How to buy a perfect leaf blower

by Josef Lee Writer

Thanks to the blower, you no longer have to sweep your driveways and sweep your lawn to get rid of dead leaves and other plant waste. In a few minutes, it allows you to collect all the debris accumulated on the ground in a single pile. But which type of blower to choose? Should we opt for a thermal or electrical model? Backpack or handheld? With what fan and suction powers? This purchasing guide answers all your questions.

3 types of Leaf Blowers

The choice will depend on the size and configuration of the land, the type of work to be done, and the frequency of use.

Leaf with Thermal engines

Recommended for the cleaning of large sites (from 2000 m2), thermal leaf blower models are generally more powerful - with a very high air flow-than electric models. The lack of feed Wire provides great freedom of movement and allows easy passage between the trees. On the other hand, they are relatively noisy and release exhaust gases into the air. They are also generally heavier due to the weight of the engine. Most can be worn on the back, which reduces the tension on the arms.

Those with a 2-stroke engine are slightly lighter and less bulky than 4-stroke engines, but they are often noisier. Use a mixture of gasoline and oil to make them work. 4 stroke engines are quieter, have less vibration and most importantly, are less polluting since they only use super unleaded. Both require slightly more maintenance than an electric blower.

Bounce Tips: to operate a 2-stroke thermal blower, a mixture of fuel and oil must be used. You can either buy it readymade or mix it yourself. You will then have to use super SP95 and specific 2 stroke engine oil, according to the percentage recommended by the manufacturer.

Leaf Blower with Electric Motors

Ideal for small grounds (up to 2000 m2), electric models on the mains are generally lighter, which allows them to be held by hand. On the other hand, they force you to stay close to an electrical outlet and drag a cable behind you, which can be very inconvenient, especially if you have to go between trees or around a building. They are quieter - which is convenient for use in town – and above all, less polluting (no exhaust emissions in the air). Maintenance is reduced and you just have to push a button to start the machine.

Wireless electric motors (on battery)

Ideal for cleaning small areas or collecting small amounts of leaves, electric cordless models (lithium battery) have the advantage of being light, maneuverable and quiet while offering increased mobility compared to wired models. On the other hand, they provide a relatively low flow and air volume that may not be enough to take off wet leaves or clean grass. Be careful though, if they allow working away from an electric source, their autonomy remains limited to about 40 minutes. It is therefore advisable to have a spare battery already charged as a backup.

Technical specifications

Once you have determined the type of blower and motor you need, take the time to refine your search by comparing the technical characteristics of each device.

Backpack or Handheld?

It all depends on the weight of the machine, keeping in mind that the more powerful the machine, the heavier it will be. As a guide, an electric blower weighs between 3 kg and 6 kg and a thermal blower, between 4 and 18 kg.

The lightest models - the portable-are held at arm's length by a handle. They are usually also equipped with a strap to put on the shoulder to relieve the arm. In this case, check the ergonomics and the location of the handle on the machine.

The heavier ones are carried on the back with a harness, which must, of course, be comfortable and adjustable. Some models are also fitted with castors attached to the end of the suction tube, which makes it easier to guide the blower, lighten the weight to be borne on the arms and prevent the tube from being worn down by friction on the ground.

Engine power

For electric blowers, it is expressed in Watt and varies between 1000 and 2500 W depending on the model.

For thermals, it is expressed in cm3 or cc (cylinder capacity). It generally varies between 25 and 50 cm3 but some professional machines can reach more than 70 cm3.

Blower Mode

To know the power of the wind tunnel, check the air velocity (km/h), which varies from 150 to 490 km/h, and the airflow (m3/min or l/min), which varies from 8 to 15 m3/min. The higher they are, the faster they can move large volumes of leaves and debris away.

Mode vacuum cleaner

Again, the suction flow, which is expressed in m3 / h, should be checked.

Shredder Mode

The better the grinding ratio, the more the leaves and debris is reduced into small pieces, which makes it possible to empty the bag less often. For frequent use, prefer models with a metal turbine, more resistant and ensures better grinding.

Sound power

If you live in the city, pay attention to the sound power of the engine (in decibels), knowing that the thermal models are noisier than the electric ones.