountsYou’re going to find portable bluetooth speakers in all shapes, sizes and colors. It’s entirely your call which look you want to go with for your portable backyard speaker system. You can get slim units, boxes, tubes, triangles and even eggs & circles. The shape you pick will affect the sound and the portability of the unit. So keep that in mind before you buy. Bluetooth Speakers Inputs & ConnectionsNearly all speaker models will have aux inputs that will allow you to connect televisions, portable video & audio players. Some will also have USB ports so you can charge other devices or connect to other devices via a standard USB cable. As for outputs, if you want to add an additional speaker or sub-woofer to your bluetooth system, these outputs will allow you to do that with ease. from https://www.yardmasterz.com/entertaining/best-outdoor-wireless-bluetooth-speakers/ Swimming Pool Landscaping Tipsby Christian Rogers | Updated 11/11/19Having a swimming pool in your landscape can make it look more scenic and increase its aesthetic value. This article discusses in detail the types of pools available to a landscaper and the ones that are really of value in pool landscaping. Types of PoolsBasically there are two types of pools that a landscaper can go for – Above ground pools and In-ground pools. Above-Ground PoolsAbove the ground pools are movable pools that can be installed and removed when required. They are the least expensive of readymade pools and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Above ground pools are easy to set up and can be brought at very affordable rates, but when it comes to adding to the beauty of a landscape, they simply fail the job. As a landscaper you can go for this type of a pool in-case you are not ready for a permanent structure in your backyard. In-Ground PoolsIn-ground pools are the real type of pools that fit into your landscape permanently. Basically in-ground pools are available in three different varieties – Concrete Pools, Vinyl-liner in-ground pools and Fiberglass pools. Concrete Pools: Concrete pools are the ones that are custom built by the landscaping service provider or pool builder you choose. Concrete pools are quite popular when it comes to professional landscaping as they can be custom designed to suite the specific requirements of the landscape. In addition they are cheaper in comparison to other kinds of readymade in-ground pools. The only drawback that concrete type pools have in relation to other types is the fact that they can take a longer time to manufacture. Fiberglass Pools: Fiberglass pools are readymade factory manufactured pools that resemble the shape of an oversized bathtub. These types of pools can be installed in one piece in landscapes after the excavation is completed. The major advantage that fiberglass pools have over others is the relatively lower time in which they can be installed. The drawback of-course is the added cost and lack of variety to choose from. But for landscapers looking for an immediate pool solution without much fuss, this is the way to go. Vinyl Liner Pool: Vinyl liner pools make use of vinyl lining that covers the excavated area of the pool along with paneled walls. The liner is held in place using vinyl ribs using which it is connected to the top of panel walls. Installation can be done within one to three weeks. If you are looking for a cheaper option for your landscape then vinyl liner pool would be your best bet. Fencing your poolPools are meant to be secure and fencing around it helps you do just that. Fencing your pools will also help you keep children, pets and other non-swimmers away from the pool. In turn many communities might have rules to have fences around the pools. You can build a fence on your own with the use of pressure treated wood material or anti-corrosive metals. In addition you can also go for prefabricated fencing kits that are easily available. Fences can be made five to six feet high with spacing of 3 – 4 inches. Planting Around the PoolPlanting around your landscape pool is a great idea as it not only improves the overall beauty; it also protects you from unwanted views providing much needed privacy. In addition plants will serve as insulating area around the pool and can be used to hide pipes and other pool equipment. It is important that plants near the pool do not shed a lot of debris and are easy to maintain. This is because cleaning the pool of plant wastes again and again can be a real pain. In addition make sure not to use plants with thorny edges around the pool. Lighting around the PoolImagine partying around your pool; do you see that exotic illumination coming from somewhere making your pool look all the more wonderful. You can achieve this in reality by making use of proper exterior as well as underwater lighting. Underwater lighting is also important to increase the safety and can prove useful for people with poor vision and those under the effect of alcohol. In addition to the safety aspect, proper lighting around your pool can add to its beauty hugely creating an inviting environment during night hours. So make sure you go for proper lighting for your pool. Become a yard master! Get tips and ideas for creating a beautiful backyard from https://www.yardmasterz.com/pool-spa/landscaping-around-pools/ Tips for Growing Amazing Tomatosby James Huntley | Updated 11/10/19
Even though we are getting towards the end of the 2019 growing season in the area of the country that I live in, I wanted to share some tomato tips information. If you are like one of the over 35 million gardeners that will plant tomatoes, you can choose from big beefsteak or a small cherry tomato.
Tomato Tips #1:The easiest and fastest way to grow a tomato crop is to start with transplants. Only start with seeds if you have an area that you can grow the plant indoors until it is sturdy enough to plant outdoors. If you decide to start with seeds, plant the seeds in pots that are filled with soil, peat moss and vermiculite up to 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last spring frost in your area. Once the seedlings have sprouted two sets of leaves, you will need to transplant them into a bigger pot.Tomato Tips #2:Seedlings will need lots of heat and light, so you’ll want to place them in a sunny window or under an artificial light. If you are placing your seeds under an artificial light, position the lights approximately 4 to 6 inches above the seedlings to encourage a stouter stem. If you have started growing your seedling indoors, before you plant them permanently outside, set them outside for a couple of hours every day. Plant them permanently outside once the temperature stays above 55 degrees.Tomato Tips #3:Make sure to support your tomatoes with stakes, cages or trellises. Tomatoes can be grown until the first frost kills them. If you are limited on space for your garden, choose the Roma or another bush variety tomato for containers or small areas.Tomato Tips #4:Tomatoes grow best in soil that has a pH level between 5.8 and 7. Test your soil. If you have a clay or sandy type soil, mix in some compost. Don’t overdo the use of nitrogen fertilizers because that will only produce more leaves, not more fruit.Tomato Tips #5:You need to make sure that your tomatoes get at least an inch of water per week. Watering early in the morning will decrease disease and leaf burn. Establish a consistent watering schedule for your plants and then stick with it.Tomato Tips #6:Mulch your plants to keep them moist. Mulching will also help protect low-growing tomatoes from being damaged from resting on the ground and prevent soil from splashing on them during watering. Soil splashing on your plants can cause disease. Mulching also keeps the soil cool and controls weeds. You can use leaves, hay or herbicide-free grass clippings to mulch your plants. Once these materials break down, they will add organic matter to the soil.Tomato Tips #7:If you have suckers on your plants, remove them. Suckers dilute the flow of energy. Your plants will try to grow more fruit and mature all the fruit if there are a lot of suckers. Removing them will give you fewer but earlier fruit. Just be careful not to remove to many leaves because they are producing the energy needed to make delicious tomatoes.Become a yard master! Get tips and ideas for creating a beautiful backyard from https://www.yardmasterz.com/yard-care/tips-for-growing-amazing-tomatoes/ |
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