I know that buying a new mower is most likely the last thing on your mind right now. I’m here to help when that time comes again but that is not what this letter is about.
The government and the local municipalities have asked us to “shelter-in-place” and reduce our exposure to other people. We will get through this eventually. In the meantime, life will still go on. Your pets and livestock still need to be fed. The water heater or fridge will still go out. The garden needs to be planted and the crab-grass preventative still needs to be applied at the right time. (OK, the crab-grass preventative is optional)
I am going to tell you one easy way to minimize your exposure standing in checkout lines with other people. Buy online – pickup at your nearest store.
The retailers listed here all have ship-to-home but if you need it sooner they all have a buy online – pickup at your nearest store option for the products you need to keep your family, pets, livestock and land healthy and well-maintained. Buying this way can help to minimize your exposure with other people and standing in checkout lines.
The Home Depot: Order online – pickup in-store. Order online through the website or their app. When you get the email that your order is ready, go to the store, get out of your car and go to the Service Desk located near the entrance inside the store.
Tractor Supply: Order online – pickup in-store. Order online through the website or their app. When you get the email that your order is ready, go to the store, get out of your car and go to the Service Desk located inside – in the middle of the store.
Farm & Fleet: Order online – pickup at Drive-Thru. Order online through the website or their app. When you get the email that your order is ready, go to the drive-thru – usually located outside at the back of the store. The store personnel will load your items into your vehicle. If you forgot something they will also take your order right there and get the items for you.
About us. My wife and I are both over 65 so we are in the at-risk group and will be sheltering in place. We live outside of town and are used to staying at home anyway. We are both farm kids and have always planned ahead so we already had a month’s worth of what we need before this lockdown happened. Other than eggs and produce there is nothing we have to go out for.
We have salt & vinegar for gargling if we start to get a cough and DayQuil/NyQuil to keep the symptoms reasonable if we do get the virus. My wife has COPD so we also have an oxygen generator in the house if needed.
So, while we all wait patiently for this to be over feel free to ask questions about mowers or anything else to keep your household in good shape.
Thank You, I wish you all the best.
Paul Sikkema
Lyle Lough
Hi Paul,
I have a Toro CCR Powerlite 3 HP Single Stage Snow Blower. (Yes, it’s old but runs good.) Can you advise me what kind of oil to buy and what the Gas/Oil mixture should be?
Paul
Hi Lyle, In your operator’s manual Toro recommends one 5.2 ounce bottle of Toro 2-cycle oil to two gallons of fuel. I found this on page 6 of the manual. Here is the manual: https://www.toro.com/getpub/7156
Marcel Cyr
glad you aree well set. So are we. I am 82 and bought tyed Ryobi 110EX on your recommendation. Greatest lawn equipment i have ever had and love every minute. I have more than two acres and it handles it with no problem.
I would like to purchase an extra set of mulching blades. Can you provide some guidance?
Thanks in advance.
Paul
Hi Marcel, I can’t match up that model number to a Ryobi mower. Is it a 38-inch rider or 42-inch zero-turn?
Marcel Cyr
It is not a zero turn. I believe it is 38 in.
Paul
Hi Marcel, The blades are combination mulching/side discharge. Here they are: Ryobi 38 Mulching Blades
Marcel Cyr
Thanks for the help.
Chris Shoffner
Thank you and God bless and keep you and your family and friends. Most of us are not worried. I have enough for at least 4-5months if need be, and will share.