6 MONTHS UPDATE: I use this machine a lot in my yard. After 6 months of solid use, I still highly recommend this product (would even bump my original 4.3 rating up to a 4.5). Some additional takeaways: 1) The string that Flowtron sells is not as good as the string you can buy from third-parties and doesn't last as long. The machine will mulch much more efficiently and for longer periods without replacing the string if you use third-party string. I bought "Rino-tuff" string from Home Depot (made in USA) at .095 in thickness. This is probably a little too thick (you'll need to use needle-nose pliers to pull the string through), but the fact that it barely fits in the holes makes it stay in the holes once there. If you use after-market string, I highly recommend measuring the original string that comes with the Flowtron and making sure your new string matches that length. The biggest thing that can shorten the lifespan of third-party string is cutting it too long, and the biggest thing that affects performance/efficiency for after market string is cutting it too short. Cutting it just right will make the string last much longer and make it way better at mulching leaves at a fast pace. It's like a whole new machine when using better string! 2) This machine works far more efficiently than gas powered chippers that have a leaf mulching blade/feeder. I tested out a gas-powered machine that lets you rake the leaves into a little tunnel and shreds the leaves from there. However, it clogs easily with leaves that are even slightly wet, and the engine is way too powerful for leaves - causing it to blast the shredded leaves all over the place (it also doesn't output the mulched leaves evenly - it spits them out in clumps). The Flowtron leaf mulcher is just the right amount of power for leaf mulching, and the leaves mulch directly below the machine - making it easy to spread them wherever you want. 3) The Flowtron Leaf Eater will mulch wet leaves. I don't mulch "soaking wet" leaves, but I have mulched damp leaves on a number of occasions (i.e. a couple days after it rains where leaves on bottommost layers are still wet) and it works just fine. I have mulched damp leaves on the "Medium" setting without an issue, and the "wet leaves, grass, thatch" setting works like a charm in these scenarios. As an added bonus, mulching slightly damp leaves will drastically reduce dust in the air. Remember this thing is plugged into an electrical outlet while using it - so don't use it in the rain or just after a rain. 4) I used way too much back when bending down to pick up leaves and put them in the hopper, at first. I have since adjusted my technique and use way more legs - basically doing a squat rep every time I lower myself to grab a pile of leaves. This will save your back and negate one of the biggest drawbacks of this machine. 5) I still highly recommend the little tool I show in the video to pick the leaves up and drop them in the hopper. This is because it helps having one hand free to snatch twigs as they find their way into the hopper. 6) This machine requires much less maintenance and is much quieter than a gas-powered chipper. It also has the added benefit of not spewing carbon monoxide into your face the whole time you're using it (this is not an exaggeration and is what happens to me when I use my gas-powered wood chipper). Even though it's quieter than the gas powered chipper, it is still loud enough to warrant wearing ear protection. Always wear eye protections as well, along with nice working gloves (preferably leather so you don't cut your hand if you reach in the hopper to pull out a twig).
Solid review. Straight to the point. No filler. We need more of this on YT. And good to see a focus on American made products. Keep it coming. Subscribed!
I had one of these Flowtron leafshredders maybe in the late 80's, worked wonderful for many years until the motor quit. It had longer frame legs or fit onto a garbage can.
Use 2 leaf hand rakes and lightly mist pile with water to avoid dust. I have 50 oak trees on lawn and it was the easiest year i have had. Great machine imo.
Loading it with that little scoop would brake a spine. I'm looking for something to process cedar bark and thin strips of cedar wood off the mill. (People buy cedar mulch and cedar chips, I'm told.) Can that thing handle more than leaves?
I assume so. At 2:08 I demonstrate the aperture setting "Wet leaves, grass, and thatch." I've never used it to mulch lawn clippings but I assume this means it can.
My top bearing failed after around 20-30 barrels of shredded leaves. The unit has a cheap 608zz bearing in it which is the wrong bearing for the application. Mine failed and I replaced it with an SKS 608-2rsh bearing which is sealed and should last a lot longer. Unit also accumulates leaves in the motor housing, I cut inspection doors in it for cleaning and upgraded the air filter to some scotch brite. Much better now. Probably 2 hours of work to upgrade it and make it right.
