Today we are looking at something a bit different, the Dipperfox stump crusher 600 or stump grinder. Recently we looked at the Dipperfox stump crusher 850 pro, however, DipperFox is now introducing a smaller stump crusher known as the Dipperfox 600.
The Dipperfox 850 pro is a great stump crusher, however, many users, do not have a large enough power unit to drive a stump crusher of this size. Hence why I believe the stump crusher will be highly successful.
Having run traditional stump grinders since 2004, I know the limitations and the time it takes to grind out a large tree stump. I’m currently using a Predator 38 RX radio remote machine which is great for getting into private gardens with limited access. However, something like the stump crusher 600 could potentially change stump grinding for the future. I appreciate that getting into domestic gardens in the UK will always be an issue and I guess I will always have to run something like the Predator 38 stump grinder. However, I really like the idea of having a stump grinder that can remove stomps quickly and doesn’t need to be guarded up.
Here You Can See The Dipperfox Stump Crusher 600 Being Used On A Yanmar 5.5 Ton Excavator
The Dipperfox stump crusher 600 is 60 cm in diameter. In my experience, this is more than wide enough for most tree stumps. However, the Dipperfox 600 can be moved around easily. So the stump cutter can actually cope with any size stump. I know how long it takes to grind a tree stump with a traditional stump grinder. The Dipperfox Stump Crusher 600 really make short work of tree stumps. The grinding depth of the stump crusher 600 is up to 700 mm. Which is much deeper than a traditional stump grinder that would probably go to around 45 cm.
What Are the Advantages Of The Dipperfox Stump Crusher 600?
Many people may think that if you have an excavator on-site, why not just dig the tree stump out? The problem with digging a large tree stump out is the fact that it actually takes quite a lot of work to dig a large tree stump out. The other major problem is the fact that; what do you do with the tree stump once it is dug out? It costs money to dispose of a large tree stump. This is where the stump crusher 600 saves time and money. There is no levelling to be carried out after the stump has been crushed. All the chippings can go back into the ground.
The manufacturers claim that the average tree stump takes 20 seconds, this is pretty remarkable. Even if it took a few minutes, it would still be impressive!
Another great plus point is the fact that the debris isn’t thrown everywhere, so there is no need to guard up. The maximum speed of the stump crusher is only 60 revolutions per minute.
The Dipperfox Stump crusher 600 can be used below the ground level.
To Conclude
I really like the idea of the Dipperfox Stump Crusher 600, it really seems like a quick time-saving design. It would be good to see the stump crusher in live-action, so far I have only seen the stump crusher on video. I hope to see a live demonstration of the stump crusher 600 working very soon. It’s not a cheap machine at around €19,000, but I can see that it could certainly be a time-saving machine the great work rate.
Today we are looking at the Oleo-Mac BV270 pro leaf blower, this is allegedly a commercial grade leaf blower at a domestic price. However, take care as the reviews are not brilliant for this blower, I will explain more later in this post.
Yesterday we looked at the Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder, a well-proven machine that is also available without the vacuum kit. The price of the Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder is £369 or £319 including VAT without the vacuum kit.
The Oleo-Mac BV270 pro leaf blower is currently on special offer at £299.95 including VAT. At the time of writing, there is a free vacuum kit available for the oleo- Mac petrol leaf blower.
The petrol leaf blower comes with a three-year warranty for peace of mind.
Steel impeller with four blades for effective mulching.
Free vacuuming kit.
36 L collection bag.
Three years warranty.
The Oleo-Mac BV270 Pro Leaf Blower
Oleo-Mac was founded in northern Italy in 1972. The company has grown considerably over the years producing many different machines for the garden.
As I have mentioned in previous posts the petrol leaf blower is the machine that I use most in the garden. Obviously, its primary job this time of year is for leaf blowing, however, a leaf blower can be used for many other tasks in the garden. For example, blowing paths and driveways, tidying up after working in the garden, I have even used a leaf blower to clear the lawn after scarifying! Another excellent task for a petrol leaf blower is for blowing down machinery, I prefer using a leaf blower for this task, rather than power washing.
Although more often than not I use a knapsack style leaf blower, I really like the flexibility and compactness of the petrol handheld leaf blowers.
Engine
The Oleo-Mac BV270 pro leaf blower is powered by a two-stroke 30.5 cc engine that develops 1.2 hp. The air jet produces 234 km/hour of air. The engine is quiet enough to use in residential areas. Starting is with the traditional recoil start. The manufacturer claims that the machine has a 10 times longer working life and the cheaper domestic models.
I’m not a great fan of mulching and vacuuming with the petrol handheld leaf blowers as the process is quite slow. It is okay to add those finishing touches, however, in general, I find it much easier to use a leaf blower as a blower rather than a vacuum and mulcher. If you are looking to carry out lots of garden vacuuming, it’s worth taking a look at our range of wheeled garden vacuum cleaners. These are powerful vacuums that are specially designed for the job.
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The Oleo-Mac BV270 pro leaf blower has a four-bladed steel impeller attached to a fan which helps to mulch the debris. It also means that the 36 L bag needs less emptying and is better for composting.
At the time of writing, the Oleo-Mac BV270 pro leaf blower comes with a free vacuum kit.
To Conclude
Unfortunately, some of the reviews for the Oleo-Mac BV270 pro leaf blower are not brilliant. The fact that the company offers a three years warranty, although there are terms and conditions, I would have expected better reviews.
Today we are looking at the Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder, in my experience, this is the most popular blower vac on the market amongst professionals. I have actually owned the Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder, it’s a great and reliable tool. I actually purchased the Stihl blower for blowing rather than vacuuming.
The fact that thousands of professional landscapers and tree surgeons use the Stihl handheld petrol leaf blower suggest something good!
The Stihl vacuum shredder is a powerful blower and vacuum shredder that is great for domestic and commercial use. The powerful fan that also acts as a shredder which helps to reduce the vacuum debris by 1/10 of its original volume. The mulch can then be used for composting.
The product comes with a two-year warranty.
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A powerful vacuum shredder used by professionals and domestic gardeners.
Mulching fan reduces debris by around 10%.
The mulch is ideal for composting.
Low emission easy start engine.
Very economic engine.
Hundreds of thousands of models are sold worldwide.
Popular among professionals.
Shoulder strap included.
Effective anti-vibration system.
Locking variable speed throttle.
Optional gutter cleaning kit.
Two-year warranty.
The Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder
Over the years, I have travelled to many different gardens and sites that choose to use the Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder. There must be hundreds of thousands of these petrol handheld blowers in use today. As I mentioned earlier, I have owned the Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder and also use many of these petrol blowers on various sites that I have worked. I have never yet had a problem with the Stihl BG 86 handheld petrol leaf blower.
Although we often refer to garden blowers as leaf blowers, I find that I use these machines can be used all year round. In fact, the leaf blower is the machine that I use most, it literally saves me hours of time when it comes to clearing up after jobs.
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The Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder is obviously great for leaf blowing but can also be used for hedge and shrub trimmings, twigs, cleaning patios and driveways and more. I often use my petrol blower for just blowing down machinery, I prefer this to power washing. It’s quicker and I don’t get wet!
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I find the Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder much more efficient to use as a blower rather than a vacuum. To be fair, although the vacuum and shredder have their uses and can add some nice finishing touches to a patio, it’s actually much quicker to blow. If you have a lot of vacuuming to do I would suggest looking at a larger vacuum machine which also acts as a leaf collector. You can find these larger vacuums here.
Engine
The Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder is powered by a two-stroke 27.2cc engine which develops 1.1 hp. The fuel tank holds 0.44 L, in my experience, this will last 40 to 45 minutes with constant use and running at full revs. The two-stroke engine has a very straightforward recoil system that will normally start on the first or second pull. The two-stroke engine is fitted with a primer that makes cold starting simple.
Just be aware that two-stroke engines are different to 4 stroke engines. A two-stroke engine does not have an oil sump, instead, it uses a petrol/oil mix. The Stihl two-stroke engines use a 50 to 1 petrol to oil mix. I used the Stihl oil to mix my fuel. The oil comes in a squeezy bottle which measures out the exact amount I need for 5 L of petrol. It’s important to get the mix right for smooth running and longevity.
Antivibration Technology
It’s important to purchase a blower vac that has antivibration technology, some of the cheaper models do not have antivibration technology. The Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder in my experience has excellent antivibration technology. I’ve literally used this particular blower all day with no side effects from vibration.
