A cordless leaf blower is great for blowing away grass clippings, fallen leaves, and even the mess left over from cutting back your hedge. It’s one of the most valuable tools in the garden shed during autumn. However, before you get started, there are a few things you should check prior to its first use.
1. Check the battery level
First and foremost, check the level of the battery and make sure it’s fully charged. If your battery is low on power or flat, you’ll need to charge it. Your EGO battery will be back to full power in a short space of time. Here’s a breakdown of how long each of our batteries takes to charge with our rapid charger:
- 2.5 Ah EGO battery - 30 minutes to full
- 4.0 Ah EGO battery - 30 minutes to full
- 5.0 Ah EGO battery - 40 minutes to full
- 6.0 Ah EGO battery - 45 minutes to full
- 7.5 Ah EGO battery - 60 minutes to full
- 10 Ah EGO battery - 70 minutes to full
- 12.0 Ah EGO battery - 80 minutes to full
2. Check for signs of wear and tear
It’s normal for your leaf blower to undergo some wear and tear. However, there are some parts you should check in particular:
- The hose - Look for cracks or other damage to the hose. Also, check if it's secured tightly. If you find the hose is loose or has suffered damage, we recommend replacing it.
- The connecting cable - Examine the connecting cable for any visible signs of wear and replace it if necessary. Like with any electric-powered device, worn or damaged parts can make it unsafe, so it's important to replace them before using the tool again.
Also, inspect your battery leaf blower for loose nuts, bolts and screws. If you find any, tighten them with the correct tool so the leaf blower is safe and in good working condition.
3. Check for a blocked air inlet
A blocked leaf blower can be an issue when you use it for the first time in the autumn. It can impact the blower's efficiency and performance, draining its battery quicker than it should. The cause of a clogged air inlet is likely from the last time you used it, particularly if it wasn't cleaned and maintained correctly after use.
To clean the air inlet, check for debris, such as twigs, leaves, or grass clippings, that are blocking it and remove them. Once removed, wipe it down with a damp, clean cloth or sponge.
The air inlet on all EGO leaf blowers, including the EGO LB5300E, is located behind the blower tube. Take a look at number 9 in Figure A (below) to help you find it.
Is there anything else I should check?
Mechanically, there’s no need for further checks before using your battery leaf blower. However, there are other things to inspect before you start using your leaf blower:
- The weather - EGO cordless blowers are powerful enough to blow away wet leaves and debris. However, using an electrical tool when it’s raining can cause the battery to get wet and damage the tool overall. The ideal conditions for leaf blowing are dry and still days when the air is calm enough to gather the leaves you’ve blown into a pile.
- Correct clothing - Wearing the proper clothing will help prevent injury. It will also help avoid accidents that may damage the tool, such as dropping it. Correct clothing includes sturdy boots, eye protection and work gloves.
- Assisting tools - Your cordless blower can help you with more than just clearing your yard of leaves and debris. It can also be used to clean your gutters and dry your car after washing. If you’re thinking of using your cordless blower for any of these tasks, ensure you have the right tools to complete them. For instance, clearing your gutters requires a ladder and a safety harness too.
Browse the EGO gardening calendar for more garden tips
Our new gardening calendar is organised season by season. Now you know what gardening jobs need doing to have a healthy and thriving garden year after year.
Also, there’s plenty of information on maintaining many of your EGO cordless garden tools as you do your gardening throughout the seasons. Have a browse through and expand your gardening knowledge and put it into practice with the help of the EGO range.