About The Author

Michael Williams

Associate Editor/Web Producer

With over twenty years of experience as a journalist, editor, and researcher, Mike is driven by an insatiable appetite for life’s many fascinations. He loves lawn maintenance, landscaping, and anything related to outdoor power equipment. Having cut his teeth as a hard-news reporter and features writer, he also writes for major national magazines on a number of topics, such as the Civil War, World War II, true crime, and firearms.

As associate editor and Web producer at Pro Tool Reviews, he helps keep the gears turning in the content machine: everything from Best lists and how-to guides to product tours, gear reviews, local, state, and federal legislation coverage, and breaking industry news.

He loves all manner of outdoor power equipment and pays close attention to the long-running War of the Fuels: Gas vs. Battery. He also enjoys collaborating with the product management and design teams at industry-leading brands like Milwaukee, Ryobi, Stihl, EGO, ECHO, Greenworks, Kobalt, John Deere, Husqvarna, and the list goes on. Being a part of the editorial staff is a constant learning process that involves attending major conventions like Equip Expo, along with media summits and facility tours at company HQs across the country. When he's not busy as a dad and editor, Mike is an avid classic rock historian, collector, and audiophile. He's currently working on a compendium of Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 North American tour, curating an incredible library of unreleased live recordings. He lives in northern Maryland with his 11-year-old son and 5-year-old daughters, both of whom look eerily similar …. Yes, they’re identical twins.

Snowblower Reviews October 20, 2023 0

Ryobi Brushless Snow Blower

Ryobi’s 40V tool lineup is one of the industry’s fastest-growing fleets of cross-platform battery-powered solutions. This collection of nearly 100 tools includes Ryobi’s 22-inch Brushless Snow Blower (RY408150VNM). We saw this model at Equip Expo 2023, and, at first glance, it cut an impressive profile. If you’re in the market for a better way to […]

Lawn Tractor Reviews October 19, 2023 0

Greenworks 80V CrossoverT Lawn Tractor

Greenworks is no stranger to the battery-powered riding mower market, and we’ve been keeping track of their work. In particular, we gave their 60V CrossoverZ Zero-Turn (CRZ 426) and 60V CrossoverT Lawn Tractor (CRT 426) overall high marks. But progress is a relentless march. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’ve since released […]

Leaf Blower Reviews October 19, 2023 0

Stihl BG 86 C-E Leaf Blower

There’s no doubt that cordless outdoor equipment is fast becoming the go-to for handheld gear. Actually, the shift is happening faster than many of us anticipated. Nonetheless, gas models are still going pretty strong, particularly with tools like leaf blowers. While high-powered, longer-lasting battery versions are becoming more common, gas definitely gives you dependable performance […]

Zero Turn Mower Reviews October 17, 2023 0

John Deere Z700 Series ZTs

Immediately recognizable for its iconic green, John Deere is a household name. That’s particularly the case regarding heavy farm equipment and lawn tractors. (We should know, considering that we have a few of each sitting around). But, as well-known as the manufacturer may be, it isn’t the first name that comes to mind in the […]

Snowblower Reviews October 17, 2023 0

Greenworks 60V Snow Blower

Many people we’ve talked with have wondered whether a snow blower is worth it. The answer is a matter of opinion. However, if you decide to trade the shovel handle for the controls, you’ll find a lot of choices. Our job at OPE Reviews is to help narrow your search, keeping you in the loop […]

Chainsaw Reviews and Pole Saws October 16, 2023 0

Greenworks 60V Pro Chainsaw C60L212

You may be wondering what we look for in a chainsaw. As with most outdoor power equipment, obvious qualities include performance, design, and price. However, we also want to see versatility when it comes to a year-round tool like a chainsaw. So, when a model shines in these categories, we feel comfortable labeling it the […]

Chainsaw Reviews and Pole Saws October 13, 2023 0

Kobalt 14 Inch Chainsaw KCS 1040A-03

Over the years, Kobalt has operated in a group of OPE that performs reliably for a reasonable price. This is, generally speaking, the ideal combination for homeowners with light to medium yard work. The question remains whether you think the 40V Kobalt 14 inch chainsaw (KCS 1040A-03) is among those tools that measure up. We […]

Equipment Handling October 13, 2023 0

A Comprehensive Guide to Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

What is a self-propelled lawn mower? Discover everything you need to know about self-propelled lawn mowers, including what they are, how they work, and their benefits. Find the top brands and models to help you find the best self-propelled lawn mower for your yard. What is a Self-Propelled Mower? Self-propelled lawn mowers are a type […]