As a landscaping professional, you understand how expensive professional-grade equipment can be. In order to run your business profitably, it's important that you learn how to make the most of your equipment by getting the most out of it. One option is to purchase a power source designed to add a variety of attachments. Adding [...]

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As a landscaping professional, you understand how expensive professional-grade equipment can be. In order to run your business profitably, it's important that you learn how to make the most of your equipment by getting the most out of it.

One option is to purchase a power source designed to add a variety of attachments. Adding attachments to this type of power source is a great way to add to your repertoire without breaking the bank.

Here are nine of the most popular attachments for you to consider:

Curved Shaft Edger

A curved shaft edger attachment is a must-have tool if you're looking for a means of adding that finishing touch to a just mowed lawn. It allows you to cut a finished edge along sidewalks and driveways, giving yards a truly professional feel.

Garden Cultivator

A garden cultivator attachment is extremely versatile. You can use it to prepare soil for seed planting, to help control weeds, or simply to make sure soil has enough nutrients to handle a particular plant. It's essentially a miniature plow for gardens!

Brushcutter

A brush cutter attachment gives you the tool to attack thick undergrowth, or cut down shrubs in an instant. You'll even be able to cut down saplings.

Blower

Adding a blower attachment to your power source helps make cleaning up small yard debris a breeze. You'll be able to quickly and safely clear any sidewalks or walkways of grass clippings and small twigs. In the fall, you can use it as a leaf blower on your deck.

Straight Shaft Trimmer

Straight shaft trimmer attachments are an essential choice if you do not want to buy a dedicated unit used only for trimming yards. The straight shaft (vs. curved shaft design) offers better reach. Some also come in a higher 'torque" version for tougher grasses and terrain.

Hedge Trimmer

Shrubs are notoriously hard to keep groomed, and trimming them by hand is an arduous task. A commercial-grade hedge trimmer attachment lets you keep shrubs beautiful quickly and easily. Articulating hedge trimmer attachments, as shown here, give you the ability to adjust the angle of the blades.

Power Pruner

A power pruner attachment is the perfect tool when you have a lot of branches that you want to remove quickly. Ideally, you will remove brush or branches with the power pruner, then use a more precise tool to for fine tuning.

Brush

If you're regularly clearing or cleaning the surface of lawns or sod, you need a rubber paddle attachment. It sweeps the surface of a lawn or sod without harming the grass, efficiently clearing it of dirt, sand, and other debris.

Attachment Extension

Finally, a durable attachment extension improves the reach of all your other attachments, making it easy to handle tall or out-of-the-way problems. Just make sure to find an extension that's compatible with the rest of your attachments.

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A step-by-step guide to sharpening your chainsaw chain Having a chainsaw in your power tool inventory is a great way to make short work of any tree landscaping projects. And with minor preventative maintenance, your chainsaw will last for years to come. One maintenance procedure that you can easily accomplish and see immediate results is [...]

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A step-by-step guide to sharpening your chainsaw chain

Having a chainsaw in your power tool inventory is a great way to make short work of any tree landscaping projects. And with minor preventative maintenance, your chainsaw will last for years to come. One maintenance procedure that you can easily accomplish and see immediate results is to sharpen the chain.

Having a chainsaw in your power tool collection is a great way to make short work of any tree landscaping projects. And with minor preventative maintenance, your chainsaw will last for years to come. One procedure that you can easily accomplish and see immediate results is to sharpen the chain. This will make the cuts cleaner, the engine will run easier, and can be the difference in making a difficult job an easy one.

You'll know when it's time to sharpen your chain by observing the following indicators:

• Dull teeth along the chain


• Wood chips are small and dusty


• The pressure required to make a cut increases


• The engine races

If you've noticed any or all of these symptoms while using your chainsaw, follow the below guide to properly sharpen your chain to like-new sharpness.

1. To begin, first remove the oil on the guide bar by making a final cut on a log while stopping the chainsaw in the wood. You can also wipe down the bar with a rag while the chainsaw is not in use. And be sure to wear protective gloves throughout this sharpening procedure. Place the chainsaw on a flat, even surface and lock the guide bar in a vice. Make sure the chain is properly tightened and engage the chain brake.


2. Next, take out the file guide and insert it into the file handle. Insert the file into the file guide and tighten the wingnuts. Begin by sharpening the shortest or dullest cutter. The cutting angle can vary anywhere from 25-30 degrees depending on the type of chain. To identify which angle you should aim for, consult the instruction chart included with your filing kit. Adjust the angle using the wings of the handle or the markings on the file guide. Be sure to keep the file guide in contact with the cutter and depth gauge at all times, maintaining the lateral angle and grinding angle. And always sharpen each cutter from the inside of the cutter, to the outside, sharpening each to the same length to ensure smooth, even cutting.


