Leaf Vacuum Mulcher and Leaf Blower: Frequently asked Questions

Leaf Vacuum Mulcher and Leaf Blower: Frequently asked Questions

Question 1: What should I choose: a leaf blower or a leaf vacuum mulcher?

Leaf blowers “blow” fallen leaves and small garden debris into one large pile or several small piles. The best leaf vacuum mulcher "swallows" dead leaves to store in a bag that must then be emptied.

So, if you only have a small area to clean with a few scattered leaves in your garden, you should choose a vacuum mulcher because its bin is small enough to accommodate a small area and a small amount to clean.

The choice is a blower when the garden to be cleaned is large or has a lot of debris and leaves to collect.

Indeed, a grinder will be faster to clean all this than a vacuum mulcher. If you also plan to do compost, consider a blower. There is a combination of the two devices on the market with an additional crusher option.

Question 2: I want to know how to work with leaf blowers.

Before use, always consult and refer to the instruction manual of the leaf blower. The operation may vary slightly from one device to another. Starting a blower is done on the ground. After the unit starts, wait until the engine is idling to carry the unit (hand, arm or shoulder depending on the model).

Aim the nozzle a few inches above the leaves and debris to be blown, then activate the throttle. To prevent dust from being blown evenly, one must learn to balance the distance from the nozzle tip with the speed of the blower. Move forward and slow as you use the blower, directing the leaves to where you want the stakes to be. For greater efficiency, you can practice up and down, right and left movements, and vice versa and control the power of the device.

Question 3: Which leaf blower is better: Black & Decker or Ryobi?

It is quite difficult to have a definitive and definitive answer to this question because the two brands have their differences. Ryobi is more of an expert in professional and semi-professional leaf blowers or even for gardens and large spaces. Its products are mostly very versatile and very powerful.

The technical characteristics of Ryobi gas blowers are very high compared to other brands. On the other hand, Black & Decker excels in small and medium-sized blowers intended for small areas or small jobs. What sets this band apart is the simplicity and price competitiveness of its devices.

Therefore, we recommend the brand that best suits your category. However, when it comes to blowers, there are not only these two brands on the market, other products from Bosch, Stihl or Mc Culloch are also good alternatives.

Question 4: How can I repair a leaf blower mulcher?

You should do after-sale service if your leaf vacuum mulcher is still under warranty. If not, the second option is to call a repair shop near you. On the contrary, if for one reason or another you are forced to repair yourself, this is how to proceed.

Investigate the cause of the problem. Common problems with leaf blowers are in the starter mechanism (broken wire, misplaced springs, black or corroded spark plugs) or lack of pressure (leakage or cracks in the unit). For broken wires, buy new springs and starter cords. Remove the starter from the blower, install the spring, rewind the wire and screw the starter back to its original position.

For the spark plug problem, remove the old spark plug, brush the socket where the spark plug is located and replace it with a new one. For leakage problems, the most appropriate solution is to replace the tank. For all your procedures, always make a note of your product's brand and reference number (serial number) so that the corresponding parts can be found.

Question 5: How to start the Stihl leaf blower?

After taking all safety precautions, place the device on the ground on a level and stable surface. Never start the leaf blower mulcher while carrying it in your hand. Then place the starter lever in the cold start position or in the hot start position.

You will choose depending on the temperature of the engine. Regardless of the fuel reserve, pump the fuel at least 5 times. Slowly pull the starter cord until the first point of compression is reached, then pull hard and fast with the rope upward. It is not necessary to pull the rope to its full length. Care must be taken to hold the wire so that it can be rewound well without problems.

When the engine is running, you press the gas to automatically return to position I. Then the engine will not load. In case the engine stops, you just need to press the throttle again and pull the starter cord.