Vacuuming
The Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder can quickly be converted from a powerful blower to a garden vacuum. The debris bag has a capacity of 45 L which is a reasonable amount, any more would probably make the machine too heavy for comfort.
To change from blower motor vacuum mode, simply undo the catch on the fan housing and attach the large pipe and bag to the blower. It literally takes a couple of minutes to attach the necessary accessories.
More Features
The Stihl blower and vacuum has a useful gutter cleaning kit which is available as an optional extra.
To Conclude
Having owned Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder for many years, I can sincerely recommend this product. However, if I was purchasing again I would probably just go for the Stihl BG 86 handheld petrol leaf blower as I hardly use the vacuum attachment. Vacuum attachments have their uses, however, on this size blower, they are relatively slow. If you have a lot of vacuuming to do, go for a larger garden vacuum, like the Billy goat or something similar.
Over the years I have owned numerous amounts of Stihl tools and had minimum issues with Stihl products. I appreciate that the Stihl SH 86-CE vacuum shredder is more expensive, however, used properly, the machine would give you many years of good service. I believe that you’re better to buy a quality product that lasts a long time rather than a cheap product. If you are not going to use your leaf blower as a vacuum then I would suggest the cheaper Stihl BG 86 C-E handheld petrol leaf blower for £319.
Today we are looking at the Efco SA2500 handheld petrol blower. This is an all-new leaf blower that was introduced at the end of August 2021. The price of the Efco SA2500 handheld petrol power is £299 including VAT.
Once you have a leaf blower, you will wonder how you managed without one, it’s my most used tool in the garden! For peace of mind, the Efco blower comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, so Efco definitely has faith in their product.
Delivery is normally between 2 to 7 days, the product arrives boxed.
The Efco leaf blower has a wind speed or blow speed of up to 157 mph.
As I mentioned earlier in this post, the leaf blower is my most used garden power tool. Not only is it great for leaves this time of year, but it’s also great for cleaning up after a days work in the garden. My leaf blower literally saves me hours of work every week in the garden, I don’t use a rake or broom very often for clearing up. Other great uses for leaf blowers are cleaning patios, driveways and paths. Clearing up after hedge cutting, I will even use my leaf blower after scarifying the lawn depending on conditions. A leaf blower is also great for blowing down machinery after use, I actually prefer to blow machinery down rather than power wash.
Engine
The Efco SA2500 handheld petrol blower is fitted with a powerful two-stroke 25 cc engine that develops 1.3 hp. The two-stroke engine is started with a traditional recoil start. As with all two-stroke engines you need to use a petrol/oil mix as a two-stroke engine has no oil sump. Care needs to be taken to make sure and have the correct oil to petrol ratio. Most two-stroke engines on garden machinery use a 50 to 1 oil mix.
It’s important to keep the easy clean cloth air filter clean as this will prolong engine life and efficient running.
One of the benefits of paying a bit more for a petrol blower is to have a decent antivibration system. The Efco SA2500 handheld petrol blower has a commercial-grade antivibration system. It may not sound important, however, it makes a huge difference when you’re using a machine for a prolonged period. The anti-vibration system which has four springs positioned between the engine and the framework means that there is very little vibration transferred to the hands and arms.
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Optional Shredding Kit
There is an optional shredding and vacuum kit available for the Efco SA2500 handheld petrol blower. However, in my experience, I have found that handheld blowers are much more efficient as blowers rather than vacuums. I prefer to blow debris and leaves into a heap or into a corner and gather by hand. In general, the leaves can be placed in a wheelbarrow or something similar and then composted
If you have a serious amount of garden vacuuming to do I would be inclined to look at a larger garden vacuum and leaf sweeping machine. We have a variety of four-wheeled leaf sweepers vacuums here.
To Conclude
Efco have been making garden machinery for some time now, in my experience over the years I have liked their products. The fact that they give the Efco SA2500 handheld petrol blower a three-year warranty suggests something good.
As I’ve mentioned before, we have various handheld blowers on our website, from budget blowers to commercial petrol leaf blowers. I always suggest buying the best that you can afford, long term I believe it’s better and cheaper to purchase a quality tool that is built to last. I believe that the Efco SA2500 handheld petrol blower will do this.
