Wheeling Around the Garden ... or Down the Driveway!
Written: Apr 25 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: lightweight, portable, wheels roll smoothly, storage compartment with lid, handle, takes little storage space
Cons: harder to roll over uneven or soft ground – may be too low for some
The Bottom Line: An excellent way to keep my “bottom line” off the ground when gardening.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Step2 Grass Hopper 5400 |
It’s amazing how some things that are impulse purchases turn out to be the most useful items. The Step 2 Grass Hopper is one of those buys that has proven itself time after time. I purchased this wheeled garden stool as new about five years ago. Step 2 also makes another wheeled garden stool called the Garden Hopper.
Describing the Grass Hopper
This wheeled garden stool is constructed of sturdy plastic. The body is green with a slight texture. The stool seat that functions as a lid to an inner storage area is a beige color. The four black plastic wheels are large with about a 6 3/4" diameter. The wheels are wide at 2 1/4" to help prevent the stool from sinking into the ground.
The size of the Grass Hopper is about 21 3/4" long x 13" wide. When resting on its wheels, the stool measures 11 1/2" tall. The beige seat is a comfortable size at 11" wide x 17" long. There is no cushioning to this seat. It is constructed of hard durable plastic that has small dimples along the top surface. Open the seat cover to reveal an interior hide-away for small tools and gardening accessories. The interior area measures 6 5/8" wide x 13 1/2" long and is about 5 3/8" deep. The bottom of this storage space has five raised vertical lines in plastic. This lid lifts easily and closes with a slight snap. From what I can see, the only metal part on this unit are the two wheel axles.
The Grass Hopper also has a convenient handle for carrying the stool. The handle, located on one end of the stool, is 2 1/8" wide x 5 3/4" long. I have large hands and find this handle just a bit too thick to comfortably grab and hold. When the stool is empty, the weight of the wheels tips the balance of this stool, which also makes it more difficult to carry. Empty, the stool weights about 8 1/2 pounds.
A Brief Comparison
I do not own the other wheeled stool called the Garden Hopper; however, I have seen it. The one big difference between the two models is that the Garden Hopper does not have a concealed storage area. The plastic seat rests over an open storage space. The Garden Hopper measures 13" wide x 23" long and stands 12 1/2" tall – so overall this wheeled stool is a bit larger than the Grass Hopper. The Garden Hopper also has a built-in beverage holder, and the carrying handle is crafted as part of the seat. Other than those two main differences, the two units are constructed of durable plastic and the wheels roll smoothly.
Since both stools are constructed well, it depends upon your personal preference to which one works best for you. I happen to like the closed storage area in the Grass Hopper. But with the closed storage area, I can’t store anything large. The Garden Hopper’s open storage space allows tools to hang out the sides if needed. Also the closed lid in the Grass Hopper will help prevent water from entering the storage well, while the open storage area in the Garden Hopper lets water gather there.
Both of these Step 2 wheeled garden stools sell for $19.99 on Amazon.com.
My Impressions of the Grass Hopper
This compact stool is great for garden work. I can sit on the stool and lean over to do simple weeding and even planting. The Grass Hopper rolls fine on hard, compact dirt and finished surfaces such as a tar or cement driveway or walkway. However, the wheeled stool becomes mired in soft or wet dirt. The stool works best on even surfaces, too. If your yard has hills and valleys, then this stool won’t scoot along with effortless speed.
The stool is purposely low to the ground so that one can bend forward to reach the earth. People with joint problems may have difficulty getting on and off this stool. Also, if one suffers from muscle weakness, it will not be easy to remain seated on this stool and use one’s legs to scoot it along while gardening.
I can sit on this garden stool either straddling the two sides or sitting side saddle. By moving my legs, I can move the stool with me as I work. The seat is a good width, and I have never fallen off of the seat. However, be careful where the wheels roll or else the stool can tip over if they fall into a furrow.
My favorite part of the Grass Hopper is the lidded storage compartment. Granted, the storage space is not large, but it is convenient for those often used tools such as a trowel, hand-held rake, string and garden gloves. My favorite garden trowel is extra-long and fits in this compartment (the trowel is 14 1/2" long and sits at an angle in the storage well). It’s a good idea to remove the garden tools you are using before sitting on the seat; otherwise you will have to stand and remove the tools before sitting down again.
When the handle is grasped and lifted, the stool is vertical, which means the lid is standing straight like a cabinet door. The good news is that the lid doesn’t pop open! This lid stays closed even when I have tools in the storage compartment. I have even carried several heavy-duty metal trowels and a rubber mallet in this compartment without the lid opening.
The lid helps keep water out of the storage compartment, but I try not to leave this stool out in the rain or beneath a sprinkler. Water will gather in the shallow dimples along the top of the plastic seat. Should water collect in the well (if the lid is left ajar or open), the five shallow raised lines on the bottom will help keep the tools from sitting in the liquid.
As I mentioned earlier, the only metal I can see on this stool are the two metal wheel axles. They are shiny silver and look like new ... no rust.
To save storage space, the Grasshopper can be stood vertically on its end, or it can rest on its four wheels. I keep the Grass Hopper in my garage when not using it.
Other Uses
I admit that the farthest thing from my mind when I purchased this wheeled stool was the children. But leave it to a child’s wonderful imagination to dream of ways of using this gardening stool. And use it for anything but work! The favorite game the children play is to sit on the stool and race it down the driveway, which is slanted offering good rolling action. (Don’t worry, the children are supervised at all times.) The stool has also had its garden tools evicted and replaced with favorite toys. And let’s not forget the tea party on wheels!
Summary
The Step 2 Grass Hopper is a wonderful addition to my household. It’s sturdy, useful, and in the five years I have owned it has never had a problem. The green and beige colors are still vibrant. The wheels and some of the body are showing a few scuff marks, but nothing that detracts from its appearance. The lid still snaps closed tight and remains that way until opened. I would purchase this wheeled stool again. It’s a great garden helper!
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
Step 2
10632 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite #238
Columbia, MD 21044
www.step2catalog.com
Please read my other reviews:
Park Seed Company (online store)
Johnny’s Selected Seeds (online store)
The Cook’s Garden (online store)
Cooking.com (online store)
Kitchen Etc. (online store)
Ginsu 13-Piece Knife Set with Wood Block
Rubbermaid Jumbo 50-Gallon Roughtote
Sanford Sharpie Twin-Tip Permanent Marker
Cramer Stop-Step Aluminum Ladder
Craftsman 3-Drawer Metal Portable Toolbox
Maytag Gemini Oven
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
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This review is part of the Springtime in Paris Write-off hosted by mothra3. I chose to write about a product first used in the Spring.
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Recommended:
Yes
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