Product Highlight: Stihl Hedge Trimmers

With the weather the crazy way it's been lately (that's Missouri, for you), we're not really sure whether we should talk about lawn mowers or snow blowers.

 

So we're taking the middle ground...

Today's product highlight: Hedge Trimmers.

Did you know that...

Early spring is a good time to do initial, light pruning on your trees and trim those hedges and shrubs so they grow into the shape you want them to have this summer? 

Did you know that...

Stihl makes hedge trimming easy, even (dare we say it) fun?

The HS 45 Hedge Trimmer

This is the home owner's best friend. Goodbye, cheap and unwieldy pruning shears that rust closed every winter. Hello, gas-powered hedge-trimming power. This little beauty is light weight, easy to use, easy to handle, and powerfully effective for trimming hedges, shrubs, bushes, and doing light pruning of trees. 

 

Features

• 18" or 24" inch blade version 
• Stihl Homescaper series engine 
• Blade lock for safer starts and for moving from one plant to another 
• Reciprocating, dual-sided blades

Starts at $289.99

The HL 45 Extended Reach Hedge Trimmer

When most of your trimming and pruning requires a step ladder, this is the hedge trimmer you need to invest in. With the lengthier design and lighter weight gear box, the HL 45 gives you extended reach so you don't have to balance on a step stool with a sharp object in your hands. Instead, stay safely on the ground and just let the HL 45 do the reaching and working for you.  

Features

• Powered by STIHL HomeScaper Series™ engine 
• 20" blade with fixed 0º angle 
• New lighter weight durable gearbox

Starts at $339.99

How to Keep Your Power Equipment Running

Power equipment like lawn mowers, chain saws, snow blowers, trimmers, and blowers all require regular maintenance if you want them to keep working and get a good long life out of them. It's easy to forget that they're machines with wear-and-tear parts, and there's a little bit more to the upkeep than just putting fresh fuel in the tank before you use the equipment.

To keep your power equipment running in top shape, for all types of yard and garden power equipment, you'll want to pay attention to these areas:

The Fuel System
The main thing to remember about a fuel system in power equipment is that the fuel you're purchasing won't stay fresh very long. Due to the high levels of ethanol in gas, the fuel quickly disintegrates and can leave a sticky, nasty varnish all inside the fuel system of your lawn mower or snow blower. The small parts involved in the fuel system of any piece of power equipment don't appreciate this varnish, and it can cause serious problems. You might find that your machine won't start, or that it will start and then die out, or that you have a kind of up-and-down thing happening, with the engine revving up and then nearly dying out.

The easiest way to make sure you don't get that varnish in your machine's fuel system is to add fuel stabilizer to all the fuel you purchase. At Arco Lawn, we carry individual packs that make it quick and mess-free (no measuring) as well as larger bottles with easy ratios to follow for adding to gas cans.

The Lubrication System
For 2-cycle machines such as trimmers, blowers, and chain saws, you know you need to add oil to the gas so the machine's engine gets adequate lubrication. Be sure of two things: first, that you're using the right kind of oil and second, that you're adding it in the correct ratio for your machine. For Stihl equipment, which we carry at Arco, there are small and large bottles of 2-cycle oil. If you don't want to mess with measuring, get the smaller bottles and add the whole thing to the appropriate amount of fuel in your gas can. You'll have your pre-mixed fuel ready to go when you're ready to use your equipment.

The Maintenance Parts
It's easy to forget, but some engine parts aren't meant to last forever. Spark plugs and air filters are parts which get a lot of wear and tear and should be replaced every season. Other commonly replaced maintenance parts include self-propel cables, fuel lines, and, of course, the chain on your chain saw and the blade on your mower will need to be regularly sharpened for best performance. Use our quick and easy Parts Look Up online system to find the parts you need for your machine.

We're happy to help you figure out what you need to do to keep your power equipment in working order. Feel free to stop by our store {14657 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO 63069}, give us a call {636-394-0044}, or leave your question on our blog or Facebook page.

Image courtesy of tourist_on_earth.

This Week's Special: Free Gas Can with Stihl Equipment Purchase!

This Week's Special:
Every week we offer a special, discount, coupon, or great deal for our amazing customers! Friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our blog or e-newsletter to make sure you don't miss a deal. 

Free 1 Gallon gas can when you purchase new STIHL equipment and 6 pack of ultra oil.*

Be sure to print off the coupon below to get the special!
 

*See store associate for details. Stihl FS45 trimmer and BG55 blower not eligible. Equipment must be purchased in store at Arco Lawn Equipment, 14657 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO 63011. Valid February 21, 2011, through February 26, 2011. Cannot be combined with other coupons, discounts, or specials.

Weekly Special: 20% Off Service Parts with Eqt Purchase!

This Week's Special:
Every week we offer a special, discount, coupon, or great deal for our amazing customers! Friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our blog or e-newsletter to make sure you don't miss a deal. 

20% off any service parts purchased at time of sale on new equipment.*
Be sure to print off the coupon below to get the special!
 
*See a sales associate for details. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Valid February 14, 2011, through February 19, 2011. Service parts must be purchased at same time of sale as purchase of new equipment. Cannot be combined with other coupons, discounts, or specials.

Product Highlight: Toro Snow Blowers

The Midwest has gotten quite a lot of snow this year; definitely more than our usual. If you've been getting by pushing the snow around with a shovel, now is the time to upgrade to a more back-friendly method of snow removal.
Behold the glorious snow blower!

Toro offers several models of snow blowers to meet different budgets and consumer needs. If you have a small driveway, the biggest model is probably more than you need. On the other hand, if you're trying to clear a large driveway, patio, sidewalk, or other area, you need a snow blower big enough to do the job well.

Toro PowerClear180
The PowerClear 180 has an 18" clear width and 25' throw distance. With its 4-cycle, OHV engine it provides power as well as portability. Recoil start or electric start options available.

Pricing starts at $399.95.

Purchase or view more info about the PowerClear 180 here.

Toro PowerClear 210

The 210 offers more power for larger areas to clear at a great price. With a 21" clearing width and a 30' throw distance, it can make quick work of snow.
With an R-Tek Engine, Power Propel Drive System, and 2-year warranty, this machine is a great investment for winter.

Pricing starts at $559.95.

Purchase or view more info about the PowerClear 210 here.

Weekly Special: 10% Off Parts Purchase!

This Week's Special:
Every week we offer a special, discount, coupon, or great deal for our amazing customers! Friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our blog or e-newsletter to make sure you don't miss a deal. 

10% off parts, e.g. air filters, spark plugs, and more.* 
Be sure to print out the coupon below to redeem this offer.

*See store associate for details. Must be purchased in-store at Arco Lawn Equipment.  Must present coupon at time of purchase for redemption. Valid February 7, 2011, through February 12, 2011. Cannot be combined with other coupons, discounts, or specials. Limit 1 coupon per customer. Terms subject to change without notice.

Commercial Deal of the Month: 20% off Parts!

February's Commercial Special of the Month: 
Every month we present a special deal for our commercial customers. 

20% off pre-season commercial parts orders above $500.00! * 
See details below, and be sure to print the coupon to bring in to the store to get your special!


 *Applies to regular service parts only. See a store associate for details. Arco Lawn Equipment reserves the right to make exceptions of parts not valid for this offer. Coupon valid through the month of February, 2011.Must present coupon at time of purchase for redemption. Cannot be combined with other coupons, discounts, or specials. Complete parts order, pre-tax, must equal $500.00 or above. Limit 1 per customer.