Fall Equipment Check!
Fall is almost among us, so it is time to get your fall equipment in order. Use this article as a beginner’s guide to the most useful equipment for the fall season or to refresh your brain on what you need to start getting ready.
Early fall is a key time for many lawns in North Carolina. Many lawns use cool-season grass which means early fall is the best time for aeration (article coming soon about what aeration is and when/how to do it). In order to aerate in early fall, your aerator has to be ready to go. In addition to aeration, you will have to have your blower, leaf vacuum, and/or debris loader ready to go for leaf and lawn cleanup. Alternatively, you could get your mower equipped with a bagging system for the bulk of your yard. Finally, make sure you have a spreader or sprayer to overseed and lay down fertilizer. Fall is the perfect time to repair your lawn before it lies dormant.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at fall equipment.
Aerators
Aerators are generally only used once or twice a year, so many homeowners chose not to own one. However, a professional landscaper generally has an aerator in their fleet, and homeowners can generally rent aerators from local shops. If you are from the Charlotte Metro Area, we have aerators available for rental here at Interstate Supplies & Services. We also have units for sale and common replacement parts already in stock.
If you already have an aerator, check the following pieces that are most commonly replaced:
- Tines
- Roller Sprockets
- Drive Chain
If you need parts for your aerator check out Proven Part. They sell aftermarket parts for cheap and will ship them right to your home or place of business. If you are looking to get your aerator serviced, contact your local outdoor power equipment store. For the readers near Charlotte, NC; you can give us a call or shoot us a text at 704-893-2878 and we will gladly help you out with your aerator.
Leaf Blowers
Leaf blowers are extremely helpful all year but become even more useful in the fall. There are three common types of leaf blowers: handheld, backpack, and walk-behind (there are also stand-on blowers, but they are less common).
Handheld Blowers
Most homeowners will go for a handheld blower if they have a smaller area/budget or a backpack blower if they have a larger area/budget. Handheld units are the smallest option and generally have lower air speeds and air volumes; therefore, they are great for homeowners because they do not take up much space when they are not being used. They still have the ability to make quick work of leaves and light debris without hurting the bank account. Professional landscapers commonly use handheld blowers to finish up a property because they can be wielded with more precision while being quieter and easier to handle.
Backpack Blowers
Backpack blowers are a step up from handheld blowers and are strapped to your back. Since they are larger, they produce higher air speeds and have larger air volume. These are the most common choice for professional landscapers because they can make quick work of both wet and dry leaves. If you have a larger yard, they will outperform a handheld blower.
Walk-Behind Blowers
Walk-behind blowers are generally only used by professionals, but are great for older homeowners or homeowners with extra storage space. Whereas a handheld and backpack blower requires the operator to carry the weight of the blower, a walk-behind blower sits on wheels and is pushed the same way a push mower would be pushed. This significantly reduces user fatigue and drastically increases air speed and volume. While, walk-behind blowers produce more air at faster speeds, they are much less maneuverable. Handheld and backpack blowers allow you to aim your airstream, but a walk-behind can only blow in one direction.
Regardless of what kind of blower you own, it should be a top priority as you check your fall equipment. If you are having issues with your blower, be sure to check the air filter, fuel filter, and spar plug. If you cannot find the issue, take it to your local service shop. After all, you wouldn’t want to rake all those leaves…
Leaf Vacuums and Debris Loaders
Leaf vacuums and debris loaders make the quickest work of cleanup. Vacuums suck up the leaves and shred them into a bag; whereas, a debris loader will attach to a truck, trailer, or other vehicle and shred the debris into the carrier. These are commonly used by professional landscapers, but some homeowners choose to invest into these machines.
Fall Equipment Checklist
- Aerator
- Tines
- Roller Sprockets
- Drive Chain
- Leaf Blower
- Air Filter
- Fuel Filter
- Spark Plug
- Leaf Vacuum
- Debris Loader
- Leaf/Debris Hose
