leaf blowers?

[jd_1138]

I used to mulch all the leaves with the mower, but that's not good for our lawn (lots of leaves). Yesterday I helped out a friend with her leaves in her backyard (all her neighbors have maple trees). After 10 minutes of hard work (raking), I remembered I saw a Toro leaf blower in their shed. I then hunted for an extension cord and went to town.

It's an older Toro leaf blower but it made the chore much easier. But the mph or CFM's of it was pretty low I assume. It took longer than necessary, but it was easier than raking. I blew all the leaves in opposite corners of the lawn and then raked them into 2 high piles to then bag up.

What's the best model to buy for under $100 for around my house? Is mph or CFM more important?

 

[four.cycle]

^ I use one of the Toro 120V electric leaf blowers. The red one- not the black one (the red one is a bit more powerful.)
Does the job. Doesn't annoy the neighbors. Been running the hell out of it for about 5 or 6 years now.

Not as powerful as the gas-powered backpack blowers, but I don't have to hassle with a goddam two-stroke engine.

as for "MPH" or "CFM" - just between you and me and the wall I think it's just marketing hype, but go with the red one if you're going to go that route.

my mother found her black one at a garage sale for $5 bucks - they're out there in the second-hand market.

 

[Wetwaders]

For a gas powered unit, I like my Hitachi from Lowes. With coupons, it can be had for a little over $100.

 

[Kaizen]

If you have a bag for lawn mower this is the best way. For blower I'd go gas even if it's the cheapest one. I can blow them into the woods so I use an echo backpack


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[PelicanPines]

I mow mine into dust... then let them blow to my neighbors yard.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I mow mine into dust... then let them blow to my neighbors yard.

Yep ! Mulching leaves into your lawn is actually good for the lawn, BUT they have to be finely mulched ! This will require multiple passes.

 

[WhiffySpark]

This time savings on your bottom of the line to top of line can be incredibly. I use br 350s and don’t care for them. I want a new Maruyama

 

[WhiffySpark]

I run g5/g6 blades on mowers

 

[PelicanPines]

Yep ! Mulching leaves into your lawn is actually good for the lawn, BUT they have to be finely mulched ! This will require multiple passes.

I bring a jug of iced coffee and headphones.. plus my rider annoys another neighbor... so... yea... multiple passes...

 

[barrybeefburger]

I would look for a used Stihl or Echo.

 

[kythri]

Is mph or CFM more important?

I have exactly two leaf blowers on which to base this, but I'm going to assume that CFM is more important.

Both of mine are Ryobi 18V models. The older one has a narrow outlet, but is rated at a higher MPH. The newer one I just got is lower MPH, but higher CFM, with a wider outlet.

HUGE difference, the new one is SIGNIFICANTLY better at the job.

 

[trekgod3]

+1 for the used Echo option. I've got an es-250. It's a leaf vacuum and blower. It's great. I like being able to go to home depot and buy 4 of the same tuneup kits for all my Echo equipment. Makes maintenance very easy.

 

[Showkey]

These guys pretty much cover the reviews:

https://www.leafblowersdirect.com/quick_search_review.php


MORE MPH is good
MORE CFM is good

NOISE is bad

BIG yard with lots of trees.......battery and cord models are not so good.

 

[Voi]

I have exactly two leaf blowers on which to base this, but I'm going to assume that CFM is more important.

This is correct as I recall. When I was choosing between two Makita blowers this past summer I read some articles and while both are important CFM is the more important measurement.

Went with the Makita X2 brushless. Not in the OP's price range however.

 

[jd_1138]

These guys pretty much cover the reviews:

https://www.leafblowersdirect.com/quick_search_review.php


MORE MPH is good
MORE CFM is good

NOISE is bad

BIG yard with lots of trees.......battery and cord models are not so good.

Yeah they're noisy as heck. I went up to the Family, Farm and Home store near her house and bought a few packs of ear plugs. Her Toro blower was so loud I couldn't even hear my podcast via the earbuds I had on. So I left and bought the ear plugs.

Don't want to destroy your ear drums.

 

[thooks]

A leaf blower for $100??

 

[dsimatt]

Echo backpack with right-hand controls, it's so nice to be able to move leaves faster then my 2 neighbors with their hand helds.

 

[stikman56]

A leaf blower for $100??

Been using one of these for 4 years now. Was 80 bucks when I bought it.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Husqvarna-...4pYNf9D:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!98601!US!-1

 

[WhiffySpark]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/263278491781

That’s my next one most likely

 

[[memphis]]

Can’t go wrong with a home owner or pro grade stihl hand held.
Bought mine two summers ago with the vacuum option. The rental I am in gas lots of trees; I average about 25 bags a season.

