Home & Garden Blog » Outdoor Power Equipment

The Ups and Downs of Using Snow Throwers

brock — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:02:14 +0000

Every year after the snowfall, I promise myself that I am going to buy a snow thrower, and every year after the snow melts, I tell myself they are a waste of time and money.

For those of you blessed with warm weather climates, there are basically two ways to remove snow from a sidewalk and driveway. You can shovel it, which can be back-breaking work (and more than one person has had a heart attack while shoveling snow) or you can buy a snow thrower.

This machination basically acts as a snow till. Starting at one end, you turn on the snow thrower and the blades under the machine rotate and catch the snow. The snow is thrown out of the way, thus clearing a path. Growing up, I would see people with these and think, Why would you spend your money on that? Snow shoveling isn’t that big a deal. Then I got older.

Suddenly, lifting up that snow with a shovel takes a lot more effort, and it usually leaves my back aching for several days afterward. If it is a particularly bad snow storm or one that last a few days, my frozen butt is out there several times a day making sure that people don’t slip on my sidewalks and that my car can get out of the driveway.

My neighbor pulls out his monster, and the driveway is clear in five minutes. Then he’s back inside with hot cocoa. It’s during this time that I usually curse the idea that I didn’t buy one when they were cheap during the summer and vow to get one come spring. I am way too cheap to pay full price during the winter.

When the spring finally gets here and the snow melts, my mind once again reverts back to the old ways. It’s probably been several weeks since I shoveled snow, and my back has since recovered. In other words, I am invincible again.

I convince myself that the snow thrower isn’t worth it and that shoveling wasn’t a big deal this year. Ugh, when will I learn? Let me say, for the record, that a day after I shoveled snow, snow throwers seemed like the best thing since sliced bread. OK, now it’s in print and I can’t change my mind this year.

Image Source:flickr.com/photos/11897810@N02/1205439160

Breaking News: Outdoor Holiday Lights

colleen — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:07:41 +0000

Hopefully you really decked out the house for Halloween. Jack-o’-lanterns, spooky cobwebs, maybe even a few lanterns hanging from the porch to light the ghosts and ghouls way in Old Hallow’s Eve. Children must have loved it, but now it’s time to switch gears and think about more mature, warm, inviting holiday lighting. Think candles in the windowsill, lights around the bare-boned trees, maybe a holiday wreath on the door with some glittering tinsel. When the temperature begins to drop, the cosiness and warmth of your home needs to rise! And that involves exterior lighting.

Some of the top hits for holiday lighting:

Electric Windowsill Candle from Piperclassics.com: $15.99

Cute design with a warm glow, this candle has an antique finish to make your home look even warmer.

Net LED lights from SaveOnCrafts.com: $11.29/sheet

This is perfect to drape evenly on trees, bushes, and shrubbery. Decorate without all the hassle!

Pressure Washer Deals – Clean up that Patio, Porch or Sidewalk

evette — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:38:48 +0000

I was thinking that I should clean the driveway, patio and sidewalk really well one last time before Fall foilage and Winter storms hit.

So since I am a lazy bum in lieu of sweeping, collecting and hosing, I would prefer to purchase the Pressure Washer from Campbell Hausfeld.

The PW1750 Pressure Washer is primarily designed for driveway, porch, sidewalk and patio cleaning applications. Also, this particular pressure washer uses 80% less water than a garden hose!

Features

* 35 ft., GFCI equipped cord and universal motor
* 20 ft. high pressure hose
* Instant start/stop system
* Lightweight and reliable 120V, 14 AMP universal motor
* Swivel adapter makes it easier to attach to a garden hose
* Built-in accessory storage provides convenient location to hold gun, lance and power cord

Retail Price: $~~199.95~~

Our Price: $~~179.95~~

Special Offer: $159.95 (you save $40.00 – 20% off)

To shop or purchase the Campbell Hausfeld Pressure Washer, click here.

The Best Hedge Trimmers

evette — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:44:27 +0000

Once upon a time the bushes that divided our lawn from that of our creepy neighbors was a solid, clean square bush. Now it looks like a wild green blob that exploded and is dead set on filling the entire garden! Time to give that wild and crazy bush a good trimming, wow that didn’t sound right did it?

Well check out the self proclaimed Best Hedge Trimmers from Hammacher Schlemmer. This electric hedge trimmer was selected best in tests conducted by the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute for cutting ability, handling, and safety.

The blades are made of high-carbon steel and coated in titanium–renowned for its corrosion-resistance- -helping them to retain their sharpness for the most reliable cutting performance available. Its comfortable cushioned grip allows both left-and right-handed users to efficiently operate the trimmer, and panelists noted that this model generated the least amount of vibration and was the easiest to maneuver due to its blade length, unlike heavier, unbalanced longer-bladed models. A safety lock on the handle instantly turns the trimmer off when you remove your finger from the handle.

If you are searching for the best Hedge Trimmer at an affordable price then check out the Hammacher Schlemmer model!