When you make an investment in a high-quality Stihl leaf blower, you want to be sure that this valuable yard maintenance tool will last for year after year. While it's a good idea to take the tool to a certified Stihl dealership, such as Wagoner Power Equipment, if you have any technical or repair-related inquiries, there are also a number of different things that you can do to prolong the leaf blower's lifespan. Taking a proactive role in this regard will keep your leaf blower running smoothly and allow you to keep your yard looking pristine throughout the fall. Here are some important things to do.

Change The Air Filter Regularly

The exact frequency with which you need to change your Stihl leaf blower's air filter depends on the model and your usage of it; make sure to check the owner's manual for exact details in this regard. However, there are visual clues that will suggest that this maintenance step is overdue. If you notice that your leaf blower begins to smoke heavily during use — perhaps emitting thick, black smoke from the exhaust — it's a sign that the air filter needs to be changed. Additionally, it's good to get into the habit of checking the air filter every few times that you use the machine. If it's clearly dirty, it's another sign that you should change it.

Run It On A Moderate Setting

In most cases, you won't need to crank up your leaf blower to its full speed to get the job done. While you can certainly operate the blower at full capacity on occasion, doing so can be compared to driving a car — you'll likely get longer use out of the vehicle if you're not pushing it to the limit every time you get behind the wheel. A simple way to avoid having to run the blower at full capacity is to use it when the leaves are dry, rather than immediately after a rainfall.

Add Fuel Stabilizer Before The Winter

When you've finished using the leaf blower at the end of the fall and you'll be storing the tool over the winter, you should top up the gas tank to avoid the formation of condensation in the tank that can cause problems. Additionally, it's important to add some fuel stabilizer to the mix; doing so will prevent the fuel from breaking down during the months of non-use, which will have your leaf blower humming healthily when you start it up in the new year.