Sorry to say, electric leaf blowers are almost as noisy (in decibel terms) and just as irritating! The concepts of loudness and human sensitivity to different sounds are topics for another day, but for now we can establish two main points:
1. The principal source of the irritating noise is the air movement mechanism. The rotating impeller, or fan, inside leaf blowers
accelerates air out the nozzle at speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour (Stihl BR-600 Backpack leaf blower)! It is this subsonic,
portable tornado that causes the higher-pitched “shriek” – a constant- tone, shrill noise that annoys and stresses us. While electrics don’t move air at these velocities, their sound signature is very nearly as
objectionable.
This is the same fan-based, noise-generating technology proven the world over in old-fashioned police and air-raid sirens. One elderly visitor to our home half-jokingly likened leaf blower noise to London’s air-raid warning sirens of World War II!
As pilots flying over noise-sensitive areas, we’re trained to reduce propeller speed first, and engine rpms second. This is because the harshest noise from a prop-driven plane is caused by the propeller, not the engine’s exhaust.
2. Because electrics need to be plugged in, we’ve heard reports where gardeners bring gas-powered portable generators to make the electricity to power them! More noise, and longer running times too- as the weaker-powered electrics take longer to blow debris around.As our campaign begins to build momentum, we can expect to run into well-meaning neighbors who will suggest “solutions” like electric leaf blowers. Some will propound the use of modern, quieter gas-powered leafblowers Still others willpropose restricting the days they can used- concentrating their impact, but freeing up a few days where we might enjoy some peace and quiet. Our cursory research has revealed that these “solutions” quickly become unworkable and end up
disappointing everyone.
Suggestions like the above, and others, will be dealt with in future posts and discussions. Suffice it to say, for now, that Peter and I are four-square against any and all leafblowers, at any time, in Orinda.
Again: please ask your like-minded friends to join our Group – and please write Letters to the Editor in supoort of the ban!
If electric leaf blowers are banned, it would be nearly impossible for me to clean out my gutters. I have been cleaning these MYSELF for the past 18 years that I’ve lived in Orinda with my own electric leaf blower. I have been careful to do this only when none of the neighbors are entertaining – and I know all my neighbors well. I have never used a gas powered blower, and never intend to. Our electric leaf blower plugs into outside house sockets.
Will you clean my gutters for me if this measure ever comes to fruition? Or, would I need to cut down all the heritage oaks around my property?
Rich people used to pay real taxes, and the economy didn’t implode. And well-off people used to hire gardeners, (and I was one of those gardeners), to rake leaves. We’ve gotten so outsourcing oriented, so cheap, that we can’t hire a guy to use a rake? And, by the way, when I was young, they paid me to rake leaves, and I actually got paid normal wages. Why have we become so cheap that our whole economy must run on illegal labor. And you’d think, that all these conservatives who are hiring illegal laborers and then turning around and bashing illegal immigrants, would consider firstly hiring Americans, and then handing a rake to them and paying them to rake. I came from Orange County, The Wealth Denial capital of the country. Every millionaire there claims to be a poor working Joe just struggling to barely get buy. But it’s a lie. They can hire a man with a rake to clean their leaves. One problem, they may have to cut back on the European vacations, might have to reduce the massive car collection, or maybe get used to the idea of not owning six homes. But they can go ahead and hire an American and give him a rake, and pay $10 an hour for a few extra hours. (My Orange Country friends blow that kind of money on lunch.) Why must we always be such a nation of wealth-denial misers. That’s what this is all about – - cheapness!
@Jeff,
Use your hands with gloves on them.
Thanks,
Brian