3. If you're using a file handle to determine the cutting angle, adjust the handle position to produce the right cutting angle before sharpening the cutters on the opposite side. You'll know your cutter is correctly sharpened by the sharp, distinct cutting angles and no "flash" or "burrs" along each tooth. Keeping your chainsaw well sharpened with cutters that are even in length and at the proper cutting angle will increase performance, comfort, and safety.


4. The depth gauges on the chain determine the cutting depth. We recommend adjusting these depth gauges after 3 or 4 sharpenings. The gauge tool included in the kit will allow you to set all the depth gauges to the same level of .6mm. It's important to set the gauge tool on the cutters as you sharpen. Lower the part of the depth gauge that protrudes beyond the gauge tool, filing from the inside out then tilting the gauge tool to round off the depth gauge while protecting the cutter. Then repeat the procedure on the opposite side.


5. The guide bar should be cleaned and service regularly. The bar groove cleaner makes it easier to remove sawdust which can impair chain lubrication from oil holes and from the bar groove. The bar groove cleaner and flat file are included in the sharpening kit to make this kit a complete servicing kit for your chainsaw.
   
   Before you know it, your chainsaw will cut like it was brand new. Be sure to keep an eye on the chain after every use to make sure you're working with a well sharpened piece of equipment. You'll notice a difference in the smoothness of each cut and with the amount of force you'll need to exert while using the chainsaw. This will make your work easier as well as safer, reducing kickback and bucking from dull cutters getting "caught" in the wood.

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The autumn clean-up, as every groundsman and landscape professional knows, calls for a powerful blower to deal swiftly and efficiently with leaves and litter. All too often you're shifting wet or damp materials, with leaves clinging together and hard to move. Not so with the PB-580 backpack blower. The PB-580 has all you need to [...]

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The autumn clean-up, as every groundsman and landscape professional knows, calls for a powerful blower to deal swiftly and efficiently with leaves and litter. All too often you're shifting wet or damp materials, with leaves clinging together and hard to move. Not so with the PB-580 backpack blower. The PB-580 has all you need to power your way through the autumn with a premium grade Stage 2 compliant 58.2cc engine doing the work. What's different as well about the ECHO blower is its excellent balance, and it's light enough to be used throughout the day without causing excessive user fatigue. It has to be ECHO's most comfortable backpack blower, with its ventilated backpack pad to keep the operator cool even with the machine on full power. Four anti-vibration springs support the operator's back and the shoulder straps are fully padded.

ECHO engineers take a very different approach in their design – it's all about user experience and the environments where the blower will be used. Clearly, adding comfort enhancing features will increase operator productivity for a quicker result. The blower's handle has been designed with a new palm rest and hand stop to reduce the chances of the operator's hands slipping down and losing control of the machine. The trigger has also been made longer for more precise throttle control.

You can tell this is a machine that has been tested in everyday, real-life environments as everything feels easy and natural to use. What's more, the PB-580 has been designed to be easier for the operator to maintain. The air filter cover is easily accessed with no need for tools. The pleated, automotive style air filter can be quickly replaced and the in-grip adjustment has been placed near the handle for easy access to tighten the throttle cable. There's a leaf guard to eliminate any debris being potentially blown into the fan intake clogging the filter and fan. The metal ring at the end of the straight pipe reduces the pipe's wear and tear.

Add to this the fact that ECHO products are manufactured by the Japanese Yamabiko Corporation, who have been leaders in professional outdoor power tools for over sixty years. The PB-580 also comes with a two-year professional warranty, giving you peace of mind to put autumn in its place. You can find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer, or call 0800 597 7777 for more information

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You're looking for a Lithium Ion power blower alternative but are concerned whether you will get the power you need. You like the idea of a quiet start to the day and being able to just flick a switch and begin blowing the autumn leaves into a neat pile for collection. No starter rope to pull, [...]

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You're looking for a Lithium Ion power blower alternative but are concerned whether you will get the power you need. You like the idea of a quiet start to the day and being able to just flick a switch and begin blowing the autumn leaves into a neat pile for collection. No starter rope to pull, no two-stroke fuel to fill and store and no emissions. Then why not start with a look at the ECHO DPB-600 power blower which is part of ECHO's 50V Lithium Ion battery series? Like every product ECHO designs and manufactures it is built with a selection of features which consider the environment it will be used in and operator productivity. This is petrol performance from a battery product.

