Product Preview: Toro Power Clear 180 gas-powered snow blower

If you're in the market for a new snow blower—perhaps one tested for our October 2009 report on snow blowers (like our full ratings, available to subscribers)—you probably don't want to wait too long to buy one. One morning soon enough you'll wake up to find your driveway and walks blanketed by a thick layer of snow that needs removal. Just ask the folks in Colorado who were recently greeted by a major snowstorm.

At the 2009 Green Industry and Equipment Expo, outdoor-power-equipment makers announced many new electric- and gas-powered snow blowers, one of which in particular caught my eye: the Toro Power Clear 180 (shown), which costs about $400 and is sold at Toro dealers and some Home Depot stores. The 180 is one of several Power Clear models Toro announced, and we hope to provide our first impressions of it soon.

The single-stage, gas-powered Toro Power Clear 180 replaces the Toro CCR Powerlite 38182, which we had judged a Don't Buy: Safety Risk because it and the similar 38172 lacked a key safety feature, a handlebar control to stop the auger when released. The Power Clear has a bail that stops the engine as per a voluntary industry safety standard, and releasing it should eliminate the safety risk associated with the 38182/38172. (The company has discontinued the 38182 and 38172, though they might still be available through some online retailers and on eBay.)

The Power Clear 180 has some other enhancements over the 38182/38172. It's powered by a four-cycle overhead-valve engine and provides an 18-inch clearing width, 2 inches wider than that of the 38182/38172. As with other single-stage snow blowers, the design of the Power Clear keeps the blades in contact with the ground, propelling the unit, and this model has a locking deflector on the chute, which means the snow leaving the chute stays at the set height. Finally, both the chute and handle on the Power Clear fold down for easier storage.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer's guide to snow blowers for more details. And to find the right model for your home, use our interactive feature "Snow Blowers: Which Is Right for You?"

Video buyer's guide to string trimmers

String trimmers are ideal for dealing with grass, weeds, and brush in areas your mower or tractor can't reach, keeping your property tidy and eliminating inviting homes for insects, rodents, and other critters.

If you're in the market for a new string trimmer for next spring or for the last bit of yard work you'll do this fall, check out our free buyer's guide (ratings available to subscribers) and watch the video from our recent tests of string trimmers (right).

The video features advice from Peter Sawchuk, a senior project leader in our Tech department and our go-to guy for testing outdoor power equipment, who discusses the basic types of trimmers and the pros and cons of straight and curved shafts.

Sit down longer with Peter as I get to do, however, and you can get additional details that can make a big difference in how much time you spend on your trimming chores. Take two- and four-cycle. Four-cycle engines are touted as cleaner (less smoke) and more convenient (no need to mix of oil and gas) than two-cycle engines. But results from the four such trimmers we tested demonstrate that four-cycle technology in string trimmers isn't the panacea you might think.

Another consideration relates to the head housing the monofilament line, which does the actual trimming. Fixed-head units use two or more precut pieces of line. Bump-feed models let out line when you bump the head to the ground. And automatic models release more line by themselves when needed.

As part of our Spring 2010 report on string trimmers, we'll look at models whose very designs tend to wear out line sooner than you might expect, others whose manufacturers have learned how to keep tall growth from wrapping around the shaft, and one that couldn't seem to keep its head together.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our "Fall Lawn and Yard Checklist" for details on tending to all facets of your property, and keep your power equipment in shape with our "End-of-Season Lawn-Equipment Guide." You'll find other tips on our Fall Cleanup Guide page.

Weekend Project: The best ways to deal with leaves

Whether your yard is covered with leaves or you're still waiting for them to carpet your property, you're probably looking for the easiest, most-effective way to deal with fall cleanup. As you'll see in The Great Rake-Off: Man vs. Machine video, using a leaf blower can provide faster, more-efficient leaf-wrangling than raking.

To help you find the right leaf blower for your needs, check out our free buyer's guide and watch our new video buyer's guide to this outdoor power equipment (right), which details the pros and cons of the four major blower types and the features to look for.

