Yesterday was the first day of fall and the season’s sense of melancholy is already in the air. Memories of sunshine, short sleeves and green leaves will soon fade into cloudy skies, hoodies and multi-colored trees. And, eventually, those orange, red and yellow leaves will litter yards everywhere. For those who wince at the prospect of leaf removal, here’s some innovate products that may make the process a little easier.
One invention that certainly hasn’t changed much in the century-plus since its conception is the rake. This handy lawn tool has been the key component in removing dead leaves for more falls than John McCain has been alive. Of course, that’s doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Usually, a rake gets clogged with bundles of leaves at least a couple times each session. One product that claims to provide a solution to this problem is the Ames True Temper No Clog Rake (available at Sears for $9.99). The inventive minds at Ames True Temper (a North American manufacturer of non-powered lawn and garden products) have altered the design of the traditional lawn instrument to make the raking process a little smoother. By connecting the rake tines at the tips (so they look like arrows), this rake is designed to do just what the name states. In addition to the no-clog feature, the rake also is equipped with a foam grip and comes with a 10-year warranty.
For something a little showier, with a little more power, for people who are just a little lazier, there’s the ECHO Backpack Blower (available at The Home Depot for $319). Though it does essentially the same job as a rake and costs a few hundred dollars more, it will undoubtedly make removing leaves from the lawn a much more enjoyable experience. Similar in appearance to the proton packs seen in “Ghostbusters”, the ECHO Backpack Blower lets a person stroll around the yard blowing leaves into a pile with a 44cc high-output piston engine. This puppy also features a hip-mounted throttle control (with cruise control), a padded back and adjustable shoulder straps to make lugging its 20-pound weight easy. One season with this tool, and the old-fashioned rake will begin to look downright medieval.
But if walking around blowing leaves off your lawn still seems like a lot of work - and money is not an issue - why not take it up a notch? A great device to do just that is the Cyclone Rake XL (available on the product Web site for $1,695). The Cyclone Rake attaches to the tail of a riding mower, and uses a powerful engine to suck up leaves and deposit them into a 415-gallon collection trailer. The inventors of this device tout that “a completely new vacuum system, incorporating the most advanced engineering, plus our new Super-Flow Miracle Impeller™ deliver far more vacuum power than any other model”. Ideal for people who own acres of land, or those who are just really, really lazy, the Cyclone Rake also advertises easy unloading and compact storage. Hook this invention on a tractor, grab a hot beverage for the ride and behold the majesty of fall.
