If you want to use industrial leaf blowers (also known as industrial lawn blowers), you should be familiar with different types of leaf blowers and their operation.

For power leaf blower suppliers, it is always beneficial to update your knowledge about the various types of leaf blowers. Distributors of industrial leaf blowers can stay ahead of the competition by having up-to-date information about the latest technologies and products in this field.

If you are a distributor, you can use different magazines and online publications to update your knowledge about power leaf blowers. You can read through scholarly papers and articles written by experts in the power blowers industry.

To educate yourself and/or your employees on high power leaf blowers, you should:

1. Understand the basics of power leaf blowers and the relevant terminology
2. Subscribe to magazines that provide information about power leaf blowers
3. Join associations catering to the power lawn blower industry
4. Seek an expert’s advice if you need information about a particular type of leaf blower, such as a power glide leaf blower or gas power leaf blower

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Understand the basics of power leaf blowers and the relevant terminology

Some reputable data publishing companies provide data on the various types of leaf blowers, such as an electric power leaf blower or gas power leaf blower. You can also find basic information about power or industrial leaf blowers by browsing through different online resources.

I recommend: The Consumers Union of U.S. publishes a “Leaf Blowers Buying Guide” that provides you with detailed information about power leaf blowers and various types of blowers. You can also refer to W.E. Aubuchon Co., an online hardware store, to learn more about power leaf blowers.

Join associations to update your knowledge about power leaf blowers

You can join various associations to learn more about the latest technologies and upcoming events in the power blowers industry.

I recommend: You can join the National Gardening Association to keep you updated about the latest developments in the power blowers industry. Being a member of California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) will give you a platform for interaction with experts and users of power leaf blowers.

Understand the maintenance principles and safety measures related to power leaf blowers

Following safety procedures is of utmost importance while working with industrial leaf blowers and power leaf blowers. Adequate knowledge can keep you and your workers informed about necessary maintenance tasks and safety measures related to leaf blowers.

I recommend: New York State Consumer Protection Board provides information about necessary safety measures that one should consider while working with power leaf blowers. Additionally, AbbysGuide.com also offers safety measures that you will need to follow while using power leaf blowers.

Landscapers know the importance of having the right high power leaf blowers to do the job at hand. Running a successful landscape business depends on having quality equipment that can handle any size job. Gas powered leaf blowers have greater mobility than an electric power leaf blower.

There are three styles of gas powered leaf blowers: handheld, backpack and walk behind. Although all three styles are suitable for professional landscaping work, a backpack or walk-behind gas power leaf blower offers the most power and comfort over long periods of time. Before choosing the best blower for your landscaping business, remember these important facts:

1. Power leaf blowers come in a variety of sizes, styles and blowing capacities.

2. A blower's blowing capacity is governed by the revolutions per minute and top wind speed of its engine.

3. Many gas power leaf blowers produce dangerously high noise levels, necessitating the use of earplugs or other protective measures during operation.

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Select handheld leaf blowers for lighter landscaping jobs

Handheld blowers are the most popular and inexpensive models on the market. Because they're easy to operate, handheld blowers are ideal for clean-up jobs that are relatively small or light. They're less appropriate for larger tasks, since their weight and torque can both cause fatigue over longer periods of time.

I recommend: PoulanPro makes two professional grade gas-powered handheld blowers, one of which doubles as a vacuum. Though it may seem improbable, some electric power lawn blower models, like those made by Toro, offer the same power as gas blowers but without their high levels of noise and pollution. For the ultimate light handheld product, check out the cordless Power Glide Leaf Blower by Ace Hardware.

Choose backpack leaf blowers for the best combination of portability and power

Handheld blowers are easy to use, but they often don't have the power you need to control large amounts of dirt and debris. Backpack leaf blowers offer the same portability as handheld blowers, but they are much more powerful and comfortable to use over extended periods of time. Because of these features, backpack blowers are usually the preferred tool of full-scale professional landscaping businesses.

I recommend: Echo Outdoor Power Equipment produces an extensive line of low-decibel blowing equipment, including various backpack leaf blowers, which are more comfortable for frequent use. Husqvarna also makes a handful of backpack models that range in size, engine displacement and overall power.

Use a power leaf blower on wheels to clear thick debris from level areas

When handheld and backpack blowers aren't strong enough to clean up your mess, bring in a walk-behind blower. These beefy models are incredibly stable and pack enough firepower to move wet leaves and thick debris with ease. They're also perfect for clearing lawn refuse from flat, expansive surfaces like parking lots, driveways and parking lots.

I recommend: Little Wonder walk-behind leaf blowers are powered by Honda engines and have a good reputation their high quality and reliable performance. The Snapper wheeled blower can also handle tough jobs, producing over four times the air volume of handheld blowers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure your extension cables are rated for outdoor use before connecting them to your electric power leaf blower.

