That means a finer, higher-quality compost material and fewer bags on the curb. The greater the ratio, the more leaves it takes to fill a bag of mulch. Modern mulchers can generally churn at a ratio between 8:1 and 18:1. For example, a mulcher with a 10:1 mulch ratio will grind 10 bags of dry leaves into a one similarly sized bag of mulch. Mulch ratio is a practical measurement of your mulcher’s power, indicating how many bags of dry leaves you’ll need to make a full bag of mulch. If you need to clear thick blankets of leaves each fall, you’ll want the power that comes with a gas-powered mulcher. However, they are also heavier, more difficult to start, and harsher on the environment. Gas-powered leaf mulchers are ideal if you need the power to chop up wet leaves or chew through larger debris. That said, if you have a smaller to medium-sized yard and deal with a moderate amount of leaves each fall, an electric mulcher will serve you well. They’re also limited by either the length of their power cords, or the runtime of their rechargeable batteries. As with most lawn machines, that efficiency comes at the expense of power. Electric vs GasĮlectric leaf mulchers are easy to start, lighter, quieter, and less harsh on the environment than their gas-powered counterparts. Most tow-behind leaf mulchers are effectively wood chippers, which is great if you need to grind up branches, but they're usually reserved for professionals or homeowners who live on acres of wooded property. With their large gas engines and powerful impellers, they’re capable of chewing through larger quantities of leaves than other types of mulchers. These are effectively large, heavy-duty stationary mulchers that you can hitch to the back of an ATV or lawn tractor, allowing you to move them to the work site. When selecting leaf mulcher, you’ll want to consider not just the size of your yard but also the amount of leaves you have to deal with each fall.Ī large property with a few trees may only require a small handheld blower, but a smaller property in a heavily wooded area might require a larger stationary model. Leaf mulchers come in a few different forms, ranging from handheld models for small jobs to large machines that you can tow behind an ATV or lawn tractor. For that job, you’ll need a wood chipper. Large mulchers can handle light lawn debris, such as twigs and acorns, but even the biggest ones are primarily made for processing leaves, not sticks or branches. Keep in mind that you should try to avoid feeding anything harder or heavier than leaves into your mulcher. Leaf mulchers use a steel impeller or flexible line, similar to what you’d find in a string trimmer, to shred dry leaves into smaller particles that will compost easily or make your lawn cleanup easy. What to Consider When Purchasing a Leaf Mulcherīefore you run out and buy the first leaf mulcher you can find, it’s important to understand what these machines are (and are not) capable of doing. As someone whose property backs up to a heavily wooded area, I’ve used many mulchers to help make the process of clearing my yard after the annual fall dump of leaves easier. News and World Report, Switchful, and Futurism. The Expert: I’m a freelance writer who has written about landscaping, home improvement, gardening, and home security for publications like Bob Vila, U.S.
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