leafmulcherhq
We compared leaf vacuum mulchers: petrol and battery-powered – how they work and which one to choose
Leaf vacuums are a matter of course in the modern garden for the sometimes complicated removal of fallen leaves and light garden waste. Most models combine the function of blowing and vacuuming. Many garden vacuums also shred fallen leaves and small twigs and prepare them for composting. Clearing away leaves is important because they can block light and provide a haven for diseases that affect the health of your lawn. While some argue that garden leaf blowers are only useful during the fall, regular users counter that they can be used all year round. Even if light snow falls and you want nothing more than to keep your sidewalk neatly trimmed, you can use a leaf blower for that role. With so many options available, it is not easy to determine which model will suit you best. We have selected and compared eight leaf vacuum mulchers of the brands 3x Feldmann, 1x Riwall, 1x Bosch, 1x Husqvarna, 1x Gardena, and 1x Black & Decker. Our mini-reviews and buying guides will aim to help you make an informed decision on the best leaf blower for you.
WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN CHOOSING A GARDEN VACUUM MULCHER?
The market offer is really wide, so how do you start narrowing down the options? A good starting point for thinking about what type of leaf blower you need is to ask yourself these questions:
How big is your garden? Are you looking for a model that is great for quickly cleaning a small patio and blowing leaves from its edges? Or do you need a more powerful machine that can move large quantities of sheets across large areas?
How skilled are you? Some leaf blowers can be switched between blowing and vacuuming with the simple flip of a switch, while others need to be reconfigured, which can be a complex, time-consuming job, especially if you're not particularly at home in such operations.
Where do you want to use the leaf vacuum mulcher? Do you need to pick up leaves on a gravel path or just pick up leaves from the edges of a flower bed?
The answers to these questions will serve as a guide and not a deciding factor. If you want to make a really well-informed decision, read on to learn more about leaf blowers.
RELATED: https://leafmulcherhq.com
GUIDE TO CHOOSING A LEAF BLOWER
When you start looking for a garden vacuum, you will be bombarded with terminology that may not mean anything to you. Here is a list of some basic terms that are good to know.
Mph (km/h) – This is used to indicate the speed at which the air escapes from the nozzle. As nozzle size increases, Mph decreases, and with smaller nozzles, Mph increases.
Speed control - is available to adjust the speed of the airflow. Subsequently, it also controls the speed at which dirt moves. In some vacuum mulchers, the speed settings are fixed, and in others variable. For other types, it is possible to set a certain speed and block the value.
Reduction ratio – the ratio between the number of bags of waste to the number of bags after mulching. It is generally indicated by the number of bags that can be reduced to one bag. Ratios can be, for example, 10:1 or 16:1.
Two-stroke and four-stroke engines - with a two-stroke engine, the user can expect to get a balance of power and weight. However, it must work on gasoline as well as oil. With a 4-stroke engine, only gasoline is used. It is heavier than a 2-stroke engine and requires more frequent oil changes.
vibration reduction function – increases comfort at work
5 IMPORTANT FACTORS TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN BUYING
If you are buying your first garden vacuum mulcher, the following 5 criteria will help you decide which model suits your needs.
PETROL, ELECTRIC OR BATTERY POWERED
Gasoline leaf blowers are available with 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. In a 2-stroke engine, fuel and oil are mixed into a specific mixture. Read the manufacturer's instructions to make sure you mix the right ratio. 4-stroke engines cause less pollution than two-stroke engines because, in this case, there is no need for a mixture of fuel and oil, and therefore, exhaust gases are also reduced. A 4-stroke vacuum mulcher is heavier than a 2-stroke and needs regular oil changes. A gasoline vacuum mulcher has more power and is, therefore, more efficient, especially on larger plots. The electric blower is limited by the length of the power cord. However, electric leaf blowers are more environmentally friendly than gasoline ones, and they are not as noisy. They also weigh less than gasoline or battery-powered ones. Working with battery-powered vacuum mulchers is limited by battery life. However, if you have a backup battery, you don't have to wait for it to recharge. Maneuverability makes the cordless vacuum ideal for larger urban gardens.
CORDLESS BATTERY VACUUM MULCHERS
If you can spend more than 2500$ there are several cordless garden vacuum mulchers from brands such as Bosch or Stihl that are incredibly easy to use. Smaller models are great for maintaining small patios where leaves need to be cleared from around flower pots and are ideal for the edges of flower beds as they won't destroy your plants with strong gusts of wind. Larger cordless blowers are an expensive option, but they are very convenient and easy to use.
Although they are more expensive than electric or gasoline-powered garden vacuums, if you can find a cordless model that uses the same type of batteries as your other cordless power tools, you can save on the cost of purchasing products. Cordless leaf vacuums are a great choice for precise and delicate work.
Advantages
easy to use
they are easy to store
they are great if you have a complicated garden with lots of nooks and crannies
they are also suitable for removing dust from sheds
Disadvantages
they are still very expensive
smaller models are not very powerful; heavy wet leaves are a problem
A short video will demonstrate the ease of use of this type of garden vacuum mulcher.
ELECTRIC CABLE VACUUM MULCHERS
Corded electric leaf blowers are generally the cheapest option, and there are a number of different models to choose from with a number of features. The cheapest models have parallel blow and suction tubes, and you can change them with a simple flick of a switch. It is very comfortable. However, there are some disadvantages to these models. They lose performance when you switch from blowing to vacuuming. They're also less easy to use in blow mode as the dual tubes make them a little bulky and heavy, so if you have a complicated garden where leaves get caught around pots and in nooks and crannies, they can be uncomfortable to use.
More expensive models need to be reconfigured to change the mode. This can be quite complicated and time-consuming, and it also requires hand strength. However, they do not lose performance between modes. A good electric corded vacuum mulcher is quiet and comfortable to use, with airflow that keeps the leaves under control.
