It won't be long before fall is in full force, with leaves turning colors and painting your outdoors with rich hues of red, orange and yellow. While the season brings picturesque beauty, it also leaves many with leaf-covered lawns. In anticipation of the upcoming season, it's important to make sure your leaf blower is ready for the busy months ahead of leaf cleanup.
While some might use a rake for smaller yards, many opt for leaf blowers to handle larger leaf piles. Whether you use a handheld, backpack or wheeled blower, you need to keep it maintained regularly to enhance its life and reliability. Consider these tips to keep your leaf blower in great shape and ready for cleanup all season long.
Take care of the air filter
In its simplest form, a leaf blower's duty is to blow air, so it's especially important that air filters in gas leaf blowers are kept in good condition. To check this, remove the air filter cover and turn the cover over to locate the air filter. Then, remove it from the unit and wash the filter in detergent and water, rinse thoroughly and squeeze out excess water. Allow it to dry completely, coat it with clean SAE 30 oil and place it back in the unit.
Keep it clean
To ensure your gas or electric leaf blower is always working its best, you'll want to keep it free of dust and buildup. For your electric blower, wipe off the outside of your blower and inspect it for any cracked or damaged areas. For your gas leaf blower, make sure the air filter and spark plug are kept clean by inspecting for any dirt buildup and wiping it off. If you notice any split gas lines or electrical issues, it's best to visit your local service dealer.
Check on wear and tear
It's not uncommon for equipment parts to wear out and be replaced over time. If components are not replaced, your leaf blower could break down and cost much more to repair or replace than if you maintain it regularly. Components like the blower throttle and lock trigger can become loose and wear out from continuous use. To address this, check the status of the throttle and lock trigger, and replace the parts if either is worn out. Other leaf blower maintenance to-do's consist of monitoring for splits where gas leaks could happen, and consistently checking that the starter rope is strong and not frayed, tubes are tight and well-connected to each other, switches are operating smoothly and buttons don't stick.
Since starters are essential for ensuring electricity runs properly, make sure to check its three components - the tension spring, device and cord - to make sure they are in good shape; if not, buy new ones and replace.
Whether you prefer a gas-powered leaf blower like the TB2BV EC gas leaf blower or an electric, cordless blower like the TB4300 Handheld Blower, keeping them in tip-top shape will guarantee a seamless transition into fall.
