Ménage / field leaf blower

[Spirit7]

Hello
I’ve just got back from a week away and I can’t see my school for the leaves, we have lots of trees and more leaves them ever and I’m on my own. My fields also suffer as thick leaves stop grass and look a mess. So any advice on the best blower (I’m thinking petrol as no power at school) it’s for about a 5 acre area of grass and 20 x 60 sand and fibre school. I’ve promised myself this year will be different. Thanks a lot

 

[poiuytrewq]

I have a Milwaukee battery blower and it’s absolutely brilliant. I love it.
It’s easy to start, I hated trying to start a petrol pull cord one.
No worries about buying petrol or filling it up.
OH upgraded it for me this winter with a stronger double battery version which I’m actually not as keen on. It’s not much more powerful but too heavy because of the double battery. (It’s for sale!!)
The single one is fab!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I've got a really cheap re chargeable one from homebase was only £70 I only have a relatively small yard but I've also been doing our gravel drive and the garden as it does such a good job, so much easier than sweeping it all everyday, I get so many leave everywhere as we are opposite woods I really wish I got one years ago.

 

[Spirit7]

I have a Milwaukee battery blower and it’s absolutely brilliant. I love it.
It’s easy to start, I hated trying to start a petrol pull cord one.
No worries about buying petrol or filling it up.
OH upgraded it for me this winter with a stronger double battery version which I’m actually not as keen on. It’s not much more powerful but too heavy because of the double battery. (It’s for sale!!)
The single one is fab!

Is it the M18? Can I ask how long the battery lasts, would it do a whole arena on one charge do you think? Thanks sooo much

 

[Spirit7]

I've got a really cheap re chargeable one from homebase was only £70 I only have a relatively small yard but I've also been doing our gravel drive and the garden as it does such a good job, so much easier than sweeping it all everyday, I get so many leave everywhere as we are opposite woods I really wish I got one years ago.

I’ve been using a dewalt one that my bloke had but my school is at the end of the drive and it did about a 10m half circle on one battery lol thanks !!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I’ve been using a dewalt one that my bloke had but my school is at the end of the drive and it did about a 10m half circle on one battery lol thanks !!

You need one that's lasts mine is ok for about 35 minutes which enough for what I do

 

[Barton Bounty]

I got a macallister one from screwfix, it was £70 i think, its brilliant, i bought an extra battery

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I find it a bit addictive and it's nice to see everything looking lovely and clean afterwards, my block paving and patio look so nice after I've done it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Depends on the battery.
They do different sizes. I don’t think it comes with a battery and charger which is silly.
It’s a lot better than the average battery blower though. I had a Stihl (?) first and that was feeble.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I find it a bit addictive and it's nice to see everything looking lovely and clean afterwards, my block paving and patio look so nice after I've done it.

Me too, i use mine at work for the station

 

[PurBee]

For a large area id really recommend the Stihl Magnum BR600 backpack petrol blower. Its insanely powerful with a 238mph blasting wind, and good on fuel use. Its on your back so the weight isnt such an issue.
I feel like a ghostbuster wearing mine! if you pick it up with the engine running it spins around on no throttle, its that powerful! It’s a giggle trying to get it on while twirling like a dervish
Although, If youre petite and slight muscled you might find any backpack blower too heavy.
The handheld petrol one was great, but i just got wrist ache doing larger areas. It was ok for the long driveway, but i needed breaks for my wrist every 20mins. OH got hand vibrations tingling from it so didnt like the handheld either.

 

[YourValentine]

Please don't leaf blow your field! It might look a bit messy now but as they rot down they provide vital nutrients to help next year's grass growth, as well as feeding important soil biology at a time of year when other food sources are slowing down. Contributing to general soil health which will help infiltration, drought resilience etc etc

Not to mention the massive habit they provide for a wide range of biodiversity - hedgehogs, frogs, insects, spiders. All things that are in massive decline, partly because we keep "clearing up" their homes.

 

[Spirit7]

Thab

Please don't leaf blow your field! It might look a bit messy now but as they rot down they provide vital nutrients to help next year's grass growth, as well as feeding important soil biology at a time of year when other food sources are slowing down. Contributing to general soil health which will help infiltration, drought resilience etc etc

Not to mention the massive habit they provide for a wide range of biodiversity - hedgehogs, frogs, insects, spiders. All things that are in massive decline, partly because we keep "clearing up" their homes.

