Would you rather put in more hours doing yardwork or spend some cash on powerful tools to do the job quickly? If you're willing to invest, nothing can speed outdoor jobs more than a backpack leaf blower—the gardener's answer to the jet pack. We gathered five homeowner models, ranging from 45.4 to 50.8 cc, and gave them a workout blowing wet and dry leaves, sticks, pine cones and seedpods. We also evaluated two new pro models that represent the industry's future—one is a four-cycle and the other a two-stroke hybrid. During a second phase, we tested how homeowners used this gear by working alongside volunteers clearing leaves at a church. Here's what we found.Clearing the AirThe future is clear for two-stroke power equipment. It either becomes cleaner or it disappears. That's especially true for the varieties that pros operate for hours a day. We tested two low-pollution models, both of them commercial-duty. The Stihl is a hybrid that uses a four-cycle engine but two-stroke fuel. The Makita is a true four-cycle machine.

Do you give up performance when you go with cleaner equipment? These machines move an awesome amount of air—and leaves. Although it's difficult to quantify, I'd say they'd allow you to cover about a third more ground than you would with the residential equipment mentioned here, and they can move material that's soaked, packed or lightly frozen. After a thorough workout, we'd have to say that these machines fought to a draw—each has advantages.Desirable Features• Large top carrying handle• Highly accessible fuel spout• Translucent gas tank• Ledge large enough to place your foot on when starting handle with throttle The 6 Tools You Need to Live Off the Grid Why You Should Carry a Pocketknife With You Every Day The Best New Tools at the 2017 World of Concrete This Reciprocating Saw Looks Funky But Performs Flawlessly What's the Best Circular Saw? A Nitro-Powered Drill For When Sanity Just Won't Cut It Sears to Sell the Iconic Craftsman Brand After 90 Years

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Lawn Care and Snow Removal Small Business. Trailer for a Pick up. Holds mostly all items for yard work.(Things to do with Trucks)Find a Specific Product: BR 450 C-EFThe world's only professional backpack blower with electric start. 5. 35 by from 55 by from 55 by from 25 by from 15 by from 45 by from 35 by from 55 by from BR 450 C-EF Reviews - page 290l backpack too bigIn today’s digital world, cash and checks are a thing of the past. bp-1400 backpack vacuumCredit cards and online forms of payment are the new norm. gregory maven backpackBut are the surcharges and fees worth it? ogio backpack overstock

members have to say. Texas*Golf*Bum: More customers want to pay by credit card, and many of our contract customers want to auto-bill the first of the month. For five years we have been send bills by email, and our customers pay by check. To those of you who accept credit cards in your business: Do you charge for this service or take the 4 percent or other fee as a cost of doing business? solar backpack mcgillAlso, what are you using for your business? backpack amplI have heard a lot about Square, but we need something that can be used on our website and possibly in the field. donamow: Yes, I would rather take a card than a check. In fact, I only accept checks with regular customers. It’s a new age. I have had $35 checks come back to me from people living in mansions. TenderCareLawnService: We use QuickBooks Intuit GoPayment, and once you have a merchant account set up you can then link your existing QuickBooks to that account.

It’s very quick and easy. My guys can process out in the field if needed, but we don’t use it much. I would highly recommend getting set up. Now we don’t add on any additional money like the percentage they charge you because I had heard that was illegal to do. For me, it’s worth not spending my time tracking these people down and just taking my loss on the percentage. We are in the process of moving every customer over to credit card payments. Basically, I service the account today and tomorrow we run the card. It hits the account very quickly. My whole business is smoother, and cash flow is better than it ever has been. PicturePerfectLawns: I’m the opposite of that. I take nearly all checks monthly. Out of the thousands of checks I’ve taken, I’ve had two checks come back. One I recovered, one I never recovered. It sure beats the heck out of the thousands of dollars in card fees over the few years. If you are accepting all cards, I hope you are at least collecting additional fees for them.

By the time you add all the fees, you could buy a new mower every three years. NEW CITY LAWN CARE LLC: I would say yes, accept them (credit cards). In my opinion, I think it’s something you eat the cost on. I have a consistent 20-plus customers who pay by credit card every month and my monthly fee might be $25 or $30. I get paid faster and easier, and the money gets directly deposited into my bank account several times a month. HOOLIE: You can deduct the credit card fees as a business expense. I would guess it depends on the area as to whether customers are more inclined to pay by check or credit card. I got to where I had a ton of slow-paying customers so I made credit card payments mandatory for most of them. Nunyabisnes: I actually have several customers who switched to me because I would accept credit cards. They’re older and love being able to get miles or points. I’m paying a 2.45 percent fee and it’s worth it to not have to deal with trying to get a check or having to mail/email thousands of invoices a year.