Anyone use a battery operated blower?

[mrad]

I am wanting to buy a battery-operated blower to blow debris off my slideouts before bringing them in. I am curious as to how many out there are using one of these. I am also curious as to how many have a larger volume blower (350+ cfm) to use for yard work also. We have Milwaukee 18V tools with a couple of 3 amp hour batteries. I can get a Milwaukee 18V blower that puts put 450 CFM for $149. I know this would be overkill for bowing off the slideouts but would come in handy for blowing snow off cars in the winter and short bursts of blowing leaves off the patio when we don't want to start the gas backpack blower. My concern is the battery life as well as the durability of the tool. I have read some bad reviews on the Milwaukee's on their longevity. Curious as to the opinions on those who have used these for both blowing off slideouts and using them for light yard work.

[ktmrfs]

we have a stihl battery operated mower and after a few months realizing how nice it is, got a stihl blower that uses the same battery pack. Now the gas blower is only used as a vacuum for leaves etc. And we take the Stihl with us on camping trips, especially at the beach a nice way to blow sand etc. of the pad and/or mat and it is quiet.

But look around carefully. many of the battery blowers are pretty weak and the battery runs down quick and takes a long time to recharge. you get what you pay for.

Never used it on the slides, we have toppers, but have used it to blow needles off the awning before rolling it back in.

[dedmiston]

I got a free blower from Scotts to evaluate and review. If it weren't free, I would have returned it for a refund. I could do better standing there blowing through a soda straw.

[Durb]

I have two, both Makitas. I use the small 18V unit virtually every day around my shop and stoking fires. I also have a 36V unit (2 batteries) which is larger and I use it less. The small blower has variable speed and the larger 2 speed. Whatever you get, I would recommend variable speed as the jet stream is so much more controllable.

I have slide toppers so don't use them for that purpose but believe both would do the job.

[Reisender]

We have an 18 volt ryobi. Seems to work well after about 7 years. Starting to sound a little rattly but it gets a lot of use.

We have a lot of Ryobi stuff and about 12 batteries of various sizes. About half are probably 10 years old. Still working good. I think I have had only one of the little 2 amp jobbies go bad.

I’ve heard their 40 volt stuff is pretty impressive. No personal experience though.

[MitchF150]

I have the HF one and just the small battery for it. It's still 20v, but does not last all that long. I use it for quick jobs around the house and bring it camping just for quick stuff. It'll go for about 10 minutes on HI. A little longer on lower speed, but still effective.

Good luck! Mitch

[3_tons]

p220sigman wrote:
I have a Ryobi 40V handheld model that works very well. It easily works as well as the old corded electric one I had for blowing of the roof of the sticks and bricks home. I really bought it for the battery so I would have an extra for my mower. I could by a replacement battery for $149 and the blower with battery was on sale for $179.

X2, and I also have a cumbersome 120v corded Toro blower, but now (with a extra 6a battery) the 40v Ryobi has definitely become my ‘go to’ blower 🙂

3 tons

[BobsYourUncle]

I have 2 of them, both Dewalt. A large and a small unit. I use mine for a very wide variety of tasks including blowing off the top of the slide before pulling it in. It works fantastic for this purpose.

I use them to blow snow off my vehicles and also to clear sidewalks and steps. Again, they work great for that too. As long as the snow is dry powder, it works well. If wet, you need a shovel.

I bought Dewalt to match all the rest of my tools. They all take the same batteries. The bigger of the 2 blowers will eat a 5A battery fairly quickly, but I also have a large fleet of batteries, and keep them charged as soon as they are depleted.

[Homeless_by_Cho]

I use a Ridgid 18v Jobsite Blower. It is absolutely excellent. I just got done clearing leaves and pine needles and twigs off a driveway. It ran continuously for 30+ minutes and the 4AH battery was still going strong.

If bought at Home Depot, it comes with a TRUE lifetime warranty on both blower and battery. For non-commercial use, if either one fails, they will repair or replace it free forever. They even pay shipping in both directions.

LeRoy

[p220sigman]

I have a Ryobi 40V handheld model that works very well. It easily works as well as the old corded electric one I had for blowing of the roof of the sticks and bricks home. I really bought it for the battery so I would have an extra for my mower. I could by a replacement battery for $149 and the blower with battery was on sale for $179.

[2oldman]

Greenworks is good. The higher the voltage the better. I also have a 110v battery lawnmower that does an excellent job.

[Bumpyroad]

I have an 18 volt ryobi which works great. don't know how the OP can run a battery dry just doing slide toppers unless he doesn't recharge them. buy a couple of additional batteries and problem is solved. I also have a 120 volt and a gas powered one for driveway/deck etc.
bumpy

[chops1sc]

I bought one from Harbor Freight a few years ago and it is awesome!

[ferndaleflyer]

We have had one for 3 years and use it for everything. Never a problem

[LouLawrence]

If you just want light duty then the Black and Decker 20V blower w/boost works very well. For anyone wanting an actual yard blower the Greenworks 80V back pack blower does an amazing job for a battery powered blower.

[phil-t]

I use a "Green Machine" 40V. Does OK. This time of year, leaves and debris get blown in under the toppers. Blower works good for that. I adapted a vacuum extension with a 90 on it so I don't have to climb.