Vacuums

We have a range of Wheeled Vacuums including the popular Billy Goat range.

The Billy Goat wheeled vacuum

Today we are looking at the Billy Goat wheeled vacuum, which Scott reviews from SA landscaping. You can see Scott’s video review further down the page. Last year I wrote a blog post about the Billy Goat KV601SP wheeled vacuum; you can read it here.

Today we have a new toy out with us. It is the Billy Goat KV601 wheeled vacuum. In the past, we have blown all the leaves with knapsack leaf blower’s. But now we will carry out most of the work with the Billy Goat. We didn’t actually have the Billy Goat wheeled vacuum demonstrated, however, I looked at lots of videos on YouTube and saw the potential.

I will run you through the machine and then we will show you some camera footage of the machine in action. So stay tuned; you’ll also notice we have our chipper with us today as we’re going to cut this willow down. You can see how much it’s grown in a year, around 12 feet or so. We’ll snip those branches down and also a couple of these branches to reduce the size.

The Billy Goat Wheeled Vacuum

So coming back to what we’re here for today. This is the Billy Goat 601 it doesn’t come with a vacuum hose, however, we thought this would be a useful extra.

You Can See More Wheeled Vacuums Here

To change from vacuum sweeper to vacuum hose, we have a cap on here and a bar across the bottom. Without the bar on, it would just suck up like a normal vacuum so you remove the sides and then it turns into the vacuum for the car park. I will show you around the back and show you optional the hose, like I said, this is an extra attachment. It just clips in here, it is a fairly bulky hose, but it does the job. So you just flick it off like that and we go along the car park with it, and then it sits nicely back on the kit. It’s not rubbing on the floor or getting in the way.

There are four large plastic wheels on the machine; this particular model is a self-propelled model. I noticed that it takes a while to get used to the bag; there are some instructions, but it is a bit fiddly. Initially, you can either take the bag off or empty it or just take it off the top here. Just clipping it off and lifting the whole thing off, but it’s not the easiest way. The easiest way is to drop this bag, flick it up, and open it out. And then you can just pull the leaves out under a pile.

Loading A Truck Or Van

However, if you’re loading a van or truck up, then you’ve got to leave that shut. Then you would just clip these top bits off here and the whole bag just slides out the back.
There is a decent chute which is a decent size to get the leaves into the bag. Well, as I said, it takes a bit of getting used to. You must first fold the sides in, do it correctly, and then fold it up. It’s all numbered, so it makes it easier; it’s just a bit of an art doing it for the first few times.

You can see here that I am folding the second flap down, and then it clips back in. So once you get the hang of it, it’s a doddle, but initially, it takes a few sessions to get it set because if you put that side in the wrong place, then the leaves will just come straight out back. So you may remember we did this a few weeks ago and as you can see, just about all the leaves are off the trees now. There’s a little mound where they’ll be blown down there next to the car park. This mound of leaves will just be blown to the grass area’s back. The whole area will be cleaned off. So we’ll get the machine operational with the hose first just to show you the channels of how the hose works and then drop on and take the plate off.

One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that it is self-propelled but I have hardly used the self-propelled function. I have just been pushing it because it’s like a shopping trolley! It really requires minimal effort to push the Billy Goat leaf vacuum, so I wouldn’t bother to put it into drive. So if you’re going to spend the extra money, I would just purchase the push model.

The Billy Goat Works On Wet Grass

On the wet grass, you’ll notice a couple of bits the Billy Goat missed. Obviously, this is a children’s playground, so some areas are trampled on and wet so you have to pass over twice. However, it gets 99.9% of the leaves and debris. To be fair, yes, you would usually have a man going around afterwards with the hose.

As I mentioned earlier, you don’t have to purchase the hose, but it’s a useful optional extra. It would probably almost be as quick for a man to go along with a traditional backpack blower. However, as we have the hose accessory, we are making the most of it. I certainly would recommend the optional hose accessory, as it’s great for getting awkward spaces. It can also pick up rubbish and other debris in public areas.

To Conclude

The Billy Goat garden vacuum is a great asset to any garden or a contractor who is looking to clear leaves and debris. It is great for clearing leaves and debris in gardens as well as for clearing car parks and lawn areas.

As mentioned earlier in this post, the machine is available without the vacuum hose. I feel it’s actually a useful asset that makes the machine more universal.

AL-KO 750P Leaf Sweeper And Vacuum

Roy Bretton Roy Reviews, Vacuums

Today we are looking at the AL-KO 750P leaf sweeper and vacuum. The AL-KO 750P is a budget domestic sweeper and vacuum designed for the keen gardener. It is currently on special offer at £699 including VAT.

The AL-KO 750P leaf sweeper and vacuum comes with a five-year warranty. This brings great peace of mind and no unexpected expenses for five years.

