A leaf blower is an engine-powered gardening tool that propels air out of a nozzle to move yard debris such as leaves, grass, and twigs, into a pile for easier disposal. It is also used to clean driveways, gutters, removing dust and spider webs off the house. Some models can also suck in leaves and small twigs via a vacuum, and shred them into a bag.
Leaf blowers come in either handheld units or backpack-mounted models with a handheld wand. They can be powered by a fuel engine or an electric motor. Handheld leaf blowers are usually the cheapest and lightest but is also the least powerful. Electric powered leaf blowers are more powerful and ideal for blowing heavier materials.
The long nozzles of both handheld and backpack models are usually detachable or can be retracted for portability and easy storage. When shipping, a leaf blower must be properly packed to prevent damage. Here are some tips on how to properly pack and ship a leaf blower to ensure that it arrives in good condition.
Clean the leaf blower before packing. Use cloth rags or paper towels to get rid of any grime, dry leaves, grass, or any dirt that may have accumulated on the leaf blower.
Drain all fuel from the leaf blower. If possible, keep the tank lid off for a while to let the gas evaporate or use compressed gas to blow dry the tank. A leaking tank, especially of flammable substance, spells trouble at the post office or shipping company.
Detach the nozzle from the motor and retract to the smallest possible size. Wrap in newspaper and bubble wrap. Use tape to secure the wraps in place.
Place the motor in a couple of plastic bags and seal it shut. This will prevent any remaining fuel odors from reeking and alerting personnel at the post office. Wrap in several layers of bubble wrap.
Get a sturdy shipping box big enough to snugly accommodate the wrapped nozzle and motor with at least two inches clearance all around. Fill the bottom with a layer of packing materials such as packing peanuts, crumpled newspaper or foam pads, and place the motor and nozzle inside. Fill spaces between and around the items with more packing materials so that the box is fully packed. The items should not move when the box is closed.
Close and seal the package, affix address labels, and tape the box securely on all seams including the bottom. Take the package to the post office or shipping company yourself or you can schedule for a pickup.