Tasks for Walk Behind Leaf Blowers

A few leaves around the yard will be able to be handled with a rake or handheld leaf blower. For larger jobs, a backpack blower can be enough, but they are heavy and some people may not be able to wear one for long. Walk behind leaf blowers are perfect for large jobs and for people who cannot carry a backpack blower. Walk behind blowers are perfect for the following tasks:

• Parking lots
• Large driveways
• Large yards
• Commercial property
• Parks
• Golfcourses

A truck or trailer will be needed to transport the blower if it will be used commercially, professionally, or are loaned out privately.

Types of Walk Behind Leaf Blowers

There are a number of walk behind leaf blowers and they will vary in price depending on the size and the features of the blower. These are some of them:

• Craftsman Leaf Vac Blower
• Atwater Strong Lit-r-blo Walk behind leaf blower with 8 HP
• Powermate Cyclone 150 mph 1,200 cfm Gas Walk-Behind Leaf Blower
• Little Wonder High Output Walk Behind Leaf Blower
• Merry Mac Walk-Behind Leaf Blower 250cc, 185 MPH, 1850 CFM
• Merry Mac Walk-Behind Leaf & Debris Blower 305cc, 200 MPH, 2000 CFM
• Patriot Products CVB-2465B 24-Inch Briggs & Stratton

The blowers can have 3 or 4 wheels, depending on the model and they can weigh between 100-200 lbs or even more with fuel.

Walk Behind Leaf Blowers Features

A leaf blower that you walk behind will need to be pushed. It will depend on the features if it will be difficult or easy to push. These are some of the features that can be found on a walk behind leaf blower:

• Handle designed for easy control of blower
• Swivel wheels
• Drive motor on wheels
• Emergency cut off
• Pneumatic (air filled) wheels
• Shredder/mulcher
• Debris bag

Most of these blowers have a 4-cycle gas engine so the fuel will not need to be mixed.

Walk Behind Leaf Blower Maintenance

It will be important to regularly maintain your leaf blower so that it will last a long time. Keeping it cleaned and stored properly will assure your walk behind leaf blower has a long lifespan. Warranties will be different for residential use than for commercial use.

The blowers are very efficient in cleaning large areas for private residences or for commercial properties.

Types of Toro Leaf Blowers

The leaf blower is an easy to use yard tool that makes it simple to clear leaves and debris from a yard. There are two types of Toro leaf blowers:

1. Electric Toro leaf blowers – the electric Toro leaf blowers need little maintenance and are eco friendly. They are lightweight, affordable, and versatile with powerful motors.
2. Gas powered Toro leaf blowers - this type of leaf blower has a commercial-grade engine that is very powerful. It can blow, vacuum, and mulch. The gas leaf blower is a bit heavier to carry.

The debris can be cut down from 10 bags of leaves and other debris when it is shredded with the mulcher.

Electric Toro Leaf Blowers

The leaf blowers have high quality motors and are dependable. They are reasonably priced and affordable. Some people have trouble with the power shut off because there is not a hook to prevent the cord disconnecting when reaching the end and there is tension on the cord. These are some of different Toro Leaf Blowers that can be purchased:

• Toro Power Sweep Leaf Blower 51585 – is the least expensive it the electric Toro leaf blowers. This 7amp blower is good for general cleanup around a yard. It will generate 160 mph of airspeed, with duel speeds and is still fairly quiet. It weighs a little over 4.5 lbs, making it easy to handle.
• Toro Rake and Vac Leaf Blower 51574 – this is a multi functional leaf blower. In addition to it efficiently blowing leaves, it will also vacuum and shred leaves. The leave reduction rating is 8:01. It has 10.5 amps and weighs 6.5 lbs. Its airspeed is 210 mph.
• Toro Super Blower Vac Leaf Blower 51592 – the fan design is unique and reduces clogging. This blower has a 10:01 leaf reduction rating. It is a solid performer with a 12 amp motor that blows 230 mph and weighs just under 7.5 lbs. The plastic impellar works as well as the metal one (51598) for a lower price.
• Toro Ultra Blower Vac Leaf Blower 51599 – this blower has an infinitely variable air speed control to efficiently blow leaves and debris. It can do the tough yard tasks. The impellar is made of metal, which will outlast a plastic one. This leaf blower has a leaf reduction rating of 16:01. The blower weighs a little less than 7.5 lbs. It has a 12 amp motor and can blow 235 mph.