Powered by a popular and reliable Briggs & Stratton 500E 4-stroke engine. A 75 cm working width, which is approximately 2’6”. And a large 200 L collector bag.

Recently we looked at the Billy Goat QV900HSP Wheeled Vacuum-Hydrostatic Drive. This is an upmarket model designed more for commercial use or a large garden. It has a much higher price tag of £4009.98 including VAT. However, it’s a commercial machine that will potentially give a keen gardener many years of good service.

Purchase The AL-KO 750P Leaf Sweeper And Vacuum Here

Features

Powered by a 4 stroke Briggs & Stratton engine.
Wide 75 cm working width.
Large 200 L collection bag.
German engineering.
Five-year warranty.

The AL-KO 750P Leaf Sweeper And Vacuum

Many of the AL-KO machines are made in Austria. One of the company’s famous lines is “Engineered In Germany, Made In Austria”! AL-KO have been making garden machinery since 1966, so in other words, 55 years of experience.

The AL-KO 750P leaf sweeper and vacuum is ideal for cleaning large areas such as driveways, pathways and leaf collection. It’s a quick way of keeping your garden clean and tidy. There is an optional hose available to get into those places where the leaf vacuum can’t reach. Although the hose is an option, it’s something that I would recommend purchasing.

Engine

The AL-KO 750P leaf sweeper and vacuum is powered by a popular and reliable Briggs & Stratton engine. The 158cc 4-stroke engine develops around 3 hp. The engine has a traditional recoil start for easy starting.

Over the years I have had many machines that are powered by Briggs & Stratton, I have always liked their reliability and simplicity. I have had minimal problems with Briggs & Stratton engines, I have used Briggs engines for over 40 years! One of the great things is that they have an excellent parts network, and the parts are sensibly priced.

Suction Height Adjustment

The suction height is adjustable in four different stages to suit various conditions. So for example, if you are working on a gravel drive, you would use a higher setting rather than a low setting.

How Does a Leaf Vacuum Work?

The AL-KO 750P leaf vacuum has a large vacuum fan that is powered by the Briggs & Stratton engine. The fan draws the leaves up and blows the leaves or debris into the large 200 L collection bag. The suction housing and air turbine are manufactured from powder-coated steel to give extra strength.

**AL-KO Hose Kit for AL-KO 750B & 750H Garden Vacuums**

Optional Extras

As I mentioned earlier in this post, there’s an optional vacuum hose available which should really be a standard fitting, to my mind. I believe the optional hose really helps to make your vacuum fully universal. The hose enables you to get in close places where the garden vacuum cannot reach. For example, around flower and shrub borders, corners of patios etc.

The AL-KO 750P leaf sweeper and vacuum has a dead man’s handle on for safety reasons. In other words, the dead man’s handle has to be held down to operate the machine. Unfortunately, this means that when the vacuum pipe is used it requires another operator to hold the handle down. However, there are ways around this issue!

**Search EBay For Wheeled Garden Vacuums**

To Conclude

I’m always looking for ways to make life easier in the garden. A wheeled garden vacuum is a great and easy way of keeping your garden tidy. With the optional hose attachment, the garden vacuum can literally reach most areas.

It appears that all the manufacturers supply the hose as an option, I guess it’s to keep prices down. If I was purchasing a leaf vacuum I would definitely want the optional hose to get the most out of my machine.

The AL-KO 750P is a push machine that requires a bit of effort, we do have self-propelled machines available, but obviously, that increases the price slightly. If I was purchasing, I would go for a self-propelled machine.

On the other end of the scale, AL-CO gives a five-year manufacturer’s warranty to their garden vacuum. This is a great plus point and gives peace of mind. Normally if a manufacturer gives a five-year warranty, they require the machine to be serviced by a dealer once a year. However, it certainly gives peace of mind with a five-year warranty and keeps your machine in top condition.

Specification

No. of Engine Cylinders	1
Sound Press Meas LpA [dB (A)]	86
with Catch Box	Yes
Catch Box Material	Fabric
Motor Type	4-Stroke
Brand	solo by AL-KO
Number of Strokes rpm	3000
Performance in Horsepower	2
Uncertainty Factor KpA[dB (A)]	2
Drive type	Petrol
K value (m / s ^ 2)	2
Can Collect Leaves?	Yes
Suction Height Adjustment	4-stage single wheel
Sound Power Guar LwA[dB (A)]	98
Sound Power Meas LwA[dB (A)]	96
Product Range	Premium
Vibration Value ahw (m/s ^ 2)	6
Cubic Capacity in cc	140
Autochoke	No
Catch Box Capacity in Litres	200
Primer	Yes
Power in kW	2

Billy Goat QV900HSP Wheeled Vacuum-Hydrostatic Drive

Roy Bretton Roy Reviews, Vacuums

Today we are taking a look at the Billy Goat QV900HSP wheeled vacuum-hydrostatic drive. This is Billy Goat’s largest and most powerful leaf and litter vacuum designed for the keen gardener and commercial use.