@@jeffreydavid3323 I wouldn't bother with the company, the bearing replacement isn't that bad. yes, skf is the brand name, my mistake but there's also plenty of others. There's also other seals than 2rsh but that's the one I chose. Cleaning the leaves out of the housing and doing the bearing (assuming you order it before you take it apart) should be about 2 hours. Undoing the 2 bolts that keep the frame that has the bearing in it on the motor is a little tricky and you'll need a right-angle phillips, or a 1/4 box-open and a phillips bit.
@@jeffreydavid3323 thank you! I'll give it a try. Bought one at an auction on a pallet of stuff for $25 and this was my favorite thing on the pallet, but we don't have trees yet..
Anyone in the comments compare this to the WORX? I'm on my 3rd year with the worx and like it. Only would like if they had a better longer lasting cutting cord. Maybe wire?
I called Worx and asked about using wire. They were evasive in their answer and would only say that it would void the warranty. I ordered some 20 gauge bell wire (plastic coated strand wire) that I’m going to try.
Also, I drilled out the Worx line holder a little and tried .105 trimmer line. Worked much better than the OEM .080 line, but still didn’t last as long as I would have liked.
hi you should bend with your knees.You should look into ryobi plastic blade for your leaf mulcher.that what i use on my string trimmer way better.they might fit for you.
I've found that it's best to use when the leafs are just a little wet - like 2 days after a rain. Keeps the dust down, and the machine handles the damp leaves well on the "wet leaves and thatch" setting.
I wholeheartedly disagree. I just tried to use my gas-powered chipper (MTD tecumseh) this weekend for wood chipping AND leaf mulching. It was much slower at leaf mulching than the electric leaf mulcher, plus I was breathing in exhaust the whole time I was trying to use it. I prefer the gas machine for chipping, and the electric for mulching. It's not junk, though - works great for its intended purpose.
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6 MONTHS UPDATE: I use this machine a lot in my yard. After 6 months of solid use, I still highly recommend this product (would even bump my original 4.3 rating up to a 4.5). Some additional takeaways:
1) The string that Flowtron sells is not as good as the string you can buy from third-parties and doesn't last as long. The machine will mulch much more efficiently and for longer periods without replacing the string if you use third-party string. I bought "Rino-tuff" string from Home Depot (made in USA) at .095 in thickness. This is probably a little too thick (you'll need to use needle-nose pliers to pull the string through), but the fact that it barely fits in the holes makes it stay in the holes once there. If you use after-market string, I highly recommend measuring the original string that comes with the Flowtron and making sure your new string matches that length. The biggest thing that can shorten the lifespan of third-party string is cutting it too long, and the biggest thing that affects performance/efficiency for after market string is cutting it too short. Cutting it just right will make the string last much longer and make it way better at mulching leaves at a fast pace. It's like a whole new machine when using better string!
2) This machine works far more efficiently than gas powered chippers that have a leaf mulching blade/feeder. I tested out a gas-powered machine that lets you rake the leaves into a little tunnel and shreds the leaves from there. However, it clogs easily with leaves that are even slightly wet, and the engine is way too powerful for leaves - causing it to blast the shredded leaves all over the place (it also doesn't output the mulched leaves evenly - it spits them out in clumps). The Flowtron leaf mulcher is just the right amount of power for leaf mulching, and the leaves mulch directly below the machine - making it easy to spread them wherever you want.
3) The Flowtron Leaf Eater will mulch wet leaves. I don't mulch "soaking wet" leaves, but I have mulched damp leaves on a number of occasions (i.e. a couple days after it rains where leaves on bottommost layers are still wet) and it works just fine. I have mulched damp leaves on the "Medium" setting without an issue, and the "wet leaves, grass, thatch" setting works like a charm in these scenarios. As an added bonus, mulching slightly damp leaves will drastically reduce dust in the air. Remember this thing is plugged into an electrical outlet while using it - so don't use it in the rain or just after a rain.
