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Leaf Blower Vac user recommendations

Plinky Dave

Plinky Dave

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Folks,
Mrs Plinky wants a leaf blower / vacuum to keep her new patio clean without expending much physical effort. 😂

In the autumn I routinely sweep up the leaves off my drive from a couple of oak trees that are next door so ideally something with a bit of life in it.

I’ve got dewalt 18v tools and sufficient batteries so was keen to keep to the same brand.

The cheaper of the dewalt range looks small and a bit “cheap” but does get decent reviews - although it doesn’t vacuum up.
any practical users of that brand.

IMG_3344.webp

Or any recommendations of other reliable and cost effective (new battery system) brands/models.
I see Ryobi gave a battery deal on atm.

Thanks
Dave
 
I’m actually looking at something like this. I recently acquired a 18v battery powered Makita portable vacuum cleaner for work, so seeing as I already have a battery and charger, I’m looking at one of their leaf blowers, similar looking to that Dewalt one.

However, I don’t want it for blowing leaves, I want it for the car. I’ve don’t like washing the car, drying it, only to then have water tricking out all the little crevices. These leaf blowers are ideal for blowing out the water, and sometimes even drying the whole car.

There’s demos of these on YouTube, but it’s usually tradesmen blowing dust around, not much in the way of actual leaf blowing…
 
Plinky Dave said:
Folks,
Mrs Plinky wants a leaf blower / vacuum to keep her new patio clean without expending much physical effort. 😂

In the autumn I routinely sweep up the leaves off my drive from a couple of oak trees that are next door so ideally something with a bit of life in it.

I’ve got dewalt 18v tools and sufficient batteries so was keen to keep to the same brand.

The cheaper of the dewalt range looks small and a bit “cheap” but does get decent reviews - although it doesn’t vacuum up.
any practical users of that brand.

View attachment 788252

Or any recommendations of other reliable and cost effective (new battery system) brands/models.
I see Ryobi gave a battery deal on atm.

Thanks
Dave
Click to expand...
Neighbor kid/ plastic leaf bag/ rake/ broom/ £3 - 50 p an hour ... Who needs the noise ?🙂👍.
 
chouchin66 said:
Neighbor kid/ plastic leaf bag/ rake/ broom/ £3 - 50 p an hour ... Who needs the noise ?🙂👍.
Click to expand...
My lazy personality 🤣.

But it’s a fair point. It’s a faf sweeping in behind the furniture, planters and ornaments and currently a daily task which will get more involved as the leaves drop.

I don’t mind sweeping the front drive it’s hard paved and slopes so it’s all downhill work but I’m looking for opportunities to justify buying a noisy thing.
What makes more noise? Mrs Plinky moaning about the sweeping or the machine. 🤣
 
Dont bother with the vac side, its a ball ache. Bag gets heavy really quickly and needs constant emptying.

Far better to blow everything into a corner with the wind direction then collect it from there. Guarantee I would clear the same amount of leaves in half the time it takes someone trying to vac them up.

The battery ones are ok for dry leaves on paving, short grass. They dont have enough power to blow wet leaves or leaves from longer grass, stone paths borders.
Really need the petrol ones for that - the Stihl one is great for that.
I have both the Petrol and battery Stihl blowers at work and would use the petrol one all the time if it wasnt for faffing with 2 stroke for small jobs. Have a small Ryobi at home for the front garden.
 
Claypole said:
I’m actually looking at something like this. I recently acquired a 18v battery powered Makita portable vacuum cleaner for work, so seeing as I already have a battery and charger, I’m looking at one of their leaf blowers, similar looking to that Dewalt one.

However, I don’t want it for blowing leaves, I want it for the car. I’ve don’t like washing the car, drying it, only to then have water tricking out all the little crevices. These leaf blowers are ideal for blowing out the water, and sometimes even drying the whole car.

There’s demos of these on YouTube, but it’s usually tradesmen blowing dust around, not much in the way of actual leaf blowing…
Click to expand...
Thanks. Good idea for another use for it, justifying the expense. Although I do micro fibers the car after a was those trickles do show up as soon as move it.
 