Corded electric models have their upsides—they tend to be lighter and quieter than gas-powered models and don't produce emissions at the point of use their own—and the best electric blowers can rival gas machines in performance. But as Senior Ed Perratore knows all too well, the power cord can limit your mobility. Ed traded up to a handheld gas-powered model, but since he's got a bum shoulder, he's considering a backpack blower, which distributes the weight more evenly than a handheld.

No matter which kind of blower you use, nozzle type is key. Our tests have shown that a round, reduced opening is better for cleaning embedded lawn debris and that a wider, flat opening works better when moving large leaf piles.

A final tip: If you do go the raking route, follow this expert advice to avoid injury and minimize soreness.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our "Fall Lawn and Yard Checklist" for details on tending to all facets of your property, and keep your power equipment in shape with our "End-of-Season Lawn-Equipment Guide." You'll find other tips on our Fall Cleanup Guide page.

Ethics schmethics. For lawn-tractor care, it's a matter of scheduling

The latest installment of Randy Cohen's The Ethicist column in The New York Times Magazine featured the following question, under the headline "Waiting for the Lawn Tractor":

"The shop that services my lawn tractor told me to expect its return in a week. I want it back sooner and am considering giving the workers an up-front cash bonus to put my tractor at the head of the line. But this feels worryingly like covert bribery. Other customers wouldn't know about it nor could they bid against me with higher bonuses. Is such a payment ethical?"
 
Cohen replied that the notion of giving a bonus is "fishy" because the shop's workers would be "cheating their boss by undermining the shop's first-come, first-served policy for their personal gain, and you'll all be cheating honest, patient customers." In the end, reported Cohen, the question asker, from Pennsylvania, didn't offer up any cash for priority service.
 
Seems like a reasonable outcome, but I'll leave it up to you to decide for yourself on the ethics of the matter. The crux of the issue seems to be scheduling. Instead of bringing your gear in for routine service during a busy season, wait until a time when the shop is more likely to be quiet. I usually bring my mower and leaf blower in for routine service in early winter when the local shop is quieter. So don't hold off until next spring to get your outdoor power equipment serviced.
 
Now if the question asker's tractor suffered a sudden problem and he needed it fixed ASAP even this late in the season, it's understandable that he'd want it back with little delay. But given the likelihood that the shop is crowded with ailing equipment from landscaping pros trying to finish off their fall jobs, the consumer couldn't have expected priority service, bribe or no bribe. My advice: Borrow a tractor or mower from a neighbor or rent one, or hire a local landscaper to do the work.
 
Of course, the other key piece of advice here is to keep your equipment in tiptop shape. So follow our end-of-season maintenance tips for your mower or tractor and this start-of-season help for tractors.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
 
Essential information: Make easier work of fall cleanup and read up on the latest mowers and tractors.

Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: Latest tests of string trimmers

In the market for a new string trimmer for next spring or even now? If you live in the Sun Belt, you're still likely actively tending to your property, with those of us in northern climates taking one or two last passes at overgrown areas of the property during fall cleanup. Here's what's new from our tests of more than two dozen new string trimmers.

One interesting new battery-powered model, the Black & Decker NST2036, is intended to be the first such trimmer capable of handling the tougher cutting jobs normally reserved for gasoline-powered trimmers. Powered by a very large 36-volt nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery and equipped with a dual-string head, it's capable enough to rival some of the less-powerful gas models at trimming, including on tougher tall grass and weeds. But at 14.5 pounds, the NST2036 is among the heaviest string trimmers we tested, and with a price tag of $250, it's among the most expensive. What's more, recharge time for the NiCd battery is 12 to 16 hours, and a replacement costs $100. (Visit the Call2Recycle Web site or call 877-2-RECYCLE to find a local recycler of spent rechargeable batteries.)

New this year are propane-powered string trimmers with cleaner-burning, environmentally friendly fuel. But at $210, the Lehr ST025DC (right in photo above) and $290 Craftsman 79212 (left) are among the most expensive we've tested. And at 16 and 17 pounds, respectively, these trimmers are 4 to 5 pounds heavier than most gasoline models, and that doesn't include the nearly 2-pound screw-on propane tank you have to use.

