Too damp to clear any leaves, but I did a bit of "essential equipment maintenance." I've had one of these cheap Chinese, Kingfisher garden vacs for about five years, they are only about £35 on eBay. They've a very strong 2,600w motor and are adequate for small gardens like ours. The problem is that they can't tell leaves from soil, so over time they pick up small amounts of fine damp soil with the leaves which the fan compresses and it sticks all around the fan housing reducing the efficiency. You can dislodge some of it if you poke a screwdriver up where the bag attaches, but not much. Now there's none of that "No user accessible parts," nonsense, the whole thing comes apart into two halves. (about 20 screws, mind). So every few months, like this morning, I give it a service which anyone who has one can do, (unplug it first of course). Take the tube off first then it's easier to manage. As you will see there was hell of a lot of soil caked around the internal surfaces and the little flap that changes it from blow to suck was partially jammed. After a good clean. The motor can be lifted out for better access, but the wires are still connected It's important after cleaning, to make sure the flap moves freely and locks into either position. (the handle is underneath it) The motor has lugs on it top and bottom, which fit into both halves of the casing, so you can't put it back the wrong way round. Just make sure the wires fit back where they should and don't get jammed between the two halves of the casing. Then a drop of oil on the rear bearing and it's ready for reassembly. The reduction of power over time isn't that noticeable until it's had a service and you see how much you had lost.
Three cheers for taking the vac apart to clean it. And another cheer for having it work properly after putting it back together without any left over parts. Jerry
Our eldest lad does this for us as well as servicing our hedge trimmers. So handy to have someone who's willing to do these jobs and without pay!!
It's a simple enough job, there are no loose parts. The only thing that can wear is the fan, but after five years mine still OK as they are made of a very tough material.
It's the age we're in and "elf n' safety." You have to indemnify yourself with any advice you give. "Decades ago cars' handbooks told you how to adjust the valves, now they tell you not to drink the contents of the battery." The first 100 pages of my car's handbook are all "elf n' safety" True!
Riley, you're among those who are self reliant and there are few today. We have become a "Throw away" society, by design. A blower serves as the tool for gathering leaves, assisted by a rake. Then the mulching lawnmower is used to create a fine mulch.