AgentOrange76 said:
Dont bother with the vac side, its a ball ache. Bag gets heavy really quickly and needs constant emptying.

Far better to blow everything into a corner with the wind direction then collect it from there. Guarantee I would clear the same amount of leaves in half the time it takes someone trying to vac them up.

The battery ones are ok for dry leaves on paving, short grass. They dont have enough power to blow wet leaves or leaves from longer grass, stone paths borders.
Really need the petrol ones for that - the Stihl one is great for that.
I have both the Petrol and battery Stihl blowers at work and would use the petrol one all the time if it wasnt for faffing with 2 stroke for small jobs. Have a small Ryobi at home for the front garden.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that’s made my mind up for blower only. I was a bit sceptical on the vacuum overall efficiency and vfm.
 
Plinky Dave said:
My lazy personality 🤣.

But it’s a fair point. It’s a faf sweeping in behind the furniture, planters and ornaments and currently a daily task which will get more involved as the leaves drop.

I don’t mind sweeping the front drive it’s hard paved and slopes so it’s all downhill work but I’m looking for opportunities to justify buying a noisy thing.
What makes more noise? Mrs Plinky moaning about the sweeping or the machine. 🤣
Click to expand...
If needing a " noisy thing" - Suzuki w/ kerker exhaust...get your aim right to clear the detritus & then take Mrs. Plinky for a spin ... Win / Win situation, right there, Dave 😁😂👍
 
Makita 4 stroke. Never let me down in 4 years. Use it for de dusting roofs at work and garden at home. I know it's petrol but the dolphins may have to take a hit on this one👍
 
I’ve got a few , the Dewalt in the pic is OK for small jobs as it’s a small unit . The next ones up are hat you need .
The Stihl ones are fairly good but you would need the batteries and charger .
I’ve also got a cheaper Erbauer 18v unit that’s fine as well as I already had some Evolution kit with batteries .
 
Ne
DJK said:
do you reckon this would do the job, in the market for one..
Click to expand...
Very tried one so I can't say.

My neighbour across the road has one similar to it though and it seems to work well .

I have only ever used my father in law's Stihl petrol one that blew only and not a vacuum.
 
Not a big fan of battery tools, It has to be petrol or mains power, cordless is just not powerful or durable enough for the bigger clearance jobs, particularly in autumn/winter when everything is a sodden clag.
We have a McCulloch blower/vac... which also makes short work of clearing snow from the cars and pathways. After twenty years all it's cost to run is a couple of litres of fuel each year, and a new coil pack, fitted last year... five quid and half an hour on the bench to replace it.
 
HNLBD

Thanks for all the input, lots of good points made and acknowledged.

Given it’s for Mrs plinkys use too petrol power was out.
Battery system had to be Dewalt so auto short list.
Best price for a bare unit found £40 cheaper than Screwfix free next day delivery.
Tested this evening - back “yard” done in 7 minutes.

🤠😎

IMG_3365.webp
 
Dudd I said:
Nice looking piece of kit. Where did you get it from?


Hmmm. That means you've got more time to do other things, unless the Mrs has sole use
Click to expand...
Alan Wadkins Ltd.
Very good service. Free Next day delivery via DP
I bought a bare unit as I had a couple of 5 ah batteries already.

I used PriceRunner U.K. as my search tool
 

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I actually have two...
The first one is a mains cable operated vac and shredder, (it was a cheap B&Q or Homebase type one), so it sucks up the leaves, shreds them and they go into an attached bag, but its big and heavy and does not suck up all leaves, especially if they are wet?
The second one was a freebie from Ryobi, (every Xmas they do a buy one get one free type of deal) and its just a small cordless blower.
But its light and very easy to use and the batteries last ages, so no lead to worry about, drag around, etc.
I tend to use the big shredder in the winter when we have lots of leaves, but use the small blower for the rest of year to just blow stuff around, great after I've mown the lawn (getting the grass cuttings off the patio) or after I've swept the patio, getting rod of all the little loose bits, etc.
 
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