Good (Cheap) Lawn Equipment

[andy10917]

While almost everyone on BL/ATY is here because they want a great lawn and/or garden, it's important to remember that not everyone can apply the same budget to make it all happen. I've spoken with people that have seen the site and said "but I can't spend the money for the equipment that those folks talk about". I hate it that they believe that a great lawn is out of their reach.

So, let's put together a list of low-cost items that "get the job done". Yes, they may take a bit longer to finish the job, or they may not have the "cool factor", but they get it done.

Kindly, if you're an equipment freak and have the budget to buy the best-and-coolest, please don't mock the items on this thread or argue that there are 236 reasons why spending another $100 is worth it. We're looking for low-cost items that meet the BASICS of raising a great lawn...

As an example to start us out, I'll use my two favorite cheapo items:

(1) The $8 Bulb Planter for taking soil samples.
(2) The $15 two-gallon pump sprayer with a brass nozzle.

What are your additions?

[bpgreen]

The weed hound. I'm not sure what it costs now, but I think I paid about $20 for mine.

[snachs]

Ortho/Chapin hose end $13-15.

B&D 18V trimmer @ about $100. 4 years old, works great, second spool of nylon only. Trim approx 650 linear ft 2 X week.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[HanLawn]

$8 1 gallon pump sprayer,going on 2nd year of use

$16 Gilmour #362 hose end sprayer,built like a tank,and works like a much more expensive instrument.

$200 Fiskars Momentum reel mower,while pricier than many push reel mowers,cheap compared to a gas/rechargeable mower, and no gas/oil/tuneups,etc Works beautifully.

$4 rain gauges....lets you know precisely how much it rained,and whether you need to supplement with irrigation or not, saving water costs.

Empty kitty litter buckets,useful for many lawn storage needs,and keeps them out of the trash

[nugrass2012]

1. Take the time and make the effort to find a local supplier. I found a local sod farm that sells seed, fertilizer , humates, lime, peat moss, milo in 50# bags, etc. I've gotten price breaks on a number of things and a heads up when a price increase is comming down the line (and even been sold at the old price even after the increase). They've even given me free rain guages. It can be a cost saver as there is just a different attitude with some "mom and pop" suppliers than a big box or on-line supplier. EDIT: Forgot to state my point. They can be a great resource as to who is is moving and selling yard equipment or just who is selling a used piece of equipment at a reduced price.
2. Make a list of future equipment you need/want and watch Craiq's list, you can hardly go wrong with non-powered equipment, and even powered equipment can be purchased at huge savings if you have reasonably educated yourself.
3. If equipment is needed for a one time use, see if you can rent or borrow rather than purchasing.

[sony1998]

Scotts® Turf Builder® EdgeGuard® DLX

Mine lasted 4+ years with constant use and Scotts has great customer service.

For spreading/fling compost, larger pellets, sometimes potassium sulfate, I use another cheap item and feel good that I am actually re-purposing it. I cut the lower portion off of a 1 gallon milk jug or water jug and use it as a scoop. Works great and we have almost an endless supply.

I bought 1.33 gal pump sprayer of Round Up and have since only had to buy the concentrate. The sprayer is actually very good and has lasted many seasons.

Speaking of concentrate. No need to buy the purple cap Round Up. Big N Tuff from Tractor supply is 41% Glyphosate with a surfactant already added. 1.5 oz per gal and grass and weeds are dead in 4 days.

[lawnandgarden]

For tools and equipment check out http://www.harborfreight.com

From lawn and garden to hand tools. Sign up for the email notification as they send out coupons and free shipping deals. Around black Friday the give some smokin deals.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[ftwzorzoy]

B&D 18v trimmer, weed eater, blower. All come with battery and charger. Batteries interchangeable. Wish blower worked better on grass but does a great job on concrete or even drying car after a wash. Battery lasts the longest on the hedge trimmer. I love having so many batteries to always be able to finish the job. Price is good and the big stores sell bundled together. Batteries are reasonable to replace unlike lithium. Oh, lightweight for the ladies like me who do the yard.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[GaryCinChicago]

Andy:

Are you bald (yet)? Ulcers?

Wanna' bet a few report cards said:
"Johnny does not follow instructions in class"?

