Are leaf blowers / vacs any good?

Rbrown · 10-15-2018, 02:23 PM

Thinking of treating the wife to a leaf blower / vac / mulcher.

Are they any good - ie do they make leaf collecting any easier?

Any recommendations also appreciated.

Jeff123 · 10-15-2018, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Thinking of treating the wife to a leaf blower / vac / mulcher.

Are they any good - ie do they make leaf collecting any easier?

Any recommendations also appreciated.

Maybe buy her a new iron as well.

teaston · 10-15-2018, 02:29 PM

Good with dry leaves, shite with wet ones!

Craig-SM · 10-15-2018, 02:31 PM

^ this

too hot · 10-15-2018, 02:48 PM

You know how to treat a lady

TodmordenLad · 10-15-2018, 02:58 PM

If I bought my wife a leaf blower as a 'treat', she'd probably file for divorce, or refer me to a psychiatrist at the very least - and rightly so

Watsey · 10-15-2018, 03:22 PM

Depending on the model, they can be great for vacuuming and shredding dry leaves. Wet leaves - forget it.

Make sure you get one with a powerful brushless motor and a metal impeller. Forget the cheap brands - B&Q, B&D, Qualcast, etc. They won't last long.

JNW1 · 10-15-2018, 03:45 PM

Unfortunately it died after giving a number of years of very good service but I found the Toro to be quite good. It shredded the leaves prior to them being deposited in the bag and, while it was certainly much better on dry leaves, it made a reasonable fist of wet ones as well. Would also convert to being a blower although I didn't use that function very much.

From memory it cost about £100 and I guess the new equivalent will now be more than that; probably more expensive than the offerings from the likes of Black & Decker and Flymo but a decent machine IMO.

Watsey · 10-15-2018, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNW1

Unfortunately it died after giving a number of years of very good service but I found the Toro to be quite good. It shredded the leaves prior to them being deposited in the bag and, while it was certainly much better on dry leaves, it made a reasonable fist of wet ones as well. Would also convert to being a blower although I didn't use that function very much.

From memory it cost about £100 and I guess the new equivalent will now be more than that; probably more expensive than the offerings from the likes of Black & Decker and Flymo but a decent machine IMO.

I've had my Toro for about 5 years, I think. They do have a rep for being a good machine but suddenly dying for no apparent reason. That said, for £100 I couldn't be too hacked off it it gives up. When I was looking I couldn't find anything better for the money.

Steve_M_Sport · 10-15-2018, 04:42 PM

I’ve got a Stihl petrol leaf blower/sucker/shredder and it does a brilliant job on dry leaves but , as others say , it is shit when the leaves are wet.

Wills2 · 10-15-2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Thinking of treating the wife to a leaf blower / vac / mulcher.

Rbrown · 10-16-2018, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by too hot

You know how to treat a lady

Only joking about getting it for my wife. It's not her birthday until August!!!

Down in Lake District just now. Wife enjoying driving my car down here a bit too much for my liking!!!! Loving it.

How is your car?

SkyJawa · 10-16-2018, 06:07 AM

I've got a McCulloch Petrol leaf blower/mulcher/vacuum. It worked a treat this morning blowing all the wet leaves off drive and car. You need something with a bit of grunt. Its far more effective to blow them all into a pile rather than just try to vacuum them up, particularly when wet.

I also have my old Flymo vac/blow/mulcher, I generally use that still once in the pile to suck em all up as its easier than modifying the petrol one into mulcher mode.....

Quantox · 10-16-2018, 08:48 AM

I have an old Flymo garden vac / blower. Almost 'kin useless on dry leaves let alone wet. It's been in the loft for about ten years, just about to Freegle it.

Q

Tom Tallon · 10-17-2018, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quantox

I have an old Flymo garden vac / blower. Almost 'kin useless on dry leaves let alone wet. It's been in the loft for about ten years, just about to Freegle it.

Q

As above. I have an Alko Hurricane which I bought after great reviews by gardeners. Frankly it worked moderately on dry leaves and not at all on wet! If you lived near Newcastle you could have it for zilch but you don't.

you'll laugh but my system works far better - two hand dustpans as grabbers for leaves after using lawn rake, a council garden waste wheelie bin and it took half the time of the high tec Alko Hurricane.

PS its also bloody heavy in spite of having a shoulder strap!

Oceanic · 10-17-2018, 08:12 AM

4 stroke and petrol, Stihl do nice ones

Alice Coupe · 10-17-2018, 10:14 AM

Bosch ALS30 - superb. (B&Q have them)
Clearly if leaves are soaking, they will clog up the suction tube /mulcher.

I've used other garden vac and they've been rubbish. I'd buy this one again.

too hot · 10-19-2018, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Only joking about getting it for my wife. It's not her birthday until August!!!

Down in Lake District just now. Wife enjoying driving my car down here a bit too much for my liking!!!! Loving it.

How is your car?

Maybe she will let you use her garden vac when she gets it !

Car is going great went to Manchester airport last month drama free !
Going back on winter wheels this week.
Then it’s due a service in 800 miles,so all good.

Quantox · 10-19-2018, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Tallon

As above. I have an Alko Hurricane which I bought after great reviews by gardeners. Frankly it worked moderately on dry leaves and not at all on wet! If you lived near Newcastle you could have it for zilch but you don't.

You'll laugh but my system works far better - two hand dustpans as grabbers for leaves after using lawn rake, a council garden waste wheelie bin and it took half the time of the high tech Alko Hurricane.

PS its also bloody heavy in spite of having a shoulder strap!

