When the leaves start piling up this fall, don't sweat it. Our high-powered yard-clearing arsenal stands at the ready to turn that age-old chore into, well, less of one
Type: Cordless blower Blower rating: Very good Balance and comfort: The 2 ½-pound lithium-ion battery throws the blower out of balance, so you have to work at pointing the nozzle down.
Overall: Stihl's new blower is quiet and powerful, and has a variable-speed trigger and zero emissions. The two-stage, in-line fan design, similar to a jet engine's, streamlines the tube-shaped blower and generates a cfm just below the company's mid-level gas-powered engines. It delivers 10 minutes of run time, practically speaking; a longer-lasting, more expensive battery ($260) will double that time. This blower is geared toward pros or prosumers who want the power of gas without the maintenance, noise, and emissions.
Specs: 9.6 pounds. 36-volt lithium-ion battery; recharge time, 100 minutes. Maximum blower speed/volume at tube end: 102 mph/385 cfm. 64 dB at 50 feet. Two-year warranty on tool, battery, and charger.
$300, battery ($150) and charger ($50) sold separately; STIHL
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