Choosing the right leaf blower is essential - but with several different types to choose from, it can be tricky to know which one is the best for your needs. At Hughie Willett Machinery, we’re put together this guide to give you the best advice we can, and help you decide on the right leaf blower for you. Keep reading to find out more…
What are the types of leaf blowers?
To make your life easier, we’re going right back to the basics. In this article, we’ll explore the three main leaf blower power types which will influence how effective each model can be, and how this can affect the usability in different situations.
To learn more about buying a leaf blower, check out our Ultimate Leaf Blower Buying Guide.
Petrol leaf blowers
Petrol power tools have been around for decades. With the invention of the internal combustion engine, and technological advances to create efficient and reliable 2-stroke engines throughout the 19th and 20th Century, petrol leaf blowers are part of a long-lasting legacy.
The majority of petrol leaf blowers have a 2-stroke engine. These work by burning a mixture of petrol and oil, which creates a spark. This process repeats to drive the piston, which causes the engine to generate power.
Note - 2-stroke engines can be difficult to start if you’re inexperienced, as it takes time to perfect your technique and avoid flooding the engine.
Nowadays, petrol leaf blowers are popular with experienced users for reasons we’ll discuss below. However, there are certain disadvantages to these tools that may make them unsuitable for your needs.
Advantages of a petrol leaf blower
Petrol leaf blowers have a lot of advantages which make them especially popular with groundcare professionals like landscapers and groundskeepers.
Powerful
Firstly, petrol leaf blowers are the most powerful type of tool, because their engines have a higher capacity to generate energy.
Petrol engines measure their power in cc, which stands for cubic centimetres. Whilst this isn’t a direct power measurement (as it refers to the quantity of air and fuel that can be pushed through the engine), the consensus is that the higher the cc, the more powerful an engine.
This is because as more fuel and air is cycled through the engine, it generates more force - which converts into a higher power and performance.
Portable
The other primary advantage of petrol leaf blowers is that they’re incredibly portable. This is ideal if you’re working in remote areas, or if your tasks are based in public or commercial areas that require you to be away from a mains electricity supply for several hours.
Rather than recharging, petrol leaf blowers run on a combination of petrol and oil - which you can easily carry around in a canister to wherever your job is. Plus, there’s no need to wait, as once the fuel tank is refilled your leaf blower is ready to go.
Disadvantages of a petrol leaf blower
However, even with these positives, there are certain disadvantages that can impact your decision to choose a petrol leaf blower.
Weight
For starters, having a petrol engine attached to your leaf blower adds a lot of weight, which can make this type more unwieldy to use. If you have limited upper body strength, you may find a petrol leaf blower too heavy and uncomfortable.
Note - the backpack-style leaf blower helps to distribute the weight across your body, which can make this model more feasible for consistent use.
As well as being heavier, petrol leaf blowers are often bigger to compensate for the engine - which is another factor that can discourage people from choosing this type of tool. Plus, they tend to vibrate more with the movements of the engine - which can cause you to fatigue quicker.
Noise
Due to the active components and internal combustion, petrol engines are much noisier than other types of power source. If you’re planning on using your leaf blower at home, or within a residential area, the noise can be incredibly off-putting for you - and your neighbours.
Safety tip - make sure to invest in a good pair of ear defenders if you choose a petrol leaf blower to protect your hearing.
Emissions
Combustion engines are powerful, but unfortunately this process does release unpleasant emissions - which are also less environmentally-friendly. This can discourage their use, especially if you’re only looking for a simple model for domestic jobs.
Note - many brands have integrated technology to reduce emissions on their petrol leaf blowers, so this may not be as much of a disadvantage.
Maintenance
One of the main reasons you may not want to choose a petrol leaf blower is that they’re typically more high maintenance than other models. Petrol engines need to be regularly cleaned and examined to ensure there are no faulty or damaged parts which could cause problems in the future.
For example, the fuel tanks need to be cleaned to prevent material build-up and blockages, and you’ll need to regularly replace spark plugs to make sure you’re getting the most from your tool. You also need to make sure you understand the correct mixture of petrol and oil to help your engine run properly - as the incorrect ratio can cause engine failure and damage.
Note - this can be more expensive over time, as you need to buy replacement parts more frequently.
Electric leaf blowers
Whilst petrol tools used to be the standard, improvements in electrical technology meant that these soon became a demand for electric power tools - including electric leaf blowers.
As the name indicates, instead of a combustion engine, electric leaf blowers use a mains connection as a power supply. The shift to electric has made many leaf blowers more commercially available to a wider market - including for hobbyists and domestic users.
As you will see, there are plenty of advantages to an electric leaf blower over petrol models - but there are some major points that will affect how well the tool performs in specific circumstances.
Advantages of an electric leaf blower
There are plenty of advantages and situations in which electric leaf blowers will be better for your purposes.
Reliable
The biggest advantage to electrical leaf blowers is that they’re the most reliable in terms of power supply. Once it’s plugged in, your electricity supply is consistent, and you won’t need to stop to refuel or recharge.
This is perfect if you have larger tasks that may take a long time to finish as you won’t need to stop and start or waste time.
Quiet
Another advantage to electric leaf blowers is that they’re a lot quieter than petrol models. The lack of petrol engine makes the running much smoother, and there is a reduced risk to your hearing than with a petrol model.
If you’re planning to use your leaf blower in a domestic setting, your neighbours will certainly appreciate the quiet.
