Electric garden leaf blower,vac,mulcher

Discussion in 'Tools And Equipment' started by Mike Allen, Oct 21, 2018.

  1. CarolineL

    CarolineL Total Gardener

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    Hi @silu is the Stihl easy to start please? I just don't have the knack with pull handles on petrol devices, which is why I have electric start on my petrol mower...
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      I've an electric blower/vac at home, a very cheap B&Q make. It's fine, I use it to hoover the patio, it's great for sucking leaves out of nooks and crannies. But it's quite limiting being on a cable and is only good for a very small area.

      Where I volunteer I use a Stihl and because it's a big garden with loads of trees and hence leaves it is only ever used to blow. It is brilliant at that, makes short work of the drives and paths even on leaves that are wet and have been compacted by running over by cars.

      I find it easy to start @CarolineL but there is a knack and not every one there can do it. It really needs a service then it would be OK again but they are not cheap. I have to wear gel gloves otherwise I get 'tingles' in my handles after protracted use, a bit like pins and needles - old age I guess.
       
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      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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        What you, John???:scratch:, never!!!:heehee:
         
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        • silu

          silu gardening easy...hmmm

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          @JWK has pretty well summed up what my experience of a Stihl vac is like:). I don't have an issue getting it started but I am sort of used to pull cord starts having a petrol strimmer, chainsaw, hedge trimmer and shredder. You have to pull sharply not a long slow pull if this makes sense. You almost have to take the machine by surprise! The only machine which I find a bit of a bi'ch to start sometimes is the Stihl chainsaw. It's usually because the spark plug has got gunched up with carbon and you need to clear it by burning off the excess oil with a cigarette lighter. It is very useful that daughter's BF is a seriously knowledgeable mechanic who diagnosed the problem:thumbsup:. I often was purple with rage at the chainsaw when it refused point blank to start. I hate to admit it but the saw got hurled a couple of times (made me feel better). Now I know the likely cause of it's failure to start and remedy of same my and it's quality of life have improved somewhat:).
           
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          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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            • Liz the pot

              Liz the pot Total Gardener

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              A few years back they introduced the C version. This made a small difference in the resistance of the pull cord to help starting them.
              They are very easy to get going and a gentle pull will start them up, not like the old mowers that need Popeye strength.
              The weak point is the wiring harness. It tends to rub on the handle to body section due to the anti vibration mounts and I go through a harness a year. Good news is they are just a couple of quid and easy to change.
               
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                I don't know much about the differences but I was recommended to get the Honda because the people that I spoke to that had them said they were easier to start and were quieter. They said it was because they were four stroke. :noidea:
                 
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                • Marley Farley

                  Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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                  Ah ha that’s where I mostly use mine.. All those awkward bits.. :thumbsup:
                   
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                  • shiney

                    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                    I've got my blower (4 stroke Honda) and it's excellent. It was easy to start and easy to use. For normal blowing of the leaves on the driveway and lawn I only needed to use it on tick-over. This was sufficient to blow the leaves along the driveway for 3 or 4ft. When put on full throttle it was very powerful and not particularly noisy. On tick-over, which I used most of the time, it was quiet. :blue thumb:
                     
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                    • ARMANDII

                      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                      :dunno::heehee:
                       
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                      • HarryS

                        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                        Luckily all the trees in my garden are tactically positioned to shed 80% of the leaves onto the neighbours gardens. One of my workmates had the opposite problem , living near an open park. The prevailing wind herded all the leaves into his front garden. Sometimes three feet deep after a gale :snorky:
                         
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