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Leaf Blower Reviews
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Leaf Blowers Performance
Leaf Blower Power.
Several people posting leaf blower reviews at Home Depot say their expectations were low when they switched to the electric Toro 51599 from a gas-powered blower, but they were surprised to find that it had more power than their gas blowers. Likewise, people who switched to the gas-powered Husqvarna 125B from another blower were surprised at the strength of force that came out of such a lightweight machine, according to leaf blower reviews on the Husqvarna site. Users posting reviews at Sears admire the suction ability of the electric Craftsman 74828, which performs well in tight places and moves wet leaves easily. One reviewer says it even picked up the branches and small fruit from a pear tree. Many users posting leaf blower reviews on Amazon deem the Weed Eater FB25 powerful enough for any residential user, and one says it works as well as a previous, much larger blower. While there are some issues with the Black & Decker BV2500, power is not one of them. A user posting a review at Sears is impressed by how easily it picks up pine needles. Some users posting leaf blower reviews on Amazon find that the Troy-Bilt TB310QS provides adequate power, but others aren't satisfied; one user says it does not appear to blow out air at anywhere near the advertised speed.Leaf Blower Ease of Use.
A leaf blower is supposed to help you clean up your property more easily than you'd be able to with a rake. Several users posting reviews on the Husqvarna site find the 125B lightweight and easy to control even at full power. Many users posting reviews of the Toro 51599 at Sears say the machine is so well-designed that even elderly people and those with back problems can use it. In leaf blower reviews on Amazon, several people mention the ease with which the nozzles on the Toro 51599 can be changed from blower to vacuum. The Black & Decker BV2500 also wins points from users posting reviews on Amazon for changing modes easily. A big selling point of the Troy-Bilt TB310QS is the ability to switch from blower to vacuum without having to change nozzles, and many people posting reviews on Amazon seem to have bought it for just that feature. One reviewer also appreciates how easy it is to remove the vacuum bag and empty it. While some people posting leaf blower reviews at Sears say the short nozzles on the Craftsman 74828 require users to bend over slightly, this is mitigated by the machine's light weight and easy setup, and many reviewers rave about the rake attachment that helps with lawn cleanup. Users posting leaf blower reviews on Amazon like the weight of the Weed Eater FB25 and the fact that all you have to do to get going is put the nozzle on it and fill it with fuel.Gas Leaf Blower Starting.
One of the main reasons people are willing to put up with the irritation of dragging a power cord around is that electric blowers start with the flip of a switch. A gas blower requires the proper mix of gas and oil (see the manufacturer's directions) and turning it on generally takes a few pulls of the recoil starter. Any more than that and users get frustrated, according to leaf blower reviews. Many people posting reviews at Lowe's consider the Husqvarna 125B easy to start -- so easy, according to one user, that it is ready to get going before the priming process is complete. While several users posting reviews at Walmart find the Weed Eater FB25 easy to start as long as you follow the directions -- many at Amazon say it starts within three or four pulls -- others find it a bit pesky or even annoyingly difficult. One reviewer at Walmart suggests starting it on a slow speed to warm it up before revving it to full power. The Troy-Bilt TB310QS supposedly has a spring-assisted start that should reduce pulling by 30%. While some reviewers find the feature effective, others say it doesn't help and even suggest that it might hinder the starting process over time. In a review at Lowe's, a user complains that it's an embarrassment to have the neighbors watch you endlessly pull on the cord without the machine starting up.
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Read user comments below
Best Cheap Leaf Blowers
Toro 51599 Ultra
This electric blower vac wins acclaim from experts and consumers for its power. At the same time, it's quiet and easy to carry, at just 7.5 pounds. It also mulches the leaves it vacuums, and reviewers appreciate its metal impeller, which resists damage from pebbles, twigs, pinecones, and other debris. Read more »Leaf Blowers Deals
Husqvarna 125B
This small, 9.4-pound blower packs a wallop with a strong, powerful engine that moves even wet leaves easily. Users seem to have almost no trouble getting it started, even after it's been sitting all winter. It also complies with California's strict emissions standards and is not too loud for a gas machine. Read more »Leaf Blowers Deals
Good Cheap Leaf Blowers
Craftsman 74828
In addition to its substantial power for the price, users like this electric blower vac's additional features, such as an oscillating tip, a leaf blaster, and a rake attachment. It can also reduce 16 bushels of leaves to a single bushel of mulch with its metal impeller. However, users complain that it is uncomfortably noisy at its highest speed. Read more »Leaf Blowers Deals
| Buy it from Sears |
Weed Eater FB25
Remarkably light, at 8.1 pounds, this is an easy-to-carry gas blower that isn't uber-powerful but can still take care of most chores around a deck, driveway, or small yard. It just might not do the trick on huge piles of leaves. Users say it starts within three pulls for the most part, and they like that its handle minimizes vibration. This machine does not meet California's emissions requirements, and while it's not noisy for a gas blower, it's still pretty loud. Read more »Leaf Blowers Deals
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Don't Bother Cheap Leaf Blowers
Black & Decker BV2500
Many users seem to like the Black & Decker BV2500, but it mulches at a lower ratio than other, more powerful mulching blowers and has a plastic impeller, which can be easily damaged. The real Achilles' heel of this model, though, is its lack of durability. Read more »
Troy-Bilt TB310QS
Rather than requiring users to switch nozzles when they move from blowing to vacuuming, this gas-powered machine lets them simply flip a switch, a feature that users admire. However, it's heavy, it's very loud, and its emission levels are too high to meet California standards. Many users complain that it's hard to start and doesn't last long. Read more »
Products Mentioned in This Review
Worx TriVac WG500 Toro Power Sweep 51585
Black & Decker BV2500
Troy-Bilt TB310QS
Craftsman 74828
Weed Eater FB25
Toro 51599 Ultra
Husqvarna 125B
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