Choosing the Best Leaf Blower for Your Garden in 2023
Leaf blowers are a popular tool for professional gardeners and homeowners alike. Having a good quality leaf blower in your arsenal will allow you to make quick work of a variety of garden tasks such as clearing leaves, grass, and other debris. With autumn 2023 finally here, a leaf blower may just be exactly what you need to keep your garden looking its best. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of leaf blowers available on the market, their usage, features to consider, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
What is a Leaf Blower?
A leaf blower is an essential gardening tool that propels air out of a nozzle to move debris such as leaves and grass cuttings. Compared to manual methods such as using a rake, leaf blowers are much more convenient and efficient. Leaf blowers can be either corded, cordless or petrol powered, with cordless models being the most popular.
Leaf blower work by taking outside air and spinning it using the fan blades. The engine drives the fan’s blades, which rotate at high speed to generate centrifugal force. The centrifugal force acts on the air surrounding the blower and forces it to be sucked into the fan. The fan then pushes the air out of the nozzle.
Leaf blowers make the job of clearing leaves and debris quicker and easier, making them an extremely useful tool for professional landscapers and home users who don’t want spend large amounts of time maintaining their outdoor spaces manually. Leaf blowers are not only useful during the autumn months, but they also come into their own at other times of the year too, making light work of tidying up after pruning or lifting unsightly debris that gathers on paths and in awkward hard to reach spaces.
Benefits of Using a Leaf Blower at a Glance
Saves time and effort: Using a leaf blower saves you time and effort compared to traditional methods like raking or sweeping. Leaf blowers are designed to quickly and effectively move leaves, debris, and grass clippings from your outdoor spaces. Many models also come with time-saving features like mulching and vacuuming capabilities. By incorporating a leaf blower into your outdoor maintenance routine, you can significantly reduce the time and effort required to keep your outdoor space clean and tidy.
Non-contact method of cleaning: Your lawn can be delicate, so you don’t want to spend lots of time tending to it, only to rip half of it up by the roots by repeatedly agitating it with a stiff brush. A leaf blower is, by nature, a non-contact method of moving the leaves and debris from the grass and is therefore considerably kinder to it.
Versatile: Due to the length of the device, the various attachments you can get, and the distance of the forced air, a leaf blower gives you a huge amount of reach. This not only shifts leaves much more effectively on the ground; it also allows you to reach high areas, such as guttering, into the corners in garages and sheds. In addition, it’ll help you clear around awkward spaces such as under garden furniture and around pots and planters.
Year-round useability: Leaf blowers are not just limited to clearing debris in the autumn months. They can be used to clear pathways and drives of snow or excess water, and quickly and effectively clear trimmings during the spring and summer months.
Eco-friendly: While petrol models are still widely available, electric models are without a doubt the most popular option for both home users and professional operators. Electric leaf blowers are an eco-friendly garden maintenance tool, as they don’t require petrol or oil, which means they don’t produce emissions or require regular mechanical maintenance.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Leaf Blower
When choosing a leaf blower, it’s recommended that you compare the key features of different models to ensure that you pick one that is best suited to your needs.
Some of these features include:
Air Volume and Air Flow Speed: These technical specifications indicate the power and efficiency of a leaf blower. Higher air volume (measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM) and air flow speed (measured in miles per hour, or MPH) generally result in better performance and faster leaf clearing.
Wattage: Wattage is an important factor to consider if you’re using an electric leaf blower. Higher wattage generally indicates more power and better performance. However, keep in mind that higher wattage may also mean increased energy consumption.
Sound Levels: Leaf blowers can be noisy, so it’s worth considering the sound levels when choosing a model. Look for leaf blowers with lower decibel (dB) ratings if noise is a concern for you or your neighbours.
Fan Speeds: Some leaf blowers offer multiple fan speed settings, allowing you to adjust the power based on your needs. This can be useful when working in different areas or when dealing with different types of debris.
Quality of Life Features: In addition to technical specifications, there are several quality of life features that can enhance your leaf blowing experience. Some useful features to look out for include:
- Straps: Comfortable shoulder straps or harnesses can help distribute the weight of the leaf blower, making them much more comfortable to use for extended periods.
- Mulching: Some leaf blowers have mulching capabilities, allowing you to shred leaves into smaller pieces for easier disposal or composting.
- Collection Bags: Leaf blowers with collection bags make it convenient to gather and dispose of leaves without the need for additional tools or equipment.
- Modes: Certain leaf blowers offer different operating modes, such as vacuuming or blowing, providing versatility for various tasks.
Having an understanding of these features will help you make the best decision when choosing a leaf blower that suits your specific needs.
