8/11/2023 0 Comments Backpack leaf blower![]() Here are the eight leaf blowers that came out on top. In addition to recording data, we looked at features such as the ergonomics of the handles, the visibility of the fuel in the gas tanks, and the comfort and adjustability of their shoulder straps. ![]() Two more unusual tests we used were timing how long it took us to blow leaves out of a test rectangle and, in the case of our largest blowers, whether they’ll skim a brick across pavement (that helps give us an idea of just how concentrated its air stream is). We taped off a large section of pavement and covered it with a thin layer of sawdust, then blew the leaf blowers horizontally across it, leaving an impression of the shape of the air stream. To help us visualize the air stream emitted from the blower, we used a sawdust erosion test. We also measured sound levels at the operator’s position and 75 feet away. To do that, we purchased an MGL Avionics Stratomaster Vega air speed indicator (anemometer) for an airplane, powered it with a 12-volt DC power source, and built our own testing apparatus, gauging the air speed six inches from the tip of the blower tube. Accurately measuring air speed was tricky. On battery-powered units, we measured continuous run time with the machines set to maximum power. Then we went to work blowing leaves, sawdust, and yard debris. The gas models varied from 32 cc all the way up to a 79.9-cc brute, while the battery-powered backpacks ranged from homeowner-level to pro-duty. We gathered backpack leaf blowers ranging from gas-engine machines to those feeding off large batteries. Use our data below, and your past experience, to arrive at an optimal purchase. Are you working by yourself, with a team of volunteers, or family members? Will you supplement the backpack with a handheld blower or even a leaf rake? Should you consider a mower and bagger as part of your leaf-clearing arsenal? For most of us, a combination of methods will maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness. Obviously, big jobs call for bigger and more expensive machines, but there’s no sense in getting a machine that’s overpowered relative to the job. Next, when considering backpack blowers, think about just how much machine you need and how you like to work. Pushing back against the recoil can be as tiring as clearing leaves by a rake or with other tools. It’s also important to note that a more powerful blower has more recoil than a less powerful blower. You may be better off with a lighter and less powerful blower that helps you move more nimbly. Depending on your level of fitness, age, and interest, that’s a lot of weight to sling. Our largest blowers begin to approach 30 pounds. ![]() The flip side, however, is that to get that power you need a bigger engine or motor, batteries, and fan. More power is an attractive proposition when it comes to clearing leaves because it helps you get the job done more quickly. On the other hand, these are bulkier machines and can take up more space in your garage or shed. You also gain efficiency because you can more easily stop blowing leaves, drop the blower tube from your hand without having to find a place to set it down, and move a gas grill or some yard furniture out of the way before resuming. But backpack leaf blowers get the job done in a fraction of the time that you would use moving the leaves with a rake or even a powerful hand-held leaf blower.īackpack leaf blowers make leaf clearing less tiring because, aside from speeding up the process, they take the load off your arm and wrist. First, they crank out a lot of noise, both from the large engine (or motor) and the amount of air they move.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |