Leaf blowers come either as electric or gas powered leaf blowers.
Leaf blowers use gas and they use the regular unleaded gas with oil. Gas engines can either come as 2 cycle or 4 cycle engines.
2 cycle engines require a mixture of the gas and oil while 4 cycle leaf blower engines can use the regular gas without mixture.
Both the electric and gas powered leaf blowers are of great quality and you can make a choice depending on your preference.
This article will discuss the difference between gas and electric powered leaf blowers, how to fuel a gas leaf blower amongst other things.
Are Leaf Blowers Gas Or Electric?
Leaf blowers can either be gas powered or electrically powered.
Gas powered leaf blowers are the traditional leaf blowers that were originally in use before the introduction of the electric blowers.
The features of the gas leaf blowers include:
- They weigh heavier than the electric blowers.
- They are often carried with backpacks as they are heavier but they can also be handheld.
- They are reputed to be more powerful than electrically powered leaf blowers. This is because they tend to have a 4 cycle engine which is more powerful
- They are also very mobile as you can carry them far while working. They are not constrained by cords like some of the electric models.
- They are also more expensive and you can usually find them in a range of $50-$100
- They have a higher wind speed than the electric models with 150 and above mph.
They also have downsides which include:
- Gas powered leaf blowers are quite noisy
- They are messy especially dealing with gasoline as well as plug changes and maintenance
- They can also cause air pollution with the emissions coming out from them
Electrically powered leaf blowers are newer on the scene and they also come with their unique features which include:
- They can either be corded or cordless. Corded electric blowers have to be connected to a power source and these ones tend to be limited in mobility. The cordless types run on batteries and do not have location limitations.
- They are favorites because they are lightweight and not as heavy as the gas-powered types.
- Most electric blower models are handheld and easy to carry about
- They are also quiet and do not cause noise or air pollution.
- They are less expensive and do not have as much wind speed as the gas powered types with a wind speed between 50 – 100 mph.
- The downside to this type is they sometimes overheat and can stop blowing.
Here is an article I wrote on why leaf blowers shut off when hot
What Gas Do You Put In A Leaf Blower?
Most leaf blowers run on regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher.
Use gas that contains no more than 10% ethanol for the best results.
It is critical to mix the gas with two-stroke engine oil at a 50/1 ratio for newer models and a 40/1 ratio for older models.
Regular unleaded gas can be used in your leaf blower, just not on its own.
Most 2 cycle engines make use of mixed gas while 4 cycle engines do not require mixing. It is important for you to know what your leaf blower engine requires.
Using the incorrect gas in your leaf blower can have disastrous results. For example, being unable to start the blower or even pull the drawstring.
How Do You Fuel A Leaf Blower?
If you have a gas powered leaf blower then it is important that you understand exactly how you fuel it before use.
Gas powered leaf blowers come in 2 cycle or 4 cycle engines. 4 cycle engines are easier to fuel as they do not require mixing.
All you have to do is fill them with regular unleaded gas and ensure the oil is always topped.
To check your oil level, remove the oil gauge, clean it with a cloth, replace it, and pull it out again.
The oil level will be visible on the dipstick; it should be between the minimum and maximum marks, though it is preferable to be closer to the maximum than the minimum.
For the 2 cycle engine, you need to fuel it with a mixed gas and you can either mix it manually or buy the pre-mixed version. The premix is however often more expensive in the long run.
How Much Gas Does A Leaf Blower Use?
In general, the gas-to-oil ratio is 50:1 and this equates to 212oz of oil per gallon of gas.
However, not all leaf blowers require the same gas-to-oil ratio, and some can as well require a ratio of 40:1.
It is usually advisable to consult your user manual to determine the proper proportions to mix.
When combining gas and oil for your leaf blower, make sure to mix the quantities as precisely as possible.
However, if the amounts are slightly off, it’s better to have a little too much oil than not enough.
To mix your gas and oil together, simply pour the oil into a gas can after measuring out the necessary amount of gasoline.
Close the cap securely and give the can a good shake to ensure the oil and gas are well mixed.
Pour the mixture into your leaf blower and start it normally.
Also check out this article I wrote on how strong is a leaf blower
Are Electric Leaf Blowers More Powerful Than Gas?
If you are planning to get a leaf blower, you are faced with either the choice of a gas powered or electrically powered leaf blower.
As I have highlighted above, each type has its inherent advantages and disadvantages.
This also stretches to which engine is more powerful.
The most significant advantage of a gas leaf blower is its power.
Gas engines are designed to generate more energy and power than the electric ones.
Electric leaf blowers can’t compete in terms of raw power with the most powerful gas versions although some brands are getting close.
Do Leaf Blowers Take Regular Gas?
Gas powered leaf blowers can use regular unleaded gas but if it is a 2 cycle engine, you will have to mix the gas with oil in a container before pouring it into the engine.
It is also important that you know and get the right measurement of the mixture before turning into the engine.
You can also make use of premixed gas. This is easier as all you have to do is fill up your engine, however it is more costly over a long period of time.
For a 4 cycle engine however, all you have to do is fill up your engine with the gas and also put the oil in its side of the engine.
Ensure you always top up the oil and check the oil gauge from time to time.
Which Is Better: A 2 Cycle Or 4 Cycle Leaf Blower?
A two-cycle leaf blower is less expensive, lighter, and produces more raw power for the size of the engine.
They are simpler and thus last longer, but they are also noisier, polluting, and inefficient.
A four-cycle leaf blower is chunkier, more expensive, and also produces less power.
They are, however, more efficient, slightly less polluting, and produce less noise.
It’s also worth noting that 2-cycle engines require fuel that’s a mix of gas and oil; in 4-cycle engines, the oil and gas are added separately, so you don’t have to mix them yourself.
They both have their pros and cons.
A 2 cycle engine is more powerful and less expensive than the 4 cycle.
However, you have to factor in the mix of gas and oil which you would probably have to carry out yourself.
Conclusion
Gas powered leaf blowers are the traditional types of leaf blowers.
They are popular for their powerful engines and the noisy way they work.
In recent times, there has been an introduction of electrically powered leaf blowers.
These are often lighter and less noisy. Gas powered engines come in 2 cycle and 4 cycle variations.
The 2 cycle engines are often more powerful than the 4 cycle and they require a mix of regular unleaded gas and oil.
Electric leaf blowers are powered by electrical sources and can either be corded or cordless.
The cordless types are powered by lithium batteries while the corded ones are connected to the power source by their cords.
