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How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowers banned in D.C.

theatlantic.com

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Re: How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowers banned in D.C.

#171

Post by zdragnar »

gwbas1c wrote: post #167
tantalor wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Making them electric helps.

I considered a battery leaf blower a few years ago. It was as powerful as the average gas leaf blower. The problem is that the batteries needed to sustain running the leaf blower at high speeds are very heavy. I just shlep a cord through my yard, but that would not work if leaf blowing was my profession

I picked up an 80v leaf blower, and it's a bit unbalanced but definitely not too heavy to use. It's definitely been one of my happier purchases as far as lawn and yard tools go.

Re: How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowers banned in D.C.

#172

Post by frosted-flakes »

myself248 wrote: post #30
Datenstrom wrote: post #13

A few weeks ago I saw someone leaf blowing snow on the sidewalk in Alexandria, or at least trying to. One of the most absurd things I've ever seen.

I've done it. When we get a dusting of light powder and the pavement isn't warm enough to melt the base layer, it's totally fair game for blowing. As long as I'm using a warm battery that's been in the house, the blower makes quick work of it.

Why not just leave it? If you can drive through it, it's fine. I love it when there's a solid base layer of snow or ice. The roads and yard don't turn into slush every time the sun comes out, and shoveling is easier when I don't have to be careful about picking up a load of gravel with the snow. The first big snowfall is always the worst for this reason.

Re: How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowers banned in D.C.

#174

Post by digisign »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #58
jfk13 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Either your weather must be a lot more predictable than ours, or you'd have to be fine with mowing in a downpour if it has to be done on a predetermined day.

I wonder if a simple "You can only mow on Mondays unless there's adverse weather conditions, in which case mow on Tuesday" could be effective.

Or, heaven forbid, skip a week.

Re: How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowers banned in D.C.

#175

Post by dbg31415 »

Look, these things are horrible for the environment... no doubt.

But in my opinion, two-stroke gas leaf blowers and lawnmowers are the best engines to take apart and learn engine repair on -- repair and maintenance being cornerstones of mechanical engineering. I love doing small-engine repair and these were my gateway drug.

Plus... the smell of mixed grass trimmings and gas is something magical. (Wait, is that weird?)

Re: How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowers banned in D.C.

#176

Post by snarfy »

Pfhreak wrote: post #132
rootusrootus wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The real issue IMO is that the battery powered yard tools are infected by the same planned obsolescence as existing power tools. Most gas-powered yard tools last damn near forever even if you don't do maintenance on them. The battery powered ones are good for three years and then you're buying a new one. If you're lucky they still make the battery, but it costs as much a whole new tool. Wish we could standardize mode…

> If you're lucky they still make the battery, but it costs as much a whole new tool. Aren't most companies working on a standardized battery (at least within their brand) so you can swap batteries between your drill, blower, trimmer, etc? It would seem that if that's the case, changing battery form factors would be a real bad idea.

(within their brand)

That's the kicker. I have DeWalt, Makita, and Rigid brand electric tools. They all have different, incompatible (yet same voltage/amp) batteries and chargers, each costing as much as the tool. At least gas goes in any gas tool.

I'd rather they be regulations on the amount of pollution (both air and noise) allowed.

Re: How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowers banned in D.C.

#177

Post by ben-schaaf »

perilunar wrote: post #161
05 wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The cells are welded together with contact strips, you need a spot welder to rebuild a pack. Making cells removable isn’t economic, because vibration resistant electrical connections are not cheap.

> Making cells removable isn’t economic I disagree. Until relatively recently all battery powered devices had removable batteries, which is why we have standard battery sizes in the first place. Welded and sealed proprietary battery packs are a backward step.

The keyword here is "cell", not pack. I have never seen individual cells being removable. Imagine the increased complexity/cost and decreased reliability if each of the 6 cells in a standard car batter was individually replaceable.

Re: How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowers banned in D.C.

#179

Post by LeoPanthera »

rootusrootus wrote: post #103
adamswann wrote: post #22

The ban is on gas -powered leaf blowers. I’ve switched to all electric yard tools at home. No regrets; the tools are durable, can easily handle the whole job on a single charge, quiet enough that I feel comfortable letting my children assist (they can hear my instructions and generally what’s going on around them), and no gas engines to maintain.

The real issue IMO is that the battery powered yard tools are infected by the same planned obsolescence as existing power tools. Most gas-powered yard tools last damn near forever even if you don't do maintenance on them. The battery powered ones are good for three years and then you're buying a new one. If you're lucky they still make the battery, but it costs as much a whole new tool. Wish we could standardize mode…

I don't think this is true at all. A visit to Home Depot reveals a huge selection of battery powered tools, most of which are powered by one of four standard battery types, all of which have existed for quite a while. I have a whole bunch of Ryobi tools - and batteries from literally a decade ago, while an older chemistry (nicad instead of li-ion) are still compatible - and the reverse is also true.
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