Tackle Fall Outdoor Tasks With These 10 Tools From Harbor Freight

Fall is that fun time of year when you get to bake warm treats like pumpkin pie and make dreamy little herb brooms to decorate your space. But it's also when your yard starts collecting leaves, and if you let them sit too long, they'll mat down into a soggy mess that's even harder to deal with later. Then there are the gutters. If you let debris sit in them for too long, they could get clogged up real bad once winter rolls around.

Depending on the size of your yard, raking can take hours, hauling debris can take multiple trips, and splitting logs by hand is just exhausting. But if you put it off, you're looking at dead patches of grass come spring, possible roof damage from the buildup, and a lot more frustration later. That's why it helps to have a few tools on hand that make the work faster and more efficient.

Fortunately, if yard work isn't something you do professionally, you don't need to spend a fortune on heavy-duty gear you'll use only a few times a year. That's why Harbor Freight is a solid choice. The store carries a wide selection of affordable tools from brands like Bauer, Portland, and Atlas, which can help you get through the job without breaking the bank. To get you started, we've rounded up 10 tools worth checking out, from the Portland electric blower vacuum to the Atlas cordless string trimmer. We'll break down what each one costs, how well it performs, and what other customers think after putting them to work.

Spending $44.99 on a tool that can blow leaves into a pile, vacuum them up, and turn them into mulch sounds like a bargain, doesn't it? That's what makes the Portland 3-in-1 Electric Blower Vacuum Mulcher such a popular pick, with over 5,000 reviews and a 4.4-star rating. What customers love most is how much time it saves. They say they're able to clear their yard in half the time it'd take with a rake. Just keep in mind that this blower is designed for dry leaves, and small branches can burn out the motor.

Recycling the shredded leaves you get from the Portland blower is one of the easiest ways to score free mulch for your yard. And considering that mulching in the fall gives you stronger, healthier plants in the spring, you'll definitely want to save them. For that, you can use Harbor Freight's $3.98 5-gallon bucket as a makeshift compost bin. For an extra $2.99, you can get the matching Harbor Freight 5-gallon lid. Once you're done mulching, you can reuse the bucket year-round for a range of things, from hauling tools to washing cars.

For anyone wondering whether Harbor Freight's pressure washers are worth buying, the Bauer Electric Pressure Washer has more than 2,000 customers who'd say yes. With 2,000 PSI and a 1.3-gallon-per-minute flow rate, it makes quick work of grime, algae, and dirt on surfaces from wood to concrete and PVC. Harbor Freight says this washer can clean tree sap, remove oil stains, and strip paint, so you should be able to use it anywhere. However, we wouldn't advise you to use it on the roof, because it's strong enough to strip shingles right off.

So, if you can't use the pressure washer on the roof, how can you clean your gutters efficiently? Some people use a leaf blower to clear out debris, but the appeal of a pressure washer is the strong force and how water runs through for a clean finish. To avoid common pressure washing mistakes, try Harbor Freight's Instant On/Off Telescoping Flow-Thru Brush ($21.99) instead. It extends up to 76 inches, has bristles strong enough to remove grime but soft enough not to scratch surfaces, and lets water flow directly through the brush head.

If you need a boost to reach the roof, consider the Franklin 17-Foot Type IA Multi-Task Ladder. For $159.99, you get a versatile ladder that can be set up in 23 different ways. Depending on what you're working on, you can use it as an A-frame, staircase ladder, extension ladder, or even scaffolding. That's probably why it's been able to score a 4.8-star rating from over 10,000 reviews. It has a 300-pound carrying capacity and is also the tallest ladder you'll find on Harbor Freight's website.

You can hire someone to cut down high branches before winter storms, or do it yourself with the Portland 9.5-inch Electric Pole Saw for a one-time fee of $79.99. The pole allows you to reach high limbs without climbing a ladder. One customer who is nearly 80 said it's far easier to handle than her chainsaw pruner. Many others who left reviews echoed the same sentiment, saying it "cuts through everything like butter," from oak to maple to walnut. Just note it's corded, so you'll need an outdoor extension cord.

If, like one of the 1,360 customers who have left a review, you're tired of mixing fuel or dealing with gas engine trimmers that won't start, consider the Atlas 80V String Trimmer for $79.99. It's got an average 4.7 star rating. One owner said it "plows right through weeds," while another said his wife doesn't mind helping with trimming anymore, thanks to the weight distribution. Another reviewer mentioned it's lightweight and ideal for seniors. This is a tool-only purchase, so you'll need to buy an Atlas 80V battery and charger separately.

When it comes to splitting wood, you can go in with an axe, a chainsaw, or a log splitter. Of the three, a log splitter is typically the most expensive, but it's undoubtedly the most convenient and efficient, especially if you're going through several cords of wood. If you're interested in one, go for the Central Machinery 5 Ton Electric Log Splitter. It'll set you back $314.99, but customers say it should last you a long time, more than 10 years even, depending on how well you use and maintain it.

For $89.99, you can pick up the One Stop Gardens Steel Wagon to haul up to 1,000 pounds of pretty much anything without straining your back. Some use it to haul their generators, and one even used it to get a car up a ramp once. So, whether you're hauling mulch, moving tools, or clearing fallen branches, this open-sided cart is up to the task. It comes with pneumatic tires that can take on nearly any terrain, and most of the reviews say it's easy to steer.

If you'd like to switch from a gas mower this fall, consider the Atlas 80V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower ($269.99). Customers who've made the switch say that it's a lot quieter, cleaner since you don't have to worry about oil leaks, and just as powerful. One owner mentioned it handled a quarter-acre property on a single 80V battery, while another said their lawn looked like AstroTurf after the first cut. The self-propelled feature comes in clutch on bigger yards, although some generally prefer pushing it themselves. Just keep in mind the blade needs sharpening about once a month.