Though these blowers usually don’t clog, they may if there are a lot of wet leaves, so wait until the leaves dry before shredding. The bags have a quick release that doesn’t require any tools to remove it for emptying.

Gas Toro Leaf Blowers

The Toro gas leave blower has more power, but it will need more maintenance because it will need fuel and oil. There is the freedom to move about the yard freely. It has a 25.4cc 2-cycle commercial-grade engine and a 10:01 leaf reduction rating

The Toro Company

The Toro company is well known for their high quality equipment and standing behind their products with their warranty. These blowers are a good value.

Stihl Leaf Blowers

There is a Stihl leaf blower that will meet a variety of yard care needs. You can choose a handheld leaf blower, a backpack leaf blower, or even a shredder/vac that converts into a leaf blower. If you are not sure which type of leaf blower will be best for you and the tasks you need to complete, the Stihl website has an interactive product selector that will narrow down the choices for you.

Stihl Handheld Leaf Blowers

The handheld leaf blower from Stihl is efficient with fuel and has low emissions from its motor. It will help you to blow yard waste into a pile for easy collection and disposal. The following optional accessories are available for most models:

• Vacuum kit
• Gutter cleaning kit
• Flat nozzle

The Stihl leaf blowers range from about 6.5 pounds to just under 10 pounds. The BGA 85 is run off a rechargeable lithium-Ion battery so it is quieter and more environmentally friendly than the fuel powered models (BG 55, BG 56 C-E, BG 61, BG 66 L, BGE 71, BGA 85, and BG 86 C-E).

Stihl Backpack Leaf Blowers

When there is a big job to do, the Stihl backpack blowers will have the power and professional performance that will be needed to finish the job efficiently. The Stihl leaf blowers get big jobs done fast while being as environmentally friendly as possible. The following optional accessories are available for most models:

• Chest Strap
• Hip Belt
• Curved nozzle

The weight of the backpack blowers (BR 200, BR 350, BR 380 D, BR 420 D, BR 430, BR 500, BR 550, and BR 600) will range from about 23.5 pounds to just under 23 pounds. The blowers are fuel efficient and adjustable.

Convertible Stihl Shredder/Vac

The shredder will reduce waste by a 14-to-1 ratio. It will make cleaning up the yard and hauling the leaves away easier. The easy open zipper bag further simplifies the task. The versatile shredder/vac can be converted into a leaf blower.
The Stihl Company

The Stihl Company didn’t begin with leaf blowers; the first kind of hand held outdoor power that they produced was a chain saw, back in 1926. The company grew and added more outdoor power equipment, including their popular leaf blowers. They aren’t satisfied with just producing well-made products; they also stand behind their equipment with a top rate servicing department and over 8,000 independent Stihl dealers nationwide.

Stihl leaf blowers aren’t sold in stores like Home Depot or Lowes, so you will need to buy online or from a nearby Stihl dealer. Many find it worth the extra effort needed.

Types of Echo Leaf Blowers

Leaf blowers come in two different types, handheld leaf blowers and backpack leaf blowers. Echo has models in both. The handheld models will meet the needs of most homeowners. The backpack leaf blowers are for larger areas and for professional use. The backpack leaf blowers are heavier, but they are good for people who may not have the arm and hand strength to hold onto the handheld model. The MPH is the speed of the air and the CFM is the volume of the air. An effective leaf blower will not only be able to powerfully blow the leaves and debris, but keep it moving to the area you want it at.

Handheld Echo Leaf Blowers

Handheld blowers from Echo are convenient and easy to use. Some of the Echo models include the following:

• Echo PB-250 – This blower weight under 10 lbs (dry), has a 25.4 cc Power Boost Vortex™ engine, and grouped controls for convenience.
• Echo PB-244 – This model of blower weighs a little over 10 lbs (dry), has a 25.4 cc Power Boost Vortex engine, parallel handles, and 65dB(A) for noise sensitive environments

Replacement parts, straps, static protection kit, rain gutter cleaning kit, bags, misting attachment, vacuum attachment, and helper handle are some of the accessories that are available for the handheld Echo leaf blowers.