The Racing 26PBL handheld petrol blower–vac comes in at an excellent price of just £149 including VAT. The petrol blower vac is currently on special offer, which gives a saving of £50.
With a two-year warranty, the Racing 26PBL handheld petrol blower–vac offers peace of mind leaf blowing.
The petrol blower vac features an easy start two stroke engine. The versatile blower enables you to blow, vacuum and mulch all with one machine. No tools are needed to change from blowing mode to vacuum mode.
No tools are required to change from blower to vac.
Strapped debris bag for easy operation.
The Racing 26PBL Handheld Petrol Blower–Vac
The Racing 26PBL handheld petrol blower–vac is a budget vac that is suitable for medium-sized gardens. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the garden blower is the machine that I use most in the garden. Obviously, this time of year I use a petrol garden blower more due to the number of leaves coming down. However, I also find a garden blower an excellent tool for tidying up after a days work in the garden. Although for most of my work I use a knapsack blower, I really like the versatility of the handheld petrol blowers.
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Engine
With a 26cc two-stroke petrol engine with a recoil start, the Racing handheld blower is a very versatile machine. No trailing power cables, no batteries to charge, just a two-stroke petrol mix which can be used anywhere.
Mulching Fan
The two-stroke engine has a fan attached to it which in turn produces blowing power of up to 152 mph. The fan also acts as a mulching feature that can mulch garden waste into small pieces which enables the 35 L bag to be emptied less often.
Collection Bag
With a 35 L collection bag, the Racing 26PBL handheld petrol blower–vac has an excellent capacity for vacuuming. However, in my experience blower vacs are much more efficient at blowing leaves and debris than they are collecting debris and mulching. I prefer and find it much quicker to blow leaves and debris into a corner and then collect in a wheelbarrow or something similar. The only time I really use the collection bag is if I want to add some final touches to a patio or somewhere similar.
The Racing 26PBL handheld petrol blower–vac is a remarkably lightweight blower, especially for the price. Often cheaper garden blowers are heavier than the more expensive lightweight semi-commercial blowers. It’s a well-balanced machine that is fitted with an anti-vibration system to minimise operator fatigue.
The petrol blower vac also features variable speed control. This is a useful feature when you’re trying to blow leaves into a heap or out of a corner.
To Conclude
It never fails to amaze me how some manufacturers can make machines so cheaply. I always advise customers to purchase the best machine they can afford. As in the long run, I believe it works out cheaper to buy a more expensive machine that will give many years of service. This also gives the privilege of being able to use a well-engineered and comfortable machine. We do have a range of blowers to suit customer needs, you can find more petrol handheld blowers here.
The Racing 26PBL handheld petrol blower–vac is relatively new out so there are no reviews as yet. However, Racing products, despite being cheap appear to have very good reviews. The blower certainly offers value for money and with a two-year warranty, it should give you a few years of good service for domestic use.
The final question is; would I buy? Yes, if I wasn’t using the machine commercially as it does offer value for money. However, if money was no object, I would probably buy the Stihl BG 86 handheld petrol blower. This is a machine I have owned in the past, there have literally been thousands built, it will give many years of service. It’s a machine that many professionals choose to buy.
Today we are looking at the Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower, which offers a lot of features for the money. The price of the Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower is £199.95 which also includes a two-year manufacturer’s warranty for peace of mind.
One of the main features of the Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower is the fact that you can automatically switch from leaf blowing to garden vacuum mode without having to change any tubes or bags. The shredder fan is able to reduce the volume of the waste by up to 90%, which in turn means vacuuming for longer. The Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower features a large 55 L collection bag.
The Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower
The German-built Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower provides value for money with excellent features. It has a good specification for its class and comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty for peace of mind.
I think probably the biggest downside of the Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower is the fact that it weighs in at 7.5 kg. This is heavier than the majority of similar models. However, it also comes with a wheel kit, so my suggestion would be to use the wheel kit when using the vacuum facility. With a large 55 L collection bag, the petrol blower could soon become considerably heavier than the 7.5 kg.
Engine
The Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower is powered by a two-stroke petrol engine. The 25.4 cc engine develops 0.9 hp. The petrol blower has a straightforward recoil starting system and comes with a large 0.8 L fuel tank.