There, it has been said and it's true you get professional-grade quality with the DPB-600 built to the same professional standards as ECHO's petrol power blowers. It's powerful, tough, durable and built to last, whether it's being used by a professional or the keen gardener. The DPB-600 is small and lightweight but it packs a punch when it comes to clearing large areas of fallen leaves. With its low noise it's ideally suited to use in noise sensitive areas, perfect around schools and nursing homes or just around the garden. Low emissions really do mean it can be used in low emission areas such as parks, nature reserves or organic gardens. Because it has fewer working parts it's low maintenance and it's clean, easy to use and store.

Now for the technical bit. The versatile 50V Lithium Ion 4Ah battery which comes as standard on the DPB-600, can be used with other ECHO 50V battery products, so you can switch them around depending on what job you are doing. The DPB-600 features a robust brushless motor which is long lasting and maintenance free due to non-wearing parts – helping to reduce downtime and servicing costs. It has intelligent energy efficient motor controls which manage the motor speed, power delivery and battery temperature for improved performance and battery life. And the fan on the DPB-600 is protected by a unique meshed cover design, which prevents the entry of debris and damage to the fan. You'll find it easy and comfortable to use, with the neat feature of a throttle with cruise control and rubber over-mould grip. The blowing power, precision and run time are all optimised with variable speed control. And how long does it take to charge the battery? The DPB-600 comes with a rapid charger which helps to reduce down time, charging the 4Ah battery to 80% in 48 mins and 100% in 88mins.

The five-year domestic warranty shows that ECHO are extremely confident in their machines. This confidence continues with a two-year warranty on all ECHO 50V Lithium Ion batteries. Find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer, or call 0800 597 7777 for more information.

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Top handle chainsaw (or arborist saw) are petrol chainsaws designed specifically for professional arborists, foresters and tree surgeons. Why use a top handle chainsaw? Unlike a conventional rear handle petrol chainsaw, which requires two hands to operate, a top handle chainsaw has grouped controls mounted in one location on the top handlebar. This means it [...]

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Top handle chainsaw (or arborist saw) are petrol chainsaws designed specifically for professional arborists, foresters and tree surgeons.

Why use a top handle chainsaw?

Unlike a conventional rear handle petrol chainsaw, which requires two hands to operate, a top handle chainsaw has grouped controls mounted in one location on the top handlebar. This means it is possible (although not best practice) to use the top handle chainsaw with one hand or to use it in tight spaces.

Of course, to do so requires specialised skill and training. For this reason, top handle chainsaws can only be sold to trained tree operators with appropriate certification. They should not be operated by members of the public or even untrained professionals.

Choosing the right arborist saw

Just like the purchase of any petrol chainsaw, understanding the right questions to ask when choosing a top handle saw is crucial. The following points should be considered. Remember, always seek out professional advice from your nearest ECHO dealer before making your final purchasing decision.

1. Arborist saw safety

Without question, the first consideration is safety. Every modern petrol chainsaw will feature a chain brake, but take a good look at the quality of the mechanism. The CS-2511TES features a dual post chain brake design – this adds a lot of strength... just where you need it.

Look for extra strength in the lanyard. As a climbing saw, your top handle chainsaw will be fastened to your harness. Should the line snag on a branch, you need to be sure that fixing won't break – this is a safety risk for the ground crew working near the base of the tree.

2. Arborist saw comfort

After safety comes comfort. As a professional arborist, you will be using the saw every day for hours at a time. A top handle chainsaw that is uncomfortable to use is actually an unsafe chainsaw. Having a secure and comfortable grip provides control of the saw that is critical for safe operation.

Look for features like that of the CS-360TES for example. This chainsaw has an adjustable palm rest to fit the contours of your hand. This feature helps with the positioning of the saw in your hand.

Weight is another critical factor. Imagine using a saw with your arms out stretched. Muscle fatigue can be a real issue. The CS-2511TES is one of the lightest chainsaws in the world and can used comfortably for longer periods.

3. Arborist saw manoeuvrability

By definition, a top handle chainsaw must be easy to maneuver. It is used in areas where space is at a premium and a variety of complicated and precise cuts are required in a potentially hazardous environment. A compact design, such as that found on the CS-2511TES and the CS-280TES is more than just desirable – it is essential. A bulky design can inhibit your ability to use the chainsaw. Be sure to spend a lot of time weighing up the requirement for bar length versus compact design. You know best the way you work and the type of arborist saw that will best meet your needs.

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