Leaf Blowers

Leaf Blowers buying guide

Veldkraft lists 24 leaf blowers, priced from R835 to R10 499, from brands including Husky Garden Equipment, RYOBI Power Equipment, Stiletto, Tanaka. Orders are delivered to all nine provinces and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.

Which leaf blower do you need?

Choose a leaf blower by the area you clear and how long you work. Handheld petrol blowers of about 25cc to 30cc suit driveways, patios and small gardens. Backpack petrol blowers from 42.7cc to 79.2cc move more air for large properties, estates and long sessions. Electric blower vacuums and an 80V cordless backpack blower cover quieter work. Brands include Husky Garden Equipment, Stiletto, RYOBI Power Equipment, Hyundai, Tanaka, Talon and WORX South Africa.

Handheld or backpack blower?

A handheld blower is lighter and quicker to pick up, while a backpack blower carries more power for longer. Handheld models suit short jobs where you start and stop often. A backpack leaf blower puts the engine weight on your shoulders and hips, so you can work longer with less arm strain, and it moves wet leaves, grass clippings and sand that smaller units struggle with. Padded harnesses and adjustable straps matter on long days.

Petrol, electric or cordless?

Petrol suits large areas with no power nearby, electric suits gardens near a plug point, and cordless sits between the two. Two-stroke petrol blowers run on petrol mixed with two-stroke oil at the ratio in the manual. Electric blower vacuums of 3000 W to 3500 W need no fuel but are limited by the cable. The WORX 80V cordless backpack blower gives backpack-style power without fumes, with run time set by the battery.

What engine size tells you

A bigger engine moves more air, but it weighs more and uses more fuel. Some listings also give power in kW, such as 2.1 kW for the Husky BL650 and 2.7 kW for the Stiletto BLO650. When comparing models, look at air speed and air volume if they are listed: speed lifts stuck debris, while volume moves large piles. Pick the lightest blower that clears your area in a reasonable time.

Do you need a blower vacuum?

Choose a blower vacuum if you want to collect leaves, not just move them. These units switch between blowing and vacuuming into a collection bag, and the 3-in-1 models also mulch. The Ryobi RBV-3000 petrol unit has an 8:1 mulch ratio, so eight bags of loose leaves shrink to about one, which saves bags and gives compost material. Vacuum only dry leaves and light debris, because stones and sticks can block the tube or damage the impeller.

Comfort, noise and safety

Protect your eyes, ears and lungs every time. Wear safety glasses, hearing protection and a dust mask, because blowers throw grit and dust at speed and petrol models are loud. Never point the nozzle at people, animals, cars or open windows, and work with the wind rather than against it. After use, clean the air filter and store petrol models with fresh fuel.

Leaf Blowers: common questions

What size leaf blower do I need?

For a small garden, patio or driveway, a handheld petrol blower of around 25cc or an electric blower vacuum is usually enough. For a large garden, estate or farmyard, a backpack petrol blower of about 43cc to 79cc clears more ground per hour. If you want neither fuel nor a cable, the 80V cordless backpack blower is the battery option.

How much does a leaf blower cost in South Africa?

Veldkraft lists 24 leaf blowers priced from R835 to R10 499. Corded electric blower vacuums sit at the low end, handheld petrol blowers in the middle, and large backpack petrol and cordless backpack blowers at the top. Price rises with engine size, backpack design, battery voltage and capacity, mulching ability and brand.

Is a backpack leaf blower better than a handheld one?

For large areas and long sessions, yes. A backpack leaf blower carries a bigger engine on a harness, so it moves more air with less strain on your arms. For quick jobs on patios, paths and small gardens, a handheld blower is lighter, cheaper and easier to store, so choose by the size of the area you clear.

Can a leaf blower suck up leaves?

Only a blower vacuum can. Models such as the Ryobi RBV-3500 and RBV-3050 electric units, the Ryobi RBV-3000 petrol unit and the Stiletto BL300 with collection bag switch between blowing and vacuuming, and the 3-in-1 models also mulch the leaves. A standard blower only blows, so you still rake or bag the pile afterwards.

What fuel does a petrol leaf blower use?

Two-stroke blowers run on unleaded petrol mixed with two-stroke oil at the ratio in the owner's manual. Mix only as much as you will use within a few weeks, because mixed fuel goes stale, and store it in a proper fuel can. Running pure petrol in a two-stroke engine without oil will damage it quickly.

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