| With the Black & Decker Leaf Hog, you can clean up both the deck and the lawn with one reasonably priced and easy-to-maintain machine. This blower/vac is electric, so it requires an extension cord and an electric outlet to run, but there's nothing else to set up or maintain. The 12 amp motor has considerable power for its size, more than enough to clear driveways or decks or blow off sections of lawn. At just over 7 pounds, the Leaf Hog is light enough to use for long periods of time, and it's also quiet enough to use at any time of day. Switching from blowing to vacuuming is a snap--literally. The correct button took us a moment to find, but once you've located it, you simply depress it and remove the blowing unit, then attach the vacuum extension in its place. The extension has a bag for mulch, which attaches with a small clasp. When vacuuming, the unit mulches by sucking leaves through the fan assembly. Though this model, with its patented Vortex anticlog vacuum system, does a better job of remaining unclogged than most, you still need to be careful to avoid rocks and sticks. It also has a variable-speed control that lets you choose between 150 and 200 mph blower speed. |
|
 A well-designed, ergonomic blower-vac |
| Review Date: July 15, 2001 |
| Reviewer: Tool Connoisseur, APO, AE United States |
| I almost didn't buy the B&D Leaf Hog because of some of the negative reviews I read here but I'm glad I ultimately disregarded them. I did so because I went into the local home-improvement store and hefted one. It was so much more ergonomic than the competing Toro and seemed to be so much better designed, I took the plunge and I haven't been disappointed. It is extremely comfortable to use. B&D really thought the design out. Switching from blower to vacuum couldn't be more easily or quickly accomplished. It's quieter than I expected (95 decibels measured on the vacuum). It really does mulch well and provides a steady supply for the compost pile. And to address the negative comments: Someone complained about the impellor wearing out because it's plastic. They can't make it out of steel because of spark and fire hazards and if it was aluminum, it probably wouldn't last much longer and in either case it would add considerable cost. Another bright reviewer complained about having to tie a knot in the chord because the clip in the handle wasn't adequate. Well, a quick overhand knot has worked extremely well since the extension chord was invented, and is used by professional tool users everywhere! Someone also complained about the bag coming off, but they never noticed the clever clip there for the chord to help hold the bag on. Someone thought the vacuum was inadequate but they're probably not realizing that it draws a lot of amps and requires the appropriate gage extension chord (I recommend at least 12 gage). I found the vacuum to be plenty powerful enough and I had to turn the blower to "low" because it was blowing the rocks out of my (desert landscape) yard! I can't directly address the long-term reliability since I've only had mine a month or so, but it seems well built for the price. The bottom line is: The Leaf Hog is a well-designed tool with great performance that is worth the cost (think about it - it's the price of a dinner for two at a nice restaurant and people are complaining that it's not built of titanium and nuclear powered). It will probably last longer if you treat it with the respect a tool deserves. This is an extremely useful tool that anyone with a yard will be happy to own. Also, if you plan on vacuuming a lot of leaves, I recommend getting the BV-006 leaf collection system because the included bag is for smaller jobs (and would get too heavy anyway if it was bigger). |
Great Leaf Blower
|
| Review Date: March 23, 2000 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I recently borrowed a Leaf Hog from my neighbor and it was great. It really helped me get the yard cleaned up for spring. I am definitely going to buy my own so I'll be ready for Fall. The thing is really easy to change from blower to vacuum. Since they won't pick up leaves and lawn clippings where we live it helps to be able to mulch them up into a small trash bag with the vacuum part. It sure makes yard clean up easier. |
Great product for most homeowners...
|
| Review Date: September 8, 2003 |
| Reviewer: Kathy D, San Diego, CA |
...
Before buying this Black and Decker I had used a friend's Toro Blower/Vac for almost 2 years. It was junk. The plastic nozzles cracked almost immediately, and it does not vacuum very well at all. But it was the first such device I have used, so I thought it was only what could be expected from the vacuum.Now I've bought my own home. I needed some sort of blower/vac, and I decided to try this Black and Decker to see if it was any better. It is MUCH better made than the Toro. The nozzles are made to last and the motor is much more powerful. The blower is super, but the real surprise was the vacuum feature. This thing will suck the chrome off a trailer hitch. It does much, much better than the Toro when it comes to the vacuum feature. Given previous reviews, two warnings: FIRST.....Anything it sucks in must go past the impeller blade. So you should avoid rocks and other hard materials as much as possible. SECOND.....This is not some industrial machine meant for cleaning up an entire plantation. I live in San Diego where yards are fairly small, so I don't run this thing for hours on end. It isn't made for that. But this will be the average homeowner's favorite yard tool and last for years. People with lots of land and professional landscapers should considered the gas-powered models that look like lawnmowers. Don't complain because this machine wasn't designed to clear the back 40! My friend's Toro has already lasted 2 years, and I know this Black and Decker will no doubt outlast it. |
Very good product.
|
| Review Date: October 30, 2002 |
| Reviewer: Mike D, |
| Since the leaves are now beginning to fall in the Pacific Northwest, I've had a few opportunities to use this blower in vacuum mode, both on dry and on wet leaves. Our yard abuts a few big leaf maples (aptly name -- 12-14 inch leaves!). I've found that the best approach is to first rake the leaves in a number of large piles, and then use the B&D to vacuum them up. It has had absolutely no problems, even with large, wet leaves. It's jammed maybe three times total, and it's very easy to unjam. I've had tons of mulch, wood chips, etc., go through the unit, and when I inspect it, it's no worse for the wear -- even the impeller looks good. The unit is a bit clumsy with the power cord to haul all over the lawn looking for leaves to vacuum, and that's why instead I do a bit of pre-raking first. Overall, this is a solid product. |
Pleasantly Surprised
|
| Review Date: October 15, 2002 |
| Reviewer: K. Bragdon, Charlotte, NC |
I just purchased this product and was pleasantly surprised how well it works. It has a lot of power and does not stink or blow out my ear drums like my gas blower.
I would definitely recommend getting the BV0006 as it is less awkward than the shoulder bag. A little weight in the bottom of the barrel will help keep it upright when empty.
However the primary reason I wrote this was that I read the reviews citing the impellor wearing out. I am about as cynical as they come but I think there are good reasons for this design. Namely fingers and more power delivered to the work while keeping electrical draw low enough that you can use a long cord with out problems. Whatever the reason though it should not be a problem as I found replacements online...and it comes off with just one nut...In my mind that is a small price to pay for the labor and back aches it will save! Wish I could give you the url but I searched -"Black & Decker" parts- and got them or -"tool parts"-.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. |
Discount for
" Black & Decker BV2500 12-AMP Electric Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher ", Today on Sales Black & Decker BV2500 12-AMP Electric Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher + Free shipping. Get Black & Decker BV2500 12-AMP Electric Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher Now! |
No video reviews found for this product.