You are a glutton for punishment!

[andy10917]

Gary: I know, I know...

Folks:

As Gary is pointing out, we're looking for THE BASIC TOOLS that someone on a low budget could be pointed at to say

"YES, YOU CAN HAVE A VERY NICE LAWN ON A LOW BUDGET"

Now, stop telling me about great equipment that can be had at reasonable cost, and start putting items on the list that are truly the BASICS that will do the job at the lowest cost.

[simpson]

Scotts basic spreader
Any cheap fertilizer on sale
(Free) perfect timing

[ Post made via Android ]

[nugrass2012]

Other than a mower, a tank sprayer, a spreader, and maybe a hose end sprayer, what more do you really need? Even a bulb planter seems like a luxury to me, as a shovel/trowel (something people already usually have) can be used to get a soil sample. Were you going somewhere else with this? I NEED MORE INSTRUCTIONS.

[MorpheusPA]

+1 Nugrass. There's not much you really need. There's plenty that's very nice, but not much you really, absolutely have to have.

You can probably get an older mower at a garage sale, it won't be great but you can work with it. A spreader's hard to get away from, but you can skip the tank sprayer in lieu of the hose end if you really have to.

I do require two shovels, a trowel and a larger shovel for bigger jobs. I probably could just use the trowel, but it would take forever!

[Jackpine]

My edger is a straight shovel. Twice a year taking out a wedge of grass/soil around the perimiter of the beds. Keeps things tidy and allows applying a deeper layer of mulch at the grass edge..

[sc4dr]

I know its been stated already, but any old gas mower will work fine as long as the deck is set up right and the blades are sharp.

Also, for years I used a scotts mini edge guard spreader. I think it was around $30

[jglongisland]

Atlas Nitrile Gloves (about $8): http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Glove-NT370 ... las+gloves

Cape Cod Weeder (about $20): http://www.amazon.com/A-M-Leonard-Cape- ... B00178ICW2

Mini D Handle Shovel (about $15): http://www.amazon.com/Bond-LH015-Mini-H ... i+d+shovel

[nugrass2012]

I'm an admitted equipment nut. 3 spray tanks, 2 spreaders, power rake and slit seeder, atleast 8 sprinklers, 400' plus in hoses, Honda walk behind, riding mower, well not just a riding mower, a Steiner with 60" deck, etc., etc. all for .34 acre lot less flower beds, house, 3 car drive, patios, covered porch, and sidewalks. HOWEVER, as a recent retiree, my income has been reduced until Walmart reinstitutes greeters. I'm more interested in how I can still maintain an elite lawn at the lowest cost. For instance, I can no longer rationalize monthly Milo applications, and (name escapes me) that ungodly expensive POA killer. What is the absolutely most cost effective method/amendment application regiment to maintain an elite lawn? Answer me that please.

[crabgrass]

- Garage sale lawnmower - I was given one by an older student in college and got it working with a new $6 cord retractor spring. My neighbor sharpened the blade for me on his grinder.
- Used rake, shovel, broom, shears, and hand clippers for trimming/edging.
- An old tarp can serve as a drag-able wheel barrow.
- Scrap wood and construction nails for garage hooks to organize and store. Works for me right now.
- Ask a neighbor for their empty disposable hose-end sprayer (which will still work). I use one I bought two years ago.
- Disgarded 5-gallon paint buckets via dumpster diving at a construction site.
- Discared plywood, aluminum siding, and 2x4 scrap for constructing a compost bin.
- Leaves from a field
- Discarded kitchen cabinets nailed to a $19 formica counter-top w/backsplash as a work bench. That's my bench.
- Large stones from the woods for under downspouts, grass barriers, etc.
- Plastic Rainbird impact sprinklers
- Shallow driven-point water well

[nomad85]

The TSC round up is a great find, thanks!!
http://www.tractorsupply.com/gordon-s-r ... l--4201103

This is the sprayer mentioned earlier:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002 ... 00_s00_i00

[paulr]

I have been boycotting this thread since it started.
I created an invention that will revolutionize the OM spreading world!
.
.
.
....and no one even made a comment!

http://aroundtheyard.com/equipment/tag- ... t8253.html