Uniqueness
The Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower is one of the few petrol Leaf Blowers that allows you to automatically switch from leaf blowing to shredding and vacuuming. This feature can literally be carried out in an instant. The majority of petrol blowers do not have this particular feature. In general, you have to stop work and attach a couple of pipes and the bag to the blower. To change from blowing to vacuum mode, simply flick a lever and you will instantly change modes.
Shredding Fan
The Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower comprises an inbuilt shredding fan that reduces the debris by up to 90%. This, in turn, means that the bag capacity will becomes greater and the material will compost much quicker. A very useful feature indeed.
Although it’s great to have the ability to use a leaf blower as a vacuum, in my experience, I rarely use the vacuum feature on a petrol blower. I find it much easier to blow the contents into a corner or into a heap and to dispose of the contents into a barrow and then to compost.
If you have a lot of vacuuming to carry it in your garden, a more suitable machine would probably be something like a Billy Goat that is designed to vacuum up leaves. You can find larger garden vacuums here.
To Conclude
Petrol leaf blowers really are a fantastic tool in the garden, they can actually save hours of hard work raking and sweeping. I believe the two best features of the Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower are the fact that you can change from blowing mode to vacuum mode, just by moving one lever. The second good feature is the fact that the leaf blow comes with a wheel kit which takes the weight off the shoulders and arms. A carrying belt is included with the petrol blower/vacuum, which helps to take the weight and fatigue off the operator. One thing that I like with the handheld blowers is the compactness, however, the Einhell petrol blower is quite weighty with the added collection bag, so this could be a handy feature.
The downside of the Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower is that it is quite heavy to hold for long periods when the collection bag is empty. With 45 L of debris in the bag, the leaf blower could be considerably heavier! However, I guess this is where the wheel kit could be exceptionally useful.
With a two-year warranty on the Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower, it suggests that the manufacturers have faith in their product. I like the idea of having two years with no repair bills!
Today we are looking at the Stiga SBL 327 petrol leaf blower, which is currently on special offer. At the time of writing the current price is £179 including VAT, a reduction of £40 on the retail price.
The Stiga SBL 327 petrol leaf blower is a powerful midrange blower for all your leaf blowing and clearing up needs in the garden. As I have mentioned in previous posts the petrol leaf blower is my most used machine in the garden. Obviously, this time of year a leaf blower is exceptionally useful. However, it’s also extremely useful for other tasks in the garden, such as blowing the patio and just tidying up after a days work in the garden.
The Stiga SBL 327 petrol leaf blower comes with a two years manufacturers warranty for peace of mind. With the easy start two-stroke engine and advanced engine technology, the Stiga leaf blower means the lightest pull will start the engine.
As I mentioned at the start of this blog post, the leaf blower is the machine that I use all year round in the garden. To be fair, I rarely use a broom, the amount of work that can be achieved with the blower against a broom or a rake is amazing. I must admit that I am someone who likes to use a machine rather than hand tools in the garden!
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The Stiga SBL 327 petrol leaf blower can do many other tasks apart from leaf blowing! The petrol leaf blower can be an excellent tool for clearing up after hedge cutting, pruning, scarifying and more.
The manufacturer Stiga, was founded in 1934 by Stig Hjelmquist, so Stiga has been making consumer products for 87 years. Today, Stiga is a well-known brand that is famous for its powered garden equipment that is distributed all over Europe and across the world.
Engine
With a powerful 27.6cc two-stroke engine, that develops 1.1 hp the Stiga SBL 327 petrol leaf blower has plenty of power for the average garden job. The two-stroke petrol engine comes with the latest cutting edge technology which brings excellent fuel consumption and low emissions. Thankfully, the majority of two-stroke engines are very easy to start and much more reliable than a few years ago.
The quality sponge type air filter helps to keep dirt from entering the engine, making parts last longer and helping the engine run efficiently. It’s very important to keep an air filter clean for long engine life and efficiency. A few minutes spent just cleaning the filter can be very beneficial when it comes to engine life and efficient running.
More Benefits
The soft-grip handles and the vibe control system all help to reduce operator fatigue. The petrol leaf blower weighs in at 6.2 kg.