A power leaf blower is useful for removing leaves and dirt from various locations, such as gardens, backyards, sidewalks and driveways. Power leaf blowers are available in various configurations, such as hand-held, backpack and wheeled.

If you want to buy a power leaf blower for your applications, you will need to understand various technical terms relating to power leaf blowers. This guide will introduce you to some key terms, such as impeller, ANSI B175.2, decibel (dB) and CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute).

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Electric or gas powered leaf blowers

Depending upon application requirements, you can select an electric or gas powered leaf blower. In some states, gas powered leaf blowers are illegal to use, as their gas emission can be hazardous to the environment.

I recommend: The Consumers Union of U.S. provides basic information about various types of power leaf blowers and their applications.

Impeller

An impeller is an important component of a leaf blower that sucks air into the unit and blows it out from the blower tube. To develop sufficient air pressure, the impeller should work properly.

I recommend: To understand the basics of impellers, read through the glossary of technical terms at an informative website by Mary Miller Gentry.

ANSI B175.2

A power leaf blower can also be illegal (and possibly hazardous to hearing) due to noise violations. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has set standard B175.2 that provides guidelines about permissible sound levels for power leaf blowers. You must use a power leaf blower that follows this standard.

I recommend: You can read through the scope of this standard at ANSI’s website.

Decibel (dB)

Decibel is a standard unit for the measurement of intensity of sound. One decibel is the minimum change in the volume that can be perceived by a human ear. Before buying a power leaf blower, you should check its sound rating in dB.

I recommend: To learn more about decibels, read through the acoustic terms glossary at Acoustical Solutions, a reputable supplier of soundproofing and noise control products.

Power leaf blower safety

Like other power blowers, you need to educate operators on safety while using a power leaf blower and maintain awareness of standard safety norms that employees should follow.

I recommend: You can read through the safety norms at information resources, such as New York State Consumer Protection Board (PDF) and AbbysGuide.com.

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)

CFM is a unit that measures the power leaf blower's ability to move air in terms of volume per unit time. You must select a power leaf blower that has enough CFM for your application requirements.

I recommend: To understand the definition of this term, read through the glossary of technical terms at Solutions for Air.

RPM (Revolutions per Minute)

RPM of the motor is an important specification for a power leaf blower. It indicates the rotational speed of the blower motor.

I recommend: For more information about the RPM, browse through the description at Convertworld.com.

Power leaf blowers are used by homeowners and professional landscapers alike. The type of power lawn blower you choose will depend on the size of your yard, the size of your business or the amount of leaves you need to remove. Leaf blowers come in electric and gas powered models, and range in price from very inexpensive to very expensive.

Electric leaf blowers will probably not cost you more than $100, but the power of these blowers does not compare to their gas powered counterparts. These high power leaf blowers have a median price range of around $250, and come in three different models; hand-held, backpack, and wheeled. Remember the following when considering power leaf blowers pricing and costs:

1. Gas power leaf blowers have more power and cost more money than electric leaf blowers.

2. Electric power leaf blowers need to be plugged in or recharged in order to work, and cost less than gas power leaf blowers.

3. Industrial leaf blowers are made for larger jobs and are more powerful than those marketed for home use.

Action Steps
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Review the costs of a gas power leaf blower

Gas powered leaf blowers are probably the best option for large yards or big jobs. These leaf blowers are typically heavier than electric leaf blowers and come in hand-held or backpack varieties. There is a large range of prices for gas powered leaf blowers, depending on the make and model, and can cost anywhere from under $100 to over $500.

I recommend: The Home Depot has a wide variety of gas powered leaf blowers ranging in price from $80 to over $500. Shopping.com directs you to different retail sites where you can purchase power leaf blowers, and has gas powered blowers starting as low as $60.

Consider an electric power leaf blower

An electric power lawn blower can come in two different types; corded and rechargeable. Power leaf blower suppliers usually have both of these types of power leaf blowers for sale, which are ideal for smaller lawns. The price of electric power leaf blowers is much lower than gas powered blowers, with most models costing less than $100.

I recommend: Lowe's offers a variety of electric power leaf blowers ranging in price from $30 to approximately $90. NexTag compares prices of electric power leaf blowers starting at around $40.

Compare prices of industrial leaf blowers

Industrial lawn blowers are usually gas powered blowers that are either hand-held, backpacks or a power leaf blower on wheels. This type of equipment is typically used by professionals and has the highest price range, usually over $200.

I recommend: Troy-Bilt Products offers a wheeled industrial leaf blower for around $400 and ranges down to $200 for a backpack leaf blower. Husqvarna AB offers backpack models ranging from $200 to around $530.