Maintenance Tips
Regular Cleaning: After each use, remove any debris or leaves that may have accumulated in the blower’s intake vents, fan blades, and exhaust ports. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Air Filter Maintenance: Check the air filter regularly and clean or replace it as needed. A clogged air filter can reduce the blower’s performance and increase fuel consumption.
Fuel System Care (for petrol leaf blowers): If your leaf blower has a two-stroke engine, make sure to use the correct fuel-to-oil mixture as specified by the manufacturer. Avoid using stale fuel, as it can cause starting problems and damage the engine. Consider using a fuel stabiliser to extend the fuel’s shelf life.
Spark Plug Inspection (for petrol leaf blowers): Periodically inspect the spark plug for signs of wear or fouling. Clean or replace the spark plug if necessary. A properly functioning spark plug ensures efficient combustion and reliable starting.
Lubrication: Check the blower’s moving parts, such as bearings and gears, and lubricate them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Proper lubrication reduces friction and helps prevent premature wear.
Battery Maintenance (for cordless blowers): If you have a cordless leaf blower, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for battery maintenance. This may include regular charging, avoiding extreme temperatures, and storing the battery properly when not in use.
Storage: When storing your leaf blower for an extended period, drain the fuel tank and run the engine until it stalls to prevent fuel from gumming up the carburetor. Store the blower in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Remember to always consult your leaf blower’s user manual for specific maintenance instructions and safety guidelines.
Popular Leaf Blowers
Makita DUB363ZV Twin 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Blower/Vacuum Body Only
The Makita DUB363ZV is a 36 volt cordless blower that delivers powerful performance similar to 25mL class engine blowers, both in blower and vacuum applications. The blower has a high air volume and speed delivered by the brushless motor, with an air volume of 13.4m³/min and a maximum suction of 3.2kPa. It features soft start, constant speed control, variable speed, lock-on function, cruise control function, and vacuum mulching function with a 50L capacity collection bag included.
Hyundai HYBV3000E 3-in-1 Corded Leaf Blower, Vacuum & Mulcher 3000W 240V
The Hyundai HYBV3000E is a versatile, lightweight, and powerful. It features a powerful 3000W motor with a maximum airspeed of 170mph (275kph). The HYBV3000E is a 3-in-1 leaf blower that can be used as a blower, vacuum, or mulcher, mulching leaves into material suitable for composting. The blower also offers variable speed control, making it suitable for delicate areas such as flower borders or larger areas.
DeWalt DCMBA572X1-GB 54V XR FlexVolt Axial Blower 1x 9Ah Battery
The DeWalt DCMBA572X1 features a powerful 3000W motor, providing a maximum airspeed of 170mph (275kph). This leaf blower offers three functions and can be used as a blower, vacuum, or mulcher, allowing you to tackle various outdoor cleaning tasks. The blower features variable speed control, allowing you to adjust the airflow according to your specific needs. With its 45L collection bag, you can work for longer periods without frequent emptying.
Milwaukee M18 FBL-0 18V 2nd Gen Fuel Blower (Body Only)
The Milwaukee M18 FBL-0 features a POWERSTATE™ brushless motor that provides increased efficiency, lasts longer, and delivers maximum power. The REDLINK PLUS™ intelligence system enhances the tool’s performance under load and provides advanced digital overload protection for both the tool and battery. With its ergonomic inline design, the blower can clear debris and dirt in tight spaces. It offers up to 12.74 m³/min of air volume at 193 km/h, allowing you to clear debris effectively.
Hyundai HYB5200 52cc 2-Stroke Backpack Petrol Leaf Blower
The HYB5200 52cc 2-stroke petrol leaf blower is manufactured by Hyundai. This device has a weight of 9.85kg which is suitable to hold this device use it. Another notable point of this device is a powerful 52cc 2-stroke air-cooled engine with EURO 5 emissions lowers fuel consumption as well as emissions while maintaining a powerful performance. Also, fingertip control at your fingertips allows you to easily control engine speed and airflow speed. The HYB5200 is the Leaf blower for medium to large gardens, sports clubs, amenity areas, caravan and car parking sites, driveways and patios..
In this blog post, we explored the different types of leaf blowers available on the market, their usage, features to consider, maintenance tips, and the benefits of using leaf blowers. We also provided our top picks to help you choose the right leaf blower for your needs. Whether you’re a professional gardener or a homeowner looking to keep your garden tidy, a leaf blower can be a valuable tool that saves you time and effort. By considering the features, maintenance tips, and benefits discussed in this post, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and find the perfect leaf blower for your outdoor cleaning tasks.