Every season seems to have a yard care tool that encapsulates what it’s all about. Winter has to be the snow blower, while summer screams lawn mower. However, spring and fall are transitions between the two more extreme seasons, so what tool best fits these periods?
Whether you have to clean up debris that was trapped under snow or clear out leaves that have fallen on your lawn, the leaf blower is the perfect tool for the occasionally – yet violently – inclement spring and fall seasons. However, there’s more than just one type of leaf blower you can purchase, so before the yardwork picks up, you should make sure you know whether you need a top-of-the-line Husqvarna handheld or backpack leaf blower to handle your lawn care needs.
Leaves can get stuck in your gutters all winter, causing ice dams and other problems.A bird in the hand
Not every job you take on has to be a herculean effort, so why should you pay for a leaf blower that can produce gale force winds if you only have to clear a small yard?
If that sounds familiar, you should look into gas-powered handheld leaf blowers. Small enough to be held with one hand and lightweight so you don’t wear out your arm, these devices usually run on a 3- or 4-cycle engine and can handle dry leaves and other light debris without too much of a hassle.
However, handheld leaf blowers’ maneuverability limits the size of the engine and the overall power output. If you have a large yard and don’t have the endurance to hold onto a decently weighted handheld leaf blower all day, you might want to look at other options.
“If you have a large yard, that’s where backpack leaf blowers really shine.”
Backpack in black
There aren’t many hard-and-fast rules in do-it-yourself yard care, but a general rule of thumb follows that if you have a large yard, you need tools just as big to work on it – that’s where backpack leaf blowers really shine.
Worn over the shoulders instead of held by the side, devices like the Husqvarna 570BFS pack a much bigger punch than handheld blowers thanks to the larger engines. Most models come with handles on either side of the pack – one for power and speed and another to direct the chute that blows the leaves. With this setup, the weight from the blower is distributed across your back instead of being concentrated on the shoulder – without that stress, you might be able to get large jobs done much faster and safer than ever before.
Apart from your yard, you should also consider your own physical limitations when purchasing a leaf blower. Handheld models might be more affordable, but if you have to stop every five minutes to give your arm a rest, it might be worth it to spend the extra money for a more ergonomic backpack leaf blower instead.