A vacuum cleaner for leaf cleaning greatly simplifies the cleaning of various territories and partially solves the problem of processing collected garbage, since its burning is prohibited by law. This assistant can grind the collected leaves, branches, cones, acorns. The resulting fine fraction can be used as an excellent mulching material, applied as fertilizer or put into a compost pit. And in the case of the collection of garbage collected, it is shredded, it is more compact and significantly smaller in volume.
Manufacturers advertise and offer various varieties and options for seasonal cleaning of land. The commercial market for this type of equipment is so diverse that it becomes increasingly difficult to choose a garden unit. How not to make a mistake when buying cleaning equipment for the garden?
Classification of garden vacuum cleaners
Familiarity with vacuum cleaners for the collection and disposal of foliage should start with the approved standards that divide them into the following groups:
- Hand type - these are compact and lightweight devices that, when used, are held in hands or worn on the shoulder. Suitable for minor cleaning of small areas or streets;
- Knapsack type - a professional tool that allows you to work in large areas and for a long time. It is put on shoulders in the form of a satchel, is convenient to carry and transport (Fig. 2);
- Wheel type - these are models of high power, allowing you to bring cleaning to large areas. Such aggregates are used not only for leaves, they are able to clean and grind large branches, plastic, glass. They are used by utility services for cleaning streets, squares, parks (Fig. 3).
If you do not go into the design features of diverse models, then in general, a garden vacuum cleaner consists of the following parts:
- Pipe with nozzles for air supply and suction of garbage;
- Engine with fan blades;
- The mechanism for switching air movement modes (for non-reversible engines);
- Trash container;
- Garbage crushing system (for models with a grinder). This design allows the device to perform three functions:
- Suction of garbage (vacuum cleaner): provides quick and high-quality garbage collection in a prepared bag. The period of operation is limited by the size of the waste bin. It requires regular replacement.
- Blowing away trash (blower): applicable as a broom. A stream of installed power air debris moves from one place to another, is formed in a heap. Convenient for blowing leaves from hard to reach places.
- Shredding garbage: The shredder shreds garbage before disposing of it. The device is available with two types of cutting system - with the use of knives - it is used more often, with the use of mills - it is installed on manual models.
- Equipment is available with one, two or all three functions.
According to the type of drive mechanism, a garden vacuum cleaner is divided into:
- Petrol;
- Electric wired;
- Rechargeable.
A gasoline garden vacuum cleaner means high power, productivity and mobility. Utilities use this gardening technique for quick cleaning of large areas. But gasoline-powered vacuum cleaners have a number of significant disadvantages: high noise, exhaust fumes, periodic maintenance, and relatively high cost. Available with two stroke and four stroke engines. With similar sizes and weights, the former are half as powerful and cheaper.The second type of units is quieter, less subject to vibration and does not require mixing gasoline with oil.
Electric garden vacuum cleaners wired and cordless can be used indoors. They are lightweight, affordable, easy to maintain, economical to use, quiet and environmentally friendly. The disadvantages include the fact that the wired vacuum cleaner has limited mobility, network connection is not always possible, and the use of extension cords is unsafe.
The battery as a power source eliminates the listed disadvantages of wired models, but makes the garden electric vacuum cleaner more difficult. The power of this type of equipment is the smallest, and the period of use is limited by the battery charge. The battery fails, having exhausted its resource (the number of charges - discharges), as well as during prolonged storage without use. Given its high cost and the need to purchase a power supply, the efficiency of such a vacuum cleaner is doubtful.
Purchasing a garden vacuum cleaner
What you should pay attention to when choosing a garden vacuum cleaner, for quick and high-quality collection of fallen leaves.
When purchasing a garden vacuum cleaner, first of all, you should analyze:
- Land area for cleaning;
- The frequency of cleaning and the intensity of pollution;
- Classification of pollution (coarse branches, grass, a large layer of wet leaves, etc.);
- The physical capabilities of the performer when carrying the unit, the tolerance of noise and vibration, the smell of exhaust gases.
Of course, you should study the main characteristics - engine power. A model with adjustable power will allow you to set the cleaning mode depending on the task and save money. For home use, a budget option with a small capacity, but with a high air flow rate, is quite suitable.
A garden vacuum cleaner with a chopper has additional characteristics, namely: the size of the chopped branches, the chopping coefficient, which is set in the range from 5: 1 to 16: 1, the volume of the waste bin from 20 to 250 liters (Fig. 4)
Modern technologies using powder metallurgy can significantly reduce the final cost of the finished product. But it is important to remember that such models have frequent problems with threading and in case of breakage, entire units are subject to replacement, not individual parts. So the savings on the purchase can result in tangible repair costs.
It will not be superfluous to pay attention to the quality of plastic. If the body parts are made of cheap material, it is foolish to hope that the internal parts are durable and wear-resistant.
Not an unimportant detail is the “fitting” of a street vacuum cleaner. Convenience of “landing” on belts, weight, balance, behavior of the unit when changing modes, noise and vibration levels - these seemingly insignificant trifles during operation can bring noticeable discomfort to the user.
