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> If batteries can power a multi-ton F-150 truck, it is fatuous for landscapers to say that they aren’t strong enough for a dozen-pound leaf blower. Sure, if t

> If batteries can power a multi-ton F-150 truck, it is fatuous for landscapers to say that they aren’t strong enough for a dozen-pound leaf blower. Sure, if the batteries are large enough. I tried Lowe's Kobalt 80V leaf blower, and only on the max speed setting did it have enough power to pull leaves out of the grass. Unfortunately, on that setting the battery would last ~10-15 minutes, which isn't enough time for the front and back yard. Sure, I could get two batteries, but now costs are rapidly rising, and I'm also draining the battery's useful life at an increased rate. I want cordless electric gardening tools to be great, I really do. I don't enjoy having to deal with clogged jets in my weed eater's carburetor (Husqvarna 4-stroke, because what the article does get correct is that 2-strokes are obnoxiously loud), nor do I enjoy having to drive out of my way to get ethanol-free gas for them. However, I'll take that over mediocre performance and battery life.

bradknowles 5y ago
Ego, Greenworks, and Ryobi also have backpack model battery powered leaf blowers. You might want to check out one of those. Yes, you’ll need to swap out batteries more often than you would have to refuel your gas-powered leaf blower, but as a homeowner or home renter, that should be a lot easier for you than the “mow and blow” operations that have nothing more than a pickup truck and a trailer.
wingineer 5y ago
What about fuel injected 4-strokes? (Maybe these don’t exist in the leaf blower market yet).
- londons_explore 5y ago
  Small four stroke engines never really got developed, mostly because devices that need tiny engines rarely care about fuel efficiency, and usually care far more about engine weight and cost.
- foxyv 5y ago
  Don't know about fuel injection, but there are definitely 4 stroke blowers. Personally I prefer 4 stroke for small engines. 2-stroke exhaust gives me headaches. https://www.amazon.com/Makita-BHX2500CA-4-Stroke-Engine-Blower/dp/B001ASHLSU/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=4+stroke+leaf+blower&qid=1633533118&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.com/Makita-BHX2500CA-4-Stroke-Engine-Blow...
eliaspro 5y ago
A family member who runs a landscaping business switched all his team's devices over to battery-based ones from Stihl and they're apparently really happy with no intention to ever go back. Can't speak for the specific details, but apparently battery runtime wasn't really an issue.
deleted 5y ago
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bradknowles 5y ago

Ego, Greenworks, and Ryobi also have backpack model battery powered leaf blowers. You might want to check out one of those. Yes, you’ll need to swap out batteries more often than you would have to refuel your gas-powered leaf blower, but as a homeowner or home renter, that should be a lot easier for you than the “mow and blow” operations that have nothing more than a pickup truck and a trailer.

wingineer 5y ago

What about fuel injected 4-strokes? (Maybe these don’t exist in the leaf blower market yet).

londons_explore 5y ago
Small four stroke engines never really got developed, mostly because devices that need tiny engines rarely care about fuel efficiency, and usually care far more about engine weight and cost.
foxyv 5y ago
Don't know about fuel injection, but there are definitely 4 stroke blowers. Personally I prefer 4 stroke for small engines. 2-stroke exhaust gives me headaches. https://www.amazon.com/Makita-BHX2500CA-4-Stroke-Engine-Blower/dp/B001ASHLSU/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=4+stroke+leaf+blower&qid=1633533118&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.com/Makita-BHX2500CA-4-Stroke-Engine-Blow...

eliaspro 5y ago

A family member who runs a landscaping business switched all his team's devices over to battery-based ones from Stihl and they're apparently really happy with no intention to ever go back. Can't speak for the specific details, but apparently battery runtime wasn't really an issue.

deleted 5y ago

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