 

[jhelrey]

Echo 770... Love mine! I also have very large trees and I have to do my leaves on average 4 times a year. I get the luxury of woods behind me. I use a tarp to move the piles when they get too big.

 

[gerryw]

We use Stihl @work.
We THROW them on the truck, we THROW them on the ground, we THROW them on shelves.
They always start (stale gas)
Lots of brands , but this is my experience with Stihl.

Btw, they are great for clearing sidewalks of powdered snow.

Gerry

 

[Farleyfan]

I just got interested in the cordless when they added lithium battery with them.
Now, trying to decide which one haha.
I like the stihl from ace hardware but gonna look around more and watch this thread.
I just need one for quick driveway,sidewalk and garage cleaning. (dry leaves that blow in)

 

[DGersic]

I had a hand held blower, gave it away. Hated using it. Made my hands and arms hurt. Switched to a backpack blower, no more heavy engine hanging from a handle.

Leaves and bean pods take a few days to clear the yard every fall. One year I counted, it was 14 pickup truck loads (Dodge Dakota). The blower can’t move leaves that deep, and doesn’t do anything for the locust tree pods, it takes a grain shovel.



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[theoldwizard1]

We use Stihl @work.
We THROW them on the truck, we THROW them on the ground, we THROW them on shelves.
They always start (stale gas)
Lots of brands , but this is my experience with Stihl.

I always wonder what makes Stihl/Zama carburetors for "durable" (more resistant to dirt ?) than other companies. (Stihl bought Zama back in 2008.)

 

[theoldwizard1]

Leaves and bean pods take a few days to clear the yard every fall. One year I counted, it was 14 pickup truck loads (Dodge Dakota). The blower can’t move leaves that deep, and doesn’t do anything for the locust tree pods, it takes a grain shovel.

For that volume I would look into a vacuum mulcher !

 

[engineer2]

Makita has a deal going on with their 36V leaf blower. I use mine all the time and it rocks.

 

[Git]

Makita has a deal going on with their 36V leaf blower. I use mine all the time and it rocks.

I was going to post about this yesterday and I ended up not doing it because the initial purchase price can be a little steep

Right now - you can get (4) 5.0 batteries along with their 36v blower and a dual charger for $329 which is about the regular price of just the (4) batteries. And yes - they do rock, I use mine every day

So if you already own some 18v Makita tools or are thinking about it, take a look. If you don't care about 4 batteries you can also get 2 batteries and a cordless grinder for the same price

http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/makita-xbu02pt1

http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools...ushless-cordless-blower-kit-and-angle-grinder

 

[Fender1325]

I own a toro gas blower. Good power but 2 years in and now I have hard starts and bogging issues. A carb clean/rebuild perhaps, but also clogged mufflers will do this. Needs to be F'd with I just haven't had the time. I keep up a few lawns with it.

Spend a little more than 100 and dont waste your time with electric. It just doesn't have the power.

 

[Fbmoose48]

I own a toro gas blower. Good power but 2 years in and now I have hard starts and bogging issues. A carb clean/rebuild perhaps, but also clogged mufflers will do this. Needs to be F'd with I just haven't had the time. I keep up a few lawns with it.

Spend a little more than 100 and dont waste your time with electric. It just doesn't have the power.

Second this. I first got a Ryobi cordless, it advertised some of the highest MPH/CFM specs under $100... after the first use I upgraded to the Husqvarna 360 and the Ryobi became a dust blower for shop clean up - that's all those cordless ones are good for

 

[Two Door]

We use Stihl @work.
We THROW them on the truck, we THROW them on the ground, we THROW them on shelves.
They always start (stale gas)
Lots of brands , but this is my experience with Stihl.

Btw, they are great for clearing sidewalks of powdered snow.

Gerry

I bought the BG50 bottom of the line blower last year and couldn't be happier for my suburban lot. The little thing is light, powerful, smooth, and troublefree. It's predecessor was an Echo that developed mechanical problems and considering the price of the Stihl, wasn't worth fixing.

 

[PelicanPines]

My wife uses a Ridgid leaf blower 18v lithium to clear dust bunnies on the indoor stairs. I use it to clear the front porch of leaves and stuff...

I recently got a 20v dewalt trimmer that I freakin love... I'm considering a 20v dewalt or the Milwaukee m18...

