How to Use a Leaf Blower

How to Use a Leaf Blower

Leaf blowers are a really great way to collect fallen leaves and grass cuttings in your garden, blowing them into one manageable pile where they can be collected. 

Leaf blowers can be hired from Speedy, the UK’s number one hire company.

It is really important to not just get stuck right in without preparing and knowing what you're doing first. You don't want to create more mess. Done correctly, leaf blowers can save time compared to using a rake.

All Speedy's hire equipment is checked, tested, cleaned and serviced before every hire and will come ready to go. The safety and operating instructions are attached to every hire product; please make sure you read these before you begin your job.

Before you use a leaf blower it’s really important that you wear the correct PPE. Eye protection, safety boots and gloves are essential and we’d also recommend that hearing protection is worn when using this petrol-powered equipment. Any PPE you do require can be purchased from Speedy.

 

HIRE LEAF BLOWERS FROM SPEEDY

 

Please Watch our How To Use a Leaf Blower Video below:

 

 

How to Use a Leaf Blower Effectively

Using the leaf blower could not be easier:

1. Choose the correct leaf blower for the size of the area

You don't want a really powerful leaf blower for a small yard. This will just make your job more difficult. Larger gardens will need plenty of power, so maybe best with a petrol or battery leaf blower.

But you also have to think about how heavy the leaf blower is. Powerful petrol models will be heavier, so it may take you longer to get the job done.

 

2. Plan your method

Where do you need to gather the leaves from? Work from the furthest point away, towards this area. You may have to do this in stages, but gather the leaves once they're in the correct place. You don't want them to blow away again!

Understand that it will be impossible to gather every single leaf this way, so if you have some strays behind, you may have to collect them by hand or use a yard brush/rake.

 

3. Choose the right day

You need a day with no or little wind. If there is a breeze, check it isn't going in the opposite direction to where you want the leaves to go. This is just counterproductive.

Leaves should also be quite dry so the blower can pick them up and move them, but not so dry that they're hard to control. You also obviously want to avoid a rainy or wet day if you're using power tools outside.

 

4. Start the leaf blower

Once you've planned the process and have decided it is the right day to get the job done, it is time to start gathering the leaves.

If your leaf blower runs off normal unleaded petrol, filling it up can be done by removing the cap and filling up the tank. After use, the engine of the blower can get really hot, so if you need to refuel, you should always allow the engine to cool down as refuelling when the engine is hot can be really dangerous.

Starting a blower is really easy. Most will have a switch on the handle to flick into the 'on' position. Petrol models will require you to pull a choke cord, too. Follow the full instructions which come with your particular model of leaf blower. Just ensure you keep a tight grip on the leaf blower when starting.

If your leaf blower is controlled by a trigger, this may control how powerful the blower is, so you can be in control.

 

5. Get the right technique

You've already decided where you want the leaves to end up. You should work in one direction only, and may have to work in stages.

Keep the correct angle of the leaf blower. You will want to try and get the air under the leaves to lift and move them in the correct direction, and at a comfortable speed. This will depend on your height and the length of your leaf blower.

 

6. Collect the leaves

Once all the leaves are in the correct place, collect them. You may want to place some tarpaulin or a net down in the area if you have a lot of leaves to collect, to make them easier to transport.

Otherwise, lift the leaves with gloved hands or a spade and put into a garden bag or wheelbarrow to transport them to their final destination.

If you're adding to a compost pile or garden bin, try and blow the leaves to a pile nearby, so you have less distance to transport them - and less chance of losing some on the way.

 

 

Ready for more DIY tips?

Thank you for reading our Speedy Services blog, we hope you found this how-to use a leaf blower guide and video useful.

For further tips and advice please visit our Skills and Projects page.

Ppen a Speedy account online or in-store for easy tool hire, whatever your next project.

If you have any issues with any of the products you hire from Speedy, just give your local Service Centre call as we're always available to help and remember to always check the safety and operating guidance before you use any hire product.

 

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