Things You Should Consider When Buying Your First Garden Leaf
Blower
Want to save yourself some time?
Collecting leaves with the aid of a garden leaf blower is
considerably less time-consuming and less back breaking work
when compared to using a garden rake or other such tools. The
general idea of a leaf blower is pretty straightforward. A
high-speed fan is surrounded by a cover. Tubes are then
connected to the side of the fan to focus the air current (up to
around 200 miles per hour in some units) in the direction you
want to move the leaves.
What do I need to consider?
First of all consider the size of your garden and your exposure
to fallen leaves. Do you have a large yard? If you have only a
small garden and no trees or bushes then you will not need a
garden leaf blower, but if you have a large garden and wish to
have it looking clean at all times then a garden leaf blower
would be a wise investment and a great time saver for you.You
will want to bear these factors in mind when you consider the
features of the different models.
Garden leaf blowers come in all shapes and sizes depending on
their use.
Leaf blowers include both small one-hand models and powerful,
professional types which can be carried in a harness on your
back.Consider one with a harness particularly if you suffer from
back or neck problems, as the harness will take a good deal of
the load off your shoulders and arms.
Consider too, the blowing speed and air volume the different
models put out, as a high blowing speed would cut down the time
needed for the blowing operation. Most garden leaf blowers will
have a rating of 350 to 600 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM).
A low vibration level would also be preferable with ergonomic
handles and harnesses to help you to work more efficiently with
less strain on the hands, arms and shoulders.
Handheld garden leaf blowers can be generally divided into two
groups: those that can collect leaves and those that can't. With
a garden leaf blower you can do much more than just move leaves.
It can also be used to collect rubbish, grass clippings, hedge
clippings, and empty tin cans.
Your choice of garden leaf blower should have an efficient
system to minimise vibrations in the parts of the machine that
you or the user comes in contact with.
Make a note of the weight of each type of garden leaf blower
too, as some blowers can weigh as much as 25lb or 12kg. You'd
have to be doing an awful lot of blowing to be needing the 25lb
model!
Consider too, a model with the ability to vacuum all you leaves
into a bag rather than blowing them all away. Another great time
saver when it comes to disposing of the leaves. An extra
mulching feature is available on some leaf blower/vacuums.
Mulched lawn debris can be used in compost piles or bagged for
disposal. Most of these convert easily from blowing to vacuuming
mode.
Making your choice between an electric or gas-powered unit isn't
always easy! Gas blowers are more powerful, but electric ones
are quieter.The engine should be powerful and easy to start if
you choose a gasoline model. Do you live in a busy neighborhood
where a quieter operation would be appreciated? Or is your yard
massive with lots of trees, making a powerful unit the only real
option?
Choose a model within your price range with the best selection
of features. You can expect to pay anywhere between $100 and
$500 for a decent garden leaf blower, depending upon the
specifications you choose.