Garden & Agricultural Equipment

How to choose garden and agricultural equipment

• ✓Match the power source to the site: petrol units suit large or remote areas without power, electric models suit smaller areas near an outlet, and cordless tools trade some runtime for portability and low noise.
• ✓For chainsaws, choose bar length by the thickest wood you cut regularly; a bar a few inches longer than the typical trunk diameter is usually enough, and longer bars need more engine displacement (cc).
• ✓For sprayers, size the tank to the area covered per fill and check seal and tank material against the chemicals you use; stainless steel tanks are often chosen for frequent or harsher chemical use.
• ✓For lawn mowers, compare cutting width, engine power and whether the mower is push or self-propelled; self-propelled units reduce operator fatigue on large or sloped lawns.
• ✓Check the availability of consumables and spare parts such as chains, trimmer line, blades, nozzles and filters before buying for a long-term maintenance contract.
• ✓Plan the safety kit with the machine: eye and hearing protection, gloves and chainsaw-appropriate clothing are part of the real cost of operating cutting equipment.