The volume of the garbage collection chamber. It is important to understand what is acceptable for the user - the frequent change of garbage containers and their burdensome weight, or long-term work up to the maximum filling of the bag and its tangible volumes.
In the process, this technique "drives" the dust. Having an air purification system will be a big plus. In this case, you need to take care of the purchase of filters and change them regularly.
Often models are equipped with two removable working bodies - a pipe of a smaller diameter for moving foliage and forming a heap, a pipe of a larger diameter for collection and disposal. Of course, it is more convenient when switching between modes occurs without changing the nozzle.
Warranties, service, availability of spare parts, packaging for convenient storage, cord assembly system are secondary criteria, but not unimportant.
Well, and, of course, the price. The price range is quite wide. The classical ratio of price - quality is sometimes more economical than price - brand.
If the collection of leaves is planned exclusively on lawns, an alternative to a vacuum cleaner can be a garden electric or gasoline lawn mower making cleaning no worse. Its power is enough to capture even wet leaves, which it will successfully grind and utilize into a grass catcher.
Garden vacuum cleaner: description and overview of models
1. Electric - have received the greatest distribution. Models usually have two functions: a vacuum cleaner and a blower. The volume of containers for garbage collection up to 45 liters.
2. Vacuum cleaners - blowers. They have one, two, three functions: blower; blower and suction; blower, vacuum cleaner, chopper. There are models equipped with a nozzle on the bell in the form of a wheel, which facilitates the movement of the unit.
3. Petrol vacuum cleaners - high power is inherent, they endure long-term loads, are equipped with three working functions, the presence of a fuel tank significantly increases weight.
4. Units with crushing function - powerful, productive. As a rule, they have a large volume of the bag into which crushed garbage is compactly stored, which allows you to work for a long time, without stopping, to change the container filled with garbage.
5. Vacuum cleaners with a bag. Equipped with either removable bags that are convenient to store and transport, each time putting on a new one. Or stationary, which are closed with a zipper, they must be released, shaken. It is important that as the bag is filled, work with the manual device becomes more difficult. The fabric for the manufacture of bags, as a rule, is wear-resistant, moisture-resistant, elastic (tarpaulin, spunbond, etc.)
6. Units on wheels - the largest, most powerful, designed for industrial use. In everyday life, they can become a burden rather than an assistant because has a large weight and volume, require space for storage and storage, and the power is not economically justified for small areas of cleaning (Fig. 5).
7. Hinged vacuum cleaners for cleaning - belong to the professional equipment used by utilities. Attached to a vehicle having a body. Available in weights up to 160 kg. They have different suction speeds, length and diameter of the working pipe. Differ in the increased noise.
Overview of popular garden vacuum cleaner models:
It is light and compact. The model (Fig. 6) is equipped with an electric motor. It is a successful design in the form of a pipe and a bag and weighs only 3 kg. It has two functions - suction and blowing. This unit from the German manufacturer is highly reliable and has a long service life. Economical price and excellent quality are the main advantages of this household-class vacuum cleaner.
Two in one - a vacuum cleaner and a blower for little money (Fig. 7). This model from the European brand, having a very affordable price, is distinguished by its power and high speed of air flow - 800 m3 per hour - this is the best indicator among units of this class. It is equipped with an electric drive, has a bag - a container. Lightweight, silent, eco-friendly. Will appeal to the thrifty buyer.
This garden tool (Fig. 8) is in a different price niche and several times more expensive than its electrical counterparts. However, this is the most popular model among gasoline garden vacuum cleaners. She has the power of large garden plots, adjoining territories, and even parks and squares, so she is in demand among the "communal services". Equipped with wheels for easy movement when the bag is full. Combines all three functions:
- After blowing, the air flow rate is 70 m / s, which will even sweep away snow;
- Blowing, collecting garbage, foliage into a special container;
- Shredding, reducing debris, compact packing in a fabric bag.
This unit (Fig. 9) is classified as professional. It is able to withstand daily hours of hours, and breaks records in terms of indicator - long-term operation without breakdowns.A garden vacuum cleaner from a popular Swedish brand is equipped with a gasoline engine and a full range of functional characteristics. The crushing system is so powerful and strong that it shreds not only thick branches and branches, but also glass. For a large-sized home site, this model will be relevant, and such a powerful and reliable assistant will like the road and utilities services.
An exceptionally professional model (Fig. 10). Has a gasoline engine and mega performance. It can be successfully applied when clearing roads, snow drifts, large blockages. To perform this kind of tasks, this technique has no analogues. The air flow rate is 345 km / h, and the grinding system is able to cut glass and plastic branches. The vacuum cleaner is equipped with an air filtration system, and the engine has a timer for refueling. Premium model, enhanced reliability and performance.
If still in doubt ...
Another “trick” when choosing a garden vacuum cleaner is to study reviews of proven models. Such opinions are not always biased. But this is only part of the information necessary to analyze the correct choice. Statistics of breakdowns and calls to service centers, price-quality ratio, reliability and suitable technical specifications for the required nature and scope of work are all the main and important criteria for choosing a garden assistant.
A little advice - if you still can’t make a choice, it makes sense to rent a model you like. Such a “test drive” is guaranteed to put an end to the choice of a planned acquisition.