How to Determine the Power Output of Gas Leaf Blowers

Engines

• Engine size in leaf blowers is measured in cubic centimeters. Engines for gas leaf blowers range from around 25 cubic centimeters to more than 60, depending on the model. People looking for gas leaf blowers for use on home lawns may find that blowers with the smallest engines have more than enough power for blowing grass clippings or clearing leaves.

Air Speed

• Blowers also feature a miles per hour rating The mph rating measures speed of the air as it exits the end of the blower's hose or nozzle. Gas leaf blowers for home use may have mph ratings of around 150 mph.

Air Volume

• Air volume capability is measured in cubic feet per minute, and is another indicator of the blower's power. The engine generates raw power measured in mph, but cubic feet per minute measures the reach of the air as it leaves the hose or nozzle. A blower could have a rating of 400 cubic feet per minute, meaning that it generates that much air volume each minute.

Considerations

• Echo, a manufacturer of blowers, notes that many manufacturers publish the mph ratings of their blowers but not the cubic feet per minute rating. Both values are important in analyzing a blower’s performance. A superior mph rating may indicate more raw power, but a blower with a lower mph rating may have a superior rating in cubic feet per minute for air volume. This is sometimes possible because of better design and quality.

Research

• Review specifications before purchasing a blower, and narrow choices to products offering the most information about power output and performance. This allows for a direct comparison as you make a decision based on the key specifications, warranty and price.

Testing

• If possible, test blowers at a store specializing in lawn equipment. One consideration is noise. Gas blowers make so much noise that you should wear ear protection while using them. Because of noise, some local government ordinances ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in residential areas, although the ordinances usually do allow the use of electric blowers. Check with your home owners association or city hall to determine if there are restrictions in your community.