The Billy Goat QV900HSP wheeled vacuum-hydrostatic drive is available for £4009.98 including VAT. The QV letters stand for quiet vacuum and the HSP stands for hydrostatic and self-propelled.

If you’re looking to clean up large areas like car parks, driveways, tennis courts are much more, the Billy Goat QV900HSP is a great option.

Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at various types of ways to remove leaves from the garden. We have looked at handheld petrol leaf blowers. Petrol backpack leaf blowers that give that extra blowing power. And finally wheeled garden vacuums.

A few days ago, we looked at the smaller Billy Goat KV601SP Wheeled Vacuum. This is a mid-range, self-propelled machine that is available for £1419.99 including VAT.

You Can Purchase The Billy Goat QV900HSP Wheeled Vacuum-Hydrostatic Drive Here

Features

Powerful 9 hp Honda four-stroke GX 270 engine.
Quiet vacuum.
Hydrostatic transmission.
Steering clutches.
Variable speed in forward and reverse.
Six bladed impeller.
Powerful suction.
Large 131 L collection bag.
Powerful filtration system to minimise dust in dry conditions.
Optional hose attachment.

Billy Goat QV900HSP Wheeled Vacuum

I appreciate that the Billy Goat QV900HSP wheeled vacuum is not a cheap machine. However, if you have large areas that need to be swept regularly then the Billy Goat can really save you a lot of time. One of the many plus points the Billy Goat offers is how quiet the machine is. This is great if you’re using the machine in built-up areas.

Engine

The Billy Goat QV900HSP is powered by a reliable Honda GX270 270cc 4-stroke engine which develops 9 hp. I would have expected the Billy Goat to have electric starting, especially with a machine with this type of specification. However, it is the traditional rope recoil start.

The good thing is that Honda engines are extremely easy to start. I have owned several machines that are powered by Honda and even after several years, Honda engines will often start the first time. I have never had a problem with a Honda engine, the reliability and economy are excellent.

As with all machines, it’s important to make sure that the air cleaner is kept clean for efficient running and economy. With a machine that is potentially carrying out a dusty job, air filters need even more regular cleaning.

Transmission

Another great advantage of the Billy Goat QV900HSP is the hydrostatic transmission. Basically, hydrostatic transmission replaces the traditional gearbox on machinery. It offers instant forward and reverse and variable speed without having to use a clutch.

A hydrostatic transmission comprises of an oil pump and a hydraulic motor which is controlled by a lever or foot pedal, depending on the type of machine. In turn, this makes the Billy Goat wheeled vacuum highly manoeuvrable and efficient. There is no stopping to change gear, just move the lever to the required speed in forward or reverse.

Six Bladed Impeller

The six-bladed impeller acts as a fan and a mulcher. The impeller creates a vacuum and the impeller also mulcher’s the debris. The mulching helps to make full use of the 136 L collection bag by compacting and shredding the material.

More Features

Vacuuming can be a dusty job, so Billy Goat has added a cyclonic filtration system that dramatically reduces the dust in dry conditions. It also makes the operator experience much better.

The durable front caster wheels help to keep the machine moving smoothly when turning and running over uneven surfaces.

With two steering clutches, the Billy Goat QV900HSP becomes highly manoeuvrable and combined with the hydrostatic transmission gives a great user experience.

To Conclude

I appreciate that the Billy Goat QV900HSP wheeled vacuum is not the cheapest machine available. However, it does have a lot of features with the hydrostatic transmission combined with steering clutches which in turn, makes it very easy to use.

There is an optional collapsible hose available for the Billy Goat vacuum, which I would recommend. There is also an optional handbrake which is available. I would recommend both the above features. To be fair, these two options ought to be included as standard in my opinion.

If you’re looking for a garden vacuum that is well built and made last, it’s worth looking at the Billy Goat QV900HSP.

Specification

Engine Make

Honda

Engine Model

GX270

Performance kW*

6,6

Performance HP*

9,0

Displacement (cc)

270

Starting

Recoil Start

Productivity (m³/h)

3000

Working Width (cm/in)

84 / 33

Drive Type

Self Propelled

Transmission Type

Hydrostatic

Housing Material

Metal

Wheels (inch)

13 / pneumatic

Impeller Blades

6.0

Impeller Type

Serrated

Bag System

Collector with 4 hooks

Bag Capacity (l)

136

Weight (kg)

112

Length (cm)

160

Width (cm)

Height (cm)

130

Billy Goat KV601SP Wheeled Vacuum

Roy Bretton Roy Reviews, Vacuums

Today we are looking at the Billy Goat KV601SP wheeled vacuum. The Billy Goat is a self-propelled wheeled vacuum that is suitable for multi-surface residential use and light commercial use. The Billy Goat KV601SP is currently available for £1419.99 including VAT. At the time of writing, this is £100 off the retail price.

Recently we looked at the entry-level Billy Goat LB352 wheeled push vacuum available for just £719.99 including VAT. However, if your budget allows, I would try and go for a self-propelled model as it is much easier for the operator to use. We have a range of wheeled vacuums on our website.

Billy Goat has been manufacturing wheeled leaf vacuums for over 50 years. Billy Goats current location is in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, USA. Over the years, I have seen some very old Billy Goat machines that are still in regular use today!

You Can Purchase The Billy Goat KV601SP Wheeled Vacuum Here

Features

Briggs & Stratton pro 190cc engine developing 6 hp.
Self-propelled for operator ease.
27 inch (68 cm) working width.
Adjustable working height.
Five bladed serrated impeller.
Integral dust skirt.
50+ years in manufacturing wheeled vacuums.
One-year product warranty.
Two-year engine warranty.

Billy Goat KV601SP wheeled vacuum

I am always looking for ways to make life easier in the garden, especially when it involves a mechanical machine. The Billy Goat KV601SP wheeled vacuum is a great and quick way of clearing leaves, litter and other garden debris from your lawn, paths and driveway etc.

Handheld and knapsack blowers are great for blowing leaves, however, with a wheeled garden vacuum, your leaves and debris are all collected. One of the accessories that I would definitely suggest is the optional hose kit that really gives you the most out of your wheeled blower.

With a 27 inch wide working width, the Billy Goat KV601SP wheeled vacuum quickly covers large areas. The productivity rate is approximately 2900 m² per hour.

Engine

The Billy Goat KV601SP is powered by a Briggs & Stratton four-stroke engine. The engine develops 6 hp and is one of Briggs & Stratton’s professional TM series engines.

This particular model has the traditional recoil start, there is not an electric start option. However, modern petrol engines start very easily with a traditional recoil start.

Self-Propelled

The Billy Goat KV601SP wheeled vacuum is a self-propelled machine that is powered by a robust transmission. Despite the extra cost, I would always recommend a self-propelled machine over a push model.

Five Bladed Serrated Impeller

With a five-bladed serrated impeller, the Billy Goat vacuum has good suction and with the help of the impeller which helps to break down the debris. This in turn helps to make full use of the 151 L bag capacity. The collection bag features an integral dust skirt that helps to keep the dust down and out the way of the operator.

Billy Goat 891125 - KV AND TKV ON BOARD HOSE KIT 4"X7' — **Billy Goat Hose Kit**

Optional Accessories

The Billy Goat KV601SP wheeled vacuum features a number of optional accessories. The accessory that I would definitely go forward be the optional hose kit that really helps to make the machine more universal. Wheeled blowers are great for clearing garden debris quickly, however, the optional hose and get to those places where the actual machine cannot go.

Here Is A Full List Of The Options Available

A caster wheel kit that helps to improve manoeuvrability.
A nozzle wear kit that is ideal for continuous use on hard surface applications.
A liner sleeve that protects the housing in sandy conditions.
A shredder screen kit that reduces leaves up to 12:1.
A hose kit mentioned above.
A waterproof cover to protect your machine

To Conclude

Billy Goat has been making wheeled garden vacuums for over 50 years, there are still many old models in use today. If I was purchasing, I would definitely look at the Billy Goat range as they have a well-proven system. As I mentioned earlier, I would definitely purchase the optional hose kit. Really this should be included with the machine, however, I guess it’s all about the price.

The machine comes with a one-year domestic warranty and the Briggs & Stratton engine comes with a two-year warranty.

Specification

Engine Make

Briggs & Stratton

Engine Model

Professional Series™

Performance kW*

4,5

Performance HP*

6,0

Displacement (cc)

190

Starting

Recoil Start

Productivity (m³/h)

2900

Working Width (cm/in)

69 / 27

Drive Type

Self Propelled

Housing Material

Metal

Wheels (inch)

Impeller Blades

5.0

Impeller Type

Serrated

Bag System

Foldable Bag

Bag Capacity (l)

151

Weight (kg)

Length (cm)

158

Width (cm)

Height (cm)

110

Billy Goat LB352 Wheeled Push Vacuum

Roy Bretton Roy Reviews, Vacuums

Today we are looking at the Billy Goat LB352 wheeled push vacuum. The Billy Goat LB352 is available for £719.99 including VAT, the leaf vacuum currently offers a saving of £50.01 off the retail price.

Billy Goat is a name that comes to mind when people talk about garden wheeled vacuums. The manufacturers, Billy Goat has been making outdoor vacuums for the garden for over 50 years. They have a range of domestic and professional machines to give you many trouble-free years of use. Billy Goat is based in the USA.

Recently, we looked at the Feider FAST175T self-propelled wheeled garden vacuum. A budget self-propelled garden vacuum manufactured in France, which is available at the cost of £699 including VAT.

