Alternative to hand raking ?

[JCM 9,323]

Anyone have likes or dislikes using a STIHL backpack blower for fall cleanup ?  How would it work on a 200' plus long packed crushed stone driveway removing debris ? Thus far the JD with 60'' auto connect drive on deck works great in a 3rd of the time anything else has done. Are the backpack blowers comfortable to use ? . weight. noise level etc ?  Thanks for your input.

[953 nut 55,734]

2 minutes ago, JCM said:

How would it work on a 200' plus long packed crushed stone driveway removing debris ?

Can't say how the backpack blower would do buy my homemade Wheel Horse blower works great on gravel.

[ebinmaine 68,205]

I've had an older Stihl backpack blower here but rehomed it in favor of a single hand held model. 

 

It worked GREAT for relocating whatever was light enough to move. Leaves of course but also nuts and small stones. 

You can get used to the correct positions to reduce that. 

 

The reason I sold the backpack type was my own personal people chassis was incompatible with the pack size. You've met me. I have an exceedingly long/tall back. If I was shaped more like a human and less like a Bear 🐻  I'd have kept it. 

 

 

 

13 minutes ago, JCM said:

Are the backpack blowers comfortable to use ? . weight.

 

This of course depends on you. Likely you'll be fine for 15 to 30 minutes even when you first get one. 

That time can be built up just like any other activity. 

 

13 minutes ago, JCM said:

noise level etc ?

 

I'd be more concerned with vibration than noise.  And again that's something you can adjust with the right clothing and hand protection. 

 

Noise is easy. GOOD PPE is essential.  

 

 

One BIG advantage to using a blower is that you'll be able to get leaves out from under places you've not reached in years because you won't need to move the things around. 

If you store stuff on pallets it's even better. 

 

 

Would I recommend you buy one? 

 

Yes.  

 

 

 

[rmaynard 15,580]

I love my Stihl backpack blower. It is not particularly comfortable, but I can tolerate it for the length of time I have to wear it. It moves a ton of leaves. 

 

41 minutes ago, JCM said:

 How would it work on a 200' plus long packed crushed stone driveway removing debris ?

 

I have crushed stone in front of and around my pole building. Aside from blowing a few stones, the blower does a great job of moving the leaves and other debris.

 

 

Edited November 24 by rmaynard

[SylvanLakeWH 25,890]

I had a red max back pack and moved it along. To heavy for my back issues but man it moved the leaves...

 

Noise and vibration were issues but not to bad...

 

Went with Dewalt's 20v line and works great for what i need on 3 suburban lawns... use it for gutters too with an extension...

 

 

[Racinbob 11,194]

It's been too wet to try out my blower. I've got a reducer to choke it down a bit if needed. 

 

Edited November 25 by Racinbob

[Ed Kennell 38,598]

                                                                      My Leaf Blower

 

                                                        

 

[Brockport Bill 1,713]

5 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Can't say how the backpack blower would do buy my homemade Wheel Horse blower works great on gravel.

awesome - - what blower drum is that ?

[953 nut 55,734]

38 minutes ago, Brockport Bill said:

what blower drum is that ?

The blower was installed in a commercial heat/AC unit that was being replaced. I have since replaced the round ducts wit a more compact rectangular sheet metal fabricated duct. lets me get closer to things wit5hout knocking the round duct off.

 

[8ntruck 7,079]

I've got an Echo backpack blower.  Works OK.  I also have an older Craftsman handheld blower with a sticker that claims 215 mph wind speed.  

 

The hand held seems to work better than the backpack.  The handheld starts with a pull or two, you pick it up and go to work.  The backpack needs to be on the ground for it's pull or two to get it started.  Once started, you need to wraasle it onto your back before going to work.

 

The handheld moves the leaves better.  I've thought about putting a nozzle on the backpack to increase the blower's exit velocity.  Have not gotten around to building a nozzle.  Not to confident that it would make a big difference.

[Tonytoro416 1,067]

10 hours ago, Racinbob said:

It's been too wet to try out my blower. I've got a reducer to choke it down a but if needed. 

 

Are you using the pulley that was with the furnace blower ?

[Racinbob 11,194]

7 hours ago, Tonytoro416 said:

Are you using the pulley that was with the furnace blower ?

 

No. I'm experimenting with the diameter trying to get the blower speed where I want it at about 1/2 throttle. I have a smaller one on the blower now which should be about what I want. Close to a 1:1 ratio would do it.  

[953 nut 55,734]

       I don't think higher RPMs will be beneficial. Mine rotates at about the same speed as it did in the heat/AC system it was removed from and generates a good volume of air movement rolling a big pile of leaves as you go by. I experimented with a smaller duct size attempting to achieve greater velocity but it wouldn't move as many leaves, just seemed to generate turbulence in the fan. My conclusion is that volume of air is the key with these squirrel cage fans.

I seem to recall someone last year went for higher RPMs and the fan blew apart on them.

[Racinbob 11,194]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

       I don't think higher RPMs will be beneficial. Mine rotates at about the same speed as it did in the heat/t really concerned about the thing self destructing. AC system it was removed from and generates a good volume of air movement rolling a big pile of leaves as you go by. I experimented with a smaller duct size attempting to achieve greater velocity but it wouldn't move as many leaves, just seemed to generate turbulence in the fan. My conclusion is that volume of air is the key with these squirrel cage fans.

I seem to recall someone last year went for higher RPMs and the fan blew apart on them.

 

I'm not as much trying for a higher RPM as I am trying to get the engine RPM down some. This doesn't take much horsepower. From what I researched about 1800 RPM is about the max for this diameter squirrel cage and going beyond won't increase anything and actually can hurt. That's why I'm trying closer to a 1:1 pulley ratio. I'm not really concerned about the thing self destructing. The impeller is different than any other furnace blower I've come across. But I'll keeping it at 1800-2000RPM anyways.  Back when I did a build thread on this we discussed choking it down a bit and the same conclusion was made. I also talked to a retired tin knocker friend and he agreed. 

[bds1984 1,442]

I would love to have a blower attachment to my Wheel Horse, but I "get by" with a combination of a cordless blower and a walk-behind blower.  Any blower that isn't a hand-held or back pack style isn't going to be able to get the finer, detail work close to the house.  Out in the open my walk behind works great and makes quick work of all yard debris.  I prefer the walk behind over a backpack style because of the greatly reduced noise and vibration; with having back injuries I don't like carrying extra weight around.  One can get quite crazy with blowers like this, there are ride on models as well, but this 1,200 cfm unit works great for me, sips fuel, and is as quiet as any Honda clone.  Lastly, I've rented this out a couple times which paid for it and some cold beverages after a few weekends.