The Stiga SBL 327 petrol leaf blower is purely a leaf blower, it does not have a vacuum or mulching feature like some manufacturers offer. However, as I have mentioned in previous blog posts that I have rarely used the vacuum feature on this type of leaf blower, I normally purely using the machine as a blower.
To Conclude
Although I haven’t owned a Stiga leaf blower, I would have confidence in purchasing this machine knowing the fact that their machines have a good reputation. The two-year warranty is a great plus point as manufacturers obviously trust their machine. As I mentioned in the previous paragraph there is no vacuum kit or mulching kit on this leaf blower. I have owned similar machines to the Stiga SBL 327 petrol leaf blower that had the vacuum feature, it is certainly something that I didn’t really use. If you particularly want a vacuum feature you can see our range of handheld leaf blowers here.
Today we are looking at the Chipperfield Pro EBV260 – our cheapest petrol blower Vac! I’m not quite sure how manufacturers can produce a petrol blower Vac for such a small amount of money. The Chipperfield pro EBV260 is available for £89.99 including VAT, it is our cheapest leaf blower and Vac on our website!
The Chipperfield pro EBV260 is a three in one design, in other words, it blows, vacuums and mulches.
The reviews are surprisingly good for a leaf blower that costs so little. The average review rating is 4.7 out of five which is very good indeed.
Let’s take a closer look at the Chipperfield pro EBV260 petrol blower vac.
Chipperfield PRO EBV260 Petrol Blower-Vac With Bag
Tapered nozzle – direct the air to the right place.
Rubber impact mounts to protect the leaf blower.
One year warranty.
Chipperfield Pro EBV260 – Our Cheapest Petrol Blower Vac
As I’ve mentioned before in previous blog posts, the petrol leaf blower is the tool that I use the most in the garden. The primary use of a blower is for leaves, however, they are excellent for tidying up after a days work in the garden. Or if you just want to blow a patio down and give it a quick tidy up, a leaf blower is a time-saving device that literally saves hours of time, especially when it comes to clearing up.
Engine
The Chipperfield pro EBV260 petrol blower vac is powered by a high-capacity 25.4 cc air-cooled engine which develops 0.9 hp. A useful feature is the 0.65 L fuel tank which has an at a glance feature for taking the fuel. Two-stroke engines need a petrol oil mix as there is no oil sump on a two-stroke engine. It’s important to buy a quality two-stroke oil to mix with the petrol. The majority of two-stroke engines today run on a mix of 50 to 1 which makes the engines run much cleaner.
Vacuum Feature
Many petrol leaf blowers feature as a vacuum as well as a blower. This is a useful feature for cleaning a patio or getting in those awkward places. In my experience, for the majority of the time, I find it much easier to use a leaf blower as a blower rather than a vacuum. In most cases, it is much easier to blow leaves and debris into a heap or into a corner and then load into a wheelbarrow or something similar. If you have a lot of vacuuming to do then I would suggest something more like a wheeled leaf collector with a large vacuum pipe.
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Mulching Feature
Mulching is a useful feature as it helps with composting and maximises the 30 L debris bag. Allegedly, the Chipperfield Pro EBV260 can shred the material up to 80% of its original size. Once again, remember that the primary job of this petrol leaf blower is to blow rather than mulch garden debris. Don’t expect miracles from a machine of this size!
To Conclude
I always recommend people to buy the best machine that they can afford. The Chipperfield Pro EBV260 petrol blower vac certainly offers value for money at £89.95, it’s a good way of getting a petrol blower cheaply. The blower comes with the manufacturers one year warranty. It is slightly heavier at 6.5 kg with its more expensive competitors, so bear that in mind, although it does come with a shoulder harness. I must admit that I prefer not to use any harnesses as I like the freedom of being able to move the leaf blow around freely. I have to admit that the reviews are surprisingly good, for a petrol blower at this price. The average review is 4.7 out of 5.
Although the Chipperfield PRO EBV260 offers value for money, long-term, I would recommend buying something more expensive and longer-lasting. I appreciate that this is not always possible. Having used the Stihl brand of petrol leaf blowers for many years, I can definitely recommend this brand. I know for a fact, that a Stihl blower will give many years of service, although the initial cost will be more, long-term, your investment can work out much cheaper though. Another fact to take into consideration is that you can feel when you are using a good quality and well-engineered piece of machinery!
