How to Choose A Leaf Blower

reviewed by Christina Lopez

As a gardening tool, leaf blowers are some of the most diverse gears you will have the luck to work with. But do you know How to Choose A Leaf Blower?

Now you may be thinking, “Diverse? It only uses to pile scattered leaves!”

Well,l not really. Although leaf gathering is the primary focus by association, we can also use it.

  • Clear snow
  • Clean and dry driveways/ pavements/sidewalks
  • Thread cables through the pipe
  • Remove dust from electronic devices (computer),
  • Remove grass clips
  • Dislodge knotted grass.

Hence with the myth of the device’s “single-functionality” discarded, let’s move on to identify the features that will enable you to choose the suitable leaf blower!

Things to Consider to Choose A Leaf Blower

Considering Fact To Choose A Leaf Blower
Considering Fact To Choose A Leaf Blower

There are many different types of leaf blowers available in shops around the country. So, what makes them unique from one another?

Simple! The Features.

So, here I’m going to discuss the factors that you need to

To answer this question particularly, given below are the main areas of their dynamic versatility!

The Type of Leaf Blower

The Type of Leaf Blower
The Type of Leaf Blower

To begin with, the differences take root from the user’s intention behind buying the device. An ample space, for example, will require the assistance of a heavier gas-powered model as opposed to a small area where a compact hand-held electric one would suffice.

Thus, in this aspect, there are mainly three types of design to choose from when selecting a leaf blower-

The Handheld Leaf Blower

lightweight in design, these types of blowers are versatile and boasts a user-friendly operation routine. However, the handheld blower is inefficient in blowing away leaf or another disposable residue in bulk volumes due to its compact size.

It is excellent for working in small yards and porches, you can use it to handle light to medium-sized snow, dust, leaf, and even sawdust remains.

Backpack Leaf BlowerTheree is really no greater than a backpack leaf blower for more power and a prolonged run timer. Manufactured to give consumers the maximum output within household domain or fields, garage,s, and large shop,s. This is an ideal device that excels at removing small branches or twigs, stones-pebbles, wet leaves, etc., With extreme ease.

Walk-Behind/Wheeled Leaf Blower

This third type of leaf blower is manufactured for industrial/professional use,e and these are called the Commercial Leaf Blowers. Containing a lot of power, walk behind leaf blowers functions to clear away large bulks of leaves, garbage litters, metal scrapings, cardboard, and other heavy paper materials efficiently from the desired space within a record time.

The Noise Dispersion Characteristic

When buying a leaf blower,r one of the areas of substantial concern is how much noise the device will make during operation.

Leaf blowers are legendary garden tools for their noise-making capabilities, and it wouldn’t be farfetched to say that we have, at one time or another, blocked our ears in frustration. At the same time,e our neighbors went on a “cleaning spree.”.

This proves how much of a thought you need to spare on this part of the device’s functionality. The amount of noise that a leaf blower produces depends on the type of power the device runs.

It is a common misconception that electric or battery-powered leaf blowers are assumed to make little noise instead of gas-powered. However, depending on each blower’s motor size and power, the electric one could make lower, equal, or even louder noises than gas-powered ones.

Usually, as per manufacturer lobbyists, the device,e,e, makes 70-75db (A) sound. Hence a blower segmented as “quiet” will,l in effect,t go around making noise below the 70 dB (A) range.

Whether you decide to use the regular leaf blower or the Eco-friendly, quieter ones, unless manufacturers are developing completely quiet blowers, there will always be some good conundrum associated with clearing the yard off leaves.

Because subjecting oneself to prolonged high decibel sound can prove harmful to the ears. The noise involved with the device makes everyone surrounding the region uncomfortable. It is usually wise to follow some guidelines.

Guidelines You Need to Follow to Choose A Leaf Blower

Buying Guide For A Leaf Blower
Buying Guide For A Leaf Blower
  • When turning on leaf blowers, it is better to use ear protection such as earmuffs, earplugs, etc.
  • To minimize the sound effect, you can also opt to keep the throttle or speed control lower.
  • Try to be considerate of others when using the device. It is always better to avoid times such as “quiet hours” in residential zones.
  • Different cities have different rules and regulations (such as bans or decibel limitations) regarding leaf blower use; hence, it is better to crosscheck the local law policy before buying or using one.

