Take Advantage of These 5 Powerful Electric Gardening Tools

You begin a Saturday with a mission to tame your unkempt front lawn, only to realize that the lawnmower will not start. The silence you hear as you try to get it working could be an invitation for you to consider electric gardening and lawn tools. 

Garden tools powered by electricity can support your green thumb. These electric-powered tools can last longer and are emissions-free, meaning you’ll smell the scents of summer, not the smell of exhaust. Plus, with modern technology, they are just as effective as gas-powered alternatives.

The Benefits of Electric Garden Tools

1. They are low maintenance. With electric models, you don’t need to store gasoline, perform oil changes, treat fuel, change spark plugs or change filters. 

2. You don’t need to purchase gas, which can save you a little money every year.

3. They store easily and start-up easily in the spring and whenever you need them. The prep work at the start of the season is taken away with electric models.

4. Electric models are lightweight and easier to handle for all of your lawn and garden needs.

5. You are reducing your carbon footprint when you use rechargeable electric-powered tools. Electric gardening tools reduce emissions and energy consumption without sacrificing power or efficiency. Because an increasing amount of electricity is produced from renewable sources like solar, wind and hydropower, you can rest assured that these electric tools are not just good for your garden, they’re also good for the planet.

1. Electric Lawnmowers

Gas-powered lawn mowers, weed eaters, and chainsaws all add emissions to the air. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, lawn-mower emissions contribute substantially to the total air pollution in metropolitan areas. Investigating a tool powered by electricity is a great way to reduce your footprint. 

Models to Look For

The “Robomower,” an electric, cordless mower (much like the iRobot or Roomba vacuum cleaners) that intuitively mows your lawn. Its big blade can cover large yards in a short period of time, and it can manage grass up to 80mm long. And, it saves you time by doing it automatically! If you’re more practical, two electric push mowers to consider are the Black and Decker 40V mower or the Ryobi 40V lithium-ion cordless mower. 

2. Electric Hedge Trimmers

Using a power hedge trimmer is a simple way to save time and effort - and with an electric model, you are also reducing emissions. An electric hedge trimmer with a heavy-duty blade will let you cut branches that are too thick for traditional pruning shears, eliminating the need to use several tools to shape your hedges. 

Models to Look For

Electric models are powerful but be cognizant to keep yourself safe around cords. Look for lightweight models to save on arm fatigue, and for added power, look for an electric model that has two flat blades instead of one.

3. Electric Leaf Blower

Replacing your gas-powered leaf blower with a clean, electric-powered model will help you clear leaves and debris efficiently with no reduced power or capacity. 

Models to Look For

The Black and Decker LB700 model provides the energy capacity to get tough jobs done quickly. The gas-powered Stihl BG 50 handheld leaf blower offers similar power. And the Worx WG518 is an electric 3-in-1 blower/vacuum/mulcher with equally powerful clearing ability.

4. Cordless Electric Garden Cultivator

Electric cordless cultivators are great for established, small garden spaces. They are lightweight and can perform some of the duties of a gas-powered tiller without weight or pollution. 

Models to Look For

The Black and Decker LGC120 carries a 20V battery and can cultivate 325 square feet per charge. Electric cultivators have air filters to replace or clean, but there is no gasoline to treat and no oil to change.

5. Electric Snow Blowers

Even in the winter, electric tools are key for maintaining your property. Snow blowers are a powerful alternative to the hard work of shoveling by hand, especially for those who have big areas to clear or have physical limitations. Thanks to technology, high-maintenance gas-powered snow blowers have been largely replaced by electric models that offer high plowing capacity and reliability. 

Models to Look For

Electric models include the Snow Joe SJ627E, with a consumption power of 840 pounds of snow per minute and up to 25 feet of throwing distance, and the Husqvarna ST224, with a heavy-duty blade that can churn through snow of all densities.

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About Tri-State   

Tri-State is a not-for-profit cooperative of 44 members, including 41 electric distribution cooperatives and public power districts in four states, that together deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. For more information about Tri-State and our Responsible Energy Plan, visit www.tristate.coop.