Leaf Blower Recommendations

[MrShotShot]

I've finally decided to break down and get a leaf blower for my yard. It's not that I don't mind raking - I actually enjoy it - or that my yard it super huge or anything, it's that I'm finding it quite difficult to set aside the time to do the necessary raking.

One problem I have is that my trees seem to drop their leaves at three distinct intervals in the fall - I've got some that are dropping now, a couple that drop at the end of October, and then one huge maple tree that holds it leaves until after Thanksgiving. Because of this, I end up having to rake my yard three times each fall and with the demands of my job, my family, the weather, etc. it's just getting tedious.

I'm definitely looking at a gas powered model and I'm leaning toward some of the backpack versions for both ease and power.

I'd be interested in any recommendations or things to look out for from folks who have them.

[BillBrown]

I've finally decided to break down and get a leaf blower for my yard. It's not that I don't mind raking - I actually enjoy it - or that my yard it super huge or anything, it's that I'm finding it quite difficult to set aside the time to do the necessary raking.

One problem I have is that my trees seem to drop their leaves at three distinct intervals in the fall - I've got some that are dropping now, a couple that drop at the end of October, and then one huge maple tree that holds it leaves until after Thanksgiving. Because of this, I end up having to rake my yard three times each fall and with the demands of my job, my family, the weather, etc. it's just getting tedious.

I'm definitely looking at a gas powered model and I'm leaning toward some of the backpack versions for both ease and power.

I'd be interested in any recommendations or things to look out for from folks who have them.

I used to blow my leaves.
Then I discovered the easiest way is to mow them.
I have a mulching blade on my mower- it came with one. They're cheap anyway.
I run it over a yard full of ankle deep leaves and they're gone- ground to powder. You can't even see them.

It's good for the grass. It returns organic matter to the soil.

[VCaddy05]

I've finally decided to break down and get a leaf blower for my yard. It's not that I don't mind raking - I actually enjoy it - or that my yard it super huge or anything, it's that I'm finding it quite difficult to set aside the time to do the necessary raking.

One problem I have is that my trees seem to drop their leaves at three distinct intervals in the fall - I've got some that are dropping now, a couple that drop at the end of October, and then one huge maple tree that holds it leaves until after Thanksgiving. Because of this, I end up having to rake my yard three times each fall and with the demands of my job, my family, the weather, etc. it's just getting tedious.

I'm definitely looking at a gas powered model and I'm leaning toward some of the backpack versions for both ease and power.

I'd be interested in any recommendations or things to look out for from folks who have them.

A mulcher can go along way and be much less pain in the ass as blowing them. However, the backpack versions are the best by far, and will do the job. Just controlling the leaves when your creating wind, and their is a wind blowing at the same time can be a pain too.

[birddog1]

I use something very similar to this and find it easier and much quieter than using a blower. I also find that it does a much better job. Th only catch is that you have to have a riding lawn mower to pull it with.

http://www.yardandgardendirect.com/lawnsweeper.htm

[markd]

Mine isn't gas powered but its strong as heck and also has a sucker/mulcher on it. Cords are a down side, but having to gas up is as well. Mines a Craftsman.

[Vaard]

i use a leaf blower to blow the leaves onto the grass, then mow them down.....


i use the one that is actually a shopvac, but you can remove the motor and attach the tubes to the blower part of the vaccum..........

[notluzn]

I just used my new one yesterday and I will say first hand... FACE MASK>>> Cough cough

[Tulsa]

Honda twin blade mulching mower. I have one of those leaf blowing and vacuum things that's supposed to make 10 bags of leaves into one, screw that, I mulch them and forget it.

[SFC(R)L]

cut down the trees

[AutoRacer55]

Find a guy with large lungs. Problem solved.

[Clamp]

If you want the best, pick up a Stihl 600... :)

http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/BR600.html

The mulching mowers do a good job too if you don't have a lot of property. I usually mulch the leaves once without the bag on the mower, then once with the bag so the smaller pieces fall below the grassline and make a good thatch.

This works well where there aren't a huge amount of leaves, but I've got oaks galore, so the blower definitely comes in handy for the bulk cleanup.

[MrShotShot]

If you want the best, pick up a Stihl 600... :)

http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/BR600.html

The mulching mowers do a good job too if you don't have a lot of property. I usually mulch the leaves once without the bag on the mower, then once with the bag so the smaller pieces fall below the grassline and make a good thatch.

This works well where there aren't a huge amount of leaves, but I've got oaks galore, so the blower definitely comes in handy for the bulk cleanup.

That's one of the ones I'm considering.

The mulching works fine for the first leaf fall, but the second and especially the third are so large that the mower can't handle it. Plus I've got several areas that you can't get a mower into that need the leaves cleaned out as well.

[PeterGriffin]

Mulching mowers don't help much in your flower beds and garden areas.

For a compact yard, the corded electric ones are great. Cheap to buy and run, plenty of grunt, only downside is the cord. I have a hand held gas blowerthat is a bulky little beasty, a little on the temperamental side, works pretty well when its running right though. Blow out all the beds into a pile on the grass and slurp it up with a Honda mulching mower. I prefer the gas over electric just for mobility, I'd feel kind of silly though with a backpack unit unless I had a really big yard or was doing it for a living.

[jeepers]

For those who don't have tonnage, you don't even need a 'mulch mower'. All you have to do is two passes over it with a regular mower, and you be mulched!

:)

Hate electric anything outside (except my chipper). I'm always wrassling with the darn cord, or it's too short, or it gets tangled.

Get a gas baby and fire it up!