Mark Newhall's Recent “Best Buys”
EZ-GO RSV Electric Golf Cart – My family has about 20 acres of lake property in northern Minnesota, with some steep hills that were getting tiresome to navigate as I got into my mid-60’s. I looked at ATV’s of all types but am very glad I finally settled on a used electric golf cart with a cargo box on back ($4,500 used). The RSV is built heavy so it can carry up to 1,200 lbs. and has a rear drawbar to pull our boat trailer around. What we especially like is that it’s quiet and also easy to get on and off. Makes it a lot more fun to do chores around the property and no more carrying compost bags, fertilizer, tools, and other stuff up and down those hills.
Stihl MS261 C-M Chainsaw: Two storms this summer knocked down more than a hundred trees on our property so I needed a new saw to take care of them. This one wasn’t cheap at nearly $600 but it sure has been a joy to operate. It has anti-vibration features so you don’t feel like a rag doll after several hours of use. It also has electronic ignition with a microprocessor that continually samples the air and fuel to ensure smooth running. The on-off switch and choke are combined on the same control lever so it flips to “run” automatically after the saw starts. And it has the compression relief valve so starting is almost effortless. I love this saw and expect to have it for many years.
Forester Saw Chain Blade – While clearing up storm-damaged trees and brush this summer, I decided to clear some walking trails back in the woods. I have an ECHO gas-powered brush trimmer (Model SRM-410U) that I really like but the cutting blade that comes with it gets dull fast. So I ordered a 9-in. dia. Forester saw chain blade with carbide teeth. It quickly slices through brush and small tree trunks 3 to 4 in. dia. The teeth stayed sharp for weeks and I’m told that when it eventually gets dull, I can sharpen it by putting a diamond bit in my chainsaw sharpener. Haven’t tried that yet. This blade cost about $34 at Amazon.com or you can find it at www.forestershop.com.
Powered Pruning Shears – This tool from Scott’s is amazing for cutting branches up to an inch and a half or so when pruning or clearing brush. It’ll cut for a couple hours before the battery needs recharging. I bought an optional extension pole that lets me reach up into trees or reach down to cut brush at ground level. The shears cost $70 and the extension pole $25. Available at nearly all big box stores as well as at www.scotts.com and Amazon.com.
Tile GPS Trackers – My family claims that I’m notorious for misplacing my wallet, keys and phone. I say I’m just easily distracted. At any rate, they finally bought me a couple Tile GPS trackers. One clips onto my key chain and the other slips into my wallet. An app on my phone sets off an alarm on the trackers if they’re ever misplaced, and a locater on the app shows where they are. If I lose my phone, a button on either of the trackers sets off an alarm on the phone. They sell for about $25 apiece on Amazon.com.
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Mark Newhall s Recent “Best Buys” FARM HOME Miscellaneous EZ-GO RSV Electric Golf Cart – My family has about 20 acres of lake property in northern Minnesota with some steep hills that were getting tiresome to navigate as I got into my mid-60’s I looked at ATV’s of all types but am very glad I finally settled on a used electric golf cart with a cargo box on back $4 500 used The RSV is built heavy so it can carry up to 1 200 lbs and has a rear drawbar to pull our boat trailer around What we especially like is that it’s quiet and also easy to get on and off Makes it a lot more fun to do chores around the property and no more carrying compost bags fertilizer tools and other stuff up and down those hills Stihl MS261 C-M Chainsaw: Two storms this summer knocked down more than a hundred trees on our property so I needed a new saw to take care of them This one wasn’t cheap at nearly $600 but it sure has been a joy to operate It has anti-vibration features so you don’t feel like a rag doll after several hours of use It also has electronic ignition with a microprocessor that continually samples the air and fuel to ensure smooth running The on-off switch and choke are combined on the same control lever so it flips to “run” automatically after the saw starts And it has the compression relief valve so starting is almost effortless I love this saw and expect to have it for many years Forester Saw Chain Blade – While clearing up storm-damaged trees and brush this summer I decided to clear some walking trails back in the woods I have an ECHO gas-powered brush trimmer Model SRM-410U that I really like but the cutting blade that comes with it gets dull fast So I ordered a 9-in dia Forester saw chain blade with carbide teeth It quickly slices through brush and small tree trunks 3 to 4 in dia The teeth stayed sharp for weeks and I’m told that when it eventually gets dull I can sharpen it by putting a diamond bit in my chainsaw sharpener Haven’t tried that yet This blade cost about $34 at Amazon com or you can find it at www forestershop com Powered Pruning Shears – This tool from Scott’s is amazing for cutting branches up to an inch and a half or so when pruning or clearing brush It’ll cut for a couple hours before the battery needs recharging I bought an optional extension pole that lets me reach up into trees or reach down to cut brush at ground level The shears cost $70 and the extension pole $25 Available at nearly all big box stores as well as at www scotts com and Amazon com Tile GPS Trackers – My family claims that I’m notorious for misplacing my wallet keys and phone I say I’m just easily distracted At any rate they finally bought me a couple Tile GPS trackers One clips onto my key chain and the other slips into my wallet An app on my phone sets off an alarm on the trackers if they’re ever misplaced and a locater on the app shows where they are If I lose my phone a button on either of the trackers sets off an alarm on the phone They sell for about $25 apiece on Amazon com
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