As a kid, my father got me interested in gardening, and every day I would watch him take care of the garden and lawn.
He would invariably have a Lawn-Boy product by his side, and since then, I've been fascinated with everything about this brand. Even now, I reminisce with my fellow gardeners about how he would rush to the store to check out the latest releases.
But with so many new brands coming to the market, is Lawn-Boy still relevant, and what place does it hold in today's society? Hi! I'm Stacy Smith, and today I'll be answering some of these questions.
Therefore, it's essential that I talk about the history of Lawn-Boy and how its modern-day landscaping tools came into being. So, join me as I journey into the life of one of the most sought-after brands.
An Overview Of Lawn-Boy Lawn Products
A Brief History
The beginning of Lawn-Boy is quite interesting, and it all starts with ice cream. As you may know, summer months in Wisconsin are anything but pleasant. The weather is hot and humid, and back in 1904, on a sultry afternoon, a certain Ole Evinrude decided to bring his future wife ice cream.
But the problem was that the Okauchee Lake lay between Ole Evinrude and his budding romance with Bess Carry. The only solution was to row across the lake and take it to her, which he dutifully did. However, the scorching sun had reduced the ice cream to water.
Embarrassed and hurt, Ole Evinrude founded Evinrude Motors, which later became Lawn-Boy, and he developed the first outboard motor in 1904. Several years later, after he passed away in 1934, his son took over the company, producing the first one-handed reel power mower. This was the original Lawn-Boy lawnmower.
Then again, in 1936, Briggs, Evinrude, and Johnson motors merged to form the Outboard Marine and Manufacturing Company (OMMC). But why is it significant? Because, once production resumed in 1946, following the Second World War, a gentleman named Jack Doyle built the first rotary motor for the Rotary Powered Motor Company (RPM).
Later, OMMC would purchase RPM and re-christen the rotary lawnmower to the existing Lawn-Boy name.
Types Of Tools
Over the years, Lawn-Boy has expanded its sphere to produce numerous quality products, a trend that has continued since the 1960s. Just as I've done my research on the brand, Lawn-Boy spent a major part of the 60s and 70s researching new tools. The result was that they were able to introduce new snow-throwers, roto-tillers, and ride-on products.
Another significant development in the 1970s was the production of the 2-cycle engine, which became the poster-child for the brand. The designers built a more powerful engine with fewer parts and negligible body mass, making it stand out.
Not one to rest on laurels, Lawn-Boy brought the 2-cycle "F'' engine to the market, accompanied by CD ignition systems and a cordless mower. This was followed by another milestone year in 1983 when the brand started producing CPSC compliant lawnmowers with blade stopping systems.
Moving on, Lawn-Boy acquired the Gilson brothers to meet the increasing demand for its products. The advantageous aspect of this deal was that the manufacturers also came into the possession of garden tractors, better snow-throwers, and space heaters.
Then came 1989, when the Toro company bought Lawn-Boy and expanded its distribution channels to home centers, hardware co-ops, and mass retailers. And with its headquarters shifting to Bloomington, new Gold and Silver series Lawn-Boy motors entered people's homes.
Furthermore, an innovative DuraForce 2-cycle engine, a new series of walk-behind motors, and the latest Zero Radius Turning Mowers are now available.
Latest Lawn-Boy Products
In this section, I'll provide an overview of Lawn Boy Lawn Products relevant to contemporary times. So, below is a list of the latest landscaping tools from the brand.
1. Four-Wheel Drive
To retain its hold in the market, the designers have released an all-wheel-drive lawn mower, offering better traction to handle all your mowing needs.
2. High-Wheel Push
Another new series of lawnmowers that has taken the market by storm is the high-wheel push mower, having bigger rear wheels. This allows it to mow uneven terrain.
3. Rear-Wheel Drive
Apart from these two, there's a new series of mowers with rear-wheel drive. It self-propels itself forward, delivering improved traction and quality-control for the best results.
4. Electric Start
This model is as easy as it sounds. All you need to do is press the key and start mowing, eliminating the need for a power chord.
5. 3-In-1 Blower
Gardening enthusiasts will particularly love this tool as it incorporates the features of a vacuum, blower, and leaf mulcher into one device. Therefore, it's perfect for cleaning a lawn quickly.
6. Gas Snow Blower
The Lawn-Boy two-stage gas snow blower comes in handy for clearing snow during the winter months. Moreover, it has all the relevant features for reliable and long-lasting performance.
Quality Of Products
Now, I've given you an idea regarding the evolution of the products and the latest tools. So, it's a good time to discuss the quality of Lawn-Boy models. Firstly, most Lawn-Boy products are highly reliable and run for several years. Users don't face issues with performance and get the desired output, highlighting its efficiency.
However, after a couple of years, you might face problems starting the device. This is slightly inconvenient while the blades also lose their sharpness, leading to clogging. Another concerning aspect is that its noise levels increase with age, so the best option would be to buy a new tool.
Final Words
That’s all I’ve to say about Lawn-Boy and its lawn products, and hopefully, I’ve been impartial in my assessment.Â
The brand has several more competitors to deal with today, but the quality of its tools remains intact. Yes, there are a few areas that need improvement, but overall, users can still trust Lawn-Boy.Â
Until next time. Take care, bye!