After my limited success with the flymo I reverted to the broom and shovel method at about the same time the local authority introduced large garden waste bins (I have two), the flymo's been parked in the loft since (must get rid). Also got a 1600W shredder that's not been used since the large garden bins arrived. Anyone want it? Collection only.

Cheers

Q

Rbrown · 10-20-2018, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice Coupe

Bosch ALS30 - superb. (B&Q have them)
Clearly if leaves are soaking, they will clog up the suction tube /mulcher.

I've used other garden vac and they've been rubbish. I'd buy this one again.

Thanks. This was on a "deal of the day" on Amazon last week. So ordered one!

Got it today - just given it a quick test on wet leaves. It is great!

Recommendation appreciated.

Tom Tallon · 10-22-2018, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Thanks. This was on a "deal of the day" on Amazon last week. So ordered one!

Got it today - just given it a quick test on wet leaves. It is great!

Recommendation appreciated.

Well done RB pleased you got one that worked. Just a thought, in NE England weather is set fair for a good few days so it would be prudent to get on when leaves are at driest. Not sure how you'll be in Glasgow!

sahajesh · 10-23-2018, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Tallon

PS its also bloody heavy in spite of having a shoulder strap!

Don't cross the streams.

10-15-2018, 02:23 PM	#1
Rbrown Brigadier General 2766 Rep 4,577 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	Are leaf blowers / vacs any good? Thinking of treating the wife to a leaf blower / vac / mulcher. Are they any good - ie do they make leaf collecting any easier? Any recommendations also appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-15-2018, 02:29 PM	#3
teaston Banned 10998 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	Good with dry leaves, shite with wet ones!
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-15-2018, 02:31 PM	#4
Craig-SM Captain 325 Rep 709 Posts Drives: BMW 320d M Sport - F30 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Leeds iTrader: (0)	^ this
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-15-2018, 02:48 PM	#5
too hot First Lieutenant 113 Rep 381 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SCOTCHLAND UK iTrader: (1)	You know how to treat a lady __________________ RS4
	Appreciate 2 TodmordenLad2886.50 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-15-2018, 02:58 PM	#6
TodmordenLad Brigadier General 2887 Rep 3,967 Posts Drives: Audi A4 Avant Join Date: May 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	If I bought my wife a leaf blower as a 'treat', she'd probably file for divorce, or refer me to a psychiatrist at the very least - and rightly so __________________ Owned: 440i GC LCI with MPPSK, F31 330D M Sport with MPPK, F11 530D SE, F11 520D SE, E61 530D M Sport, E36 325i plus many MB's, Audi's & Volvo's
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-15-2018, 03:22 PM	#7
Watsey Major General 6431 Rep 8,503 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	Depending on the model, they can be great for vacuuming and shredding dry leaves. Wet leaves - forget it. Make sure you get one with a powerful brushless motor and a metal impeller. Forget the cheap brands - B&Q, B&D, Qualcast, etc. They won't last long. __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-15-2018, 03:45 PM	#8
JNW1 Major General 3122 Rep 5,681 Posts Drives: F56 Mini Cooper S Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: North Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Unfortunately it died after giving a number of years of very good service but I found the Toro to be quite good. It shredded the leaves prior to them being deposited in the bag and, while it was certainly much better on dry leaves, it made a reasonable fist of wet ones as well. Would also convert to being a blower although I didn't use that function very much. From memory it cost about £100 and I guess the new equivalent will now be more than that; probably more expensive than the offerings from the likes of Black & Decker and Flymo but a decent machine IMO.
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-15-2018, 04:42 PM	#10
Steve_M_Sport Lieutenant Colonel 614 Rep 1,799 Posts Drives: U06 230e Active Tourer Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Leicestershire iTrader: (0)	I’ve got a Stihl petrol leaf blower/sucker/shredder and it does a brilliant job on dry leaves but , as others say , it is shit when the leaves are wet. __________________ U06 230e Active Tourer \| Previous : 2019 F31 340i : 2017 F31 335D M-Sport
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-16-2018, 06:07 AM	#13
SkyJawa Major General 3719 Rep 8,636 Posts Drives: F10 530d Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hampshire iTrader: (1)	I've got a McCulloch Petrol leaf blower/mulcher/vacuum. It worked a treat this morning blowing all the wet leaves off drive and car. You need something with a bit of grunt. Its far more effective to blow them all into a pile rather than just try to vacuum them up, particularly when wet. I also have my old Flymo vac/blow/mulcher, I generally use that still once in the pile to suck em all up as its easier than modifying the petrol one into mulcher mode.....
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-16-2018, 08:48 AM	#14
Quantox Captain 309 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 440iGC, CQ, Ivory White, MPPSK Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Keswick iTrader: (0)	I have an old Flymo garden vac / blower. Almost 'kin useless on dry leaves let alone wet. It's been in the loft for about ten years, just about to Freegle it. Q __________________ 2018 440i Gran Coupe, MPPSK, Champagne Quartz, Ivory White, Adaptive Susp., Sunroof, Active Security, CA and a few other bits.
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-17-2018, 08:12 AM	#16
Oceanic First Lieutenant 166 Rep 311 Posts Drives: Audi S5 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	4 stroke and petrol, Stihl do nice ones
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote

10-17-2018, 10:14 AM	#17
Alice Coupe Lieutenant 157 Rep 429 Posts Drives: F36 430dX M Sport Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Bosch ALS30 - superb. (B&Q have them) Clearly if leaves are soaking, they will clog up the suction tube /mulcher. I've used other garden vac and they've been rubbish. I'd buy this one again.
	Appreciate 1 Rbrown2765.50 Quote