Leaf-Blowers

[bainbrig]

How much have you got to pay for an effective leaf-blower? We’ve got a small London garden, but old age and encroaching weakness mean that such aids are getting necessary!

BillB

[retrocop]

https://www.ukhs.tv/search?keywords=Leaf blower

[bhg481]

Just be aware that they are quite heavy and awkward to use, particularly if you're going to pick up the leaves rather than blow them next door (the bag drags on the floor and makes it both heavy and cumbersome). Rather than buy one unseen online I think it's worth you visiting eg, B&Q / Homebase and try handling them before you commit yourself.

[retrocop]

bhg
As cost appears to be the primary issue here my link was just to provide the sort of various prices to be expected.

[bainbrig]

But I suppose the £30 ones aren’t much cop?

(And ta for the warning, bhg).

BB

[bhg481]

retrocop - I understood that. I was just warning BB to try handling them before he buys - once he's handled them your link will be useful.

[Old_Geezer]

I prefer a leaf vacuum. Blow it around and you still have to deal with it.

[Old_Geezer]

You need to adjust the shoulder strap, bhg

[bhg481]

O_G - I appreciate that's an option but I still find it awkward to handle.

[spathiphyllum]

Usually too pricey in my experience especially for a small garden. I would go for the cheapest one you can find if your garden is small. If it's actually a medium garden i'd get a fairly decent one that can suck and blow

[bainbrig]

It’d be mainly to get them off the concrete paths where slippery leaves could easily add to our troubles!

[Maydup]

I bought one, with a bag and couldn't manage the weight of it. I took the bag off to use it as a blower and no vacuum, and still couldnt manage it. Even if you find a lightweight option make sure it has a bag that you can manage full, otherwise you still end up with a pile of leaves which blow back over the path while you sleep!

I have gone back to either a broom, or combination of broom rake and lawnmower.

[Fitzer]

I bought this Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation and it's been better than my old Flymo, it can blow or suck, the wheels do take a lot of the weight on level ground and the shredder means I only have to empty it a couple of times per use. It doesn't look like it will last for years and the cable could be a bit longer but my garden hasn't been as clear of leaves for years (and I live next door to a disused railway embankment covered in sycamores). It does vibrate a bit through the handle when sucking and mulching but since it's only for fairly short bursts of time I can live with it.

[spathiphyllum]

it’d be mainly to get them off the concrete paths where slippery leaves could easily add to our troubles! It's hard to blow wet leafs especially if they're stuck to the floor. A thick brissle brush will to the trick BB :)

[spathiphyllum]

mainly?? SSwap that for hard * :D

[bainbrig]

Spath. “A thick brissle brush will to the trick BB”.

And a good set of muscles and two legs, that’d do the trick...

BB

(It’s also a disadvantage not having children or grandchildren).

[Chipchopper]

For your situation, I would opt for a lightweight cordless model.
You should be able to pick one up for around £100.00 if you shop around.

[anotheoldgit]

bainbrig

Cheaper and less bother to employ a gardener.

[douglas9401]

And as luck would have it, there's an under-employed one lurking about here again today. :-)

[choux]

https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/garden/st08286i/

This might be an easier option Bill. Depends on width of paths and storage space.

[choux]

Current offer is£40 off (though there is a delivery charge).

Their leaf blower does look a bit cumbersome:
https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/search/?term=leaf%20blower