Get the right power tools with our help

Why do popular box stores not sell some of the highest quality power tools? Because companies that produce high-quality equipment only want to be represented by stores that they can trust to provide equally outstanding service, like Bob’s Power Equipment.

The store offers some of the most popular and reliable brands of power tools, such as Stihl and Honda. Stihl does not sell its products to box stores and requires its dealers to possess a complete understanding of the tools. Bob’s Power Equipment, one of the largest Stihl dealers in the southeast, retains mechanics with many years of experience in the business. They also undergo annual training with the major engine manufacturers that they work with in order to prepare them to perform repairs as needed and help customers select the best tool and instruct them on how to take care of the engine.

The store makes it a priority to not only supply customers with a tool that will amply meet their lawn care needs, but also to ensure that no one has to throw away an expensive power tool just because one component broke down. The staff at Bob’s Power Equipment is fully capable of fixing broken tools and keeps a supply of spare parts directly from the manufacturer.

“When you spend a little extra money to get this quality, it [the equipment] is not disposable. We’re the second part of that equation, to make sure you can keep it going,” said Daryl Carr, owner of Bob’s Power Equipment. “A lot of box stores are just about the sale and not about the service after the sale. We service and stand behind everything we sell.”

The store sells anything that either a homeowner or professional lawn maintenance worker may need to keep their yard, or their customer’s yard, looking beautiful. They offer everything from lawn mowers to hedge trimmers to generators. As fall begins and trees start to lose their foliage, customers may want to look at the backpack leaf blowers, which come in a variety of brands and prices. Carr recommends Stihl’s newest product, the BR 700 leaf blower, which possesses 20 percent more power than the previous model.

“In Birmingham, leaf season is definitely a season … I know it’s not my favorite job, but the right tool makes a big difference, particularly for people in the lawn care business,” Carr said, adding that the 20 percent extra air volume will make a noticeable difference in power and quality. “It pays to get a tool you can get the job done with.”

Bob’s Power Equipment offers repairs on most push mower brands. They also perform lawn mower tuneups, such as changing oil, sharpening or replacing blades and cleaning the fuel system. For the customer’s convenience, they will also pick up and drop off products within 15 miles of the store.

In addition to mower blades, they also sharpen chainsaws and hedge trimmers and are a certified warranty center for several major brands, including Honda, Stihl and Kohler. Situated in the heart of Vestavia, Carr has found customers appreciate the convenient location and friendly  knowledgeable employees.

“There’s some people that their parents did business with us,” Carr said. “When they think of power equipment, hopefully they think of us…We appreciate their business and I think they appreciate us being here.”

Bob Bird, the man who opened the store more than 30 years ago,may no longer own the business and the company has certainly expanded over its many years in operation, but, at its heart, Bob’s Power Equipment remains the same. “We’re still humble and we still want to serve each individual customer,” Carr said. “When the need rises, we’ll be here to take care of your equipment.”

Bob’s Power Equipment has two locations, one at 637 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills and the other at 4532 Valleydale Road in Hoover. They are open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information, call 979-3488 or visit bobspowerequipment.com.