Fall favorites

Fall cleanup jobs demand some different tools and equipment than what contractors typically use throughout spring and summer jobs. 

A few contractors shared with Lawn & Landscape details about the tools that help them most on fall cleanup jobs. Overall, they say they have noticed advancements to the equipment they use for fall cleanup the past few years.

"The power and efficiency of equipment is improved today," said Jason Pawlowski, owner of Precision Landscape in Milwaukee. "Much of it used to be heavier and now (fall cleanup equipment) is only a couple of pounds but has two to three times the power it had before. All of the equipment is just faster, more powerful and more efficient."

Pawlowski adds that blowers in particular have advanced the past three to five years. "The old days of raking have gone by the wayside, as blowers nowadays are so powerful." 

Two contractors shared what they find to be the most valuable pieces of equipment on fall cleanup jobs.

Vacuum systems and push blowers

“Vacuum systems depend on where you are and the customers you’re dealing with (are important). We use two vacuum systems. We also have some push blowers on three wheels and push them back and forth. Some are self-propelled, which is nice.” – Jason Pawlowski, owner, Precision Landscape in Milwaukee

Ride-on leaf blowers

“We started using ride-on wheel blowers. They are very maneuverable. (They’re) self-propelled wheel blowers you stand on. Prior to that, we used a bunch that you had to push. It’s one thing when you push on flat ground, but when you push all day on hilly property, it’s super hard work and you can’t push at three to four mph all day. The ride-on (model) doesn’t get tired. It keeps moving at 3 to 5 mph all day long, and it has a huge impeller. Our blowers will blow a lot of leaves very quickly. We bought our first one four years ago, and then we bought a second two years ago. We’re probably going to buy a third. They are expensive, so you need a lot of leaves to keep them busy.” – Barney Naylor, president and CEO, Naylor Landscape Management in Kalamazoo, Michigan