The Billy Goat LB352 wheeled push vacuum is Billy Goats entry and cheapest model. We will be looking at some larger self-propelled models in the coming days.

You can purchase the Billy Goat LB352 wheeled push vacuum here

Features

50+ years in the manufacturer of wheeled vacuums.
Compact machine.
Powered by Briggs & Stratton.
Adjustable height.
Large collection bag.
Optional hose kit.
One year manufacturers warranty.

The Billy Goat LB352 wheeled push vacuum

The Billy Goat LB352 wheeled push vacuum is Billy Goats smallest entry model. Weighing just 26 kg and 51 cm (20 inches) wide, it makes the wheeled push vacuum, lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. The wide 20-inch nozzle at the front of the machine makes the Billy Goat very compact for small gardens. It’s ideal for clearing leaves down those narrow pathways which larger machines cannot manage.

The wheeled push vacuum is ideal for leaves, grass and other garden debris on lawns, driveways and paths etc. It takes the hard work out of clearing leaves and keeping the garden free from garden debris.

There is an optional hose kit available for the Billy Goat LB352, this is a very useful attachment and something that I would recommend. The optional hose accessory can be purchased here.

Adjustable Wheels

The Billy Goat LB352 wheeled push vacuum has adjustable front wheels that can be adjusted to suit various situations. The two front wheels are adjusted individually by two individual levers.

Impeller

The large 105 L zipper bag helps to keep the Billy Goat running efficiently and offers easy emptying. There are four impellers that help to mulch and chop the garden waste. This in turn makes full use of the bag space and assists with composting.

Engine

Powered by the popular Briggs & Stratton 500E 140 cc four-stroke engine which develops 3.5 hp. Briggs & Stratton engines have literally been used on thousands of machines across the world. Over the years, I have owned many machines that have been powered by Briggs & Stratton. After using Briggs & Stratton engines for over 40 years I have had minimal issues.

One of the great things is with Briggs & Stratton engines is that the parts are widely available and sensibly priced. There are Briggs & Stratton dealers all over the world.

As with all engines, it’s important to keep the engine maintained. Take care to change the oil regularly and to keep the air filter clean. Keeping the air filter clean will give you peak performance, economy and longer engine life. Failure to keep the air cleaner, clean can result in premature engine life.

The engine has a straightforward traditional recoil start for easy starting.

To Conclude

There are many different brands of wheeled garden vacuums available today. However, if I was looking for a garden vacuum, I would definitely look at the Billy Goat range. The Billy Goat LB352 wheeled push vacuum is an entry-level model. If I was purchasing, I would definitely prefer a self-propelled model, for operator ease and comfort. However, I do appreciate that everyone has a budget to work to. As I mentioned earlier, I would also recommend the optional hose kit accessory for the Billy Goat LB352, to get the most out of your wheeled vacuum.

We will be looking at larger models over the coming days. You can find more wheeled garden vacuums here.

Specification

Engine Make

Briggs & Stratton

Engine Model

500 Series™

Performance kW*

2,6

Performance HP*

3,5

Displacement (cc)

140

Starting

Recoil Start

Productivity (m³/h)

1260

Working Width (cm/in)

51 / 20

Drive Type

Push

Housing Material

Composite

Wheels (inch)

Impeller Blades

4.0

Impeller Type

Non Serrated

Bag System

Zipper Bag

Bag Capacity (l)

105

Weight (kg)

Length (cm)

119

Width (cm)

Height (cm)

102

^{* All power levels are provided by Briggs & Stratton.}

Einhell BG-PL 26/1 Petrol Garden-Vacuum / Leaf Blower

Roy Bretton Leaf Blowers, Roy Reviews, Vacuums

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.

More information on the Einhell BG-PL 26/1 petrol garden-vacuum / leaf blower

Features

Automatically switch to vacuuming mode from leaf blowing – no pipes to add or remove.
Large suction hose.
55 L collection bag.
Shredder fan which reduces waste by up to 90%.
Carrying belt for ease of use.
Free wheel kit.
Lockable throttle.
Low emissions.
Two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

See More Petrol Handheld Leaf Blowers And Vacuums Here

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!

Specification

Wheel Kit	Yes
+Debris Reduction Ratio	10:1
Vac Kit	Integrated
+Bag Capacity	55 Litres
+Air Flow Volume	10.8m3/min (648m3/h)
+Air Flow Speed	210km/h
+Harness	Single
Warranty	2 Years
+Weight	7.5kg
+Engine Type	Petrol 2-stroke
+Engine Power	0.65kW (0.9hp)
+Engine Capacity	25.4cc
+Engine Fuel Tank Capacity	0.8 Litres
+Engine Starting System	Recoil

Purchasing The Right Leaf Blower

Roy Bretton Leaf Blowers, Leaf Sweepers, Roy Reviews, Vacuums

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Our cheapest push leaf sweeper starts at around £120, you can see the Cobra 26 inch push lawn sweeper here.

