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Consumer Reports Recommends Gadgets To Make Fall Yard Work Easier

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Not all weekend warriors have muscles to match, but don't let that stop you from having a picture-perfect yard this fall.

Consumer Reports ShopSmart found some equipment that'll make yard work a breeze, or at least a little less back-breaking.

Neely Bower takes pride in her yard, keeping it neatly landscaped all year round.

"It's relaxing. It's hard work, but it's relaxing," she says.

Consumer Reports ShopSmart says for women who do lots of yard work, having the right tools is key.

Editor Lisa Lee Freeman and yard equipment expert Peter Sawchuk have some great options that get the job done.

Gas-powered mowers are heavy, noisy and require a lot of maintenance. Instead, consider an electric mower like the $450 one from Black and Decker.

"With an electric mower, you press the button and you're good to go," said Freeman. "And it's super quiet, too."

Keeping your lawn leaf-free can be challenging. And a full-sized leaf blower can weigh almost 25 pounds.

A lightweight backpack leaf blower like the $280 one from Stihl makes the job much easier.

Gas-powered string trimmers are also heavy and hard to start. The battery-powered one from Ryobi does a great job for $130. All you have to do is push a button and pull the trigger.

If you're serious about yard work, but don't want to deal with a chainsaw, ShopSmart has another option from Black and Decker.

"It's basically a mini-electric chainsaw, and even though it's small and compact and easy to use, you can prune trees and shrubs. You can even cut firewood and fallen branches," Freeman said. "And it's a lot less scary than a regular chainsaw."

A bonus - the blade is hidden, so it's safer, too.

With these tools, your yard will soon be the envy of the block.

If you already own any gas-powered yard equipment, you know that mixing gas and oil to fuel it can be a messy job.

Consumer Reports recommends TruFuel. It costs about $6 a quart, but is conveniently premixed and ethanol-free, which helps prevent problems starting.

RELATED LINKS:
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