battery leaf blowers

[WinterDeere]

I was looking to pick up a battery-powered leaf blower to keep by my basement door in winter for blowing snow and firewood debris off the patio where we keep our firewood in winter, and then by the pool for blowing leaves and pollen off the pool cover and deck in summer. I don't need much runtime, although something with good velocity and volume would be good for blowing seed pods off the pool cover, where even my Stihl BG-56 can struggle.

I see countless cheap options on Amazon for $60, with supposedly great volume and velocity, with two batteries and charger. Then I see most of the highly-rated name brands (Greenworks, EGO, Makita, DeWalt) are $300 - $600.

Given this is just a spare / quick tool, the cheap versions sound attractive. But it's just not worth the chance of burning my house down with cheap Li-Ion batteries from some no-name brand. On that alone, I'm leaning toward staying with a name brand.

Either way, the BG-56 and the Little Wonder (both gas) are going to remain my go-to for real yard work, this is just a spare convenience to keep in the house when the others are in my barn.

Any recommendations?

 

[John0829]

I have a Sthil consumer battery powered blower, BGA-56, which I think has been replaced by a newer model. It has good volume and battery life with the AK30 batteries is over 30 minutes. I have started using it for most of the leaf cleanup around here because of the lighter weight and less noise.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have started using it for most of the leaf cleanup around here because of the lighter weight and less noise.

This has been a thought creeping in the back of my mind. I say it's only for firewood debris on the back patio, or seed pods around the pool, and then I'll find myself trying to use it for a half dozen other uses. That's often how these things go!

But I'm really pleased with my 2-stroke BG-56's for blowing grass clippings off the walkways or cleaning out gardens, and I have a big EX27 Little Wonder Optimax blower for moving leaves any distance, so maybe this one really will be reserved just for these smaller around the house tasks.

I've been sweeping off my lower patio with an old household broom the last 15 years, as it slowly falls apart in the weather. But this morning while sweeping fresh snow away to fetch some firewood, the broom head fell off the handle! So, I should try to resolve this before the next snow storm.

 

[anomad]

If you are using it right by the house why not get a plug in? Just have to wrangle an extension cord.

 

[oldnslo]

Do you have any other Dewalt, Milwaukee, tools that would use the same battery. I see a lot of adds for the Milwaukee M18 platform and have used some of the tools but don’t personally own any.

Having common battery would make owning a tool or tools more appealing to me.

 

[WinterDeere]

If you are using it right by the house why not get a plug in? Just have to wrangle an extension cord.

If you're going to answer your own question...

Do you have any other Dewalt, Milwaukee, tools that would use the same battery. I see a lot of adds for the Milwaukee M18 platform and have used some of the tools but don’t personally own any.

Good thinking! I'm actually ashamed to admit that came to mind when I saw the DeWalt model, but i failed to follow thru with looking to see if anyone had a Bosch 18V blower. It turns out there are two models, a miniature little 70 CFM job and a more standard 450 CFM version.

Lowes has the 450 CFM "blower only" for $249, although finding one with another charger and battery to keep at the house might be the better plan. You can never have too many chargers and batteries, on the same system.

Thanks!

 

[Richard001]

I see the problem, some one parked a wagon on your back porch.

 

[WinterDeere]

I see the problem, some one parked a wagon on your back porch.

lol...

I fill that wagon with 1/2 cord of fresh firewood every 2 - 3 weeks, and park it there. The porch overhang keeps both the wood and me dry, as I fetch satchels full several times per day!

 

[gmgm]

I have the big Makita (double batteries) and the little Makita blower. Both very handy, used all the time. Run-time is ample, I never need the petrol one. The little one is great for in the workshop or small fires. The big one is amazing for bonfires (as well as clearing leaves).

What batteries do you already have (or your neighbours...).

 

[WinterDeere]

I have the big Makita (double batteries) and the little Makita blower. Both very handy, used all the time. Run-time is ample, I never need the petrol one.

I have a feeling things could go the same way for me. If battery is convenient enough, and not any heavier, I could see myself grabbing it over the gasser, more and more often.

My wife would definitely appreciate it, one of her frequent complaints is when I stink of 2-stroke exhaust, she seems to be extra-sensitive to it. She washes my work clothes in bleach to get rid of that smell, which is constantly ruining all my good Carhartt gear. Still beats doing my own laundry, tho!

What batteries do you already have (or your neighbours...).

4Ah Bosch M18’s. They’re small and light, which I love for drills and impact drivers, but I’m not sure how much runtime 4Ah will yield in a blower. In most applications, they charge faster than they discharge, which makes them a nice system for most tools.

They make 2, 4, 8, and I think 12 Ah versions of the M18, but of course OEM batteries of any brand are usually expensive, when not purchased as a kit with a tool.