To Conclude

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.

Stihl Vacuum Shredder Conversion Kit – BG55 And BG85

Roy Bretton Leaf Blowers, Roy Reviews, Special Offers, Vacuums

Stihl Vacuum Shredder Conversion Kit for BG55, BG85

The Stihl vacuum shredder conversion kit can turn your Stihl blower model BG55 and BG85 into a powerful garden vacuum cleaner. We are presently offering the Stihl shredder conversion kit for just £46.28, the retail price is £78.50. So a saving of £31 approximately. Why not turn your Stihl blower into a powerful garden vacuum?

This simple Stihl vacuum shredder conversion kit comes with everything you need. This includes two plastic pipes and a collection bag. The collection bag can be easily emptied with its large zip that opens the bag fully.

I have used the Stihl range of blowers for over 20 years, they are a great asset in any garden. I know for a fact that I use my Stihl blowers more than any other tool in the garden. It’s a really quick way to clear leaves and other debris. It almost replaces the garden rake and can make your garden look clean and tidy in just a few seconds with minimal effort.

You Can Purchase The Stihl Vacuum Shredder Conversion Kit Here

Features

Turn your Stihl blower into a mini garden shredder.
Make the most of your Stihl blower.
Complete kit turns your Stihl blower into a vacuum/shredder.
Take the hard work out of cleaning your garden.
Easy to empty bag.
Shred as you vacuum.

Stihl Vacuum Shredder Conversion Kit — **Stihl Vacuum Bag**

Make The Most Of Your Stihl Blower

The Stihl vacuum conversion kit really helps to make the most of your Stihl blower. My first Stihl leaf blower came complete with the shredder and vacuum kit as I wanted to get the most out of my Stihl blower. For 90% of the time, I would use my Stihl blower to blow the leaves into a large heap and then barrow the leaves to the compost heap. I have to say that it is much quicker to blow than it is to vacuum.

To make the most of your Stihl blower and to use the blower efficiently, I would just use the collection bag and shredder for the final touches. For example, I would use the blower on the lawn and patio and then literally attach the conversion kit to clean the corners and places that I cannot reach properly with the blower.

When you are using a leaf blower there are certain places where you either need to clean up by hand or use the Stihl vacuum shredder conversion kit.

You Can Find More Leaf Blowers And Vacuum’s Here

The Stihl vacuum conversion kit is ideal for getting into the small places that are difficult to reach with a broom and difficult to blow. I guess the best way to describe the vacuum is that it really helps with those finishing touches!

I wouldn’t recommend using the blower to actually collect leaves from your lawn as the blower is not designed to do this. It’s just designed to complement the blower and add those final finishing touches.

Find Stihl Vacuum Shredder Conversion KitOn EBay — Find Stihl Vacuum Shredder Conversion Kit On EBay

To Conclude

Many of you may be wondering if this product is worth purchasing? I would say most definitely, yes, for the reasons mentioned above. If you think you’re going to be clearing the leaves of a large lawn and shredding them at the same time, this is not the tool for the job.

With large amounts of leaves I would blow the leaves into a central spot and collect in the wheelbarrow or whatever you used to collect your leaves. It would be very inefficient to try and shred leaves with a machine of this size.

However, if you are looking to keep your patio nice and smart and those corners where you’re blower or broom cannot reach. Then the Stihl vacuum shredder conversion kit is a must for you.

You Can Purchase The Stihl Vacuum Shredder Conversion Kit Here

Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum

Roy Bretton Roy Reviews, Special Offers, Vacuums

Feider FAST175T Self-Propelled Wheeled Garden Vacuum Leaf Collector

The Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum is a French-made budget wheeled Garden vacuum. This garden vacuum is a new machine on the market and is cheaper than its main competitor, the Billy Goat.

At the moment the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum is on special offer for just £399. This is a fantastic £200 saving on the original price.

Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum

A wheeled garden vacuum can be a huge help in the garden, especially in the autumn time when all the leaves are falling. The Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum offers a good option for saving time in the garden when it comes to clearing leaves and debris.

With a huge appetite for leaves and debris, the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum quickly clears areas of leaves and debris, which quickly transforms your garden. As the leaves enter the vacuum direct by a five-bladed serrated impeller which smashes the leaves into small pieces. This helps to make full use of the collection bag by compacting the leaves which can then be composted and used on the garden the following year.

FeiderOffer A Self-Propelled Model, The Feider FAST175T Self-Propelled Wheeled Garden Vacuum Leaf Collector Could Be A Good Option

Composting is something that I do all the time in the garden, to be fair it seems that not many people compost in this day and age. The benefits are huge, especially if your soil is of a clay type composition. Composting can literally transform a garden especially if this process is carried out on a regular basis.

