The technology of battery operated garden tools has made the home gardener's life much easier.
Clean, quiet and easy to use, these modern tools are just as powerful as their older gas-powered counterparts. Personally, I use a fence, wire, blower and saw. Self-propelled lawn mowers are great, they are light and very powerful. I hope to have one soon.
So if you're shopping for yourself or a gardener you love, consider gardening tools with lithium batteries. Here are some reasons.
This is simply the most exciting part of using battery powered garden tools. Just press the button and it starts immediately. You don't have to break your back, bend your arm, sweat, or swear to reach an adjustable or corded tension pulley to access the saw. Pooh.
Light. Although batteries are heavier (and larger, more powerful tools have larger battery capacities), these tools are still lighter than their oil and gas counterparts.
Quiet. battery powered tools make less noise. It also creates less vibration.
Clean. Contains no vapors, fumes or odors. There is no possibility of gas or oil leakage.
Low maintenance. no oil changes, spark plugs or adjustments with cordless tools. All that remains is to keep the tools clean and the moving parts lubricated. Knives and chains should be sharpened regularly.
Savings. Although battery powered power tools are not cheap, they will save you money in the long run. No need to buy more gas or oil. And if you can't make the adjustments yourself, there's no additional store bill for adjustments.
Terry Kramer is a retired Humboldt Botanical Garden site manager, horticulturist and journalist. He has written a gardening column for the Times-Standard since 1982. He currently runs a horticultural consulting business. Contact him at 707-834-2661 or terrykramer90@gmail.com.
