A Leaf blower is a highly versatile piece of equipment and is as essential in a beautifully maintained garden as they are in the bushveld.
“The range of solutions offered by leaf blowers is both practical and extremely useful for both domestic and agricultural purposes,” says Kate Muir, Owner/Director at Turf & Timber Quip. She adds that there are a range of jobs – both around the house and on a farm – that call for a powerful gust of air, and the convenience of a cordless leaf blower offers a solid solution.
Muir provides just a few alternative uses for your leaf blower (although she says that the more you use it, the more uses you will find for it):
- Fire Control:
Probably the most important of all leaf blower alternative uses is fire control. Fires are a very real threat to farms and smallholdings, particularly in the winter months when it is so dry. Burning firebreaks, therefore, is an annual necessity for farmers. However, in the event of it becoming a runaway fire, not only can it damage your property, but you can be held liable for any potential damage caused to other’s property too. Many people don’t know this but leaf blowers can be very effective in this regard.
The Husqvarna 578BTF not only has a heat-resistant nozzle, but it also has protected fuel lines and a filtration system that prevents soot and dust from getting into the engine. This makes it the perfect tool to help quell fires by back burning (blowing the fire onto itself) or to direct controlled burning (in the case of fire breaks).
- Outside Maintenance:
Blocked gutters can cause a major headache, particularly during the rainy season when they start to overflow. You can save yourself a lot of time and trouble by simply blowing leaves and other debris out every couple of months.
- Cleaning:
Whether you’re cleaning garden equipment like mowers or trimmers or just want to tidy a pathway after replanting a flower bed, nothing is more effective than a leaf blower to get the job done. It gets into the nooks and crannies far better than a brush or broom can and takes far less physical energy. Farmers and DIY enthusiasts can save themselves a lot of time and effort sweeping their workshops too by using their leaf blower to remove wood shavings and fine sawdust.
Your trusty leaf blower is also the perfect tool to clean out your vacuum cleaner filter. Simply hold the blower outlet over the hole that goes into the centre of your filter and blast away (just ensure that you’re in the garden when you do this!)
- Threading:
If you need to guide a wire through a tight spot or a pipe, try tying the wire to a “weight”, for example, a folded cloth or a piece of sponge, and use your leaf blower to blow the wire through.
- Drying:
Instead of using a chamois or allowing your car to air dry (which can cause ugly streaks), simply turn on your leaf blower for a perfectly dry and streak-free car in minutes. You can use this same technique on outside furniture when washing it, or if it has gotten wet in the rain, a few minutes of blowing and your seats will dry out.
Water-logged carpets can also pose a real problem, but you can speed up the drying process with a leaf blower. Simply use the blower to circulate air over the wet carpet, helping to dry it out more quickly and effectively
“A leaf blower has become an invaluable tool to avid gardeners and farmers alike and well worth the spend to have this multifunctional gem alongside your other essential garden implements,” concludes Muir.
Husqvarna’s products are quality and Africa-ready. For more information on their range of leaf blowers or other equipment, visit https://www.husqvarna.com/ke/