More Garden Vacuums

Height adjustment

There are five different positions on the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum which is perfect for every operating condition. For example, if you are clearing your lawn of leaves it will require a higher setting. Whereas, if you are clearing your tennis court you can lower the setting for maximum efficiency. The vacuum can also be used on gravel drives.

Find Puncture Tyre Repellent On EBay — **Search Wheeled Garden Vacuums On eBay**

Engine

The wheeled vacuum is powered by a Feider fuel-efficient overhead valve engine which develops 173cc. For starting the vacuum has a straightforward recoil start system. With the 58 cm suction width, your leaves and garden debris will quickly be cleared.

Weight

The Feider FAST175P lawn & leaf vacuum weighs just 43 kg. With the four large 250 mm wheels, it makes manoeuvrability and negotiating obstacles extremely simple.

Optional Hose Kit

There is an optional hose kit for the Feider FAST175P Push Wheeled Garden Vacuum. This is something that I would recommend as it enables you to get into places where your vacuum cannot go. For example, flower borders, shrub borders and around buildings is an ideal use for the optional hose kit. Your wheeled vacuum becomes like a giant vacuum cleaner!

Warranty

Feider gives their pushed wheeled vacuum a two-year warranty which gives you that extra confidence when buying.

Features

A high-performance 173cc overhead valve four-stroke engine with emission cutting technology.
A powerful wheeled vacuum suitable for multi-surface use.
Impeller blade that makes leaves and debris into mulch.
Lightweight and easy to push.
Large debris collector bag.
Large wheels that make pushing easy.
58 cm cutting width.
Optional hose kit.
Two-year warranty.

Specification

Starting System Recoil
Engine Make Feider
173cc Engine Capacity
Drive Hand Propelled
Working Width 58cm
Height Adjustment 15-60mm (5 Positions)
Air Flow Volume 1080m3/h (at Idle)
Impellor Hardened Steel with 5 Serrated Blades
Debris Bag 150 Litres
Hose Kit Optional
Chipper Chute No
Surface Types Multi-Surface – Lawns; Hard Surfaces; Gravel
Housing Steel
Wheels Front 180mm / Rear 250mm
Suitable for Areas Up To 4000 m2
Sound Level 105dB (A)
Vibration 5m/s2
Weight 43kg
Warranty 2 Years

How Much Is An Electric Leaf Blower?

Roy Bretton Leaf Blowers, Roy Reviews, Special Offers, Vacuums

Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower

Today we are going to look at the subject of, how much is an electric leaf blower? This is a question that I am often asked about. I wrote an article a few days ago on, how much is a petrol leaf blower? We will start with our very cheapest electric leaf blower and gradually move up the scale including more expensive electric leaf blowers. We will also be including rechargeable battery leaf blowers which seem to be moving up the ladder in popularity very quickly.

As you know I like to use a decent powered garden and landscaping equipment. I much prefer a machine with an internal combustion engine on, however, I appreciate for some people this just isn’t practical or affordable.

Mains electric or rechargeable battery-powered?

Something that I have always disliked with mains electric equipment is the inconvenience of a power cable. I find the power cable very restrictive and something that always catching up objects like flower pots and shrubs!

I know of so many people who have cut through their electric power cable with electric lawnmowers and hedge cutters. This is not something you want to do with a hedge cutter when you are on a step ladder! However, modern-day power tools offer good protection with power breakers and sensitive trip switches. The other option is to look at our range of rechargeable leaf blowers.

Electric Leaf Blowers

Electric leaf blowers are cheaper to buy than similar battery powered models as the batteries can be expensive on the rechargeable models. Some of the mains electric leaf blower models really do offer quite a bit of blown power. As many of the manufacturers have just placed a cheap powerful electric motor (compared with a two-stroke engine) which gives plenty of blowing power!

I think the biggest issue for me with an electric leaf blower is the trailing power cable, this is where a rechargeable leaf blower could be useful.

Rechargeable Leaf Blowers

A rechargeable leaf blower offers more flexibility than the traditional mains electric leaf blower. However, rechargeable leaf blowers are limited to how long they can run for. The average runtime seems to be around 20 to 30 minutes for a battery-powered leaf blower. There are the more powerful Stihl models which have greater battery life.

It may be worth considering purchasing a spare battery so you have a spare available to keep the workflow going. Just remember that rechargeable batteries can be quite expensive. So you need to weigh up the costs before purchasing.

I haven’t had huge amounts of experience with rechargeable garden tools. However, recently I was working with a gang of tree surgeons and they had several Stihl rechargeable tools and they were very impressed indeed. I must admit they were certainly very quiet indeed. This is something that is worth thinking about if you are in a built-up area or an area where there are noise restrictions.

