Gentlemen, start your engines! No, you aren’t in Indianapolis (INDY 500), but instead in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Equip Exposition, an annual trade show for landscape and hardscape.  We cruised (or sometimes raced on a riding mower, thanks Kawasaki) the Expo as well as Hardscape North America unearthing trending landscaping tools and hardscaping products. As your self-titled ‘Trade Show Treasure Hunter,’ I’ll be taking you through products at various trade shows throughout the year related to home, jobsite, outdoor, hardware… and many more, so let’s get rolling into this one.

Green Machine Lithium Ion Battery and Gas Hybrid Zero Turn Lawn Mower

The battle between gas versus battery clashes on, with battery power and benefits closing the gap. Hybrid technology is a great bridge to this divide as seen in Green Machine 42” hybrid zero-turn mower that engages a sealed 54V Li-ion battery with a 4kWh gas generator, automatically switching between battery and gas to ensure hours of continuous mowing. Coming in 2025 as a solution to range anxiety, long charge times, and lack of power.

Irrigreen Smart Sprinkler for Effective Irrigation That Saves Water

The grass really was greener in the Irrigreen booth. This next level, efficient way to water your lawn uses less than half of the water traditional sprinklers waste, I mean, use.  How it works is basically creating a dot to dot video game in a digital map of your yard with set up effectively ensuring nothing is watered that doesn’t need it. Smart Controller 3 is the most updated version, with a user-friendly control on the box itself, or the option to let Amazon Alexa get in the game by bossing it around to water the lawn.

Belgard Metropolitan Collection Contemporary Class: Melville Tandem Wall and Artforms

Their motto ‘Belgard Paves the Way’ lived up to the hype as their booth felt like walking into the outdoor oasis of tomorrow.  The Metropolitan Collection with its natural light, neutral tones and modern feel stacked out above the rest. As outdoor living continues to trend so does the need for easy installation of contemporary modular designs, and Melville Tandem Wall’s distinct chiseled stone texture is a solid fit for firepits, steps, walls, columns. Artforms is another impressive option with its clean lines and current aesthetic, great for outdoor kitchens, seating, planters, even rooftops. Panels are easy to install with minimal disruption to the property owner or waste.

Toro 900 CFM Battery Powered Leaf Blower Elevates Power

And the winner is … for the most powerful residential leaf blower, Toro’s new 900 CFM Battery-Powered Leaf Blower. This race continues to be elevated in the battery-powered outdoor equipment arena. Paired with features like comfortable weight distribution, easy grip, and low hum, Toro, one of the leaders in this space, blew the competition away here.

Pine Hall Brick Rumbled Bluffs Clay Pavers Authentic Style and Quality

The rustic look and dependability of clay pavers are timeless. There’s something to be said for solid clay pavers on walkways, patios, driveways, and more. Pine Hall Brick takes the look and design of clay pavers outside of the norm, with a variety of colors and styles. Rumbled Bluff captured attention with its antique reclaimed paver vibes.  Don’t let the antique look fool you, there is nothing aged or fragile about this finish, as they were simply tumbled after firing to mimic the look.

iQ Powertools iQ1550 Supreme Masonry Dry Cutting Dust Management

Stone, brick, or pavers slice ‘like butta’ with the iQ1550 Supreme Masonry Saw. This saw cuts with the ease of a wet saw without the mess as it activates dry cutting technology with built-in dust collection management. Professional contractors are the audience for this new saw, which seems to be the key to faster, cleaner cuts to make the day go faster, and the dollars roll in easier.

Next trade show… Consumer Electronics Show in January 2025, stay tuned!

The post Trending Landscaping Tools and Hardscaping Straight from Equip Exposition & Hardscape North America appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

As the autumn breeze begins to blow, we welcome shorter days, longer nights, and also
a great reminder to kick it into high gear at home and on the jobsite while the weather allows. From preparing, protecting, to enjoying our home and workspace, here are four fall home finds sure to make life at home and on the jobsite better and easier.

Fall Home & Jobsite Products

• Swann USA Max Ranger 4K Solar Outdoor Security Camera
• Quick Dam Flood Barriers
• Rhino Cart
• The Outdoor Plus Fireplaces & Waterfalls

Swann USA Max Ranger 4K Solar Outdoor Security Camera for a SmartER Home (or Jobsite!)

We all have something smart in our lives, a light bulb, thermostat, a doorbell, cameras, voice assistants, but let’s face it, sometimes they don’t feel so “smart” with lost connectivity. Swann Security has been in development for a solution to this problem for years, and drumroll please, it is finally here! Meet the Max Ranger 4K Solar Outdoor Security Camera, a camera that you don’t set up closest to your home or office, because it needs your Wi-Fi, a camera you set up on the perimeter of your space looking in. All eyes on your property, it’s like hiring security detail to surround your home.

Go the distance: this camera can reach the hub up to 650 ft. impeded and up to 2000 ft unimpeded – that’s the equivalent of approx. two to six football fields respectively. The camera works on its own Wi-Fi called HaLow. HaLow’s range is longer than many other IoT technology options and it provides a more robust connection in challenging environments where the ability to penetrate walls or other barriers is an important consideration. The camera also has a solar panel built on the top, so no worries about recharging batteries, or running power out to it. Oh, and no monthly subscription fees for stored videos.

Add the Swann USA Max Ranger 4K Solar Outdoor Security Camera to an existing detail you have on the house, or grab the whole suite of Swann Security (I just installed their 4K doorbell, it’s movie picture quality!). The Swann USA Security bundle is a great fall home or jobsite product because you ensure your space is secure while staying cozy inside.

