Various situations and tasks require their own specific tools to do the job in the most effective way. This is why there are three distinct variants of leaf blower. Each have their own uses and benefits. Here we will go into some detail of each and describe their uses. Firstly let’s state them, they are, handheld, backpack and wheeled (also known as pushed walk behind).
Commercial Use
Before describing each type it’s also important to note now that some of them are made purposely for commercial use. Specifically the wheeled blowers. Due to their high power and range they are too powerful for the average home garden and general use. Backpack blowers are also considered for commercial use, they are mostly used for clearing pathways and roadsides, although are useful for some gardens and users.
Handheld
Most widely used for personal home use are the handheld types, making them the most popular choice. Due to this they are the most varied and abundant. Compared to other types they are generally the cheapest and best choice for small gardens. Here are some point to why they are:
- Great portability and access to small areas and gaps.
- Lightweight in comparison to other types, some models are heavy.
- Does the job for most users. Unless you have a large garden, suffer from arm pain and unable to lift much weight or make a living from this kind of work they tend to be efficient.
- Available in all power sources.
- Lot of models are available giving a big selection and an array of features.
So why go with any other leaf blower? Handheld types where purposely made for smaller tasks that one could carry it around long enough without the need to feel strain or any distress. They are great for portability but when it comes to longer tasks you want to get something a bit more stable and easier on your body overtime. Although some are designed lightweight extended use can still cause strain. Secondly they are typically the lowest powered, but more powered versions tend to be aimed for larger gardens and tasks. It depends what you are after.
Backpack
When autumn comes around the corner trees start shedding leaves everywhere…not only in our gardens but in parks, pathways, driveways and roads. Wind then starts shifting these leaves and further increasing the placement of them. Now not only can this cause a mess but it can damage and effect the growth of grasslands and lawns. This is where backpack leaf blowers are most effective, cleaning public areas.
Backpack types were made for a couple reasons. Firstly portability, cleaning up roads, pathways and parks require something that can be taken around far distances and having the ability to offer the same outcome anywhere. Secondly a leaf blower that can be operated for long lengths of time, this is where backpacks generally differ from handheld models. As there name states they are carried by equipping them like a rucksack which takes all strain away from your arm unlike a handheld type.
Now to the disadvantages
- Typically gas powered, 99%+ of these blowers are gas. This is due to portability reasons as electric limits range or operation time significantly. If you never knew already gas is the louder power source, which in turn can cause noise pollution to everyone around you where it is detected. As well, large dB ratings call for ear protection.
- Added benefits come with added price, of course this is a negative in comparison to the handheld leaf blowers.
That’s pretty much it.
Advantages
- In comparison to handheld, these are able to pump out higher power. Very handy if you have a lot of debris apart from leaves to clear.
- As stated above portability and operation time is why these blowers are distinctly unique from the others.
Wheeled/Pushed/Walk Behind
Lastly we move onto these push blowers, the most expensive but also the most powerful of the lot. Generally these types have so much power they are not used in home gardens and yards unless you have an adequately sized open area without any sensitive areas that the machine won’t damage and disrupt. So what are the main uses? Mainly commercial and large home owners. Commercially these blowers are used in car parks, parks, large open areas that gather a lot of debris and leaves. Using other types in general these leaf blowers can speed up the time by at least 4 times! This saves a lot of man hours and money.
Benefits of these machines compared to the other traditional methods is speed, power contributes to speed. However these types also have other another major advantage which is weight carried. Of course these are pushed therefore you don’t have to carry any weight. This is typically useful for anyone with back and strain problems that are unable to use a handheld or backpack model. However with these you do have to keep in mind the power, range as well as how heavy they are to push.
Why not get a walk behind blower?
- Prices are very high with some particular models but even with the lower priced ones you will be looking at roughly 2 times+ the price of powerful backpack models. Only when you have the need for extra power and time saving properties should you get one.
- Portability, moving around this type of blower form area to area will defiantly not be easy if you don’t have a transportation method.
- Power, sometimes there is too much power. High power can cause a lot of debris flying about as well as causing damage to sensitive areas and plants. Wheeled types should be used for open areas.
Hopefully from this article you now have an understanding of all 3 leaf blower types.