To blow or not to blow? that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
Black And Decker Lawn Mower
The leaves and droppings of outrageous nature,
Or to take arms against a pile of sweepings,
And by vacuuming end them?
(with apologies to the Bard of Avon)
There is no doubt that the invention of the leaf blower has revolutionised the management of public parks and streets by increasing the productivity of workers in the horticultural sector.
No longer is cleaning of leaves, twigs, fruits, berries and other detritus left to a man with a broom: he (or she) can now round up the waste with a powerful blower ready for collection. Householders too have got onto the bandwagon and are now increasingly armed with a leaf blower to keep their leaf fall under control.
But as the leaf blower has become a permanent fixture, voices have been raised in criticism of machines that are permanently in 'blow' mode. What happens on a windy day? The pile of leaves gets redistributed in a never-ending battle between man and nature.
Others point to the destructive nature of the powerful wind that is created if it is applied indiscriminately near plants, and also there are health concerns about the potentially dangerous dust that is generated, particularly in dry climates.
Walk-behind mechanical leaf collectors, now largely museum pieces thanks to leaf blowers, always came with bag collectors for the leaves. Why should blowers not have this capability? The argument was that they need to be able to suck as well as blow.
Thus it was that 'Blower Vac' vacuum devices appeared, complete with gathering bags and impellors that cut to pieces and compact the debris into mulch to spread over flower beds or to start the composting process. You would be forgiven for thinking that it was 'game over' for dedicated blowing devices. Life however is rarely that simple.
The blowers are lighter, cheaper and simpler to operate. There is no need to stop and empty bags at regular intervals. Even with a typical 10:1 'mulching ratio' (i.e. the amount of leaves is reduced to a tenth of its original volume)an operator would be stopping frequently to empty a 35 to 45 litre mulch sack as is supplied with most handheld vacuum machines.
To cope with this issue there are professional vacuum machines that are wheeled and you either push them or they may have drive power. This gives you serious collection capability such as 200 litres in the case of the Warrior or a huge 282 litres in the Billy Goat machines. With this comes a weight that will be too much for most domestic users but may be attractive to those who are lucky enough to have a large place in the country.
Less bulky blower-vacs come with devices to make operation easier, such as a head with a roller that runs on the ground and makes collection easier on hard surfaces like patios, paths and drives. It also saves you from back pain. This feature is fitted on the open end of the telescopic nozzles of electric machines like the Flymo Scirocco 3000W, Draper 2200W and the Ryobi 2400W.
Another handy feature can be found on the Black & Decker 2600W. It has a scraper end that allows you to deal with wet leaves and ground-in soft material: this is normally the province of a dedicated leaf blower.
While at Ryobi, they have found a way to squeeze the mulch down by 15:1 instead of the near-universal 10:1, by means of clever blade design. This of course lessens your trips to the compost heap.
All vacuum blowers also allow you to spare delicate plants by avoiding the 'blow' setting when you are adjacent to them.
So is all this vacuum blower development sounding the death knell for simpler blowers? Judging by the number of machines of both types on offer,apparently not. The majority of machines in the petrol sector are blow-only devices, and this bears out the preference of the commercial market. There has been quite a lot of work done to lessen the controversial noise levels of leaf blowers in the street, which are now proscribed by law in certain US states. When you add a vacuum sucker and cutter blades you bring the noise back up again.
In the domestic market that largely favours electric machines, the machines are quieter and are less of a nuisance to neighbours: some will carry on keeping things simple with a blower, while others, and probably an increasing proportion, will go for the added versatility of a vacuum/ blower.
Once you have made your choice it only remains to say, in the immortal words from the Indianapolis 500 starter, 'Gentlemen and Ladies- start your engines' (but never after dusk, and give a thought to your neighbours)...
