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How to Store and Care for a Backpack Leaf Blower

Proper storage and care of your backpack blower is crucial for getting the best from your garden power tool. Using a high-quality leaf blower takes all the hard work out of raking and collecting leaves. All you need to do is power up your gas-powered or cordless backpack leaf blower and walk around your yard effortlessly, shifting fallen leaves into piles.

Backpack Blower

The problem with most garden power tools—including leaf blowers—is that they are seasonal tools. Of course, you can use leaf blowers for many other gardening tasks, such as clearing snow or sand.

But most homeowners generally only use leaf blowers for a few weeks in fall. After fall and early winter, the backpack leaf blower is stored in a shed or garage for the rest of the year.

Storing and caring for a backpack leaf blower requires some preparation before winter. It’s vital to store your blower in a dry, safe place during spring and summer, where there is no risk of unintentional damage.

In this article, you will learn how to store and care for backpack leaf blowers. These practical tips will help you get the best out of your investment, making sure your leaf blower works for many years.

How to Care for a Backpack Leaf Blower

Maintenance is vital to extend your leaf blower’s life and ensure it performs well. Failure to care for a garden power tool can lead to poor efficiency, higher energy consumption, and a greater risk of an accident, not to mention the frustration of not getting the job done. Some light maintenance is necessary each time after using your blower to keep it in good working order.

Four ways to care for your Leaf Blower

1. Check the Leaf Blower Air Filter

Regularly check the air filter to ensure it’s not dirty, clogged, or worn. A clean air filter allows air to flow freely and prevent debris from clogging up the blower’s motor.

Before inspecting the filter, switch off the blower so you can perform this task. If the air filter is dirty, remove it, wash it in a mild detergent solution and leave to dry. Once dry, put it back in the unit. Some air filter elements have a foam outer which can be oil soaked and will require cleaning with a petroleum product. Once cleaned it will need to be re-soaked in clean oil. Be careful when using cleaning fluids because they are very flammable.

Remember to replace the filter once a year—either in early fall or after the season has ended.

2. Check for Wear and Tear of the Backpack Leaf Blower

Like any other motorized garden tool, backpack leaf blowers are subject to wear and tear. After clearing up your leaves, it’s a good idea to check the blower’s working parts. For example, inspect the throttle and lock trigger as these tend to wear out faster. Also, ensure there are no fuel leaks and that the backpack harness is in good order.

3. Clean the Backpack Leaf Blower after each use

The best way to care for your backpack leaf blower is to wipe down the unit after each use. All you need is some warm water, liquid soap, a cloth, and a few minutes after finishing working in the yard. Dip the cloth in the soapy solution and wring out the excess. Then, wipe down the unit with the cloth, ensuring that water doesn’t get into any moving parts. Make sure that the blower has cooled down before wiping over it, to avoid burning yourself on the hot surfaces.

4. Extra Care for Gas-Powered Backpack Leaf Blowers

If you use a gas leaf blower attached to a backpack, you will have more maintenance to do. Gas-powered leaf blowers are generally more powerful than cordless ones and have a longer operation time. However, the 2-stroke gas engine requires regular care.

Handy tips for caring for gas-powered backpack leaf blowers:

  • Every week, check the spark plug for signs of corrosion. Replace the spark plug after every 25 hours of use or at the start of the fall.
  • Use a certified pre-mixed fuel as it lasts longer than self-mixed ones.
  • Don’t leave fuel in the blower’s tank for longer than 30 days if you’re not using it regularly.
  • Stale fuel is often the cause of the blower to not start.
  • Blocked exhaust mufflers will cause gas powered blowers to lose power.

How to Store a Backpack Leaf Blower

Backpack Leaf Blower

Backpack leaf blowers are seasonal tools and require proper storage. Keeping your leaf blower in a dry, safe place ensures that no dampness gets into the motor or other moving parts. Also, keeping excess moisture away helps to make sure that the backpack harness doesn’t get moldy and deteriorate.

Generally, it’s best to keep any motorized garden tools off the ground. Not only does this avoid a trip hazard, but it prevents water damage in case of a flood.

Three handy tips on how to store a backpack leaf blower:

1. Heavy-duty cradle hooks

Install one or two heavy-duty cradle hooks to store your backpack leaf blowers. Having two hooks has the advantage of keeping the blower and the nozzle well off the ground and away from children.

2. Custom shelf

A custom-built shelf is another option for storing a heavy backpack leaf blower. The shelf keeps the blower’s nozzle and its backpack safe. Using a shelf is sometimes easier to get the leaf blower when you need it.

3. Overhead storage racks

Any kind of overhead storage is ideal for storing a leaf blower when you’re not using it. Overhead racks are especially useful for long-term storage during spring and summer.

How to Prepare a Backpack Leaf Blower for Winter Storage

Getting your backpack leaf blower ready for storing over winter depends on the type of blower you have. Generally, cordless backpack leaf blowers require less maintenance. On the other hand, gas-powered leaf blowers need some preparation if you want them to power up next fall.

How to care for your cordless leaf blower

Some handy tips on caring for a rechargeable leaf blower:

  • Remove the rechargeable battery.
  • Clean out any debris from the bag and nozzles.
  • With a mild liquid soap solution, wipe down the exterior of the electric leaf blower.
  • Clean the backpack straps and check that none of the harness material is ripped or damaged.
  • If you have a rechargeable backpack leaf blower, fully charge the battery.
  • Store the leaf blower in a dry area, ensuring all safety guards are in place.
  • Remember not to store the rechargeable battery attached to the blower while you’re not using it.

How to care for your gas-powered leaf blower

If you have a gas-powered backpack leaf blower, you’ll need to prepare it properly for winter after you finish using it in fall. Proper maintenance helps extend the blower’s life and ensures it powers up the following year.

Here are some helpful tips on preparing your gas backpack leaf blower for winter storage:

  • Drain the gas tank and replace the cap. Then start the engine to use up all remaining fuel.
  • Remove the spark plug and pour a little 2-stroke, 40:1 engine oil into the spark plug opening.
  • Gently pull the starter rope about eight times to distribute the oil.
  • Replace the spark plug with a new one.
  • Check the air filter and replace it if necessary.
  • Wipe down the blower’s exterior with a mild soap solution and check for any damage.
  • Put the backpack leaf blower in its storage place and make sure all safety guards are in place.
  • Change the fuel filter once a year.
  • Use a carburetor spray to clean it once a year.

Backpack Leaf Blower — Storage and Care

Using backpack leaf blowers is an excellent choice for clearing large outdoor areas from fallen leaves and other debris. It’s vital to care for your leaf blower regularly and store it in a proper location to ensure it works year after year, after all you have made a significant investment in this very useful piece of equipment. It seems like a lot of extra work in caring for your blower but I can guarantee that proper care and storage is the best way to extend your backpack leaf blower’s working life.