Using pressurized propane gas, which come in containers sold at hardware stores, home centers, or sporting-goods stores, you might expect near-instantaneous starting. What we experienced, however, is that these engines often required one or two more pulls of the starter cord than did most two-cycle gasoline engines we tested. Also, the hose connecting the propane tank protrudes from the trimmer and can bang or catch on anything you brush past.

An additional concern, especially if you tend to ignore instructions, is that the owner's manual for these trimmers and a sticker on each product instruct you to disconnect the fuel line from the propane tank after each use. If you don't, the trimmer might leak and create a safety hazard.

When considering string trimmers, buy a model that not only feels right in your hand but also does the best job, considering your property's needs and your budget. For the most power against the toughest growth, the Stihl HomeScaper Series FS 45, $150, and FS 45 C Easy2Start, $170 (full ratings available to subscribers) remain among our top picks.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer's guide to string trimmers and make easier work of fall cleanup and end-of-season equipment maintenance.

Stanley Works and Black & Decker plan to merge in multibillion-dollar deal

The tool world saw some big news on Monday with the announced merger of Stanley Works and Black & Decker, venerable companies with 265 years of business between them. While the new company's brand recognition should remain high, the name of the $8.4 billion combined companies—Stanley Black & Decker—sounds more like a white-shoe law firm than a powerhouse tool maker.

The New Britain, Connecticut-based Stanley Works, which specializes in tools and hand tools, doors, and storage equipment, will own 50.5 percent of the company. Towson, Maryland-based Black & Decker, known for its power tools, small appliances, outdoor power equipment, and more, also owns Porter-Cable and DeWalt, two companies whose products did well in our latest report on cordless drills. The 18-volt Porter-Cable PC180DK-2, $100, outperformed models costing twice as much. The 18-volt DeWalt DCD 940KX, $280, topped the ratings of heavy-duty drills. Full ratings of drills are available to subscribers.

Three of the lower-scoring general-use drills carry the Black & Decker nameplate. Perhaps the new combined company can tool a change in that performance.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Getting Their Goats: Another town turns to four-legged creatures for outdoor cleanup

The Men Who Stare At Goats, the new comedy starring Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor, and George Clooney (shown below holding a cast member), is about a secret U.S. Army unit. But based on some news reports we’ve seen since spring, it could be a tale about landscapers who use goats instead of gas-powered equipment ton the job.

The latest town to go goat is Andover, Massachusetts, which has accepted one resident’s offer to use her goats to control weeds and undergrowth at a local nature preserve, according to this Boston Globe report. The six goats could handle a half-acre of grass, brush, and other growth every three days. Another benefit is that what the goats leave behind “will help the grass, as long as it doesn’t smell so bad that people won’t use it,” as one resident observed.

The news comes on the hooves, er, heels of the town of Hempstead, New York, and Google also deploying goats and some property owners in England using wallabies for landscaping work.

Goats might not be for you, but if you’re hoping to minimize your involvement in yard work, note that our tests have shown that some robotic mowers aren’t good performers. And if you’d like to go greener when tending to your property, keep in mind that some reel lawn mowers have not shined in our tests, though the top-performing electric lawn mowers and string trimmers  can rival some gasoline-powered models in performance and also produce no exhaust emissions. If you’d like to replace your gas-powered mower with an electric model, take advantage of a mower-exchange program.

At this time, we have no plans to test goats or other herbivores for next May’s report on lawn mowers and tractors.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Tap into the yard-care tips in our Fall Cleanup Guide.

Fall weather brings fallen trees

The high winds whipping across parts of the Midwest and Northeast in recent days caused major damage to trees in some areas, including a few at my Connecticut home.

Shortly after lunch yesterday, a loud crack and crash signaled that an irresistible force had bested a hitherto immovable object. It turns out a 35-foot white oak had toppled onto my stone fence (shown), which so far this year has been struck by lightning and undermined by moles. Using a neighbor's bow saw and my chain saw, I was able to cut the tree into movable sections and get it off the road.

While fall is a better time to plant rather than prune trees, the high winds also pointed out the need to trim any diseased or overhanging tree branches. The fallen oak missed my power lines, so I didn't have to use a backup generator to provide electricity to my home.

