The Electric Blower & Vacuum: How to Rake 200mph Faster
If you’ve got trees, you’ve got leaves. And if you’ve got an electric blower and vacuum, life gets a lot easier. So let’s get to know your equipment.
Electric Blower and Vacuum Parts:
- Vacuum inlet. Debris gets sucked up through here in vacuum mode.
- Blower outlet. Air exits the unit here in blower mode.
- Blower/Vacuum tube. Directs airflow toward your debris, or sucks debris into the bag.
- Blower/vacuum switch. Alternates between blower and vacuum mode.
- Vacuum bag. Collects the debris you suck up.
- Bag hook. Keeps the vacuum back in place while operating.
- Bag zipper. Make sure this is fully zipped before vacuuming.
- Power speed switch. Adjusts airflow between High, Low and Off.
- Support fitting. Clip the optional shoulder harness here.
- Motor air vents. These permit airflow to help cool the motor.
- Power cord receptacle. Plug the power cord in here.
Before You Start Your Electric Blower
- Gear up. Wear snug-fitting clothes, eye and ear protection, and gloves. If you have long hair, tie it up.
- Only use your blower during the day.
- Remember never to aim toward windows, vehicles, pets, or people.
Before You Start Your Electric Blower
- To Start: move the switch from OFF to LOW – or HIGH – depending on how fast you want to start.
- To Stop: slide the switch back to the OFF position.
Starting and Stopping
- To blow: move the mode switch to the UP position.
- Stand up straight and hold the handle securely with your right hand, so your body doesn’t block the air intake.
- Move the nozzle steadily from side to side, keeping the tube clear of the ground.
- Concentrate the air stream low, and go slow. Keeping debris in front of you means you won’t have to backtrack.
- For quieter cleaning, operate at a lower speed.
- Be sure to keep your balance on stairs, steep slopes, and inclines.
- Never overreach and never use your blower on a ladder or a roof.
- If you need to set your blower down, turn it off first.
- To Use the Yard Vacuum: When you’re ready to collect all those leaves and debris, move the mode switch to the DOWN position.
- When finished, transfer your debris from the vacuum bag to a trash bag, or use the debris as mulch.
- All done? Store your blower in a cool, dry place until next time.
Now you’re prepared to wrangle any debris that comes your way.