A Beginner’s Guide To Using A Leaf Blower

A leaf blower is a handy tool for quickly and easily removing debris from an area. It's most commonly used for clearing away fallen leaves, but it can be used for other unwanted build-up as well (such as cleaning out your gutters or removing dust off of your car exterior). 

We've gathered up the following tips for a safe and efficient use of this popular yard maintenance tool. If you have any questions or want to shop leaf blowers for sale, head over to New South Tractor. Our dealership is based in Newton, North Carolina, and we also serve those in Asheville.

Leaf Blower Safety Tips

Sure, a leaf blower is not a looming piece of equipment like a tractor or skid steer. But it can still pose a safety risk, which means you'll want to take the proper precautions. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! The best prevention in this case is wearing the right safety gear when you use your leaf blower.

It starts with eye protection. As you engage your leaf blower, small particles of debris and dust will start to move around. These can easily make their way into your eye, which can be quite painful! Be sure to wear safety goggles to keep these irritants out.

Next, wear a face mask. No one wants to inhale the gunk that the leaf blower kicks up, especially those who suffer from allergies. Use a face mask to help reduce particulate inhalation.

Next, throw on a pair of sturdy closed-toed boots. These will keep you comfortable as you walk around your yard. If you'll be walking on damp and slippery leaves, the boots will provide helpful traction. Plus, they offer valuable protection in the event that you drop your leaf blower. 

Then, add in a pair of sturdy padded gloves. These will help you more comfortably grip the leaf blower and protect your skin from the elements, whether it's a scorcher or a blustery day.

Finally, be sure to wear a form of hearing protection. Leaf blowers can generate a surprising amount of noise pollution. This can not only be annoying, but it can be harmful to your hearing. Throw on a pair of ear plugs or ear muffs.

Clear The Area

Once you are all geared up for safe leaf blower usage, the next step is to prepare the area. Make sure your family members know you are about to use your leaf blower and that they stay far away. If you have any animals, be sure they are secure in the house or their pens and won't be impacted by the leaf blowing. Close all nearby windows in your home and car(s) to prevent any debris floating inside and causing a breathing hazard.

Set Up A Tarp

Sure, you can rake up all the leaves and other debris for disposal. But this is time-consuming and tedious. A simpler approach is to set out a large tarp. As you use your leaf blower, direct the debris onto the tarp. This will make cleaning up a breeze! Simply fold up the tarp and transport it to the compost bin or dump pile.

Leaf Blowing Strategies

There are a few key strategies to keep in mind:

• Avoid blowing against the wind, which will make your task much harder. Try to wait for a day with no wind or use your leaf blower with the wind.
• Don't waste time and energy trying to get every last piece of debris. Aim for cleaning up a majority.
• Break up the area into sections and make debris piles for each section.
• Avoid using your leaf blower too early or too late in the day out of respect for your neighbors.
• Avoid using your leaf blower on wet leaves, which will be much heavier than dry leaves. If your machine has a vacuum mode, do not use this on wet leaves (your machine could easily get clogged).

We hope you found this guide helpful. For more tips or to shop leaf blowers for sale, chat with the experts at New South Tractor. We are happy to assist with anything you need, from suggesting leaf blower models to servicing your equipment. You'll find us in Newton, North Carolina, and we also serve those in Asheville.