{"id":12413,"date":"2020-10-13T14:52:32","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T14:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weingartz.com\/?p=12413"},"modified":"2020-10-13T14:52:32","modified_gmt":"2020-10-13T14:52:32","slug":"lawn-and-leaf-cleanup-blowers-and-shredder-vacs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wgz.powerweb.app\/expert-advice\/2020\/10\/lawn-and-leaf-cleanup-blowers-and-shredder-vacs\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawn and Leaf Cleanup: Blowers and Shredder Vacs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s talk about some of the\u00a0leading brands, STIHL<\/a>, Echo <\/a>and Makita<\/a>, of shedder vacs<\/a> and do a little comparison. The STIHL SH-56<\/a>, which has been around a long\u00a0time, is a great unit. Both the STIHL SH-56<\/a> and SH-86<\/a> blower and shedder vacs have the\u00a0same bagging capacity and the same cc engine but, the\u00a086 has a little higher output.<\/p>\n

STIHL SH-56<\/a> has a handle for holding as a vacuum\u00a0with a convenient shoulder strap to\u00a0help support the weight of the bag.\u00a0This unit, as well as all the units discussed, can easily be converted from a vacuum to a\u00a0blower with the tubes that come with it. Simply remove the vacuum tube, the bagging end,\u00a0and attach the blowing tube onto the end so\u00a0you get the use of a multi-tool function.<\/p>\n

The SH-86<\/a> has slightly more\u00a0power which, for blowing is not noticeable but when you get into shredding it\u00a0does take more power and gives a little additional power\u00a0when you get into heavier, tougher\u00a0conditions. This model also has some nice features\u00a0including rubber grips for added comfort for continuous use, a trigger lock like a cruise control\u00a0system, and a heavier duty air filtering\u00a0system so if you work in dusty conditions you\u00a0won’t have to clean the filter quite as often.\u00a0The SH-86<\/a> is a nice step up from the base SH-56 model.<\/p>\n

Another great\u00a0brand is Echo. The Echo ES 250<\/a> is very comparable\u00a0as far as performance and it comes\u00a0with both the tube for vacuuming\u00a0or blowing. A nice feature of the Echo is the two-bushel bag versus a 1.2 bushel.<\/p>\n

All models discussed are shredder vacs. The shredder vacs are actually three tools in one \u2013 a blower, a vacuum, and a shredder\/mulcher. Echo blowers have the power to reduce a volume of leaves, grass and other debris by a ratio of up to 12:1. These are great for doing work around your shrubs and flower beds but for getting in some of\u00a0those tight areas the vacuum does a great job.<\/p>\n