Leaf Blowers

[CGB]

Will be purchasing one. Live in New England. Question is the type. I have come to the conclusion that hedge trimmers etc. powered by rechargeable batteries just never seem to have enough oooomph for the job, even when fully charged. Does anyone take exception to that?

I'm torn between an electric blower, run by AC current via a long extension cord (I hate the thought of dragging this around) or a gasoline powered blower ( not one with the motor transported on my back but with the motor in the unit itself). Wife won't use a gasoline powered one (can't start it, period) and wants the electric cord powered one. I want power and convenience. I guess I'm OK with getting gas/oil ratios, changing plugs, etc., etc. if that is what is requiered to have a powerful unit and not drag cords all around, what's one more small engine to fool around with....ugh..

Question is: Can I get an AC powered unit that has enough power to do the job (half acre lawn, lot of pine needles and oak leaves) and put up with the inconvenience of dragging the cord or should I go to gasoline powered machine? First of all, I want something that works, secondly which is more convenient if either type of machine works.

After answering above question, how much wind speed, air flow in cfm, ? get one that works as vacuum machine or not, etc., do you recommend. Brand, model recommendations/warnings appreciated.

Thanks. I've had enough of lawn care for this year but I've got to do it and want to get it overwith :)

Chet\\

[SteveBell]

I had an electric one for several years. The air speed rating was higher than any of the gasoline options. I liked it just fine until I started doing other people's yards. Dragging a cord around damaged their flowers and such, and I couldn't be sure there was an available outlet.

When it died, I replaced it with an attachment for my Troy-Bilt trimmer--one of the interchangeable kind. It's not as easy to hold, but I have only one motor to worry about.

For half an acre, you'll do fine with an electric model. Just don't drag the cord through the petunias.

[Joe]

I've had a Toro electric ($70 or so) for five years now. Great machine. We chop the leaves with it and dump the bag in oversize trash can liners from Sams'. They go to a friend who is a composting demon. Our yard looks fabulous and his garden is spectacular. Synergism at work. When the Toro dies it will be replaced by another one. Everything just works.

Joe

Joe.

[aemeijers]

Mostly agree- for a small lot, electric is fine. The vacuum attachment on mine is useless for picking up more than one leaf at a time. The blower function is great- use it for leaves, gutter cleaning, dry snow less than 2 inches, etc. Toro black 60-buck Borg model, 3 years of heavy abuse, and works fine. When it craps out, I'll buy another just like it. Yes, the cords are a pain, but I'd rather hassle with that then the care and feeding of another small engine.

-- aem sends...

[gpsman]

Mow and bag seems to me to provide superior results and be the lesser of all them associated evils. -----

- gpsman

[bigjimpack]

[salty]

I've got the Toro as well. There are a few models that are very similar near the top of the line. The one you want is the variable speed model with the METAL impeller. It may be called Ultimate or something like that. You don't really need variable speed, but that comes with the best machine. One other advantage I've found is that the Toro is much better balanced and you won't get a backache after an hour. Just hold it in the position where it naturally falls with your arm hanging down while standing up straight.

[Frank]

Electric advantage not mentioned in thread is that you can clean out garage or even car without stinking gas fumes. Also, you do not need to change stinky clothes after using.

[Sharp Dressed Man]

Leaf blowers aren't very expensive. Get a gasser for yourself, an electric for the missus. Consumer Reports rated them a while back and as you said, the electrics are kind of underpowered.

I have an Echo hand-held gasser that's pretty good and been very reliable.

[Shirley ann]

We have one and all our neighbors have them.... We all have 1/4 acre of trees of oak and pine.. They are electric with long extensions on them.

shirleyann

[Stormin Mormon]

Please consider my Dad's solution. Mow the leaves in place, and leave them to rot. No sense taking all the minerals and nitrogen out of your soil every year. And sending all those minerals to the landfill.

[Claude Hopper]

I wore out a gasoline blower/vac. Now I have an electric and it does the job just fine but it's not a vac, only a blower. I just use it to blow my driveway off. I have a tractor with a bagger for leaves. This is way better for leaves.

[Norminn]

My sentiments, too. Plant some azaleas and rhododendrons and use leaves/needles for mulch. Free plant food, gorgeous plants.

[hallerb]

my craftsman 5HP shop vac doubles as a leaf blower. works great.

install some outdoor outlets to make dragging cord easier.

on back of home, on or in shed, back corner of yard.

useful for other projects, convenmience is nice.

I put mine on a master switch in my basement after finding my neighbors liked the conveience of my electric outlets for projects in their yards.......:(

it wasnt the electric they were using, it was the principle of the thing and not asking first. plus onew harrased my grandma to turn trhe outlets on..... bad approach

[ransley]

Electric is lighter, cheaper, more powerfull, quieter, no fumes, easy to start, but the cord stinks. Gas is portable, I have an Echo. If you go electric you will need very large gauge wire, that is heavy, to no have voltage drop that ruins motors on long runs. Get both.

[hallerb]

n is the type. =EF=BF=BDI

ing plugs,

t to do it

a 12 or even 14 gauge extension is fine for a half acre

[mike]

[mike]

(Ignore any previous half-post)

Another vote here for a good bagging and/or mulching lawnmower. Saves money, time, and space.

[hallerb]

i mostly grind leaves to dust, it fertilizes the grass, and is better for the environment

[salty]

It really depends on how many leaves you have. I mow and mulch when they first start falling. After that I blow&vac the rest and put them in a pile to compost. If I mowed and mulched the entire output from my trees, and left it in place, it would kill the lawn