Fall is on its way, and if your yard is large and leafy, you’re probably bracing yourself for a lot of November Saturdays with a rake in your hand. You’ve done it for years. It’s not that bad. But it’s a pain. If you feel like this year is going to be the one to put you (and your back) over the edge, it may be time to invest in a leaf blower. Skip the bending over and tugging through tangled wet patches – pull the trigger and watch the leaves fly.
We’ll be looking at two gas-powered leaf blowers today. Before we get into the comparison, though, there’s something worth mentioning from the beginning: these two leaf blowers are almost the same. Tanaka was acquired by Hitachi back in 2007, and these two models are simply distributed differently, though sometimes at different prices. Materially, the features and functions are identical. These are great features, however, so we’ll examine them thoroughly.
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Engine
Tanaka TRB24EAP & Hitachi RB24EAP
When you’re clearing your yard with a blower, you want maximum power so that you can tackle wet or matted spots without having to get out the rake. Both models utilize a 23.9cc two-stroke engine that packs an incredible amount of power in a small package. The two-stroke design means extra punch with a simultaneous reduction in weight, creating a very high power-to-weight ratio.
Additionally, the engine is built with Pure Fire technology, which reduces emissions on top of making operation safer and simpler. While maintaining a powerful 1.13 horsepower that will send your debris wherever you want it, these engines produce fewer fumes, so they’re much better for the environment than standard gas-powered engines.
Verdict: Simply put, these two engines are the same and exactly terrific. Whether you’re plodding through enormous leaf deposits a few days after a big storm or just routinely clearing off your driveway when the big oak starts getting ready for its winter slumber, you’ll be in good hands with either of these machines. Additionally, even as the market shifts towards electric-powered yard tools, the gas-powered engines on these models are keeping up with the times by reducing emissions, so you won’t have to bear the weight of the environment on your conscience.
Blowing Power
Tanaka TRB24EAP & Hitachi RB24EAP
We’ve talked about the quality and build of the engines used by these models, but what do they actually doThe answer is that they blow a lot of air very fast. Air velocity is the measurement that makes the most sense to laypeople when discussing snowblowers and leaf-blowers. This measurement describes the speed that air travels out of the nozzle. With both of these devices, you’ll be looking at an air velocity of 170MPH – since most of us drive cars or have at least looked at a speedometer, we immediately understand how fast that is.
The other important measurement that is harder to imagine is CFM or cubic-feet-per-minute. When we talk about CFM, we’re describing the volume of air that the device can move in 60 seconds. Think about this in terms of displacing leaves – the blower moves them by forcefully pushing air into their place, knocking them out of it. Picture how many leaves you could displace in a minute using 441 cubic feet of directed air. Now you have a decent idea of the amount of power you can hold in your hands with either of these machines.
Verdict: Since both models have the same engine, the blowing power is the same on both models, as well. But it’s still worth noting the actual air velocity and CFM simply because of how remarkable these measurements are. Whatever task you’re saddled with on your property, you can be sure that these devices will be up to the task.
Other Features
Tanaka TRB24EAP & Hitachi RB24EAP
We’ve mentioned how the two-stroke engine design makes for a high power-to-weight ratio, but we haven’t yet noted that both of these models only weigh 8.6 pounds. When you’re walking around your lawn or garden, you want to make sure that the tool you’ll be holding isn’t going to cause fatigue and cut your yard day short. After all, power tools are supposed to save you time and energy; they shouldn’t wear you out.
Another solid feature provided by both machines is a large two-finger trigger so that your hand won’t get tired. It can be a real pain to deal with a small, thin trigger for very long. When you can use two fingers, you’re reducing the amount of pressure by half so you won’t have to worry about cramping up later in the evening while chopping vegetables.
Verdict: Again, since Tanaka is owned by Hitachi, these devices look and feel exactly the same. They both feature an incredibly lightweight build and make use of intelligent design elements like the large two-finger trigger. Essentially, Hitachi and Tanaka are building these machines with your comfort in mind. And why shouldn’t theyA leaf-blower should provide relief from the tedious and sometimes painful labor of raking for hours on end.
Hitachi vs Tanaka: Conclusion
It’s hard to compare these two models. Since both are designed and built in basically the same way, there can’t be a clear winner in this comparison. But one thing is for sure: they’re both excellent devices. With quality engines that reduce harmful emissions, having the blowing power that sends your leaves flying wherever you want them. Also, having design features that make operation easier and more comfortable, you can’t go wrong with one of these blowers.
One more important thing to note that both models include is a warranty. For consumers, this warranty lasts seven whole years. When a company stands behind their products that strongly, you know that they’re betting on superior construction and materials. Whichever of these models you choose, know that you’re getting a power tool that will last you a long time.
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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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