I have lived in Rural places, most of my life. However, in 1986-1987 I lived South Chicago. While I lived there, at 8:00 on most Saturday mornings, in the Polish Catholic neighborhood, there was inevitably an old geezer with a leaf blower, cleaning his lawn, or driveway. Many of these guys were WW2 vets, 'Nam Vets, and Korea Vets. I have listened to hours of their stories. So, they came home to USA, and wanted to live "Happily ever after". As society has it, some of their kids don't understand them, and their value systems. Up every day at 4:00 am. Rain or shine. Coffee, and for some a trip to the cafe, to eat breakfast with others like themselves. As they aged, they have difficulty bending over to tie their shoes, or pick up trash.
Along comes a new tool. Like a "Grabber". It's a tool that allows you to pick up items, without bending nearly as far. And, a leaf blower. The subject of this post.
Sometimes, you find neighbor A, blowing his yard, and an hour later, neighbor B blowing the leaves, and trash back. While overseas, using a "50 cal" to clear an area was normal. In USA, that's frowned upon. Enter the LEAF BLOWER. Now, they are "back in 'nam". Blowing leaves. Clearing an area. It's the last stand against leaves, trash, and dirt. They are back on patrol, and they can squeeze the trigger, and clear the yard. Now, after breakfast, they are "on patrol". The Leaf Blower, becomes their new uzi, as they patrol their yard.
Well, I bought an Echo leaf blower. I like it. I can now patrol the porch, the walk, and the steps. I somehow have become an old man, with a leaf blower. One of "Those Guys". I think it's a good thing for us as we age. So we can patrol our yards.
I like leaf blowers. I think I am on my way to being an old man.
Go for it. Buy a leaf blower.
Nate
I love my ECHO leaf blower.
Well written, Uncle Paden, Junior.
Stihl all the way !
@gary_g I am a Stihl guy. Chainsaw is 15 years old. Weed eater is 15 years old. This winter i will replace the primary bulb on weed eater. Other than that. Not a hint of repairs so far. The chainsaw has been used to clear 3 acres and miles of fence line. Fallen trees from storms so it has been used hard. Weed eater miles of fence line. Now when I bought I bought the professional version not the home owner version. But they have served me well. Up until i got a crack in my primer bubble on the weed eater this year. I have never pulled the rope more than twice on either one to start. I did break the rope on chainsaw pull but that was last year. Not to shabby. Only run ethanol free fuel and mix. I mix my own.
Sounds like me on a Sat morning. I've had an EGO battery powered blower for over 9 years still operates perfectly. I use it for the normal things but really love it as a car dryer after giving the car a bath.
ps. they need to invent an automatic toenail clipper for old farts. Stabbing internal organs with your rib cage when you bend over gets old quick and hurts too!
automatic toenail clipper for old farts
Google is your friend...
BoozeAllen ptr 30 yrs said buy new Chinese chainsaw vs fix my poc Poulan. Replaced the 35yo Poulan last year with the EGO. Now have EGO weedeater, chainsaw and 750cfm blower - all good for an hours use.
Last time I Googled "old farts" I bought one of these to haul crap around in the yard. Have a Radio Flyer wagon, a fertilizer spreader and a garbage can I can hook up to it. The thing has been great and I haven't even flipped it over yet.
All on sale at GEEZERS 'R' US.
(shaking head in despair)
ps. they need to invent an automatic toenail clipper for old farts. Stabbing internal organs with your rib cage when you ben
Agreed. And I do yoga. Still a challenge for me, too, at 53-years young.
Talk of chainsaws brings this story to mind--
"Ed Johnson," an old I-man who I worked with in the 1960s, had seen the bottom of a great many whiskey bottles. He told of an occasion when he'd been in a bar in Warroad, MN, or thereabouts, and a dozen lumberjacks came in. All of them brought their chainsaws into the bar. They had ridden into town on a flatbed truck, and there was no way they were going to leave them outside.
After a few drinks and some conversation with these guys, Ed posed a challenge. "Will all your chainsaws start on the first pull?"
"You betcha," they answered.
"Five bucks says they won't," Ed replied, laying the money on the bar.
The lumberjacks glanced at one another, picked up their saws, set the chokes, and pulled the starter cords. Every saw started. The bar filled up with noise and blue 2-cycle exhaust. Ed lost his bet, and the bartender invited him to leave the premises. But he didn't mind, because he'd already drunk up all his money except for that last $5 bill.
One County survey room I frequent is also the storage room for new chain saws. That's how they hide them from the Road and Bridge workers until a chainsaw becomes worthless. Magically, a new chainsaw appears the next day to replace the one only good for being a boat anchor. Usually eight to ten new ones in my way. Never fewer than two as that must be when they order a half-dozen new ones.
Agreed. And I do yoga. Still a challenge for me, too, at 53-years young.
Good for you. "No Impact" exercise is best.
I swim when it's warm and have a rowing machine for when it's below 72°F outside.
Real old geezers hire someone to do all of that and then complain loudly about the work product and how they always did so much better when they were the worier's age.
