Leaf blowers have become a fundamental tool for landscape specialists during the fall. They allow landscapers to remove large amounts of leaves without disturbing the flowers, gardens, or lawns that are underneath. A leaf blower works by shooting a strong jet of air underneath the leaves, which drives them in a certain direction. It is almost like a hand-held gust of wind that herds leaves in specific directions instead of scattering them across the lawn. If someone is highly skilled at using a blower, they can create large piles of in a fraction of the time it would have taken to use a traditional rake.

Fun to Use

Leaf blowers are practical, but they are also fun to use. The drudgery and blisters that go along with traditional raking are replaced by the power of a strong jet of air that the blower operator can aim in any direction. Most leaf blowers have straps that can be worn like a backpack, which makes the blower feel like an extension of the operator's arm or shoulder. The quick nature of blowing leaves into a pile provides instant gratification for the user, unlike the slow and steady progress that is usually experienced when piles of leaves are attacked using a normal rake. They can also be used on large balls of newspaper for leaf blower hockey or in a race to clear the path the fastest after mowing a lawn and making a mess on the sidewalk or front entranceway.

Gas or Electric

There are two types of blowers to choose from. The most popular kind run on gasoline and have larger engines. Gas blowers allow complete freedom of movement, which means the operator is not tied to a building or generator by a long electrical cord. Gasoline engines are not as friendly for the environment as their electric counterparts, however, and gas tends to be more expensive than electric options. Electric blowers tend to be a bit less powerful than gas blowers, which means that the gas option is generally preferred.

Leaf Blower Etiquette

There are some things to keep in mind when using a leaf blower in a residential area. The most important thing is that the leaves need to be collected into bags or compost bins once they are in piles unless there is a designated collection from the ditch. Never blow the leaves out into the street or driveway. Loose leaves that are blown into other people's yards can cause severe animosity between neighbors. Leaves that are not bagged are also prone to flying back into the yard they were cleaned out of. Take the time to properly dispose of all of the leaves in order to maintain a clean and ordered look for the yard. It is also nice to wait until mid-morning or late afternoon to use a leaf blower because the engines may disturb those that are sleeping, much like a lawnmower would.