Max. air flow rate
The highest speed of the air stream given out by the vacuum cleaner. The
higher this parameter, the stronger the thrust provided by the device, and the more efficiently it is able to pull or blow out debris particles from cracks and other hard-to-reach places (of course, if there is an appropriate operating mode — see above). At the same time, in most modern models, this figure exceeds 150 km/h — this is more than enough for work of small and medium complexity. Therefore, paying attention to a high flow rate makes sense only when choosing a powerful model for working in difficult conditions; we note that in the most “high-speed” vacuum cleaners, the indicators can exceed 400 km/h.
Air flow control
The ability to change the speed (and, accordingly, the intensity)
of the air flowissued by the vacuum cleaner. This function allows you to optimally adjust the operating parameters to the specifics of certain conditions — in order, on the one hand, not to waste energy / fuel and not wear out the unit, and on the other, to ensure proper work efficiency. For example, for collecting leaves from an asphalt path, high power is not needed, but for cleaning in thick grass, it can be very useful.
The ability to adjust is especially important for high-performance garden vacuums — these are the models that are most likely to find themselves in a situation where high power is unnecessary. And in models with a petrol engine (see below), this function is provided by default.
Air flow (suction)
Performance of the garden vacuum cleaner when working on suction (see "Operating mode").
As with blowing described above, this parameter primarily characterizes how large the area covers the vacuum cleaner when working:
high performance means that the device captures more air and draws debris from a larger surface. But this indicator is weakly related to suction efficiency: the ability of a vacuum cleaner to “pull out” debris particles from cracks, thick grass, etc. depends primarily on speed characteristics, not performance.
Mulching ratio
The ratio of shredding debris provided by a vacuum cleaner with the appropriate mode of operation (see above).
This parameter shows how much the volume occupied by garbage decreases after passing through the grinder. For example, the value "8:1" corresponds to a reduction of 8 times. These figures, of course, are quite approximate, because. in fact, much depends on the type of waste, and in different cases, the indicators will also be different. For example, bulky large branches are “packed” very tightly, and soft leaves initially take up relatively little space, and for them the difference in volume before and after the chopper may be small. Nevertheless, the claimed values quite reliably describe the capabilities of the vacuum cleaner for processing the collected garbage.
Garden vacuum cleaners with a grinding ratio of 1:10 can be classified as average; lower rates are typical for relatively modest models, larger ones for advanced ones.
Garbage container volume
The volume of the garbage collector — a container for garbage — regularly supplied with a garden vacuum cleaner. The larger the bin, the more debris can fit inside and the less often you have to empty it during work. On the other hand, a capacious container has the appropriate dimensions, and when filled, it also weighs a lot, which can affect the ease of use of the vacuum cleaner (this is especially true for manual and backpack models, see "Type"). Therefore, manufacturers tend to choose bins for their products based on the overall level of the vacuum cleaner and the scale of work for which it is designed. And some units may not be equipped with complete containers at all — in the expectation that the user picks up such a container separately.
The volume of the garbage can can be approximately estimated, knowing that an ordinary household bucket holds about 10 – 12 liters. Thus, for example, a 35 liter container corresponds approximately to three standard buckets.
Motor power
Power of the garden vacuum cleaner motor, expressed in watts. This unit is by far the main one, it is used for both electric and gasoline engines (see "Engine type").
The
more powerful the motor — the more air the vacuum cleaner is able to pass through itself, the greater the speed it is able to give the air flow and the more efficient the chopper (if there is one at all — see "Operating mode"). At the same time, all these moments depend not only on power, but also on many other design features; and manufacturers select each motor in such a way as to provide the vacuum cleaner with certain performance characteristics. Therefore, when choosing, it is worth looking primarily at practical characteristics (flow rate, blowing and suction performance), and engine power is of secondary importance.
Max. engine speed
The highest speed at which the vacuum cleaner engine is able to operate in normal mode.
Theoretically, faster motors are capable of delivering more solid performance; however, in fact, these characteristics depend on so many different design features that the engine speed is practically lost against the background of these features. Therefore, this moment, in fact, is purely reference (and partly promotional — impressive rpm numbers can at first glance give the impression of high power and performance; but this impression is often deceptive).
Shoulder strap
Shoulder
strap included with garden vacuum cleaner.
This accessory is found only in models of the manual type (see above): knapsacks, by definition, are carried behind the back, and other types do not imply transportation by hand at all. When using a shoulder strap, most of the weight of the unit is transferred from the hands to the shoulder; this improves wearing comfort and makes it easier to work with the vacuum cleaner for a long time.
Support wheels
The presence of
support rollers in the design of a garden vacuum cleaner.
Support rollers are found only in manual models (see "Type"). They, usually, are located under the bell — in such a way that the unit can be put on rollers, holding the control handle, and the bell is at a certain distance from the ground. This greatly facilitates the work — instead of holding the vacuum cleaner on the weight, you can roll it on the ground without much strain on your hands.
The rollers are often made removable — so that they do not hang like a "dead weight" when working with a vacuum cleaner on weight.