Thanks for your advice, however it’s the edge of woodland and I need the grazing. The woodland covers the grass and actually the lead fall look l is so dense that it’s prevents growing grass. I’ve left it for last 4 years and it’s got worse not better and requires more work to keep brambles back. I have plenty of woodland for the deer, squirrels, foxes etc that we see daily and also keep free range chickens on it but understand you are trying to help.

 

[Spirit7]

This

For a large area id really recommend the Stihl Magnum BR600 backpack petrol blower. Its insanely powerful with a 238mph blasting wind, and good on fuel use. Its on your back so the weight isnt such an issue.
I feel like a ghostbuster wearing mine! if you pick it up with the engine running it spins around on no throttle, its that powerful! It’s a giggle trying to get it on while twirling like a dervish
Although, If youre petite and slight muscled you might find any backpack blower too heavy.
The handheld petrol one was great, but i just got wrist ache doing larger areas. It was ok for the long driveway, but i needed breaks for my wrist every 20mins. OH got hand vibrations tingling from it so didnt like the handheld either.

I think this is what I need, when I told other half I had posted on here he pretty much said get a Sthil immediately lol he also said horse women know nothing and as much as he loves my independence, to leave the machinery purchasing to him!! I shall surprise him with your post. I’m fairly strong (can carry a 60l knapp sack ok) so hopefully I’ll survive or just get stronger learning to manage it. Thanks again!

 

[Parrotperson]

Go with Stihl. You can’t go wrong. The one Purbee mentions is brilliant and easy because it’s a back pack one. It won’t be cheap. Try eBay maybe?

 

[Spirit7]

We

Thab

Thanks for your advice, however it’s the edge of woodland and I need the grazing. The woodland covers the grass and actually the lead fall look l is so dense that it’s prevents growing grass. I’ve left it for last 4 years and it’s got worse not better and requires more work to keep brambles back. I have plenty of woodland for the deer, squirrels, foxes etc that we see daily and also keep free range chickens on it but understand you are trying to help.

I also have a smugglers hole and Iron Age earthworks which won’t be blown for all the other wonderful creatures. (Not that I understand why the frogs are always miles away in my stables !!)

 

[Spirit7]

Go with Stihl. You can’t go wrong. The one Purbee mentions is brilliant and easy because it’s a back pack one. It won’t be cheap. Try eBay maybe?

Buy cheap buy twice. I’m prepared to pay about £400 ish I suppose more if I have too. Thanks again, horse people know loads !! X

 

[Parrotperson]

I’ve bought second hand stihl from eBay with no problems. Obviously you need to be careful. New this is £550/600

 

[PurBee]

I’ve bought second hand stihl from eBay with no problems. Obviously you need to be careful. New this is £550/600

I got mine secondhand for a bargain, just luck really seeing the advert. They’ll be others out there.
The best strimmer i got was a stihl from ebay, old late 80’s model, powerful, still going strong, for 80quid - its brilliant! It’s my favourite strimmer even today, compared to the heavier new commercial models they do which weigh a fair bit more - OH uses that.

 

[PurBee]

Please don't leaf blow your field! It might look a bit messy now but as they rot down they provide vital nutrients to help next year's grass growth, as well as feeding important soil biology at a time of year when other food sources are slowing down. Contributing to general soil health which will help infiltration, drought resilience etc etc

Not to mention the massive habit they provide for a wide range of biodiversity - hedgehogs, frogs, insects, spiders. All things that are in massive decline, partly because we keep "clearing up" their homes.

I agree with you - the single tree belt to the fields provides a smattering of leaf drop all over and its fairly thin, evenly disbursed, the grass grows through, the soil and grass quality is excellent due to leaf litter.
Right now the fields have a complete gentle covering of tree leaves and i see the horses using their lips moving leaves to eat some grass - in a way leaves act like a grazing muzzle!
Where i have parts of fields with more dense tree numbers, mini copses within the fields, the leaf drop completely smothers the grass and it dies-off to be very thin growth - so i blow off the thickness towards the trees, leaving a smattering, which has regenerated the grass growth in areas that would be pure mud.
One acre gets a quarter of it covered by very thick forest leaves due to wind direction, so those types of areas are my focus, so the grass doesnt die-off, as that is a significant grazing volume i would lose when all added up.