Christmas Sales Earthwise 60120 20-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower 201
Dec 12, 2011 08:35:03
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Christmas Sales Earthwise 60120 20-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Feature
- Single Lever Height Control 1-3/4-Inch to 3-3/4-Inch
- Easy On & Off Mulch Plug - Grass Catcher - Discharge Chute
- Handle Mounted Safety Blade Control and Safety Key
- Comfort "V" Handle, with Cushion Grip, Soft Touch Operation - with Easy Fold Handle
- Ball Bearing Wheels - Rolls Easy - Last Longer - 7 Inch Front and 8 Inch Rear
Christmas Sales Earthwise 60120 20-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Overview
Keep harmful exhaust out of the air! Earthwise 20" Cordless Electric Mower runs on renewable energy! SAVE BIG! We can all do our part to treat the environment with care, whether by recycling or using public transportation. Or even with our lawn-care choices, including this Earthwise 20" Cordless Electric Mower! Just charge it up and start cutting! Best of all, there's no deviation from the standard features of a gas-powered mower. Like the easy-rolling, ball-bearing wheels that are guaranteed to last for years, and the super-easy on / off start. That's right, there's no pull-start here! No tools required for assembly, either. Earth-safe: Comes with 3 options for discharging clippings (mulch, side discharge, rear bag); easy on / off mulch plug; Handle-mounted safety blade control and safety key to keep you out of harm's way; Comfort "V" handle with cushion grip; handle folds down for easier storage; Single-lever grass-cutting height control (1 1/2-4"); Durable steel deck construction; Hand-tighten assembly; Includes 24V battery, charger and charger connection line; 20" cutting path; Has 2-year limited warranty. Front wheels are 7" high; rear wheels are 9 1/2". Mower measures 40 x 22 x 36"h. Weighs 92 lbs. Cutting-edge, environmentally safe technology! Get it here for LESS! Earthwise 20" Cordless Electric MowerChristmas Sales Earthwise 60120 20-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower Specifications
With 3-in-1 performance that allows you to choose between mulching, bagging, or side discharge, plus a powerful 24-volt removable battery system that provides zero-emission performance, the Earthwise 60120 Cordless 20-inch Electric Lawnmower is a versatile, and easy-to-use tool. The single-lever height control, easy on/off mulch plug, removable battery, and handle-mounted safety-blade control provide enhanced performance, ease of use, and safety. And since the 60120 is powered by battery, there are no cords to worry about when you are mowing. |
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 Quiet operation makes this cordless electric mower an easy choice. View larger. |
 The battery is designed to lift out easily, and electric power keeps startup simple and pull-cord free. |
Powerful 24-volt Removable Battery
When it comes to power, the Earthwise 24-volt 60120 Electric Lawnmower has plenty of it to go around. The easy-in, easy-out battery provides enough power to handle almost any lawn in a single charge. The powerful 24-volt battery system delivers consistent performance and eliminates tricky pull-starts and noisy operation, so you can have all the performance of a gas-powered motor without any of the hassles. And not only is this mower powerful, but it's also a zero-emissions tool, so you can get the job done while protecting the environment.
Designed to Save You Time and Effort over the Long Term
The wide 20-inch cutting path and heavy-duty steel mower deck ensure efficient, long-lasting performance. With wide 20-inch coverage, your lawn will require fewer passes, which will save you both time and effort.
Navigating tough, uneven terrain is made easy by the composite seven-inch front wheels and oversized 9-1/2 inch rear wheels, which have ball bearings for better maneuverability and longer life. And the V-handle with cushion grip offers greater control over tough terrain and provides comfort. A nice bonus, the handle folds down so you can easily store the mower.
Single-lever Height Control for Easier Adjustments
Instead of having to adjust each wheel when changing the height of the mower blade, the Earthwise 60120 Cordless Electric Mower features a single-lever height control system that makes it easier than ever to adjust the height of the cut. You can choose between seven height positions, ranging from 1-1/2 to four inches.
The single-lever height control is just one feature that makes the 60120 so easy to use. Other ease-of-use features include the handle-mounted safety-blade control, the easy on/off mulch plug, and the lift handle lock that releases the battery from its compartment. In addition, this mower assembles with no tools required--simply hand-tighten several components and you're ready to go!
Innovative 3-in-1 Design for Added Versatility
Outperforming other mowers, the Earthwise 60120 Cordless Electric Lawnmower is three mowers in one, functioning as a mulching mower, a side discharge mower, and a rear bag mower. As your lawn changes throughout the spring, summer, and fall, the 60120 will adapt to the changing seasons as well. You can mulch your grass in the spring to help thicken the lawn, or you can use the bag to clear leaves and debris in the fall--the choice is yours!
The Earthwise 60120 weighs 92 pounds and is backed by a two-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
What's in the Box
Earthwise 60120 Cordless Electric Lawnmower, grass bag, wheels, and removable 24-volt battery.
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