rentalbarn.com

2212 Sullivan Trail Easton Pa 18040 610-258-2963

Our History

To contact us:

Phone: 610-258-2963

Fax: 610-258-3973

E-mail: rob@rentalbarn.com
Leiser's

Rental Barn

Started in 1948 by my father Donald Leiser. The first store was called Donald W Leiser Sales & Service located in Bethlehem. We Sold International Harvester Industrial Tractors, Toro Mowers and Wheel Horse Tractors. We had a full service lawn and garden center with fertilizers, custom mixed lawn seeds, Christmas decorations, and the largest selection of bird feeders In Eastern Pa.

 

In 1960 a Rental department was opened as a separate business called Bethlehem Rental Service. Spending most of my childhood around the business I was put on the payroll in 1968 as a 14 year old. The current business plan was adopted in the 1970s as we dropped the Full Service Garden Center to focus on the Rental business. We did continue with lawn equipment Sales and Service.  In 2006 we gave up retailing Toro but continue to service and support Toro and Dingo.

 

The Forks Township Store was opened as a branch of Leiser’s Inc. in the spring of 1985. We used the barn and farm house of the old Sandt farm as showroom and storage.

 

I purchased the Forks Township store from my father in 1995. While both business use the name Leiser’s and handle most of the same services there are differences. We continue the service of Outdoor Power Equipment. Our service department handles mower service for several of the areas discount stores. We have added the name Rental Barn to our logo in reference to the 100 + year old barn we use for storage.   

Text Box: When we opened in 1985 the farm house was our first showroom Our currant showroom is the old shed on the right. Far right is a satellite dish. In 1985 there was limited cable service in Forks Township we Rented and Sold Satellite systems. Between the dish and shed (pre Meco Rd) is nothing but corn fields. Text Box: History of your Power Lawn Mower Lawn mowers were refined hay cutting equipment pulled by horses in the late 1800’s as Tractors came into use they were used to pull mowing equipment. The main market for lawn mowing equipment was Golf Courses, Parks and large estates. There was no market for consumer Lawn Equipment until Suburban neighborhoods started popping up after World War 2 The history of the suburban homeowner with a powered lawn mower started at the same time my father started selling lawn mowers in the Lehigh Valley. I can not find any record of a Lawn equipment dealer in the Lehigh Valley area that predates our Toro dealership in 1948. The engine for the powered lawnmower was adapted from the gasoline engines used on washing machines. It was common to have a lawn mower with a Maytag engine on it. The cost of a new power mower equaled about 2 weeks salary. The Rotary mower (what we use today) started showing up in the mid 1950’s they quickly became popular because they were cheaper to buy and easier to maintain. Consumer riding lawn mowers became popular in the late 1950’s The first riding mowers were nothing more then walk behind mowers with seats attached. Today’s modern lawn tractor was introduced by Wheel Horse in 1958. The Wheel Horse was designed for the lifestyle of the time and options offered were garden plows and cultivators along with snow plows.

I plan on putting together a complete web site dedicated to the consumer power mower. I have collected and restored a large collection of mostly Toro equipment.