10-4, good buddy!
Written: Dec 31 '02 (Updated Dec 31 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: No assembly required, lightweight, holds a lot of gardening implements
Cons: Wheels don't turn, as in turning corners
The Bottom Line: If you spend a lot of time in the garden, this could become your best "buddy."
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| Milindoe's Full Review: Ames Lawn Buddy |
The Ames Lawn Buddy is such a simple concept, one would have to wonder why it took so long for it to be produced.
Made of rugged, durable plastic, the Lawn Buddy is somewhat of a moving bench. The lid opens to reveal a roomy, two level storage area. The top section does not extend the full length of the buddy, leaving a space near the end (opening) for taller items to be placed. It can be removed completely and reveals a second, compartment below it.
The lid to the buddy itself is unique in that, to open it, you grasp a handle-like section of the lid, and pull with ease - much like opening your washer or a cooler. The "handle" to the lid doubles as a handle by which to pull the buddy along on it's wheels. There is a small opening at the handle, where you can put things into the compartment below without opening the lid.
The top of the lid features a double drink holder. Let's face it, what's yard/garden work without a good cold drink? We found that 12 ounce cans placed in a "koozie" fit very snugly in these drink holders...I wonder if that's coincidence?
Along each side of the buddy, you will find two little platforms, on which you can slide a longer implement (a hoe, rake, etc.). I have a few tools that have handles of 18 to 24 inches, and this feature is really handy - I can "store" two tools in this area, and not worry about stepping on them, or leaving them behind. Anything much bigger (full sized) will create a potential tripping hazard.
"Buddy's" wheels are also constructed of rugged plastic, and in such a fashion that they grip the lawn/dirt quite well when it's being moved about.
I love putzing around in my garden, but a knee injury this past spring made in no longer possible for me to kneel and do what I love most - and let's face it, you need to be pretty close to the ground in order to weed, deadhead small plants, prune, and other activities. I fretted for weeks about how I was going to be able to engage in this favorite activity when I received my Lawn Buddy as a gift.
An added bonus in having the Lawn Buddy was that I didn't have as much stiffness in my "more mature" back and shoulders. I was able to get close to the ground, do what I needed to do, without strain on my back, shoulders OR my knee. While a bit of padding of some sort would be desirable on the sitting surface, in all reality, it's probably not very practical, so I took a "stadium cushion" and placed it on the seat and found this to be quite comfortable.
The nice thing about the Lawn Buddy is that you can garden sitting down and, when you need to move a few feet to the left or right (when working down a row), the Buddy rolls with you on it - you have to work at it a bit, but it's not a difficult task.
An added bonus was the Lawn Buddy's "hauling" capacity. Frequently, I would plop a 40 pound bag of topsoil across it, and pull it along using the handle. My son did 3 bags on it - and this is useful for a short distance (since it's difficult to balance 3 bags of topsoil on something so small, that is hitting every bump in the yard).
Additionally, I could fill the inner compartment with weeds and clippings and transport it all to the compost pile with ease and efficiency.
The only negative I've found is that the Lawn Buddy's wheels don't turn (steer) so it requires a lot of getting on and off to turn corners or do other than straight down the row work.
The Lawn Buddy cleans easily with a hose and requires absolutely no maintenance - life should have been that simple when I was raising children!
When one weighs cost against value, the Lawn Buddy's potential for use, versatility, and durability make this a value that any gardener can justify the cost for.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Milindoe
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Location: Rochester, NY
Reviews written: 37
Trusted by: 6 members
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