A leaf blower works on the principle of centrifugal force. A gas-powered or electricity-driven motor makes the fan spin. This spinning causes a large intake of air from outside that is then pushed out the narrow opening. If the fan is powerful and spins at a great speed and the nozzle is narrow, pressure is created inside and forces air to escape at high speeds. This speed varies from machine to machine, and not many machines can reach 250 mph, which would allow you to clean up even the toughest mess e.g. stones and trees clippings along with cleaning leaves.
While using these machines, there are few precautionary measures that everyone must adhere to, no matter how quiet the machine is. The fact is, even the quietest air blower produces noise up to 65 decibels, which is not good for your ears in the long run. To help protect your ears, it’s a good idea to wear earplugs or hearing protection. It’s also a good idea to wear eye protection like goggles and a dust mask to protect your eyes from flying debris and your lungs from particles. Caution is also necessary when using a leaf blower. Try to keep kids and pets away from you while you clean. And try not to create disturbance for others by not running the blowers early or late in the day.
There are a plethora of air blowers available on the market through various companies. Among them, Black & Decker is the leading marketer of electric and cordless leaf blowers. On some models they use the Leaf Hog line name. They specialize in making lightweight, plugin electric-powered air blowers that weigh between 5 to 8 lbs. Most of their models are residential grade and are therefore readily available on the market. Here are a few for you to consider.
Black and Decker LSWV36 40V Lithium Ion Sweeper/Vac
The Black and Decker LSWV36 40V Lithium Ion Sweeper/Vac features a 40V rechargeable battery for easy use. It operates quietly and its inbuilt scraper helps loosen matted leaves and stubborn mess. The package includes cordless Sweeper/Vacuum, 40-volt lithium-ion battery, LCS36 40-volt fast charger, blow tube, vacuum tube, collection bag, and operating instructions. It is perfect for hard surfaces such as decks, walkways, driveways, and garages etc.
Pros:
- Lithium advantage
- Wide range of service (clears all sorts of messes)
- Bi-functional (blows and sucks up)
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Quick recharging (1 hour)
- Maximum run time
- In-built scraper
- Low noise (65db)
- Easy grip soft handle
Cons:
- Low powered
This leaf blower is a 4-star rated product that easily switches to a vacuum cleaner to collect your mess in a half-bushel bag. It can produce up to 120mph air, which is not very high speed, but we should know that most of the residential handheld units produce this much power. People do complain about its low power, but if you seek high power in a compact size, it will generate vibration and will heat up the motor. You can find more power in bigger leaf blower machines, but they are heavy and more difficult to use. So you’ll have to decide what is most important.
Black & Decker BV6600 High Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher
This high performance machine blows through leaves and debris with ease. This blower is perfect for clearing driveways, sidewalks, decks and garages of debris, as well as fallen, scattered leaves from the yard. The package includes: 1 BV5600 motor head, 3 disposable leaf bags, 1 diffuser for use with disposable bags, 1 detachable shoulder strap, 1 concentrator, 1 blow tube, 1 vacuum tube, and EZ-Empty reusable bag assembly.
Pros:
- 12 ampere motor
- 3-in-1 functionality (blow, vacuum, and mulch)
- Disposable leaf bag
- Easy and quick to switch between blower and vacuum
- Capable of mulching down 16 bags to 1
- 250 mph speed with variable speed controller
- Low noise: 68 db.
- High impact metal fan
Cons:
- Low power (though more mph)
- Leaves sometimes stick (if goes too fast)
This Black & Decker BV6600 High Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher is a 4.5 star rated machine that provides you 3 in 1 functionality by allowing you to blow, vacuum, and mulch with easy switching. The machine is high powered since the air speed is high at about 250 mph, but a few people have complained about its low power because of the low air volume it features. So it is observed that air speed and air volume both go hand in hand; the higher value of one feature does not always produce desirable results. Overall, its performance in this price range is satisfactory as indicated by the majority of consumers.
Black & Decker BV6000 High Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher
This leaf blower, the BV6000, features a high impact fan to prevent clogging while the machine is mulching. It can mulch 16 bags into one. The machine comes with a 3-in-1 feature: blowing, vacuuming, and mulching. The package includes: 1 BV5600 motor head, 2 disposable leaf bags, 1 diffuser for use with disposable bags, 1 detachable shoulder strap, 1 concentrator, 1 blow tube, 1 vacuum tube, and reusable bag assembly.
Pros:
- Disposable leaf bags
- Easy conversion or switching between operations
- High speed 250 mph
- Speed variable control
- Efficient mulching (16 bags reduced to one)
- Disposable leaf bag system
Cons:
- Wet leavesclogs mulching
The Black & Decker BV6000 High Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher is a 4-star rated product. The 3-in-1 featured machines by Black & Decker are little wonders since they are small in size but blow high-speed air. BV6000 consumers have acknowledged its vacuuming ability, while some consumers have suggested mulching leaves when they are dry since wet mulching may cause clogging. But this is a general tip and is applicable for all mulchers.
Conclusion
Black & Decker has brought convenience to the consumer’s doorstep by introducing 3-in-1 machines that are capable of carrying out blowing, vacuuming, and mulching with easy switching. They all are well powered too, with air speed of around 250 mph. One significant feature that is not included in Black & Decker machines is a warranty.
If you are looking for a multi-purpose and well-rated machine for residential purposes, then our recommendation is the Black & Decker BV6000 High Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher that is a little cheaper than the others since it has similar features but a better price.
