Investing in some power tools for your garden could allow you to maintain it more thoroughly and efficiently. But just which power tools are worth buying? And how do you ensure that you buy the right garden power tools? This guide delves more into some of the gadgets every green-fingered garden owner needs, as well as some of the important factors to consider when shopping for these garden tools.
What are some popular garden power tools?
Many different power tools can come in handy when maintaining a garden. A few of the most popular tools are listed below:
- Lawnmower: If you’ve got a lawn, then you need a lawnmower. Lawnmowers come in many different forms including push mowers, ride-on mowers and robotic mowers. Cutting heights and cutting widths can vary – a narrow mower with a low cutting height could be fine for a small flat lawn, whereas a wider mower with a high cutting width could be better suited to a larger and more rugged area of grassland.
- Grass trimmer: Also known as strimmers or bush cutters, grass trimmers are useful for cutting areas that lawnmowers can’t reach – such as corners of edges of lawns, grass around trees and grass around sheds. This type of trimmer typically uses a nylon line that spins in a 360 motion to cut any vegetation in its path. However, it is not tough enough to cut through twigs and branches.
- Hedge trimmer: If you’ve got hedges in your garden, you may also want to consider a hedge trimmer. These trimmers can also be used to cut back thick bushes more effectively than a grass trimmer.
- Chainsaw: When cutting through branches and tree trunks, a chainsaw is often necessary. This tool may be useful if you have a lot of trees in your garden and want to cut them back yourself. You can also cut firewood using a chainsaw. When felling large trees or cutting branches at height, it may still be advisable to call a tree surgeon instead of doing it yourself.
- Leaf blower: Leaf blowers are an easy solution for removing leaves from your lawn, decking or patio. Some leaf blowers also have a vacuum mode for sucking up leaves, which could allow you to more easily collect them and dispose of them.
- Pressure washer: A pressure washer is useful for cleaning many hard surfaces such as paving slabs, decking, walls, fences and even patio furniture. When choosing a pressure washer, it’s important to consider the PSI level. Some have a low PSI (>1500) which may be suitable for cleaning patio furniture but not patio paving. Others may have a high PSI, which could be better for patio cleaning but could destroy furniture.
What are some things to consider when buying garden power tools?
When shopping for the right garden power tools, there are a few questions that you may want to ask yourself. They will help you to assess whether a power tool is good quality and right for your needs.
What are you using it for?
It’s often not worth buying power tools for a one-off job. Instead, consider renting them or hiring a professional who has the tools to do the job for you.
Some tools are designed for more heavy-duty use whereas others are designed for lighter use. You should be prepared to pay more for something robust and higher powered. Such a tool may be necessary for larger jobs (a more heavy duty lawn mower may be necessary for a larger lawn).
New or used?
You’ll find lots of used garden power tools for sale online. These can be a lot cheaper than brand new power tools, but you need to consider their age and carefully inspect their condition.
Brand new tools are likely to last longer before needing repairs. They could also be more energy-efficient and potentially safer.
How is it powered?
Some garden power tools are powered by petrol. These tools are generally more high-powered – but are also heavier, louder, more costly to run and less environmentally-friendly.
Electric garden power tools are more popular. These are either powered by a battery or connected to cord. Cordless battery-operated tools are more portable – you don’t have to worry about how far the cord will stretch or accidentally cutting through the cord. Plug-in tools don’t need to be recharged after each use and may last longer.
How heavy is it?
Heavy power tools that you have to push or carry could be hard work to use for long periods. Older gardeners and those with disabilities may want to avoid them.
Compare the weight of different power tools and try to choose lighter options if you don’t want to work up a sweat every time you use them.
What ergonomic features does it have?
Modern power tools typically have an array of ergonomic features that make them more comfortable to use. Less ergonomic power tools may cause cramps after long periods.
Cushioned handles, non-slip grips, adjustable lengths and low vibrations are all features to look for.
How noisy is it?
It could also be important to consider how noisy a power tool is. Very noisy power tools could annoy your neighbors and could potentially damage your hearing if you don’t wear ear protection.
Any power tool that produces a sound over 85 decibels can cause hearing damage, so try to choose tools that are quieter than this. This typically means choosing electric tools, as petrol tools are almost always 85+ decibels.
What safety features does it have?
It’s important that a power tool has certain safety features so that there’s less chance of accidentally hurting yourself or someone else while using it.
A few safety features to look out for include chain brakes, hand guards and kill switches. You should be able to look up the safety rating of a tool online.
Conclusion
There are a few different power tools that could be worth investing in for your garden. Make sure to take your time to compare the properties of different tools in order to make the right purchase. On top of looking at product descriptions, make sure to read reviews left by customers and compare the prices of different sellers to get the best deal.
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