 

[kythri]

Second this. I first got a Ryobi cordless, it advertised some of the highest MPH/CFM specs under $100... after the first use I upgraded to the Husqvarna 360 and the Ryobi became a dust blower for shop clean up - that's all those cordless ones are good for

Nonsense. Used my Ryobi 18V blower (P2180/P2108A) again today, on a mountain of wet and dry leaves, and it worked beautifully.

 

[mowkep]

I have a commercial grade Echo backpack that I've had for over 7 years. Had it serviced twice. It is awesome and has had zero problems. I have a hilly yard with lots of trees and rock gardens. I even use it to clean out the gutters. Serious CFMs

 

[frascati]

Anyone able to provide an authoritative link that well justifies raking/blowing/gathering/curbing/disposing leaves? What did the OP discover that changed his mind if he'd been mulching previously but decided it was bad for the lawn? Here's a link to Scotts lawncare...

https://www.scotts.com/en-us/node/12736

I used to rake and bag for decades before, blissfully, mulching. What a savings of time and useless labor!! It is crucial to have at least a week of dry weather before mulching or they won't reduce to dust and, depending on density of leaves, two passes may be necessary. I have an old John Deere two blade rider with Gator blades. Maples, sassafras, oak, and beech in the lawn. I've been mulching the leaves into dust for five years now. My lawn was never healthier.

 

[engineer2]

don't waste your time with electric. It just doesn't have the power.

The 475 cfm 6 speed Makita is more than enough. Yes, there are higher ones out there, but sometimes you need lower speeds to "herd" the leaves.

 

[redmondjp]

Anyone able to provide an authoritative link that well justifies raking/blowing/gathering/curbing/disposing leaves? What did the OP discover that changed his mind if he'd been mulching previously but decided it was bad for the lawn? Here's a link to Scotts lawncare...

https://www.scotts.com/en-us/node/12736

I used to rake and bag for decades before, blissfully, mulching. What a savings of time and useless labor!! It is crucial to have at least a week of dry weather before mulching or they won't reduce to dust and, depending on density of leaves, two passes may be necessary. I have an old John Deere two blade rider with Gator blades. Maples, sassafras, oak, and beech in the lawn. I've been mulching the leaves into dust for five years now. My lawn was never healthier.

I'm glad that it works for you. Here in Seattle, in the fall, the lawn and whatever leaves are on it are always wet, even on dry days. So when you do this, even with several passes, it can result in such heavy deposits on top of the grass that it will smother the grass. I raked for about an hour yesterday (the heavy, soaked mulched leaves coating the grass) because of this.

Oh, and I have an Echo PB-755 backpack blower that I've used for the past few years. It is a serious unit, to the point that you will be sore from having to brace yourself against the force from the blowing air. It's also very heavy. But it scours wet leaves glued down to the ground like nobody's business (I have extended the tip and have one of those flat, wide tips on it which I turn sideways while I am doing this) so it can be very useful. I only get it out when I really need it - otherwise, I use a hand-held Echo gas-powered unit for quick jobs on the driveway or roof.

 

[IndyGarage]

Can’t go wrong with a home owner or pro grade stihl hand held.
Bought mine two summers ago with the vacuum option. The rental I am in gas lots of trees; I average about 25 bags a season.

My first blower was a Toro handheld corded model which probably cost about $80. It was only good for clearing dust off the deck and out of the garage - it didn't really move leaves very well, but I thought it was great at the time.

I've had a Stihl BG86 handheld for 7-8 years. Cost a little over $200. It blows OK and is very lightweight. It's been very unreliable and hard to start. I've had to fix it more times than I can count. It has very good features and the vibration control is good. I would not recommend it to anyone.


I've had a Husqvarna 150BT backpack for about 3 -4years. It cost $300. It starts easy, not too loud, and it blows mountains of leaves - I'd say about 4x the leaf moving power of the gas handheld. It also burns about 4x the fuel, which is a good trade in my opinion. I've done nothing to it since I've had it. I would recommend this to anyone who has a lot of leaves to move.

 

[BFroa]

RedMax EBZ6500 backpack blower. I had never heard of this brand; did some research. Great reviews, found a local dealer. It's great! Moves leaves even when they are wet. I've had it for 3 years now. After I'm done with the leaves I drain the fuel, run it until it stops, and put it away until the next year. I use my Echo handheld blower for my driveway.

 

[Dentaltec]

I have this unit and its very powerful and not so heavy that its difficult to use, I bought an extra battery and its plenty for our yard and last a good long time.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/EGO-142-MPH-575-CFM-Variable-Speed-56-Volt-Lithium-ion-Cordless-Leaf-Blower-with-5-0Ah-Battery-and-Charger-Included-LB5754/300374954