Over the next few weeks will be talking about, purchasing the right leaf blower. It’s important to have the right machine for the right job, unfortunately, I see far too many people making hard work for themselves in the garden.
As well as leaf Blowers, we will be looking at garden vacuums, garden sweepers and wheeled Blowers. We have a range of machines to suit all gardeners need, whether you are a professional or just need a lightweight blower for your garden.
There is a terrific amount of budget machines on the market, some of these machines are better than others and some do genuinely offer great value for money. I always tell customers to buy the best machine that they can afford. I know of customers who purchased a quality machine 30 to 40 years ago and they are still actually using the machines today. So, although the initial price was high, they actually ended up with excellent value for money and you have the privilege of using a quality machine rather than something cheap and unpleasant to use.
There are various types of leaf blowers, vacuums and sweepers, let’s take a look at the various types below. Leaf Blowers are available with two-stroke petrol engines, mains electric and rechargeable models. My preferred type are the two-stroke petrol models, which generally have more power and can be used anywhere.
Handheld Leaf Blowers
Stihl BG86CE Blower
Handheld Blowers are fantastic as they are compact, can be stored easily and take up minimal space in a van or truck. I like the idea of just being able to grab one of these handheld Blowers, pull the starting cord and start blowing immediately! Often, I will just use a blower to blow down a fuel tank before refuelling or blowing a machine down, it takes a matter of seconds and saves loads of time! The traditional handheld garden blower is the machine that I use most in the garden!
The cheapest petrol blowers start at just under £100 and go up to around £320 for a quality, long-lasting Stihl handheld petrol leaf blower. Incidentally, having been an owner and user of many different Stihl blowers, I strongly recommend the Stihl BG 86 handheld petrol leaf blower. Not only for long life, but for compactness and blowing capabilities.
We have several manufacturers who produce leaf Blowers on our website. Manufacturers include Stihl, Stiga, Efco, Oleio Mac, Racing, Cobra, Chipperfield, MTD and more.
Handheld Garden Blower Vac’s
Stihl SH86CE Vacuum/Shredder
Another great innovation that many handheld leaf Blowers feature is the ability to convert the leaf blower into a vacuum and to mulch the material at the same time. This is a great feature. However, the primary use of most of these leaf blowers is to blow rather than vacuum. I have found that the vacuum feature is great for small patios, but in most instances, it is easier just to blow the material into a corner and to collect manually. Having said this, the vacuum is useful for those finishing touches where it’s difficult to get a broom or collect the material manually.
Backpack Leaf Blowers
Stihl BR800 Petrol Backpack Blower
Backpack Leaf blowers in general have more power than the smaller and compact handheld leaf blowers that we looked at earlier on. Having said this, some manufacturers, like Stihl make a backpack blower with the same engine as their handheld blower. I guess this is because it’s easier to carry a leaf blower on your back.
My preference for a backpack leaf blower is the two-stroke petrol models. I like the idea of being able to work anywhere and not having the issue of running out of battery power.
Battery models are becoming more common; however, I don’t feel that the battery life is long enough for most users. I appreciate that battery technology is moving along very quickly, however, the batteries are not cheap to purchase. Of course, there is the added advantage of quiet running, but this comes at a cost.
Mains electric models are not available for backpack leaf blowers.
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As I mentioned, I like the compactness of the handheld blowers, however, for most of my work I do use a backpack blower as I like the extra power. The extra power enables me to cover the ground much quicker, it also saves a terrific amount of time in clearing up after jobs. Any of the backpack blowers will literally lift mud and dirt off your lawn or patio.
I personally use a Stihl BR 600 Magnum backpack Leaf blower; my Stihl leaf blower is now about five years old. It’s still running perfectly as these blowers are designed to last. I may upgrade to the larger Stihl BR 800 backpack Leaf blower later on.
Popular manufacturers of knapsack leaf blowers are Stihl, Tanaka, Oleo-Mac, Efco, Feider and more.
Wheeled Lawn And Leaf Vacuums
Billy Goat MV601SPDS Wheeled Vacuum with Dust Sock
Wheeled lawn and leaf vacuums are great for clearing large areas of leaves on lawns, driveways, and car parks etc. There are models for everyone, from the keen gardener to the professional landscaper.
