Electric leaf vacuum

[Xist]

We have leaves all over our property, mostly from our neighbor's trees. We do not have any grass, so I cannot simply mow the leaves into the lawn. I decided to trim our hedge because it is so overgrown I have difficulty maneuvering past it to park. I actually scratched my car at least once.

Personally, I like having leaves on the unpaved areas, but it seems like I have blown about as many leaves under the bushes as I can. I figure that if I mulch the leaves they will fit and decompose better. I bought a trimmer, but forgot a second extension cord, so I did not get very far. I also bought an electric leaf vacuum, which probably works far better as a blower, but I already have one of those, which I picked up new for $4.

The vacuum does not seem to be able to handle any sticks larger than twigs. I at least partially blame the plastic impeller. So, I keep trying to separate the sticks, but I cannot use it on the branches I just cut. Whatever. Separate problem.

The intake tapers, so leaves get stuck, and I need to ram them. A couple of times I have had issues, stopped, took it apart, and there were sticks stuck in there, but sometimes, it stops picking up leaves, and I cannot figure out why.

I stopped trying to use it and came inside trying to figure out if I was using it wrong, but only found instructions on using blowers.

Should I exchange it for a more powerful one with a metal impeller? Is there a trick to vacuuming leaves? I only spent fifty dollars with my military discount, but I would rather not invest too much in something I may only use once yearly.

[RedDevil]

My leaf vacuum/blower has a plastic impeller too. A blade broke from the impeller, got stuck against the rest of the impeller and the housing, which exploded into plastic shrapnel and cut my trousers and the skin on my leg.

I took the broken blower to the DIY shop where I bought it to file a complaint and get my money back, but all they could do was hand me a replacement.
I took it but have not used it since, not just for fear of a repeat but also because of the noise.
When it exploded I was seconds away from shutting it off because of the noise, job unfinished.

The failure may have been caused by a small stone or shell.

Turns out I was doing it wrong. You need to blow, not suck, the leaves away initially onto a heap, then suck that heap up. That way you won't suck up the bigger hard items.

[redpoint5]

$5 rake.

[t vago]

Has anyone entertained the possibility of using something like this... on their car exhaust??!??!?! You know, to improve exhaust scavenging?

*ducks*

[Xist]

I stopped at the store and asked to speak to someone about leaf vacuums. They sent someone taller, with significantly better hair, and who obviously worked out better, and in a deep[er] voice he said "It sounds like you are doing it right, you just need to man up and get something more macho, that can get the job done!"

I am not too good at listening or remembering, but I am pretty sure those were his exact words.

[Xist]

I am pretty sure you need to upgrade to the six-dollar rake for shredding. Thanks, though!

[redpoint5]

We used a Billy Goat when I worked at a baseball stadium.

[NeilBlanchard]

The top-of-the-line Toro is the best vacuum/blower that I have used (and I have used a few). It has a cast aluminum impeller that is much better than any other machine. You still cannot work with wet leaves, but it is able to deal with larger twigs than other units.

Vacuuming is better than raking in several ways - the main one is that the leaves get chopped, so they don't blow around when you get them where you want them. They decompose more quickly. And they are MUCH more compact.

I do some areas with the blower, and then switch to the vacuum without the bag, to shift the leaf toward where I am going to let them decompose. If there are so many leaves that I cannot just shift with the vacuum, I use the bag to collect them, then empty the bag on a tarp, and when that is full, I drag it to where I am collecting them.

[jamesqf]

You know, I'm having a real problem trying to decide whether this post is serious, or a satiric comment on suburban life. Either way, it's sad. IIRC, the OP is not exactly flush with money, yet has bought expensive electric devices (and is considering buying more) to do a job which can be done better, faster, and cheaper - and without subjecting himself and his neighbors to unpleasant noise levels - with a simple hand tool.

[Xist]

Fifty dollars is expensive?
I have $3,000 in my bank account.
Again. Hand tools do not mulch!