Art wrote:
MiamiCuse wrote:
Hi:

I need some advise as to the lightest leaf vaccuum that I can use in
the following situation.

I have a courtyard style home - the house itself wraps around a
central courtyard with a pool in the middle. There are a few large
trees on the outside and their leaves will fall on to the roof and
into the pool, so an overhead screen enclosure was erected to keep
leaves and insects out. Here are two pics and it's easier to see than
describe:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/P1000994.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...r/P1000991.jpg

As you can see, there is a valley or built-in gutter around the entire
perimeter which now traps the leaves, there are also leaves on the
lowest part of the screen.

The challenge is how to clean the leaves out.

I cannot use a blower since there is no where to blow, would end up
landing on another part of the gutter or screen anyways. I cannot
clean the gutter from below on a ladder because the screen is in the
way. So I need to get a leaf vaccuum.

I noticed that are four kind - electric corded, electric rechargeable,
backpack and gas. My concerns is basically I am little afraid of
height, walking on that roof is ok, but I am concerned about walking
on that roof with a 15 pound blower that may cause me to lose balance
when changing directions, or if I have to lean over to get the leave
on the low side of the screen. So I need the lightest possible blower
that would work as a vaccuum for leaves, but in researching the matter
everyone seems to think gas blower is the only way to go. Also, the
courtyard is about 50 feet by 45 feet so if I use an electric one I
need a very long cord I would think.

Any suggestions on what brand/model blower/vaccuum I need? or if you
have another idea to do the job without the risk I rather not have to
do it, hiring someone to do it is a posssibility but the normal lawn
people will hesitate to go up to the roof as they don't carry
insurance if they fall for any reason is my problem again.

Thank you for your time.

MC

It is very rare for anyone to be satisfied with the performance of any
of the handheld leaf vacs. They just don't create enough vacuum to pick
up much.

I don't have a solution to your problem except my advice to look at
something other than a handheld vac. Sorry...




I looked at a Stihl leaf sucker/shredder a couple of weeks ago that was
kind of interesting. It was on sale at the local fix-it shop for $279.
(I let it go cuz I'm a cheapskate)

You also could wait for a very windy day to blow the leaves. :-) A long
hose -- at least 3/8" -- from an air compressor on the ground would
handle that.

Bob