Handy 2600W Garden Blow & Vac

The Handy 2600w Garden Blow & Vac is our cheapest mains electric leaf blower and vacuum, priced at just £40. It comes with a powerful 2600 W electric motor and has three function’s, it blows, it shreds, and it collects! The leaf shredding is 10:1 which is pretty good.

The Handy 2600w Garden Blow & Vac comes with a 35 L collection bag, 6 m of electric cable and a shoulder strap. This leaf blower is very light at just 4.5 kg.

Find out more about the £40 Handy 2600w Garden Blow & Vac

Cobra BV2600 Electric Powered Blower Vacuum

Moving up the scale to our second cheapest leaf blowers is the Cobra BV2600 Electric Powered Blower Vacuum, priced at just £45.99. Once again this is a very cheap price for this particular leaf blower.

The Cobra BV2600 Electric Powered Blower Vacuum he is powered by a 2600 W electric motor, which gives plenty of blowing power. It has the feature of mulching, which therefore means more vacuuming and less emptying. The leaf blower has a large 45 L collection bag. It’s very easy to change from blowing mode to vacuum mode.

Find out more about the Cobra BV2600 Electric Powered Blower Vacuum

Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower

We are now moving up the scale to the popular Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower. This is not a leaf blower that I have used, however, I know several people who use them, and they are popular for the smaller garden where a petrol model isn’t required. This leaf blower sells for £74.99

This Flymo leaf blower has a slightly larger 2700 W electric motor, which is slightly more than our two previous models. This model can easily be changed from blower mode to vacuum mode. It has a generous collection bag at 40 L and the maximum blowing speed is 212 km an hour.

The Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower is lightweight, weighing just 5.1 kg. It comes with the manufacturers one year warranty.

More Information On The Flymo Garden Vac 2700 Garden Leaf Vacuum and Blower

Stihl BGE71 Electric Hand Held Garden Blower

Now we are going upmarket considerably with the Stihl BGE71 Electric Hand Held Garden Blower, which sells for £99.99. Stihl have been making machinery for the garden, landscaping and forestry industry since 1926. They are probably the market leaders for professionals in the UK and maybe the world, especially when it comes to, chainsaws, hedge cutters, strimmers and blowers.

Although the Stihl BGE71 Electric Hand Held Garden Blower it is more expensive than our previous models it is not actually so powerful. However, you can buy knowing that you have a quality product that will give you many hours of service.

The Stihl BGE71 Electric Hand Held Garden Blower it is a very lightweight leaf blower, weighing in at just 3 kg, it is lighter than our three previous leaf blowers. It is powered by a 1100 watt mains electric motor.

There is an optional vacuum attachment that can be purchased if required. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I don’t normally use the vacuuming feature as I find it much quicker to blow and then collect the leaves and debris by hand. The other alternative for collecting leaves is with a wheeled vacuum or a rotary mower with a collector on. Obviously, you cannot pick up leaves with a rotary lawnmower on gravel driveways, or where there are stones and rocks etc.

Find Out More On The Stihl BGE71 Electric Hand Held Garden Blower

Search Ebay Electric Leaf Blowers — **Search eBay Electric Leaf Blowers**

You Can See Our Full Range of Electric Leaf Blowers Here

Cordless Rechargeable Battery Leaf Blowers

Cobra BV65-24V 24v Cordless Leaf Blower

The Cobra BV65-24V 24v Cordless Leaf Blower is there cheapest rechargeable model and sells for just £70.

It runs off a 24 V rechargeable battery which gives a 20 minute blowing time. It may be worth thinking about purchasing a second battery for extra time as charging takes approximately two hours. There is actually an eco-mode which will give your battery a few more minutes, in fact up to 65 minutes!

Rechargeable garden equipment is becoming very popular at the moment. Cobra also makes a battery strimmer and hedge cutter in their range of equipment.

The weight of this leaf blowers is just 1.7 kg, which is very light indeed. It comes with the manufacturers two-year warranty which includes the battery and charger.

Stihl BGA 85 Cordless Leaf-Blower (Excluding Battery & Charger)

Now we are moving right up the ladder to the Stihl BGA 85 Cordless Leaf-Blower. This is almost in another category as it is a quality product that will give you long service. This leaf blower does not come with a battery, however, if you have other Stihl rechargeable equipment, the batteries are compatible. Long-term, this makes the Stihl tools cheaper by just having one charging unit and a few batteries, depending on how much you’re using the machine.

Please note that some battery machinery can be very underpowered, the Stihl BGA 85 Cordless Leaf-Blower certainly has plenty of power. It is powered by a choice of lightweight and long-lasting 36v lithium-ion batteries developing an impressive 4 or 6Ah.

This Stihl leaf blower has a variable speed airflow which is ideal when you’re in confined spaces. It comes with the manufacturers two-year warranty.

See More Information On The Stihl BGA 85 Cordless Leaf-Blower

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