Everything you have ever needed to know about Leaf Blowers

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Getting the Best Results from your Leaf Blower The leaf blower or Vacuum has become a major investment in gardening equipment. Not so long ago they were a novelty item rather than a necessity but now the benefits of this useful device have really taken a hold in the horticultural world. Leaf blowers effectively reduce time spent on tedious tasks, they aid the worker or home gardener to tidy their garden, they can be used in small domestic homes or large corporate landscapes, and they are simple and safe to use. But in order to get optimum use out of your equipment it is important a leaf blower is used correctly and maintained properly. The place to start is before you buy. There are different varieties of Leaf Blower on the market and it is essential that you purchase the device which matches the needs of your task and your environment. Before you buy The trap many consumers fall into is they do not appreciate that there is more than just one variety of leaf blower - so it is worth checking around first before you buy. The three main types of leaf blower are: • Backpack • Handheld (petrol) • Handheld(electric) All give better results for individual garden tasks. Backpack The backpack leaf blower is really designed for the larger garden job where you will be clearing debris and leaves over a large area. It tends to be used in a commercial environment more than the small domestic home. Hence it is more powerful than its handheld cousins. Usually powered by petrol the main engine is slung over the operators back in the form of a rucksack. The worker can control the exhaust by a leaver at his right arm where he will find a simple on-off switch and the throttle. Because this model is light weight it is considered to be less tiring to use than the handheld models as you are carrying the weight of the machine neatly on your back. Handheld (petrol) This model is a great deal smaller. The exhaust (this extracts all the leaves and debris) is considerably shorter. This model is used for smaller areas with less leaf downfall. Perfect for the domestic homeowner it is held in the hand and close to the ground for optimum performance. It does take more energy than the Backpack as you are constantly moving the whole machine with a wrist action to target parts of the ground which need clearing. Handheld (electric) The electric handheld leaf blower is often seen as more useful for the domestic user because it is even lighter than the petrol model. (you are not carrying the weight of the petrol itself).
However the major drawback is the fact that you are likely to be restricted by the cord to the electricity source. On the other hand in a small home garden area there is likely to be little need for a long cord. An extension can also be used as well. If a cord is a problem then you can also try the battery operated model. Like the electric model these leaf blowers are light and easy to use with small projects. The one drawback is that the lifespan of the battery tends to be quite short. Easy action – best results The controls on your leaf blower are quite simple. There is an on-off switch and depending on the size of the machine, there will be a throttle facility as well. It will take a little time to work out how the pressure of air works with your target so don’t be afraid to try a few different positions until you feel comfortable. Just like getting used to the gears in a car it all just falls into place eventually. It will be easier to mound your leaves with the leaf blower if you have something to blow them against, like a fence corner or your homemade compost retained area. If you have a pile of leaves and you want to move this load from one spot to another try not to blow the load from the base of the pile as leaves may be thrown back in your face from the eddies caused by the height of the pile. Maintenance is key Its very easy to blame the gardening equipment when you are not getting the results you are looking for, but at the end of the day if you don’t look after your equipment you are likely to be getting bad results from a machine that just isn’t working properly. Maintenance is especially important with leaf blowers because if the machine also comprises a vacuum you are actually drawing in rubbish and debris towards the workings of the machine itself. Good storage is essential for looking after your leaf blower and vacuum. Because it tends to get used seasonally (although it is obviously used for other cleaning jobs around the home such as cleaning out the garage) there is likely to be long periods in the year when it needs to be stored away for future use. To ensure your blower works as well as when you put it away last autumn always store your leaf blower in a dry place. Petrol blowers should be given special consideration. The issue here is petrol actually goes off over a period of time. It turns to varnish and will leave deposits in the engine. To prevent this, a fuel stabiliser should be added into the petrol tank. The stabiliser will preserve the fuel and prevent it from deteriorating and leading to a clogged carburettor next season. Regularly check the air filter to ensure that it is kept clean. This is easy to access and is recognised as a small sponge within the filter section. Once taken out this can be cleaned in soapy water, dried and then doused in WD40 oil. The oil is excellent for trapping more dirt in the filter. Make sure your spark plug is ok as they tend to wear out quite fast in a two stroke engine. If it needs replacing it is essential that it is the model of spark plug which the manufacturer recommends. Any other may prevent the leaf blower working at optimum performance. Also check the exhaust where debris is taken up. If this gets clogged future performance of the equipment will be restricted.
Page 1 and 2: Everything you have ever needed to
Page 3 and 4: This History of the Leaf Blower The
Page 5 and 6: There is increasing popularity for
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Page 11 and 12: powerful than the handheld. However
Page 13 and 14: For all their muscle and relative q
Page 15 and 16: offering its cleverly-engineered 4-
Page 17 and 18: Leaf Blower Maintenance Why is main
Page 19 and 20: Caring for your Leaf Blower or Vacu
Page 21 and 22: How to Use a Leaf Blower to Get the

Everything you have ever needed to know about Leaf Blowers

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