Backpack Echo Leaf Blowers

• Echo PB-265L – This leaf blower is suitable for noise sensitive environments. It has a 25.4 cc Power Boost Vortex engine, a variable speed throttle with cruise control, and is padded for comfort. It weighs a little over 13 lbs (dry).
• Echo PB-500T – There is a leaf guard on this leaf blower and a 50.8 cc Air Infusion Vortex engine. It is padded for comfort and has the exclusive Posi-loc pipe system. It weighs nearly 22 lbs (dry).
• Echo PB-460LN Quiet 1 – This model has a 44 cc Power Boost Tornado engine and is Ideal for noise-sensitive environments. A roll cage-type frame protects the engine. It weighs about 26 ½ lbs (dry).
• Echo PB-410 – This model is at the high end of the Echo leaf blower line. The variable speed throttle is hip mounted. It converts to mister with an optional attachment. There is a built in backrest and vibration isolators for comfort during extensive use. This blower weighs a little over 24 lbs (dry).

The accessories that are available for the Echo backpack leaf blower include a rain gutter cleaning kit, safety equipment, high visibility safety vests, vibration reducing gloves, and safety glasses.

The Echo Company

The Echo Company originated as Kioritz Corporation of America in 1972 in Northbrook, IL and became known as Echo, Inc. in 1978. The expansion in 1979 include adding backpack and hand-held blowers in addition to chain saws, straight shaft trimmers and brush cutters, grass trimmers, and hedge clippers. In 1994 Echo partnered up with Home Depot, which expanded its customer base.

The Echo leave blowers are suitable for big and large jobs. Both homeowners and professionals choose this leaf blower.

When you visit a public place that has lots of trees and even more fallen leaves, you will undoubtedly see someone from the landscape or maintenance crew using a gas-powered leaf blower that is strapped to his or her back. Backpack leaf blowers are the preferred choice in leaf blowers for the pros that routinely use leaf blowers in the course of their work.

Backpack leaf blowers are designed to be strapped on to the user’s back with a harness like device that slips over the shoulders. The engine and bulk of the weight is easily supported by your back and a coiled hose or wand extends from the backpack unit for directing the airflow of the blower.

Backpack leaf blowers are superior to hand held models because you do not have to hold a 10 pound or more gasoline filled blower in your hand while doing the job. Your arms will be much less likely to get tired and consequently you can work longer and get more done with this type of unit.

Like other types of gas blowers, backpack leaf blowers can generate tremendous wind speeds which are very efficient at clearing large areas of leaves and other debris. A quality backpack blower can generate speeds from around 130 mph to more than 200 mph. Higher speeds allow you to sweep away suborn debris such as branches, aluminum cans and other types of refuse and garbage that you might encounter in a business or industrial setting. Most of these units allow you to dial up or dial down the speed to suit the needs of a particular job.

Backpack leaf blowers are made to last and as such come with a hefty price tag. While you might be able to find a low cost model at just under $300, expect to pay anywhere from $300-$500 for a well engineered, durable professional model.

The benefits of these types of leaf blowers are several. They are completely portable so you can take them anywhere that they are needed. They are also light weight and do not cause a strain on your hands or arms. On the negative side, they can sometimes be hard to start as is the case with most gas power tools that require you to pull a string to start. They also can be very noisy and may require anyone who is operating them to wear some form of ear protection.

Gas leaf blowers are a particularly useful power tool that can quickly clear an area of leaves, sand and other types of debris that would take hours to do with a rake or broom. If you hear a loud, whirring noise in your neighborhood or perhaps outside of a retail store, chances are pretty good that someone is using one of these machines.

Gas leaf blowers work by instantly creating a powerful stream of focused air to move leaves, yard debris, sand and almost anything else in its path. With air speeds capable of reaching more than 200 mph, it is equivalent to the most powerful category 5 hurricane. While a gas blower is not nearly as dangerous as a hurricane, it does have the potential to cause serious injury if it is directed at another person. Always keep the air flow pointed away from any people or pets that might be in the area.

When shopping for a leaf blower, you have a choice of purchasing an electric leaf blower, a battery operated leaf blower or a gas powered leaf blower. Electric leaf blowers do a good job and are light weight and easy to start. They are not as powerful as gas blowers and you are also tethered to an electric cord. Battery powered models are limited in the time they can operate by the battery. While they are equally as portable as a gas model, they tend to run out of power quickly and can not generate nearly the amount of powerful wind action.
Gas leaf blowers are the preferred choice of professional landscapers and for applications where power and portability matter.

