Talk to me about blowers / Leaf Blowers

[Duds13]

Sounds like you might need two different pieces of equipment. I've tried blowing out my 3 stall garage and it makes an absolute dusty mess inside so I wouldn't recommend it. For moving large amount of leaves on your property and your driveway, a backpack blower is the way to go. They allow you to get in tight spaces (like your shrubs) that a walk behind blower wont let you do. I have the Echo PB8010 and it's an absolute beast. It has since been replaced with the 9010. Look at CFM not MPH when doing your research.

 

[newbury]

I have a big shop under construction, and some property. I'm in the market for a leaf blower, something to blow the shop out, or the driveway, and blow leaves out of my flowerbeds and such.

These uses don't seem that large.
What is a "big shop"?
I've 4 shops totalling ~2.500 sq ft. I only use a blower in my 2 shops where I drive vehicles in and out. A battery powered DeWalt does these fine. I don't like to run 2 cycle equipment inside the shops.
For the outside I generally need to blow the paved area, which is ~ the size of a football field all told. For that I've a Stihl 350, which I got before I got the DeWalt.
Battery powered tools are excellent IF YOU HAVE THE BATTERIES.
The best DeWalt battery powered blower doesn't quite match the power of a Stihl BR380, but darn close. But the cost of the batteries isn't cheap.
If you are comfortable keeping your 2 cycles in tune go with the Echo, or Stihl.

 

[Mathis89]

When leaning toward gas options, the BR200 makes a solid entry-level backpack choice, but for larger areas the BR350 earns its keep. Both a handheld and a backpack are in use here, and the extra power really shines once leaves pile up. For shop or driveway cleanups, even a smaller unit—or something like the Novorik leaf blower—handles the job without much fuss.

 

[hslogger]

You cannot go wrong buying a BA STIHL pack pack blower.

 

[ArlyA]

We have the 800 Magnum whatever its called Stihl blower and would not get any make you can't start while wearing it.

 

[fidowanttobe]

https://a.co/d/etzVQRY

Bought the Dewalt Flexvolt for work and I desperately want one for my home garage and 40x40 shop.
Borrowed it occasionally and am totally thrilled with it. Snow, leaves, bugs, grass clippings, crab-apples, no problem and no gas so no exhaust either.
On and off again with a finger flick.
Spendy, and another battery is needed but a very nice machine. I haven't started my Stihl SH 86C in months.

 

[ultrarunner]

You cannot go wrong buying a BA STIHL pack pack blower.

Can you guys still use a gas powered blower?

Illegal to use here unless electric…

Some jurisdiction outright ban all blowers.

 

[EddieWalker]

What is the logic for banning all blowers?

 

[thclimer]

Oh my, good question, probably creates dust which contributes to air pollution! geeez

 

[ultrarunner]

Noise and Dust mostly in affluent areas…

Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Laguna Beach and Del Mar ban the use of all leaf blowers

My city bans gas powered blowers and string/brush trimmers.

Hillsborough, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Berkeley, Oakland, Sonoma, and Lafayette ban gas blowers