Any ideas for a leaf vacuum and blower?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

It would be for our condo association were I am the President and chief lawn care dude.


We have a cheapo corded blower that works fine cleaning off the deck and patio but I think it's time to make the step up to a gas unit that also vacuums.

We have a 50 foot maple in the yard and she is starting to shed again. I figure I would vacuum as I go instead of waiting till the last minute (or not at all one year - snow-blowing leaves is no fun).

Home depot has a couple Ryobi models for 100 bucks but the reviews aren't so hot.

Do I need to spend big bucks to get something decent? It will only get used 4 or 5 times a year.

Any ideas??

Thanks

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. Yea ! Here's one !

Years ago I cleared some property for building. I had to hire a number of helpers . I rented chain saws and brush cutters and other equipment including a back hoe !


What I am suggesting is that you have the condo association flip the bill for a few rentals. $10 ,or maybe $20 bucks a day !That way you can try out some of the name brand equipment. You will indeed come out of it with a much better idea about what to buy! I will say ,and you can put it across the table at yer next condo meeting, you do want to spend a little more on a contractor grade blower. The leave vac. I havn't really seen or used one that does the job.

On the rental, that will really give you a better idea about how much you want to spend.

Go for it, you cannot possibly lose ! Consider the $20 dollar rental fee a investment. Unless you got a pro landscaper that lives in your condo association.

Even though I do not do condos anymore, this is what I suggest ! As a contractor, too much time at the tables explaining to people that only know one tune, that tune is they want to spend as little as possible or less than nothing.

Unless things have changed !

[Robb]

2. I haven't seen any vacs that people are satisfied with, actually.

Our solution (100 year-old monster tree in the front yard) was cheapo corded blower to get stuff off roof/gutter/driveway/sidewalk and onto the lawn, then mow with the mulcher-bagging mower.

Went that route because I already owned a mower, and the mulching factor meant fewer trash bags -- double cheapskate special! :D

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

3. It's more of a fact over fact Rob!

You will either blow those leaves into a pile and bag the pile by hand, or run over the pile with your mulcher mower !It's like ,hummm let me see, six of one or a half dozzen of the other !

To the poster , get the condo association to spring for a industrial grade gas blower. Commercial grade. And you will have it serviced now and again same as yer lawn mower ,what's that every two or three years maybe 20 or 30 bucks for servicing ! You know,- you tweak the carb and change the spark plug ,there is a filter too !

Good luck with that !

[Hassin Bin Sober]

4. I've tried that route.

Our yard is land-locked on three sides by fence and the fourth side by a deck - all surrounded with planters and bushes. It's impossible to get "behind" the leaves and blow them to the middle. By the time you blow stuff from one side, you already end up on the next side. Also, we have a gravel lot that doesn't play well with snow-blowers OR lawn mowers.

It may be a small space but it fills up with leaves all fall.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

5. Your situation is different !

Clearly it is apparent why it is a blower vac. would interest you in the area you are showing.
If that area is your main interest re guards to a new blower,than you need not spend a lot.You can get a combo industrial vac with a detachable mortar that converts to a blower, but that is electric.What you might do is a little research into that. A gas version of a blower vac. may be a tool you can get. I would imagine a bag would attach.Come to think of it, I think I recall seeing landscapers use the a gas blower that converts to a vac.It seems to me no matter how you approach that, it is a manual labor task.Try calling a tool rental place and ask if such a tool is available for rent.

Good luck with that.