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 (blowing)
Performance of the garden vacuum cleaner when blowing (see "Operating mode").
This parameter determines the amount of air that the device distills through itself in a certain time. It should be noted that it depends not only on the speed of this air, but also on other parameters — for example, the diameter of the pipe. Therefore, two models with the same performance can noticeably differ in speed, and vice versa. You also need to keep in mind that the efficiency of "purging" bottlenecks with stuck debris does not depend on performance, but on the flow rate. On the other hand, good performance makes it easier to work on large areas, as allows you to simultaneously cover a large area with a jet of air.
Most modern garden vacuum cleaners in blowing mode provide up to 15 m / min;
higher rates are typical mainly for professional models.
Engine size
The working volume of the internal combustion engine (see "Engine type") installed in the garden vacuum cleaner. With the same type of internal combustion engine (see above), more displacement usually means more power and higher fuel consumption. However, in general, the value of this parameter is more of a reference than practically significant — other indicators are more important for a garden vacuum cleaner, such as flow rate or performance (see above).
Motor power
The engine power of a garden vacuum cleaner, expressed in horsepower. This unit of power is considered somewhat obsolete and is mainly used for internal combustion engines (see "Engine type"), while in many cases the power figures in horsepower are also duplicated in watts. However, if there is no such clarification, it is quite simple to estimate the power in watts: 1 hp. approximately corresponds to 735 watts.
For more information about the value of engine power, see the paragraph of the same name below.
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).
Fuel consumption
The amount of fuel consumed when operating a garden vacuum cleaner with a petrol engine (see "Engine type"). Manufacturers can indicate this parameter in different ways: some take the average value when operating in normal mode, others take indicators when operating at maximum load, etc. Nevertheless, this parameter makes it possible to estimate the overall high consumption of the engine and the amount of fuel it needs to operate for a certain time. And knowing the volume of the fuel tank (see below), you can estimate the time that the vacuum cleaner is able to work on one gas station: for this, the volume of the tank must be divided by fuel consumption. However it must be borne in mind that the flow rate is usually indicated in milliliters per hour, and the volume — in liters.
Fuel tank capacity
The volume of the fuel tank installed in a garden vacuum cleaner with a petrol engine (see "Engine type"). The more capacious the tank, the longer the unit is able to work without refueling (for more details, see "Fuel Consumption"). On the other hand, a large volume affects the dimensions and weight of the vacuum cleaner.
Noise level
The noise level generated by the vacuum cleaner during normal operation. The lower this indicator, the more comfortable it is to work with the unit, the less the operator gets tired; and high noise levels may require the use of protection (e.g. earmuffs).
When assessing the noise level, note that the decibel used to measure this level is a non-linear quantity. Therefore, it is easiest to evaluate specific values using comparative tables. Here is one of the variants of such a table (rather simplified):
— 60 dB — sound comparable to a TV at medium volume. From this value, the indicators of modern garden vacuum cleaners begin, because. this technique works quite loudly.
— 70 dB — to a truck at a distance of about 8 m;
— 80 dB — traffic noise on a busy street;
— 90 dB — freight train noise at a distance of 8 – 10 m;
— 100 dB — the noise of the demolition hammer;
— 110 dB — indoor rock concert