There are basically 3 types of gas leaf blowers from which to choose. The one used by most homeowners is a handheld unit that is easy to handle and is good for clearing a lawn or removing dirt and debris from a driveway. It also works great to remove leaves that accumulate on the top of your roof. Prices for these units range from about $75 on up to about $200.

A backpack operated unit is the most commonly used leaf blower by professionals. These units strap onto your back with a harness and make it much less tiring to walk around and clear large areas. They are usually able to be throttled up or down to any speed from about 100 mph all the way up to 235 mph. Costs for these units can range from about $300-$400.

When you need to remove debris and dirt in a huge parking lot or in an area where a big crowd has left a mess, the best option is an industrial strength wheeled leaf blower. These gas leaf blowers are heavy to move and provide heavy duty power. A wheeled model can easily cost $500 or more.

There is a huge range of leaf blower accessories which you can purchase, but it is important that you are aware of which ones are available, what their uses are and how much they cost. The more knowledge you have about what you want, the easier it will become for you to shop for it. One of the most common leaf blower accessories is a nozzle. Nozzles come in different lengths and sizes and you have to choose the one as per your individual needs. The first thing that you need to know is what exactly you want and how frequently you use your blower. If you use your blower only once in a while, then may be you do not really need extra accessories. Otherwise, you will end up wasting your money on something that you will rarely use. Another important accessory is the hose for a backpack type of model. This may allow you to lengthen your hose or replace your older hose in case it wears out with time and usage.

There are some great systems of leaf collection that allow the users to get more leaves at a time. Before the Fall season, you obviously want to be prepared beforehand. If your house has been located around several trees or you have a lawn in your own house premises, then it may be a good idea to purchase a heavy duty leaf collection system along with your leaf blower. After all, you do not want to spend several hours raking leaves from your lawn, leaving back pain after hunching over all day.

You must know that leaf blower accessories are available all over the internet and also in your local stores. Internet has a wealth of choices when you search for leaf blower accessories. You may also get better deals online than stores nearby your home, so it is worth looking for. Another thing that you need to consider before buying any leaf blower accessory is the brand that has made it. Most of the times, it is recommended to buy only the accessories that are manufactured by the same company that has manufactured your leaf blower. This is because these accessories are exactly compatible with your leaf blower and you will save your time and effort that you will need to return back to your local store and ask for an exchange.

Even if you are not purchasing the accessories from the same company, make sure that it is made by a reputed company and also give attention to the warranty period it comes with.

For this type of casual leaf blower repair, all that you need will include a screwdriver, a cloth to clean, a metal-impregnated epoxy, sharp and thin object to clear the clogs, lubricant and appropriate leaf blower repair parts. Here is the step by step procedure to help you through the procedure of leaf blower repair:

1. First of all, you need to check the blower’s impeller. As the propeller blade creates air around an airplane, the impeller creates airflow for the leaf blower by drawing air into the blower and pushing it through the blower tube. In case the impeller is cracked or too loose, it will not work in the right way and will require repair.
2. Check the fasteners of your blower and tighten them. This has to be done if you are feeling vibration in your leaf blower.
3. If you are using an electric leaf blower, then make sure that the power at the outlet is on. Also inspect the power cord to ensure that it is not damaged. If both these things are perfect, then there are possibilities that you have a faulty motor or switch.
4. If you are using an engine-powered leaf blower, then make sure that the tank of the gas is not empty. It has to be refilled if needed.
5. You need to check the blower’s vacuum tube and make sure that it is not clogged. If it has been clogged, then the first step is to shut off the leaf blower and then remove the vacuum tube for clearing up the clog. You should also inspect the blower’s impeller housing for any cracks.
6. If you need to replace the blower’s impeller, then unscrew its cover and lift it off. Make sure to wear the gloves and use a socket wrench and hold it firmly in place while pulling it out. Replace it by a new one that is the same size and is purchased from an authorized dealer only.
7. If you need to repair the cracked impeller housing, you have to first clean the space around the crack with the brake cleaner. Make it rough with a sand paper and fill it along with half inch area around it with the metal impregnated epoxy or the fiberglass resin. Sand smooths the housing once it gets dried.

All these steps are basic ones that you need to take if there are some minor problems in your leaf blower. If you are not able to do your leaf blower repair with these steps, you need to contact a professional.

