Best Back Packs
Backpack Leaf Blowers - Gas Powered or Electric Backpack Blower?
Backpack Leaf Blowers - Gas Powered or Electric Backpack Blower?
Who Needs a Backpack Leaf Blower?
Landscapers, lawn care pros and homeowners with very large gardens and lawns, all know just how time consuming and back breaking it is to use a small hand held leaf blower for a big job. A good backpack leaf blower can save you hundreds of hours in labor and sweat.
It used to be that the only backpack blowers available were gas powered. All electric blowers were wimpy hand held models. Now, there are a couple of manufacturers who make very powerful, electric backpack blowers. They are available for use in both the industrial and residential markets.
What are the differences between a Gas Powered Backpack and an Electric Backpack Blower? Look over this grading chart to get a better idea of the pros and cons of for kind.
| Comfort | Power | Durability | Ease of Use | Portability | Noise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | A | A | ? | B- | C | B+ |
| Gas | B | B | B+ | B+ | A | C |
COMFORT
Electric (A) - It weighs less. Electric backpack blower motors are more compact and light. The most powerful electric backpack blower only weighs 12 lbs.! This is very important since a lighter weight machine, can reduce overall fatigue and eliminate stress on the back of the operator.
Gas (B) - The most powerful gas power backpack blower comes in at a hefty 25 lbs., but gas motors with their fuel tanks being heavy is a just fact of life.
POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO
Electric (A) - At only 12 lbs. the most power electric backpack blower can push out a gusty Max Air Speed of 265 MPH.Gas (B) - At 25 lbs. the contender has a Max Air Speed of 203 MPH. Close but no cigar.
DURABILITY
Electric (unknown) - Since electric backpack blowers are not widely used yet, how well they will stand up abuse from the masses is still unknown.Gas (B+) - Gas powered units have been tested by everyone from commercial landscapers to professional gardeners and the pros and cons of every model and brand is well known.
EASE OF USE
Electric (B -) - While easy to start and to run, you still will have a 50 to 100 foot electric cable dragging along behind you when using this type of backpack blower. And you must be leery of electrical shock hazards.Gas (B+) - Once you get it started, you can go anywhere and use it as anyplace you can walk. No worrying about wet spots or damp spots.
PORTABILITY
Electric (C) - This machine is great if you are near electrical power. Without it you are dead in the water. But can easily be used indoors in large open areas like lobbies, etc.Gas (A) - Goes anywhere, works anywhere except for inside buildings.
NOISE
Electric (B+) - All leaf blowers are noisy, but electric blowers are quieter than gas powered ones. This may be a factor when used around residential areas or indoors.Gas (C) - Due to size, a gas powered backpack blower will get noticed by the neighbors and you may have to careful of violating noise ordinances in residential areas.
Now that you know a little bit about electric backpack blowers, if you run a lawn care business or maintain a large garden at home, you should be ready to explore buying one on your own.
