Leaf Blower

A leaf blower is a handy device to own and operate. It gushes air with considerable pressure through a nozzle that you can direct to clear leaves, debris or cut-out grass, etc.  It works pretty accurate and helps you save time. It is usually powered by a 2-stroke or 4-stroke gas-powered engines. Leaf blowers with electric motors are also popular now that does not emit fumes and are less noisy. A leaf blower is a hand-held device but some models give you the option of mounting them on the back. In this article, we will see how to use a leaf blower efficiently and make the most out of it. So, let’s get rolling.

Part 1: How to use a leaf blower properly?

Before you start using it, do not forget to read the instructions or the manual of your leaf blower. It is a small booklet given to you at the time of purchase. If you have lost it or do not have it, ask your local seller about it. You can also visit your leaf blower’s website and chances are there will be a manual uploaded there for your ready reference. Following are some general guidelines for you before you start blowing your leaf blower;

• It is in dis-assembled form, connect and join all the parts to make it functional.
• It has been used before, check all the parts for any damage, loose connection, and/or any other malfunction. Seek technical help if you notice anything unusual.
• Check the fuel level of your leaf blower. It should be sufficient to get through your job.
• As a general rule, it is not advisable to use a leaf blower in confined spaces or stuffy and suffocated areas.
• Inspect the area you want to clear before start blowing. There should not be any pets, kids, elderly people, or property that could sustain damages.
• Remember not to blow your leaf blower directly at children or people. It could result in injuries.
• Do not change anything in the leaf blower other than what the manufacturer has approved of.
• If a person approaches you while you are working do not point the leaf blower towards him.
• It is a good idea not to use multiple leaf blowers concurrently. If it is necessary, coordinate your work accordingly and stand 50 feet apart from each other.
• Wear safety gadgets like goggles, gloves, etc. before you start your work.
• These were some of the points that you should keep in mind before starting your leaf blower.

1. Size of the leaf blower

The size and strength of the leaf blower should depend on the size of your yard, garden, etc. In short, the area you want to clear off unwanted stuff. If you have a medium to big sized garden with tall trees that shed a lot of leaves than obviously, you need a big and powerful leaf blower. While the bigger the better might sound tempting keep in mind that big machines require deft handling and guzzle more fuel and power. They also tend to produce more noise. Consider all these factors before you buy one for yourself.

2. Weather

Leaf blowers are much in demand during the autumn season when the trees shed their dry leaves. You would want to remove them every day but consider the outside weather. It should be clam with a mild wind blowing. A leaf blower uses the outside air and spins it fast using the fan blades. So, a perfect day would be when there is a light wind blowing. Strong winds, cloudy weather, or muggy conditions are not good for using your leaf blower. Also do not use the leaf blower right after the rain. Wet leaves are hard to collect. Wait for them to dry and then start using your leaf blower on them.

3. Devise a strategy

Blowing leaves might look like an easy task but the devil is in the details. Every job requires some strategy and some technique to execute it properly. To use your leaf blower efficiently you should work out a proper plan on how to go about your job. We give you some general principles for your effective guidance;

• Let’s start with how to turn your leaf blower on. Firstly, do not start it while it is lying on the ground. It will start blowing away things instantly. Keep the machine’s body on the ground and firmly hold it with your left hand and then pull the starter cord immediately.
• Do not jump to the maximum speed right away. Let it keep running idle for 2-3 minutes.
• During the use do not touch other parts of the leaf blower except for the handles.
• The leaf blower uses centrifugal force for its operation. To use it more effectively use it in a semi-circular fashion. Make an arc with your blowing action it will move the leaves in one direction.
• Move from the corners and converge towards the center. Make a big stack of all the accumulated leaves in the center.
• Do not use the leaf blower too close to the leaves. Use an extensive motion of the leaf blower to gather leaves.
• Do not run your machine continuously on full-throttle. Keep changing the speed and power. Intermittent thrusts of power are more effective.
• Put a sheet in the center where you want all the leaves to gather. When all the leaves are collected there, it will be easy for you to pick it and dispose of it.
• You can also use your hands to pick up the pile of leaves or also take help from rakes to pile them neatly and dispose of them in an orderly manner.

Part 2: Leaf blower tips while using the leaf blower. 

Now we give you some useful tips that will make your leaf blowing job easier and smoother.

