Leaf Blower

Lori J
by Lori J

My Black and Decker corded leaf blower is dying after many years of service. I need to replace it and am thinking I would like to have a vacuum option. We have several big tree and raking is an overwhelming task. I will take any help I can get!


  5 answers
  • Donna Kidd Donna Kidd on Aug 11, 2013
    I have the vacuum option on its great just be sure to pick up any sticks and stone before using!! I have an electric which plugs in but can be heavy and annoying to haul cords around and have a rechargeable lithium battery powered, not quite as strong but much easier to handle in a large lawn.
  • Lori J Lori J on Aug 12, 2013
    My yard is small, so working with a corded unit is not as annoying as it could be. I love my Black and Decker battery trimmer, but have a sense that it does not have as much umph as a corded model.
  • The vacuum type is a great option to have, but remember that those units require you to carry the material that you pick up. So the bag can become heavy fast requiring you to clean it out often. Choose a combo blower vac by its price. There are low cost ones that do not last much more then a season or two at the most. The bags are poorly made and often rip and rot from the damp materials picked up. The higher end units last a few more years, but replacement holding bags are much easier to obtain should it rip or rot. Although you can see a large selection of these units at your local big box store, I would suggest that you go to your local lawn mower shop where the pros purchase their equipment to select and purchase this tool. They know better then most what really works and lasts and because they are distributors of the products that they sell, you will always be able to get parts for the unit you purchase. The big box stores only sell what their suppliers are sending them. Often each year a new model or style is provided and you never see the one that you purchase the year prior again. Trying to get parts is difficult and if you send the tool back to a local mower shop to be worked on, they will in most cases not even touch it or charge you more then you paid to fix it. Just look at the replacement parts that you can purchase for one you would think about buying. They oftentimes cost almost as much as it is new. Add labor and its not worth fixing so you buy another new one. Method to their madness. Even if the ones that are sold at the big box stores say PRO MODEL or look like the ones the pros use. These are custom units to make the price points to sell in those stores. The real pro units cost a bunch more and last for many years and can be fixed.
  • Lori J Lori J on Aug 12, 2013
    Our yard is small, but our trees are mighty. I am constantly trying to clean leaves out of nooks and crannies...we count our bounty in pickup loads--generally between ten and twelve. This sounds easier than raking them, shoveling them into a wheelbarrow and then dumping the wheelbarrow into the truck.
  • Lori J Lori J on Aug 12, 2013
    Great advice, Woodbridge Environmental.