Autumn is known, with its colors melts the heart, unfortunately, however, it is also the time for the fall of the leaves and the associated discomforts. A leaf blower is a terrific tool for dealing with this problem.
Some just blow, others that also have the function of vacuuming and shredding to facilitate composting. It is a practical and efficient tool for removing leaves that accumulate under trees, on the streets, or that in any case create unsanitary or disorderly situations in paths, private and condominium gardens.
In case you are not familiar with this tool and maybe you would like to buy one, follow our instructions, so you can quickly identify the best and most suitable blower for your needs.
Here we had selected some of the best gas leaf blowers for you.
Buyer Guide to Choose the Best Gas Leaf Blowers
Leaf blowers are among the most popular garden tools, although, given the quantity and diversity of models available, it is not always easy to choose the most suitable one.
Electric or petrol? With the function of shredding and vacuuming or without? The first thing to keep in mind, however, is the purpose for which you will use your blower. Below you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions on the subject to clarify any doubts.
What Exactly Is a Leaf Blower?
A leaf blower, or only a blower, is a gardening tool that, thanks to a powerful air jet, can remove fallen leaves and other similar residues. They are usually portable and autonomous units.
But it can also happen that they are mounted on a kind of backpack equipped with rods to be moved manually. The larger models are equipped with wheels for transport and sometimes even with a small motor.
What Is a Leaf Blower Used For?
Leaf blowers have explicitly been invented to counter the accumulation of fallen leaves in autumn. In some places, this phenomenon has dimensions that compromise not only urban aesthetics, but also the safety and viability of the roads. These tools are therefore used in different situations:
- To pile the fallen leaves in the garden in one place.
- To disperse weeds and plant debris on roads and sidewalks.
- To stack freshly cut grass in one place.
- To free the clogged canals from the leaves.
- To clean up garages and dust sheds.
- To chop and vacuum up the accumulated waste, which ends up in a practical collection bag (if such functions are available).
How Long Do the Batteries of The Electric Leaf Blowers Last?
This type of battery usually has an autonomy ranging from 40 to 60 minutes: if you plan to cover rather large areas or have a vast garden, consider taking a spare battery with you. Lithium-ion batteries are the most recent innovation in this sector.
- They are light and weigh up to 50% less than a battery of the same Ni-Cad (Nickel-cadmium) capacity, the blower will, therefore, be much easier to carry.
- They do not have power drops even when the battery is running low. The power of the air jet remains constant during use.
- They hold up to 3 more charges than a Ni-Cad battery before they need to be replaced.
Do Leaf Blowers Make so Much Noise?
That noise can be a delicate issue for some: each area has its regulations on noise pollution, not to mention that in some residential areas it is not recommended to use too noisy machinery.
The noise produced depends on the model and size but, in general, the petrol blowers are noisier than the electric or battery ones. If you are particularly worried about noise, we advise you to buy a blower that does not exceed 89 decibels of volume, even if this means sacrificing a little power (of course, to be silent, it must blow with less force).
Do I Have to Wear Specific Helmets or Protections While Using a Blower?
Electric or battery-powered models do not require the use of specific protections, which instead could be useful in the case of particularly powerful petrol blowers: the headphones are indispensable, especially if the area to be worked on is significant. The work is likely to last for hours.
How Important Is the Weight of A Leaf Blower?
The weight of the blower is an essential aspect to keep in mind, given that the machine must be carried by hand or on the shoulder (if mounted on a backpack) during all the work. Electric blowers tend to be lighter and can be used with one hand. The petrol and battery ones are heavier.
Most brands have thought of ergonomically designed models that offer the right compromise between comfort and effectiveness, perhaps by equipping them with handles and slings. Wheel models are particularly comfortable, uniquely if equipped with swivel castors.
Purchase Criteria
Cleaning up the garden from fallen leaves is dense and annoying when the only thing you have available is a rake: buying a leaf blower is the best thing. There are many models, each with its advantages and disadvantages, but there are some elements that it is always good to keep against before buying.
- Power and speed
- Battery
- The capacity of The Collection Bag
- Practicality
- Noise
Power and Speed
The power of the blower is perhaps the most crucial element: an underpowered blower is also much slower, and not everyone is willing to spend hours in the garden. A medium petrol model, effective in cleaning flower beds and garages, has a power of about 2500 watts.
Battery
If you are oriented towards purchasing a battery-powered blower, we recommend choosing one that has a lithium-ion battery, which is more effective and longer-lasting than Ni-Cad type batteries. The ideal would be to look for a model that has an autonomy of at least 45 minutes, even if activated at maximum power.
The Capacity of The Collection Bag
If your blower also works as a vacuum cleaner and chopper, it must have an adequate collection bag: resistant enough to withstand the stings of twigs and pebbles and spacious enough not to have to empty it every four steps (capacity of 45 liters is not wrong, to begin).
Practicality
Using a leaf blower to clean extensive gardens or spacious sheds can be very tedious and tiring, and with an impractical model, it can even become impossible. For this, you will have to choose a not too thinking blower, which has a compact and ergonomic design and which adapts to your physicality.
Noise
Noise pollution, for many people and in some areas, can be a big problem: for this reason, at the time of purchase, it would be better if you also considered this factor. The optimal compromise between power and noise is reached around 89 decibels: a volume that should not disturb too much any neighbors or pets.