** You can also go to the “Noise Pollution Clearinghouse” to check the national guideline from different regions online. **

The Power Mode

One of the significant features to give special attention in choosing a leaf blower is the device’s power source. The power of the device dramatically influences its productivity and maximum space coverage adaptability and in such are chiefly seen to come in two types-

The Electric Leaf Blower

This type of blower is straightforwardly to handle even if you are someone new to the job. Lightweight in design, the device making operational sound is a tad bit quieter than gas-powered ones (though this may not be true for some models.

Depending on the voltage endorsed in the machine, light-duty electric blowers are ideal for working in patio, driveways, balconies, or decks. High-powered ones are perfect for cleaning sports courts, yards, or any land with a  quarter-acre span.

Electric leaf blower also comes in two categories:

(a) The Corded Leaf Blower

This type of leaf blower is generally turned on by connecting the cord to a power socket, as the name suggests. Hence, this electric leaf blower can run for a long time without interruption as they have a continuous power supply.

But corded blowers, on the other, somewhat restrict the moving flexibility of the user. Thereby making it ideal for working for domestic purposes such as clearing small yards, compact driveways, etc.

(b) The Cordless Leaf Blower

Cordless leaf blowers are habitually battery-operated devices. This feature makes the run time and productivity of the device heavily dependent on the voltage/power assigned to the batteries themselves.

Cordless blowers allow great freedom of movement, but the fact that the battery adds considerable weight to the design makes it a little bit convenient to carry around for more extended work missions in the case of large landscapes.

Also, the battery needs to recharge at intervals to get the maximum output at all times.

The Gas-Powered Leaf Blower

These leaf blowers are perfect for working in significant areas such as huge lawns, fields, recreational sports grounds, sidewalks, and parks. Great for industrial use, the gas-powered leaf blower promises the optimum device run time along with user movement flexibilities. Both pull-cord and push-button start, the range that this device can cover depending upon the model purchased and the fuel being used as the power source.

Usually, larger built ones are industrially used by professionals to maintain large parks or regular road clean-up routines. The medium to small designed models is preferable for individuals working with a quarter or more acre of land.

What more! With a bit of attentive maintenance, you can use one of these devices for a long time, thus eliminating the need to replace it every 3-4 years.

The Air Volume & Speed

How to Choose A Leaf Blower
How to Choose A Leaf Blower

The air volume and speed are perhaps the most important features to consider when buying a leaf blower.

  • The air volume in this regard calculates in cubic feet per minute (CFM)
  • While the speed expressed in miles per hour (MPH)

The Air Volume

The CFM of a leaf blower means the volume of air that comes out of the machine in one minute. In other words, the CMF determines the amount of debris that the device can move/manipulate at any time.

Hence a blower with high CMF will push and pile large volumes of leaves per sweep.

The AirSpeed

On the other hand, airspeed measured in MPH translates to how far you will force the given debris to move at any directional sweep. Thus, a higher airspeed usually means more leaves transferred at a greater distance.

When planning to shift snow, twigs, pebbles, or clumped wet leaves from an area, it is preferable to use a device with high MPH.

All leaf blower has an in-built turbine to move air depending on the designated speed and volume. As a result, it is crucial to maintain a balanced ratio between these two numerals to receive the optimum service depending on your purpose.

Conclusion

In this era of consumerism, choosing any product out of the many options available is a dilemma indeed.

However, I believe that after going through this article, determining the right kind of leaf blower would be the least of your concerns!

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About Christina Lopez

Christina Lopez grew up in the scenic city of Mountain View, California. For eighteen ascetic years, she refrained from eating meat until she discovered the exquisite delicacy of chicken thighs. Christina is a city finalist competitive pingpong player, an ocean diver, and an ex-pat in England and Japan. Currently, she is a computer science doctoral student. Christina writes late at night; most of her daytime is spent enchanting her magical herb garden.


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