What To Look For In A Leaf Blower

If you're one of those high-tech households, you probably already own a leaf blower. At the Greg "Splashin'" McShea estate, we rake leaves the old-fashioned way, by bamboo rake.  Raking leaves is the gift that keeps on giving. You rake the leaves into the road on Tuesday, and they blow back onto your front lawn on Wednesday. So, if you've had it and are ready to buy a leaf blower, there are some things you should think about before buying one.

Here's more on the subject from thisoldhouse.com :

"Leaf blowers are versatile machines. Some models vacuum; others bag mulch, clean gutters, or spray trees.

Of course, the bigger the blower, the more noise it makes, which is why these tools have their detractors. Some towns restrict decibel levels and hours of operation, while others have banned them outright. (Manufacturers have come back with mufflers for gas-powered blowers, although you'll still need ear protection.)

There's a type of blower to suit every yard, from small electric handhelds ($40 to $70) to beefier gas-powered backpack models ($200 to $400) or powerful walk-behind machines ($600 to $1,000). Homeowners often err by buying an underpowered machine, says Roger Cook, This Old House landscape contractor. "It really takes a lot of energy to lift and move wet leaves," he says."