Note - alongside being quieter, electric leaf blowers don’t vibrate as much, which makes them more comfortable to use.
Minimal maintenance
Electric leaf blowers require a lot less regular maintenance than petrol models, which is ideal if you don’t plan on using your tool very often. So, whilst they will still need cleaning, you won’t need to worry about replacing parts of the engine.
Top tip - you should still check to ensure nothing is broken or faulty. If it is, make sure you take your electric leaf blower to an expert, as fixing electrical parts can be dangerous if done wrong.
Disadvantages of an electric leaf blower
Unfortunately, there are a few glaring disadvantages to electric leaf blowers that can have a big impact on whether this tool is right for you.
The cord
The most obvious problem with electric leaf blowers is the cord. Whilst this is what provides a reliable and consistent power source, it also severely reduces the mobility and versatility of your leaf blower.
For example, your range is restricted by the length of the cord (and any extension leads you use), which makes them impractical for larger gardens or outdoor areas. The cord can also be hazardous, as you need to make sure you know where it is to avoid trips and falls.
If you need to work remotely, or in public areas, your access to a mains supply will be limited which means you won’t be able to use an electric leaf blower effectively.
Limited power
Whilst electric leaf blowers are reliable, an electric motor is not as powerful as a petrol engine. This means that if you have a high level of material to move, or heavier objects, you may struggle to complete the job with an electric model.
Top tip - a less powerful electric leaf blower may be more suitable for beginners, or those with limited mobility as they’re easier to control.
Shorter lifespan
Electric leaf blowers tend to have a shorter overall lifespan than petrol models because the motors are less durable and will degrade over time. If you use your leaf blower regularly, this could cause an electric unit to wear out faster and need replacing more frequently than if you chose a petrol model.
Cordless leaf blowers
Last, but certainly not least, cordless leaf blowers are a fantastic innovation that tends to offer you the best of both worlds (as you’ll see below).
With the invention of the Li-ion battery in the early 90s, rechargeable battery-powered tools have become a viable option for your groundcare and DIY needs. Battery, or more commonly, cordless leaf blowers make use of the advances in battery technology to provide you with a sleek and usable machine.
Of course, nothing is truly perfect, and there are some factors that will affect whether this is the right tool for you.
Advantages of a cordless leaf blower
There are plenty of advantages to using a cordless leaf blower. As they fall under the category of electric leaf blowers, these are quieter and lighter than petrol models - but there are some distinct qualities that separate them from corded leaf blowers.
Portable
The biggest selling point of cordless leaf blowers is that they’re incredibly portable. Much like petrol models, cordless leaf blowers don’t rely on a mains connection for their immediate power. This means they can be used in remote areas, or areas where establishing a connection would be impractical (like on large estates or at the end of long gardens).
The lack of cord also allows you to regain the mobility that makes a leaf blower so useful. You can easily twist and move a cordless leaf blower into whichever direction or rotation you need without being hampered by a cord - plus they’re typically much lighter than other options on the market.
Easy to use
Like other electric models, cordless leaf blowers are incredibly easy to use. Instead of managing a complicated starter, or needing to maintain an engine properly, a cordless leaf blower starts with a press of a button.
This is perfect for beginners with less experience, or for those with mobility or physical limitations that may prevent them from handling a petrol leaf blower.
Safety tip - always make sure you know how to use any power tools safely. Whilst cordless leaf blowers are easier to use, they’re still a power tool, and you should always treat it with due diligence.
Disadvantages of a cordless leaf blower
Cordless leaf blowers usually offer you the best of both worlds. They’re portable like petrol, but reliable and stable like electric. However, there are some key disadvantages that may impact whether cordless models are right for your needs.
Note - cordless leaf blowers share many of the same disadvantages as electric leaf blowers that we mentioned above, notably that they’re less powerful and have a shorter lifespan compared to petrol models.
Limited timeframe
Battery power is stable, which is a huge advantage when you’re using power tools. However, the main downside to this is that you’re limited to the battery life when it comes to completing a task.
Having to work within a specific timeframe could cause you to miss spots, not do a thorough job, or even run out of time and have to leave a task uncompleted. If you need to use your leaf blower for long stretches of time at once, you may struggle with a cordless model.
Top tip - one way to reduce the impact of this is to create a battery sharing network. If you have cordless tools from the same brand, you can build up a bank of charged batteries that you can simply swap out when you need to.
Leaf blowers: a summary
Understandably, choosing the right leaf blower for your needs is essential to ensure you get the best value for money - which is why we’ve put together a short summary of each type of leaf blower and who/when they’re the most suitable.
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Petrol leaf blowers: suitable for groundcare professionals and experienced users with a large area to cover.
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Electric leaf blowers: suitable for domestic use, in smaller gardens where the cord will not become an issue.
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Cordless leaf blowers: suitable for beginners as they’re easy to control, or those who don’t need to use their leaf blower frequently.
End your search for the right leaf blower with Hughie Willett
At Hughie Willett Machinery, we have decades of experience in the groundcare tools and equipment industry. So, if you’re looking for a new leaf blower, you’ve come to the right place.
We work with a great range of brands, including Stihl, Husqvarna, and Billy Goat - so you’ll have plenty to choose from.
Plus, if you need more personalised advice, contact our friendly team for help by either calling 0121 308 1262, or sending a message via our online contact form.
Choose a leaf blower from Hughie Willett Machinery today
Explore the Hughie Willett Machinery blog for more information, groundcare buying guides, and helpful advice from our team.
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