• Customer Review: “I recently installed the Swann MaxRanger Wireless 4K NVR System for my home, and I am extremely satisfied with its performance. This system is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their home security. Setting it up was straightforward, thanks to the clear instructions. The outdoor cameras are sturdy and weatherproof, ensuring they operate smoothly in all conditions. The 4K resolution offers exceptionally clear video, capturing fine details both day and night. The night vision feature is particularly impressive, delivering sharp images even in complete darkness. This ensures reliable 24/7 monitoring. With wide viewing angles, the cameras cover extensive areas without missing any spots. The WiFi connectivity is dependable, allowing me to access live feeds and recordings from my phone and computer with ease.” – Amazon Review
• Where to Buy: 2-pack available for $699 or 4-pack available for $999 on Amazon.
• Fall Home Deals: Get up to 20% off select Swann USA Security Cameras through Oct 7.

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Quick Dam Flood Barriers So You Are Prepared for Whatever Fall (and Winter) Bring

Who doesn’t love singing in the rain?! I’ll tell you who, your property when the rain has overstayed its welcome and the flooding starts. With unpredictable weather constantly brewing it’s good to be prepared for flooding. Flood damage is one of the leading homeowner insurance claims, and can be mitigated by grabbing a bag of Quick Dam Flood Barriers and tucking them in your cabinet until needed.

They don’t need much space, and unlike traditional sandbags that are bulky, heavy, and often times sold out when you need them, Quick Dam rises to the occasion when needed (pun intended).

With a gel interior, Quick Dam Bags (and barriers) are water activated and swell upon contact with water. So, when you see the water pouring where it shouldn’t be open a bag, pull out a Quick Dam and place it in the way. Once water hits, the bags grow to 12in x 24in x 3.5in high. Bags start at 3 ft., barriers go up to 17ft.

Quick Dam products are a must-have product on my fall home and jobsite list because no one needs to worry about flooding during a cold fall rainfall.

Hot dam (another pun!) am glad I found Quick Dam at the National Hardware Show.

• Customer Review: “Bought it for my brother, and his came in handy when area flooded. Worked great for him,,,So we bought one for ourselves to have on hand “just in case”, and Wow does it work great. Basement would have flooded…but all was soaked in by the water barrier. We dried them out and have them on hand in case of another emergency. Very worth it.” – Amazon Review
• Where to Buy: Quick Dam products range from $18-$100 on Amazon.

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Rhino Cart to Make Things Easier to Move at Home and on the Jobsite

Fall is bustling, which means there is always something to move. From large, awkward and heavy items like furniture and appliances, to on-the-job needs like bags of concrete, Rhino Cart is the most reliable caddy you’ve ever had. Rhino Cart is a heavy-duty, all-terrain moving cart, with eight resilient wheels that won’t deflate, built to go over any terrain. I rode a washing machine over a front door threshold at a trade show, trust me it works. It can telescope from 6 to 46 inches and even detach to go on those larger pieces, it burdens a heavy load too 1000 pounds plus. You’ll be grateful you got this fall home and jobsite cart next time you get the urge to rearrange your home or workshop.

• Customer Review: “Not only have I moved a lot, I’ve also moved all my own stuff each time. I even own my own moving van, so the need to move and have dollies is way old hat for me. After recently remodeling my kitchen and installing porcelain tiles over a wooden subfloor, I was concerned about my usual dollies and the potential damage to the floor moving a huge and very heavy refrigerator across the newly tiled floor and into its space. I discovered this tool by pure chance, and boy, oh boy, am I glad I did!
  Delicate floors? No problem! Tight spaces? No problem at all! Very heavy weight? No issues at all! Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is the best moving tool I’ve ever owned for close quarters, very heavy items, and not having a crew to move things. We’ve since moved heavy ovens, ranges, refrigerators and various unruly boxes. In each case, the ease of operation and move is remarkable. I recommend this tool without any reservations whatsoever.” – Amazon Review
• Where to Buy: $159.95 on Amazon.

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The Outdoor Plus Fireplaces & Waterfalls and more to Light UP Outdoor Living

Creating an outdoor oasis to relax from everyday stresses continues to be a trend at home, and with crisp fall nights ahead, adding a fire feature is a great way to extend the season and create cozy fall home vibes. Add a water and a fire feature and now we are feeling like we are at a resort (and in some cases we can be with these finds!). I always recommend when getting a project done, or sourcing materials it’s good to go to a source that specializes in that one thing. I know it costs more, but I am a fan of Made in the USA, also with patented features that have been around for a while, and with some five star reviews. Yes, I ask a lot, but being in the business for 20+ years I’ve seen lots of brands come and go. I recently brought The Outdoor Plus with me on to a TV segment, because they are a culmination of everything above.

A couple of my favorites are the Maya, a graceful waterfall that comes out of a square rocky fire bowl and Paradise Falls is luxury with a free-standing rainfall into a lengthy fire pit capturing the beauty below; although the Atlas, a round dome covered in water, with a surrounding round fire feature stole the show. They also have fully customizable options so if you’re a homeowner, a landscaper, or a builder this is for you.

• Where to Buy: Check out these products and more at The Outdoor Plus website.

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MORE Fall Home & Jobsite Products

What is an absolute fall home or jobsite essential that you use each fall or winter? Or, is there a special fall home product that you have your eye on this season? Let us know in the comments and maybe you will see it this season in the TIA workshop.

The post 4 Fall Home & Jobsite Products to Protect, Enhance and Ease appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.