Advantages
the cheapest option
various functions
Disadvantages
some may be awkward to use or maneuver
RELATED: https://gamekit.com/profil/134480278/
GASOLINE VACUUM MULCHERS
These powerful machines range in price from 2,500$ to 12,500$, and unless you have a very large garden that needs maintenance more than once or twice a year, it really isn't worth the trouble of maintaining the motor. Handheld models are cheaper than backpacks, but on the other hand, backpacks put a lot less strain on your hands and are easier to control, so if you use a leaf blower regularly, it may be worth opting for one.
Advantages
great for cleaning large areas and handling wet leaves
they do not have a power cable in appearance; they are easy to work around large obstacles such as trees or ponds
Disadvantages
heavy
some extremely noisy
require regular maintenance
MANUAL VS. BACKPACKERS
With the backpack version, you carry the weight of the leaf vacuum on your shoulders and the collection bag on your back. The straps are padded to protect the shoulders. This type is ideal for large commercial areas. Hand vacuum mulchers are more for normal home use. Backpack vacuums weighed twice as much as handheld models and were originally designed for landscapers. However, due to the high level of efficiency and the less time, it takes to work with them, this type of garden blower has also started to be used by residential house owners.
NOISE LEVEL
Anyone who's woken up early in the morning to a gardening-obsessed neighbor can attest that a blower can get really loud when it's running. Both the product label and the manufacturer's description indicate decibels, so you can check the noise level when purchasing. In general, cordless or corded vacuum mulchers are quieter than gasoline-powered models. Electric motors are not as loud as internal combustion engines in the given PowerPoint.
REDUCTION - MULCHING
The collection bag fills up quickly. This means you often have to walk to the compost bin to empty it. However, most garden vacuum mulchers also offer a mulching function, where the internal blades crush the leaves into smaller pieces. Although the manufacturer's description may declare a reduction ratio of 10:1 or 16:1, in practice, it is often less. Wet leaves and other debris interfere with achieving results in perfect conditions. But even a realistic mulching ratio of 6:1 or 4:1 dramatically increases the number of leaves and debris the bag can hold before it fills. The reduction rate is the number of collection bags of leaves mulched into one bag.
FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
Using the right leaf vacuum can make it quick and easy to manage fallen autumn leaves, but choosing the wrong model can be a struggle. The following features can make a difference.
Narrow nozzle for blowing
Most machines can blow sheets into piles. It does this quickly and efficiently and requires minimal effort from you. Therefore, look for a model that has a narrow nozzle to direct the blast of air and the ability to control the speed of the airflow.
Easy access to mulching blades
Handling loads of wet, heavy leaves is not pleasant, so being able to vacuum up wet leaves is a big plus. However, leaf blowers can easily become clogged. Make sure you can reach the mulching blades to remove obstacles easily and safely. Look for a machine that has metal rather than plastic mulching blades, as they are less likely to chip or break.
Waterproof collection bag
Ideally, you would only pick up leaves when they are dry, and some vacuum mulchers specifically mention this in their instructions. Fall weather is rarely dry, however, so it's important to look for a blower with a waterproof collection bag.
Comfortable handles and shoulder straps
Since you have to carry both the machine and the collection bag during use, the weight, ease of use, and comfort of the straps are decisive. Look for a soft handle and padded shoulder strap.
Storage
These machines are relatively small, and the best ones have a removable nozzle for compact storage. If you have limited space, look for a model with a telescopic nozzle or one that can be easily disassembled.
WHERE TO BUY AND WHICH BRANDS ARE THE MOST POPULAR
Although Lidl also sells garden leaf vacuums and blowers, we would rather recommend a specialized store such as Mountfield, or verified stores, whose comprehensive overview will be provided by Heureka. We have included blowers from big names such as Bosch, Husquarna, or Black & Decker in our selection, as well as Czech brands such as Feldmann or Hecht. We have already presented almost all of them in one of our articles. Almost. We kept the Black & Decker for today.
Black & Decker leaf vacuums
Black & Decker Corporation was the name of an American manufacturer of power tools, accessories, and technological fastening systems based in Towson, Maryland. In 2010, Black & Decker merged with Stanley Works to become Stanley Black & Decker. She remains a 100% daughter of this company. It is a meaningful part of people's lives, from professionals to businessmen to do-it-yourselfers. It works with brand partners to extend its reach to customers around the world.
RELATED: https://www.diigo.com/profile/leafmulcherhq
HOW TO MAINTAIN AND WINTERIZE A LEAF BLOWER?
Regular monthly maintenance of this equipment includes:
Flushing old fuel from the tank. Consider adding a fuel stabilizer.
cleaning the outside of the carburetor and fan blades
Checking the fuel filter, fuel lines, cables, and connections
Checking the spark plug and possibly replacing it
Although the blower is used throughout the seasons, it most likely will not be used in the winter. There are a few things you need to do to keep your tool protected when you're not using it. If you store it in the garage, you only need to run it once a month, which will "exercise" the carburetor and the engine. If you plan to store your leaf blower in a pantry and have limited access to it, here are some tips for winterizing it. Never store equipment with gasoline residue in closed areas.
Fuel stabilizer – this applies to any fuel remaining in the tank. Just add it to the fuel and mix.
Start the engine - this way, the stabilized fuel in the engine will coat the interior of the engine. Let it run for two minutes.
Restart again - run the engine until it uses up the remaining fuel. If you don't know how to start again, winterization of the vacuum mulcher in a closed space is finished.
TIP If you are thinking about buying a garden vacuum mulcher you probably also use a lawnmower. Read our articles dedicated to gasoline, electric, spindle, and robotic lawnmowers.