A leaf blower is a very useful piece of outdoor equipment, especially during the fall. If you take good care of your device, it can last for many seasons. Therefore, when purchasing a new machine, it is essential to understand the proper maintenance and proper leaf blower storage required to keep your blower in tip-top shape.
Since there are many different types of leaf blowers on the market, before you purchase you might want to read these top rated leaf blowers first. It’s also key to understand which types require different storage considerations.
Ultimately you want to get the most from your blower and knowing how does a blower work will help ensure that it lasts for the long term. Storing it properly in and out of season is a must.
In the article below, we’ll give you some general storage advice, plus several pointers on both the short and long term for each type.
Overview On Leaf Blower Storage According To Type
Overall, there are three different types of leaf blowers. First, there is the gas-powered device, which is heavier and requires the use of gas and a pull start to run the machine. These are typically used for larger-scale applications. Therefore, certain maintenance and storing protocols need to be followed to ensure that your machine runs for as long as possible.
Secondly, there are electric leaf blowers, many of which use rechargeable batteries or power cords to power the blower. Batteries, in particular, require a certain amount of consideration, especially when storing these for a long time. Knowing which is the best leaf blower brand upfront will save you time and money.
Thirdly, there are backpack leaf blowers, which also often operate using gas. However, they can be stored in slightly different ways due to their harnesses.
In addition to understanding the various kinds of blowers, it’s also important to take into account the weather and seasonal changes that might affect the storage of your device. This is particularly relevant in areas with extreme changes in weather.
For example, in some cases, you might need to undertake certain actions to “winterize” before leaf blower storage for the winter season.
Advice on Where to Store One
In general, you can store your leaf blower in your garage or garden shed like you would your other power tools and mechanical devices. While some might go for simple hooks to hang the machine off of, you could also investigate more custom storage solutions.
These could include things such as garage wall shelving, a workbench, ceiling storage, corner shelves, or even custom built hooks or a large hanger.
Whichever means you choose, and depending on your level of DIY finesse, you can come up with a number of creative ways to store your leaf blower. Overall, it’s best to make sure that your device is clean and stored in a safe, dry space away from children for any kind of short or long term storage system.
In addition, if you live in an area with very cold winters, you may need to “winter-proof” your gas-powered device. This includes making sure that the engine is coated with stabilized fluid so that it isn’t damaged during its hibernation period.
After this broad overview, we’ll now take a look at each type of blower, what are leaf blowers used for and learn some leaf blower storage tips for each one.
Gas Leaf Blower
The most important maintenance points and repair leaf blower signs with a gas leaf blower include keeping tabs on the fuel tank, the spark plug, and the air filter.
Before storing this device for any length of time, it’s important to check all three of these for signs of distress and wear and tear. After this, you can prep your device for either short or long term storing periods. These maintenance tips will save you or someone you know from asking a repair shop why my leaf blower won’t start.
Short Term
For short term leaf blower storage, you’ll want to ensure that it is easily accessible, but also stored in a safe area. The fuel tank and other parts should be placed upright so that it doesn’t leak and damage itself.
Since fuel is highly flammable, you’ll also want to keep this device away from any kind of potential heat or other flammable sources.
When storing your device for any length of time, it’s also a good idea to check the gas tank for leaks. Remember to also check the starter rope, operating switches, and the tubes for any wear and tear or damage.
Long Term
Depending on where you live, long term device hibernation might require “winterizing” the device. All that this involves is stabilizing the gas in the tank with a fuel stabilizer, then running the machine to coat all of the inside engine parts while it is warm.
After that, you can discard or keep the gas, and then run the machine one more time until the engine dies. This will make sure that your machine is coated and set to be stored over the winter.
In addition to this, you’ll need to store your gas-powered device in an air controlled place where there aren’t too many fluctuations in temperature or any kind of humidity or moisture.
Electric Leaf Blower
Electric leaf blower storage, on the other hand, doesn’t require as much engine maintenance as a gas-powered model. But, it will require attention to the batteries or power cords when being used or stored.
Once again, you’ll want to keep the leaf blower away from any moisture and charge the batteries to a certain degree depending on how long you plan to store it.
Short Term
In the short term, you can store your electric leaf blower in a garage, using a hook or any other kind of rack or shelf. This depends on whether the device has a power cord or whether it uses batteries.
In the case of batteries, it’s important to keep an eye on the charging level. Lithium-ion batteries function optimally when charged to a certain level and don’t when they are completely discharged after each use (as this can weaken the battery). Using and swapping out multiple batteries can be helpful in this case.
Overall, you’ll just want to be keeping your batteries charged to the optimal level and keeping them away from any moisture or heat, at all times.
Long Term
Once again, for long term, you need to keep your batteries away from heat, moisture and charge them a little bit before you store them for the winter. For electrical devices with a power cord, you’ll want to ensure that the cord is stored optimally so that there aren’t any kinks in the electrical cable. Kinks could lead to damage.
For this reason, looping the cord in circles is the ideal way to store it in a compressed form. Also, make sure that you store the cords safely and out of the way so that no one can trip over them.
For both corded or other devices, it’s also helpful to store it above ground to prevent it from getting wet. Then, as with any leaf blower, store it in a safe and dry space, where there isn’t going to be too much heat or cold, or excess humidity.
Backpack Leaf Blower
A backpack leaf blower is perfect for taking on those heavy-duty yard cleaning jobs. They produce very powerful airflow to remove most leaves and debris and knowing what is cfm on a leaf blower can help you when looking. Backpacks are also one of the best leaf vacuum for wet leaves.
These models are also quite big and bulky. When it comes to backpack leaf blower storage ideas, it’s important to store this device optimally so that it lasts as long as possible.
Since many backpack blowers are gas-powered, the same maintenance discussed above will also apply here.
Short Term
In the short term, it can be helpful to store a backpack leaf blower using a cradle hook, hanger, or similar item, with an extra hook on the side to hold up the tube. In this case, you could make a DIY backpack blower hanger specifically designed to store your leaf blower.
A hanger or set of hooks in your shed or garage will also make it easy for you to simply hang up your backpack blower after use.
What’s important here, is to check the fuel tank and make sure it is upright when you put it in a place to store. You should also perform the usual maintenance after each use.
Long Term
For long-term backpack blower storage, you could use the same type of setup provided that you do all the necessary maintenance and engine checks as discussed above.
However, with the weight placed on a hook by the device, this might put some strain on the harness over time. So, for long term it might be helpful to store it in a closed cupboard. This will also help to keep your blower safe and clean. Whereas if it were hanging on the garage wall for months, it could get damaged and collect a lot of dust and cobwebs.
You might even want to find a separate place to store the harness during the winter. For example, a sealed bag would help to keep it in prime condition.
Final Thoughts
In the article above, we’ve provided a general overview of leaf blower storage. This included advice on various means of hanging or storing of these blowers, presumably in your garage or any other dedicated equipment space.
We’ve also explained the various kinds of blowers, including gas, electric/battery-powered, and backpack, and have given both short and long term options for each. As we have mentioned, the way you store your leaf blower depends on the climate of where you live.
You’ll want to find a place to store it away from moisture, heat and extreme fluctuations in temperature.
This might seem like a lot of information to take in if you’ve never owned a blower before. However, if you take note of the points above, there is no doubt that you’ll become well versed in optimal leaf blower storage for many seasons to come.
Related Articles:
Best Black and Decker Leaf Blower Reviews, Pros & Cons
