A leaf blower “attachment”

Just because I’m an editor for Consumer Reports doesn’t mean I’m quick to replace a product that’s crying out, even begging, for retirement.

Take this leaf blower of mine, a trusty Craftsman model I’ve used for more than 12 years. Despite its many ailments, I can’t bring myself to relegate it to the scrap heap. A plastic piece on the vacuum attachment snapped off long ago; still, I manage to get the job done without the vacuum tube falling off. The power cord has needed replacement for some time and is on my priority to-fix list; for now, it’s bandaged well with electrical tape. And a tear in the collection bag spews yard debris toward my face at Daytona 500 speed. Yes, I wear eye protection.

My loyalty to this leaf blower is based on two factors: First, it can handle the job on my modest property. Second, it accepts an attachment that helps me fulfill a promise I made to my wife, Elena: to stay off the roof. This long, multipart extension hooks around at its front end and allows me to get debris out of the gutters from below. Sure, I sometimes get a bit wet—rainwater tends to pool up in the gutters—but this feature means I don’t have to pay someone else to do the work.

The time might have finally arrived for me to retire this piece of equipment, but I think I can get at least one more season of yard cleanup out of it.

If you’re shopping for your first leaf blower or are replacing a once-powerful model that produces more wheeze than wind, read our latest report for expert advice on finding the right model for your yard. Then refer to our Ratings (available to subscribers), which include more than two dozen gas- and electric- powered models, like the corded electric Toro Ultra Blower Vac 51599 (shown), highly rated in our latest tests.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Learn what features to look for in a leaf blower and make sure you don’t buy a model with inherent design flaws.