Black & Decker leaf blowers

Some of the best features of leaf blowers manufactured by this brand are 3-in-one products including blowing, vacuuming and mulching. The vacuum of these blowers resists the clots and sucks up large and wet leaves also. Transition from the blower to the vacuum can be made with the touch of a single button easily. These leaf blowers come with 2 years warranty period and the product also comes with adjustable shoulder strap, blower, vacuum attachment, leaf bag and a blower attachment.

Echo Leaf Blowers

This brand produces leaf blowers that are able to deliver more durability and power with lesser emissions than other 2 stroke engines. These units are suitable for use in noise-restricted areas as they produce very low noise as compared to other leaf blowers. The best feature of echo leaf blowers is their handle. It is large and easy to grip handle which can be held in three different positions to achieve different blowing angles. The handle also features stop functions, cruise control and grouped throttle on itself.

Stihl Leaf Blowers

Stihl is one of the most powerful leaf blower manufacturers in the industry that produces leaf blowers that are designed to save a lot of energy and time for the users. No matter what type of leaf blower you are looking for, you will find everything on its product line including handheld leaf blowers, sprayers, shredder vacs and backpack leaf blowers.

Toro Leaf Blowers

The electric models of this company are able to generate air at a powerful speed of 160 mph. They are easy to use and light in weight weighing only around 5 pounds. The 2 speed air control system provides the facility of greater versatility and these leaf blowers are perfect for clearing debris and leaves from deck, driveways and sidewalks. The best part is that they come with a full warranty period of 2 years.

Homelite leaf blowers

Leaf blowers from Homelite are not only excellent in their performance but also very appealing to the eyes. The handle of the blowers is designed in such a way that it produces very less vibration, as compared to other leaf blowers. These blowers are also comparatively quieter and work at a speed of about 170 mph.

Petrol leaf blowers

First of all, we must tell you that most of the leaf blowers manufactured by Petrol come with a warranty of 5 years. That is a reason good enough to consider buying this equipment. This brand also attracts its consumers by offering several other features including powerful 1 kW engine, only 4 kgs in weight, low sound, high air volume and 24 cc engine.

The paper or plastic is an easier question to answer because you have been asked so many times. You don’t even have to choose if you have a reusable bag! When purchasing an electric leaf blower, and the salesman asks, “Do you want a corded or cordless electric leaf blower?” you may not have the answer. You may not have even known there are cordless electric leaf blowers available!

The cordless electric leaf blower works with a rechargeable battery, that once charged you can unplug the leaf blower and go wherever the leaves need blowing. It will allow more freedom of movement than a corded leaf blower because you can blow leaves that are far from an electrical outlet. There is also no electrical cord to get tangled or caught on branches, plants, furniture, or other items in the yard. The advantages it has over a gas leaf blower include the following:

• More lightweight
• Does not need refueling
• No fuel to mix
• Second rechargeable battery available

For convenience like this you will be paying extra. A cordless electrical leaf blower will cost more than a gas or corded electric leaf blower of the same quality. If you have a lot of objects in the area you are going to blow leaves, have a large area to clean, need the leaf blower to be lightweight, or there is no electric outlet in the area, you will find a cordless electrical leaf blower to be worth the cost.

For many cleaning jobs, an electric leaf blower with a cord will work fine. The advantages of a corded electric leaf blower:

• As long as there is electricity you can work as long as you can hold up
• More lightweight than a corded leaf blower because (batteries add weight)
• Lower cost than other types of leaf blowers
• Works well for a majority of leaf blowing jobs

To extend the how far you can go with an electric leaf blower you can buy extension cords in a variety of lengths. You can even buy an extension cord holder that will make it easy to unwind and rewind with minimal of effort. A holder will also reduce the cord tangles and knots that can be so annoying when trying to clean an area. When purchasing an extension cord for outdoor use, choose an orange colored cord for safety. A heavy-duty extension cord specifically made for outdoor equipment like an electric leaf blower is recommended.

When using any leaf blower follow all safety guidelines like the following:

• Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from blowing debris
• Use a mask if you have breathing issues or allergies
• Be sure there are no people in the area that may have debris blown at them
• Make sure there is no objects that may be damaged by blowing debris
• Don’t blow areas that has fragile or lightweight objects

Electric leaf blowers are a fast and efficient way to clean an area of leaves.