Wheeled lawn and leaf vacuums are really like a giant garden vacuum cleaner. Many of the models have a large suction hose that enables the machine to vacuum up leaves in awkward places.
These machines are a real time saver when it comes to the autumn and cleaning up leaves. Wheeled lawn and leaf vacuums can also be used for light litter collection.
Popular manufacturers include, Billy Goat, Feider, MTD, web and more.
Wheeled Leaf Blowers
Billy Goat F1002SPV Push Force Blower
If you want to be able to blow leaves quickly, then there is nothing quicker than a wheeled leaf blower. Wheeled leaf Blowers are available in push models, wheel-driven models, stand on models and large towable models.
Wheeled leaf blowers are powered by 4 stroke petrol engines ranging from around 5 hp to 35 hp. The amount of leaves that they can be moved in a short period is remarkable.
Take a look at the video below to compare the work rate between an average backpack blower and a wheeled blower. Obviously, a backpack blower is more universal, however, a wheeled blower is great for large areas of leaves.
Wheeled Leaf Sweepers
AGRI-FAB 26 inch Push Lawn Sweeper
Wheeled leaf sweepers offer a great solution for leaf collection on lawns and driveways. Leaf sweepers work on a very simple rotary brush action which sweeps the leaves into a large collection bag.
Leaf sweepers are available in push models, towable models which can be towed with a lawn tractor or something similar to an ATV. Petrol-powered models are also available for those tougher jobs that require more scrubbing.
As you can see there are many ways to clear leaves and garden debris. I believe that the most practical leaf solution for most gardeners are the compact handheld petrol, use anywhere, leaf blowers. My preferred being the Stihl range of petrol handheld leaf blower.
The reason the Stihl leaf blower is my preferred choice is due to the fact of owning one and using many customer’s machines. I also literally see hundreds of tree surgeons using this compact blower.
It’s not the cheapest blower on the market, but I do believe that it will give you many years of trouble-free service. Which in the long run results in a quality machine for an excellent price.
I’ve just been looking at the Stump Crusher 850 Pro by Dipperfox. I came across this machine by accident through communicating on LinkedIn, it’s amazing what you can find on LinkedIn! Apparently, the Stump Crusher 850 Pro By Dipperfox is made in Estonia, the first prototype model was built in 2018.
I really like the principle of this machine, it’s certainly a very different way of removing a tree stump. Traditionally, stump grinders have a cutting wheel that spins at high speed, with a number of teeth that chip away at the tree stump and grinds well below ground level, it’s a good way of removing tree stumps. The stump crusher 850 pro takes more of a drilling action rather than a cutting action, I like this principle, especially for clearance jobs. The downside is that the stump crusher 850 pro takes a lot of hydraulic power.
The manufacturer recommends a minimum of a 100 hp excavator, so you are talking about 20 ton plus machines, not something that can easily be used in the average garden! It would be great if Dipperfox could perhaps make a smaller machine that would fit on smaller excavators, maybe this is easier said than done due to the hydraulic oil flow required.
Features
180 stumps in one hour – the fastest and quickest way to remove a tree stump.
Heavy-duty bolt on steel blades.
Ideal for forest situations and some urban areas.
Easy plug and play instalment.
Heavy duty gearbox.
Wait 575 kg.
Power requirement minimum of 100 hp
Weight 14 to 30 tons
Dipperfox Stump Grinder Blades
Simple Cutting Principle
The Stump Crusher 850 Pro By Dipperfox has more of a drilling principle rather than a high-speed traditional stump grinding cutter head. I like the idea of this principle as there is no flying debris, it’s much quicker than traditionally grinding a tree stump and the work rate is excellent. In a forest situation, the pieces of wood would quickly rot down, it may be slightly different in a residential area. Whether the slices of wood can be cut smaller by drilling a second hole, I would guess the remaining debris could be made smaller with a second pass of the stump crusher.
The two cutting blades look extremely heavy duty, it would be interesting to know how often the blades need changing. My guess would be that it would be fairly frequently considering the excellent work rate of the stump crusher. The auger type drill bit would also take a fair bit of wear and tear, I guess, I would really like to see one of these machines in action, maybe I will one day soon.
