Leaf blowers

It’s part of the season, but a bit of a mixed blessing. Summer has given way to autumn and you begin to notice a fresh snap in the morning air, a coating of frost on the car windows, wilted flowers in their beds… a sign of things to come. But then, for a few short weeks, almost as compensation before the fact, there’s the spectacle of hardwood trees dressed in their most garish, subdued or gentle colours. Natural beauty that promotes long walks in the woods, as you seek to capture those last precious moments before the world goes into hibernation.

Then, in but a few short days, strong north winds strip the trees and the yard fills with a thick layer of wilted leaves. All that serenity and contemplation is replaced by the prospect of the hours of raking that await you. But wait, there’s a way to shorten the task. It’s called a leaf blower.
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Types
Characteristics
Accessories
Maintenance
Safety

Types

Leaf blowers come in various formats but basically, as the name implies, all are designed to blow leaves from one place to the other. There are three types on the market: gas powered blowers, electric blowers with cord and cordless electric blowers. All three share the following characteristics:
  • All are powered by either a gas or an electric motor;
  • All are equipped with a powerful fan that blows air out a pipe;
  • All are portable.

    They can also be used to blow leaves and debris out of clogged gutters. Each has advantages and disadvantages and is designed for the size of the job and the size of the area that needs clearing.

    For instance, if you live on a large property with a heavy autumn fall-off, a gas powered portable model, thanks to its autonomy and higher power, will better suit your needs than a corded electric model. This is explained by the fact that corded models operate with an extension from an AC outlet. If the property is smaller with less leaves to deal with, the previously mentioned corded model may well be for you, as its easier to use, just plug it in and switch it on, and is virtually maintenance free.

    • The gas powered blower

    Gas powered blower motors usually vary from 18 cm3 to 48.6 cm3 and can be found in hand-portable, backpack or models on wheels. For the homeowner, the backpack models are heavier and more powerful, making them more suitable for big jobs where the user needs a large measure of power and autonomy. The portable gas models provide the same autonomy but are less powerful. Finally, the models on wheels, more powerful than the previous two, are primarily designed with commercial uses in mind.

    As to performance, air velocity is proportional to motor size; an 18 cm3 (7.08 inches3) motor blows at about 185 km per hour (115 mph), a 24 cm3 (9.45 inches3) motor at 265 km per hour (165 mph) and a 48.6 cm3 (18.9 inches3) motor at 300+ km per hour (200 + mph). Manufacturers also rate their machines in CFM (cubic feet per minute) and a mid-range blower will produce an air volume of about 400 CFM.

    All of the above are equipped with two-stroke motors, which means that they operate on a gas/oil mixture. To avoid making the mistake of using only gas and burning the motor, a good idea is to keep a separate canister with a gas/oil mixture for the exclusive use of your blower. Generally the gas/oil mix is one part oil for forty parts gas although, to be sure, check the manufacturer’s instruction manual to verify this proportion.

    Finally, the backpack model can only be used as a blower, while some hand portable models can be converted into mulching vacuums with the addition of pipes, elbows and a dust/leaf bag or, on more sophisticated models, by simply throwing a switch.

    The electric blower

    It’s always good to remember the following rule of thumb, i.e., all things being equal, the longer the electric cord, the less power is actually making it into the machine. This fact applies as much to electric lawn mowers, as to hedge trimmers as to… leaf blowers. Which should guide you in your choice when considering an electrically powered model i.e., they’re better suited to smaller areas where an AC outlet is close at hand and you won’t need to drag long lengths of electric cord around your property to operate the machine.

    On the other hand, electric blowers are lighter; an 8.6-ampere model weighs about 3 kilos (6.6 pounds), while delivering an air velocity of about 200 km per hour (125 mph). However, most electric blowers are manufactured in 12-ampere versions and their weight varies from 3 to 4 kilos (7 to 9 pounds). They, as with their hand-held gas counterparts, can also be transformed into mulcher/vacuums.

    For the homeowner, the real advantage of the electric version is in its ease of use. There’s no need to buy gas and oil. No mixing. No cranking the motor, no choke/throttle settings. Simply press the switch and point.

    The cordless electric blower

    For fairly small jobs, cordless (battery powered) models can fit the bill. They can be purchased in simple blower or blower/mulcher models. Maintenance is also minimal.

    But it’s important to remember that batteries can significantly add to the blower’s weight, they have to be recharged and eventually replaced. In fact, some models have a single, integrated rechargeable battery and are not designed to accept spares, so it’s the whole blower unit that must recharged, which results in downtimes that can last as long as twenty-four hours. If you are considering this type, be aware that it’ll only operate for the time it takes to empty the battery between charges. This can be as little as 30 minutes.

    Characteristics

    Speed

    Certain models come with a single speed, while others are equipped with two or even variable speeds. In fact, the divide between speed controls is based on the power source; thus, electric models come with one or two set speeds, while gas models’ speed is throttle controlled, making it variable.

    Weight

    Weight is proportional to motor size; an 18 cm3 model weighs about 3.2 kilos (7 pounds), a 24 cm3 about 5.2 kilos (11.5 pounds) and a 48.6 cm3 about 8.7 kilos (20 pounds). Remember to take weight into consideration. The difference between lugging around 7 pounds and 30 pounds (even with the backpack) for an entire day can be significant.

    Mulching feature

    The mulching feature is very useful when you must bag the leaves, as it can reduce the volume by a factor of approximately ten-to-one, although this factor varies from seven to sixteen-to-one according to the model. Those who do composting will particularly appreciate this feature.

    Accessories

    With both gas and electric machines, the main accessories are those used to change some hand-held models from blowing mode to vacuum/mulcher mode. Bags, adapters and replacement tubes can, in some cases, make the changeover a chore and require a tool kit, while other models can be converted by the simple flick of a switch and/or the use of snap-on components.

    Maintenance

    Gas powered blowers need approximately the same maintenance as any other two-stroke powered machine. This means that spark plugs and air filters must be inspected and changed regularly. Periodically, it’s good to bring in the blower for a full inspection and tune-up by a qualified specialist. Consult the manufacturers recommendations for a proper maintenance timetable.

    From a maintenance point of view, electric blowers are less demanding than gas models. Brush replacement may be the only maintenance procedure, but before going ahead, it may be useful to compare the cost of replacing the brushes against the cost of purchasing another machine.

    Safety

    When using any blower, it’s always good idea to protect oneself with earplugs and eye protection and, particularly with gas-powered blowers, it’s a must, as they can be quite noisy and create a lot of flying debris. Thus, prolonged operation may cause hearing damage, so consider this aspect at the point of purchase and inquire about decibel ratings, as some manufacturers’ information manuals provide this information.
    We know these days that each and every purchase we make requires some thought, but a leaf blower purchase merits real study of both your needs and of the models that exist on the market. Each category of blower possesses a range of characteristics ranging from power sources and performance, ease of use and accessories, weight and price. Buying the wrong machine can be frustrating… so don’t get blown away!
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