I dont leafblow areas of fields for clearing leaves completely, that would take all winter as im surrounded by forests and have thousands of trees on the land itself. I love building soil thriving with healthy bacteria and work hard maintaining that, as i really respect the circle of nutrient life nature provides for free

The hard-standing/track areas i completely clear of leaves/debris as that soon builds up as mud - i love using that leaf litter for the composting bins.

 

[Spirit7]

I’ve bought second hand stihl from eBay with no problems. Obviously you need to be careful. New this is £550/600

I’ve just bought the new one for £579 with a cheast strap as well. I am super excited (which might be a bit sad) and very excited to practice my best ghostbuster look. Thanks so much for your input. Have a lovely weekend

 

[Spirit7]

I agree with you - the single tree belt to the fields provides a smattering of leaf drop all over and its fairly thin, evenly disbursed, the grass grows through, the soil and grass quality is excellent due to leaf litter.
Right now the fields have a complete gentle covering of tree leaves and i see the horses using their lips moving leaves to eat some grass - in a way leaves act like a grazing muzzle!
Where i have parts of fields with more dense tree numbers, mini copses within the fields, the leaf drop completely smothers the grass and it dies-off to be very thin growth - so i blow off the thickness towards the trees, leaving a smattering, which has regenerated the grass growth in areas that would be pure mud.
One acre gets a quarter of it covered by very thick forest leaves due to wind direction, so those types of areas are my focus, so the grass doesnt die-off, as that is a significant grazing volume i would lose when all added up.

I dont leafblow areas of fields for clearing leaves completely, that would take all winter as im surrounded by forests and have thousands of trees on the land itself. I love building soil thriving with healthy bacteria and work hard maintaining that, as i really respect the circle of nutrient life nature provides for free

The hard-standing/track areas i completely clear of leaves/debris as that soon builds up as mud - i love using that leaf litter for the composting bins.

Your lane sounds a lot like ours. I have leaf fall everywhere pretty much but the heavily treeed areas are 3 inches deep in solid leaf, this needs clearing as does my ménage and now I have the perfect tool. I won’t be blowing my normal fields with a few oaks and birch’s - although all teee lined around the edge the cover is quite light. But I do need to enhance the wooded field. It’s lovely in winter, the snow doesn’t penetrate and it very rarely freezes too. Thanks again

 

[PurBee]

I’ve just bought the new one for £579 with a cheast strap as well. I am super excited (which might be a bit sad) and very excited to practice my best ghostbuster look. Thanks so much for your input. Have a lovely weekend

Well done , thats a reasonable new price you found- youll have a blast!
I too wait with glee for new tools en route
Get prepped with fuel and oil mix, 1:50 so you can open the box and be out there within minutes blasting ghosts!

 

[Janique]

It's manège and not ménage ( household).

 

[Spirit7]

Lucky that’s the only mistake without my glasses as I often cringe at what I read back! But thanks for taking the time to correct my spelling. I hope you feel better lol

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

The small bit I leaf blow I just blow them all out the gate into the woods opposite so they end up serving a purpose somewhere I suppose

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I’ve just bought the new one for £579 with a cheast strap as well. I am super excited (which might be a bit sad) and very excited to practice my best ghostbuster look. Thanks so much for your input. Have a lovely weekend

You will have great fun with that I love using mine we can all be a bit sad together

 

[Spirit7]

You will have great fun with that I love using mine we can all be a bit sad together

It’s just been delivered according to fed ex but not according to my partner !! Grrrrr

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hello
I’ve just got back from a week away and I can’t see my school for the leaves, we have lots of trees and more leaves them ever and I’m on my own. My fields also suffer as thick leaves stop grass and look a mess. So any advice on the best blower (I’m thinking petrol as no power at school) it’s for about a 5 acre area of grass and 20 x 60 sand and fibre school. I’ve promised myself this year will be different. Thanks a lot

I find Stihl the best