• Close all the windows and doors of the house before you use the leaf blower. It will prevent the dust, debris, and noise from entering the house.
• Clear the area from any big branches, twigs, fruits, furniture, etc. A leaf blower is primarily used for blowing leaves.
• If your leaf blower is also a vacuum, then keep emptying the bag during the job.
• Do not forget to use safety devices.
• Noise can be a big issue while using a leaf blower. You might be using earplugs but for your neighbors, it could cause discomfort. Electric-motor powered leaf blowers are usually quieter than gas-powered ones. So, you might want to consider those. If you already own a gas-powered one that produces high levels of noise, then you can do a couple of things to keep the noise level to a bare minimum. Always check the air filters of your machine. It should be clean and tidy. If it needs to be changed then do it. Keep the air muffler clean too. When used with proper nozzles the noise tends to reduce a little. You can use them for maximum effect. Lastly, before you start using them it is courteous to inform your neighbor and apologize in advance for the inconvenience it might cause them. You can also work out a time that will is agreeable for both of you.
• Do not point your leaf blower towards wet, semi-wet, muddy, or mossy surfaces. The grime flying out could stain your clothes or your face.
• Use appropriate nozzles to access hard to reach areas like under or between the fences, beneath the rocks, etc.
• If there are heaps of leaves around, use your leaf blower intelligently. First, direct the nozzle at the top layer of the heap and then hit the lower layer. In this way, it will be easier to manage them instead of doing it haphazardly.
• Do not point the nozzle on the surface at a steep angle. Use them at a straighter angle otherwise, it will kick a storm of leaves around.
• When using a leaf blower against a wall or a fence, it is recommended to do a side by side or up and down motion.

Part 3: Alternative use of the leaf blower.

A leaf blower might sound like it is good for blowing leaves only but there are many other ways that you can use it to your advantage. Here are some of the popular ones for your quick reference;

To clear snow.

While it won’t work on hard, frozen snow. You can blow away light, dusty snow using your leaf blower. The warm air coming from it would melt some snow or make it soft at least. You can dust off snow from your cars, porch, pathways, etc.

To clean car.

A leaf blower would do well in dry cleaning your car. The powerful bursts of air will clear all the dust and other small residues to make your car look fresh and clean. You can also use it to dry your car when it has gotten wet after a rainfall or your washing.

To clean gutters.

How to clean your gutters by using a leaf blower? Well, the answer is simple and easy. The leaf blowers produce powerful currents of wind that can clear away any blockage in the gutters. The cordless variety with long, pointed nozzles is especially good at this job.

Cleaning your gadgets.

A leaf blower can effectively clean a host of your devices and gadgets. You will have to just carefully point it towards that device so that it does not get damaged. As a rule, do not use your leaf blowers to clean devices like laptops, etc. You can use them to clean your lawnmower, strimmer, car parts like radiator, air filter, etc.

Clear your pathways and sidewalks.

You can clear them off any dust, leaves, small twigs, hail, paper, plastic, etc. It is much faster and easier than doing it with a mower, rake, or a broom.

Dusting your home.

With caution, you can use your leaf blower inside your house. This is recommended if you have an electric-powered leaf blower. You can use it to reach hard to reach areas like the top of the shelf, the attic, etc.

Clearing the puddles.

Puddles caused by rainwaters can be cleared away in no time using the leaf blower. It will splash the water in all directions and the puddle will be gone in no time.

Keep away the unwanted rodents.

You can chase away small rodents like rats, raccoons, skunks, etc. by using your leaf blower. They will think twice before intruding on your property again.

Clearing your roof.

You can use your leaf blower to clean your roof safely and quickly. All the leaves, pine straw, acorns, sticks, branches, etc. can make your roof dirty. You can use the leaf blower to blow away all this unwanted trash gathered on your roof.

Do other funny and unique stuff.

There are tons of crazy things people are doing with their leaf blowers. You just have to search YouTube and so many videos will come up. People are making funny faces using leaf blowers, building a ping pong ball cannon, powering their roller skates, making a hover board, or using it to as a foam machine, the list is endless. You can follow them or be inspired and come up with your funny stuff. Just be careful though.

Conclusion

To sum up, we can say that a leaf blower is a very useful device that can save you a lot of time and physical effort to get things done. You now know how to use it effectively and we have also shown you some innovative ways in which you can use your leaf blower. We hope this will help you.