I'm checking my homeowners insurance policy to make sure my coverage is adequate, important given that some companies are limiting coverage and raising premiums.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Learn how to safely use a chain saw (video) and ladder. Our Fall Cleanup Guide has more advice on projects to do around the home, and our Storm & Emergency Guide will help you prepare for weather-related events at any time of year. Ratings of chain saws and backup generators are available to subscribers.

Tip of the Day: Drain the carburetor bowl on your lawn mower to protect the engine

As we covered in "Is Fuel With an Increased Level of Ethanol a Problem for Small Gas Engines?" there's growing concern over the effects that gasoline-ethanol blends like E10—that's 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol—might have on small, nonroad engines on lawn mowers and tractors and other outdoor power equipment.

If you're concerned about the possible effects ethanol might have on your gas-powered mower or other equipment that will sit for long periods in storage—including a string trimmer or leaf blower—remove the remaining fuel from the tank and then empty the carburetor bowl before you stow gear for the winter. The simple project will help keep your gear in good working condition.

Even if you've run your equipment dry as part of your usual end-of-season maintenance steps, some fuel can remain in the bowl of the carburetor. If you don't drain the bowl, you might see some of the telltale white residue and related corrosion associated with ethanol blends. Four-cycle engines in particular seem prone to the buildup, although two-cycle engines can also suffer from the problem.

To empty the carburetor bowl in your mower:
• Run the engine dry, then let the machine fully cool.
• Locate the carburetor bowl. It's a cylindrically shaped device with one or two bolts on the bottom (shown). If there are two bolts, the off-center one is a drain, which you can use to get rid of any fuel without removing the bowl; place a container beneath the carburetor and remove the bolt. Any fuel present should trickle out.
• On some engines, such as the Tecumseh carburetor shown, the single bolt is for removing the carburetor bowl itself. Also while holding a container beneath, remove the bolt, pull off the bowl, and drain it. Wipe out the inside of the bowl.
• Whether or not you need to remove the bowl, it's a simple task to drain it and tighten everything back up.—Ed Perratore | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: If you're in the market for a new snow blower, read our latest report on single- and two-stage gas and electric models and updated free buyer's guide and ratings (available to subscribers).

Tailgating Alert: Gasoline-powered blender banned by California Air Resources Board

With football season in full swing, you might be doing a little weekend tailgating or entertaining at home. If you need a new blender or gas grill for your football fiesta, check out our buyer's guides to these appliances and try these easy, delicious grilling recipes. If you live in California, where the strict air-quality standards set by the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District have an impact on the outdoor power equipment, paint, and other consumer goods available, there's one margarita or daiquiri maker you won't be able to buy.

The Los Angeles Times' Up to Speed blog recently reported that CARB fined Lake Forest, California-based On the Edge Marketing and CSK Auto Inc. of Phoenix $240,000 for selling a gasoline-powered "Party Blender" (shown) to California residents because the souped-up appliance is equipped with an illegal, uncertified two-stroke engine that runs afoul of CARB's regulations.

CARB maintains that the type of two-stroke engine used on the blender can produce emissions 10 times higher than those produced by engines approved for use in the state. "Gasoline-powered blenders may be this year's tailgate sensation, but drinkers should not be polluting our air while having a good time," said CARB Chairwoman Mary D. Nichols.

Many outdoor-power-equipment manufacturers are phasing out two-cycle engines as local, state, and federal emissions standards get tougher. Lawn-mower-exchange programs are one way states and municipalities can get consumers to replace old lawn mowers with greener models.

Note that our ratings of string trimmers and leaf blowers (available to subscribers) do not identify whether an engine is a two- or a four-cycle type. The Cub Cadet 4125, Craftsman 79614, and Troy-Bilt TB465SS string trimmers have a four-cycle engine. In our testing we found these models to be a little heavier at the handle, and their engines were as hard to start as a two-cycle engine. The John Deere BH25LE and Craftsman 79498 leaf blowers have a four-cycle engine.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer's guides to string trimmers and leaf blowers.