Garden vacum shredders

[Sombrero]

Are these things any good?
I have lots of leaves around, but can they cope with sycamore seeds, conkers and shells, small fruits, small twigs etc?
I imagine a petrol model would cope, but what about an electric one?

 

[Burnerman]

The theory is much better than the fact......
If the leaves are dry, an electric one will cope, but if they are wet then there's no chance. Petrol machines cope better but still don't like twigs etc which clogs them. The other problem is that the vacuum bag gets really heavy with wet leaves, and the water passes on to the operators legs!
I've a Ryobi petrol machine, but I don't use it anymore so its up for grabs.
John

 

[HERTS P&D]

Go over the lawn with it set to the highest setting with no collection bag on the machine.

Then go over the lawn with the collection bag and lower the blades slowly.

Andy

 

[Sombrero]

Not so bothered about the lawn as i'll mow that regularly. But what about the suction on the patio or decking, and corners, and between plant pots, behind the garage etc... am i better off with a stiff brush and a bucketful of determination?

 

[Burnerman]

Each to their own I guess, but I've shelved my blower / vac and now use a Stihl BG56 blower only.....its light and well balanced and blows all of the grot away from awkward spots - to be collected later.
Most garden vacs would be hard pushed to recover soaking leaves from beneath decking......maybe you could hire before you buy?
John