Buying Electric Leaf Blowers

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How to choose an electric leaf blower

Conduct online searches from sources that don’t push sales after a review. Here are a couple of links you can use.

Additionally, research the specific brands you may be interested in. Online searches should include the following information. It is important to check before you buy:

  • Performance information
  • Battery runtime at full power and charge times on batteries
  • Warranty information
  • The operating manual
  • Decibel level ratings and sound quality
  • History of safety or defect recalls
  • If the brand has a battery recycling program in place

References and peer reviews: If you know a colleague, friend, or neighbor who has an electric leaf blower, they can be the best source of honest product information. Ask if you can borrow a blower or test one from a retailer before buying.

How many batteries and chargers should I buy?

Runtimes for battery to gas tank ratios vary. Assume you will need two to four batteries at different Amp Hour ratings/capacities for each gallon of fuel you might typically use on a full working day. This will vary depending on the work and field conditions, and if the application is residential DIY, or a professional job.

Electric blowers do best on dry hardscape surfaces. If you are using damp/wet surfaces or debris, you may need extra batteries. Reduce leaf blower needs by raking heavy piles of leaves, adding leaf plows to mowers, mulching leaves, and sweeping grass clippings off pavements.

Homeowners purchasing a handheld blower or backpack blower with smaller “onboard” batteries may want two batteries to swap in and out to complete work on larger properties.

Professionals most likely will need multiple batteries to maintain their demanding workloads. The workload demand, customers aesthetic expectation, season, and blower design can determine the total amount of batteries a professional may need for their operations.

Types of Leaf Blowers

There are three common designs for commercial rated battery electric leaf blowers currently on the market.

  • Backpack Design: The only difference from a gas blower is that a large battery and blower fan sit on the back of the blower instead of a gas engine and gas tank. Some backpack battery electric models may be heavier than their gas counter parts but it is workable when wearing the waist and shoulder harnesses correctly. Many models can be weight reduced with smaller capacity batteries that fit on the same blower, but you will need to sacrifice less working/runtime time and change out batteries more frequently. 
  • Umbilical Cord Design: These blowers are a handheld type with a cord that is attached from the blower to a large backpack battery sitting on a battery frame. Although lighter than the backpack design, operators still need to wear the waste and shoulder harnesses correctly to evenly distribute the weight. 
  • Handheld Design: These blowers are a handheld type that allows for smaller "onboard" batteries to slide in and out of the unit.

Corded versus cordless options

Corded options have their benefits, because with a 100 foot extension cords many properties can be managed without ever worrying about how long batteries will last, and reduces lithium mining. But before you buy, check the decibel levels! Most current corded models are actually louder than allowed by law in Montgomery County.

Charging solutions

For companies charging multiple batteries, many manufacturers make chargers with multiple charging ports. Companies implementing or switching to battery electric blowers and other equipment are setting up trailers with electrical circuits and panels with breakers. These trailer systems are built out to distribute electrical loads and charge tens of batteries. Power is brought into the trailer externally the distributed with the appropriate amount of circuits and breakers to charge multiple batteries safely and reliably.

Some enterprising companies have even set up trailers with solar panels and a backup battery storage system with an inverter, circuits and breakers.

Power Distribution Mangers on the market allow for charging multiple batteries managing amperage draws to minimize popping breakers and ensuring your batteries are charged reliably every night. Additionally, portable power boxes can be charged and taken on the route for "on-the-go" charging.

Many landscapers will take advantage of "opportunity charging" at their clients properties or at municipal locations that allow for it. There are several solutions based on various budgets and needs.