How To Decide Which Yard Vac/Leaf Mulcher Is The Best ...
Considering a leaf blower or yard vac/leaf mulcher? OK, first things first. There are many manufacturers that make them. Here is a list of them if you’re a brand conscious shopper. Next up, you need to identify the best type for your particular needs. Yards and usage will vary significantly so this is very important. Select your optimal yard vacbased on the usage matrix below. Note that if leaf mulching is on your radar - the electric corded model is your best choice. Note that some gas models support mulching, but they're not recommended for that purpose. Backpack models do not support the vacuum/mulching feature typically. The Toro Ultra 12 amp yard vac leaf mulcher unit in the carousel below is the current consumer reports recommendation.
Cordless Electric
Patio or hard surface broom-like functionality with no vacuum capability.
Electric (corded)
Medium yard with trees – capable of vacuuming and with leaf mulching capability.
Gas-powered
Large area beyond a typical suburban yard – beyond a 150 ft cord limit capable of heavy duty blowing predominantly.Few can vacuum and mulching.
Backpack Gas-powered
Very large jobs and broad areas to cover – hence longest length duty cycles.These models are most common for commercial use.40cc engine is the minimum recommended.
If you have a typical yard with a couple of trees you should consider an electric corded yard vac. These models are easy to use and are variable speed capable – which allow you to blow or vac areas that might suffer damage at top speed. Flower beds or gardens would benefit from that feature. A corded electric yard vac has a cord limit of 150 feet in most cases. If the area you need this for would require a longer cord, you should probably consider stepping up to a gas powered yard vac. The electric cord type yard vac is the most popular consumer model sold. It excels at vacuuming and mulching which distinguishes it from the other three types.
For small yards or for light duty around patio areas only, consider a cordless electric leaf blower. A typical charge can last for just a few minutes, and this type doesn’t provide leaf mulching capabilities. However is you just plan to use it to blow off the driveway & sidewalks after a mowing and don’t have many tree leaves to contend with this type of leaf blower will serve you well. No cord or gasoline to contend with will make its use quick and easy for you.
If your yard contains one or more large trees and have many leaves to contend with seasonally – such that it takes a couple of hours or more to do, then you’d do well to consider a gas-powered leaf blower. Most gas-powered models are variable speed by design, but they work best at large jobs that are spread over a distance – often well beyond the reach of the corded models. If that’s your situation but you’re hesitant about the gas-oil mix, don’t be. You can accurately mix the oil and gas conveniently using the reservoir found on most oil mix containers. You just need to make sure you’re putting the right number of premeasured amounts into the correct size gasoline container. Gas containers have gallon measure lines along the side of them, or are defined by their gallon capacity, so it’s not difficult to calculate.
If your job involves clearing an acre or more you’ll want to consider a backpack model leaf blower. There are also rolling models to consider as well for this type of heavy duty prolonged use.
Most yard vac reviews rate the power by virtue of the units air speed/flow in mph or as cfm (cubic feet per minute). The later measure (cfm) will vary depending upon whether it’s measured with or without the blower tube attached.
Expert reviews recommend comparing leaf blower power (air flow) both by miles per hour (mph) and by cubic feet per minute (cfm). The latter is supposed to be the better figure to use, but manufacturers vary in the way they specify it. Some specifications give two figures, one for cfm measured in the unit without the blowing tube, plus a lower figure for the cfm with tube attached.
Leaf Blower Manufacturers
American Gardener
Homelite
Mantis
Shindaiwa
Billy Goat
Honda
Maruyama
Solo
Black & Decker
Husqvarna
MTD
Stihl
Craftsman (Sears)
John Deere
Poulan
Toro
DR
Little Wonder
RedMax
Troybilt
Echo
Makita
Ryobi
Weed Eater
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