4) I used way too much back when bending down to pick up leaves and put them in the hopper, at first. I have since adjusted my technique and use way more legs - basically doing a squat rep every time I lower myself to grab a pile of leaves. This will save your back and negate one of the biggest drawbacks of this machine.
5) I still highly recommend the little tool I show in the video to pick the leaves up and drop them in the hopper. This is because it helps having one hand free to snatch twigs as they find their way into the hopper.
6) This machine requires much less maintenance and is much quieter than a gas-powered chipper. It also has the added benefit of not spewing carbon monoxide into your face the whole time you're using it (this is not an exaggeration and is what happens to me when I use my gas-powered wood chipper). Even though it's quieter than the gas powered chipper, it is still loud enough to warrant wearing ear protection. Always wear eye protections as well, along with nice working gloves (preferably leather so you don't cut your hand if you reach in the hopper to pull out a twig).
Solid review. Straight to the point. No filler. We need more of this on YT. And good to see a focus on American made products. Keep it coming. Subscribed!
Thank you!
I had one of these Flowtron leafshredders maybe in the late 80's, worked wonderful for many years until the motor quit. It had longer frame legs or fit onto a garbage can.
Thank you! I will now purchase this product. New Sub! 👏🏽🙏🏽
Thanks!
Use a snow shovel to feed the leaves into the hopper. Easier on the back
When i look at a product I'd like to see in the description: MADE IN THE USA!
Thank you.
Absolutely!
Use 2 leaf hand rakes and lightly mist pile with water to avoid dust. I have 50 oak trees on lawn and it was the easiest year i have had. Great machine imo.
I've seen the hand rakes, they look useful - might get me some of them. There are made in USA ones.
Interesting I don't need a leaf muncher at but the video is very interesting I live in the middle of the dessert
This thing looks interesting tho
Okay I narrowed it down the Flowtron or Worx. Any suggestions.
I believe Worx is MIC
Loading it with that little scoop would brake a spine. I'm looking for something to process cedar bark and thin strips of cedar wood off the mill. (People buy cedar mulch and cedar chips, I'm told.) Can that thing handle more than leaves?
It will not shred bark or cedar strips. It works really well with leaves, and that's it.
No it only uses weed eater line
Does it mulch lawn clippings?
I assume so. At 2:08 I demonstrate the aperture setting "Wet leaves, grass, and thatch." I've never used it to mulch lawn clippings but I assume this means it can.
My top bearing failed after around 20-30 barrels of shredded leaves. The unit has a cheap 608zz bearing in it which is the wrong bearing for the application. Mine failed and I replaced it with an SKS 608-2rsh bearing which is sealed and should last a lot longer. Unit also accumulates leaves in the motor housing, I cut inspection doors in it for cleaning and upgraded the air filter to some scotch brite. Much better now. Probably 2 hours of work to upgrade it and make it right.
SKF? Thanks for this information my bearing went out too and the company won't answer my emails about when the motors will be in stock
@@jeffreydavid3323 I wouldn't bother with the company, the bearing replacement isn't that bad. yes, skf is the brand name, my mistake but there's also plenty of others. There's also other seals than 2rsh but that's the one I chose. Cleaning the leaves out of the housing and doing the bearing (assuming you order it before you take it apart) should be about 2 hours. Undoing the 2 bolts that keep the frame that has the bearing in it on the motor is a little tricky and you'll need a right-angle phillips, or a 1/4 box-open and a phillips bit.
I take a blower to mine after every use to avoid it getting clogged more in more with each use.
Can this handle dry straw?
Yes it chops up dry straw very well
@@jeffreydavid3323 thank you! I'll give it a try. Bought one at an auction on a pallet of stuff for $25 and this was my favorite thing on the pallet, but we don't have trees yet..
How about wet leaves? Where i live rains everyday in fall and winter
It chops up wet leaves but you have to go slow because it turns it into mush and then plugs up.
Price of product
Anyone in the comments compare this to the WORX? I'm on my 3rd year with the worx and like it. Only would like if they had a better longer lasting cutting cord. Maybe wire?
It is my understanding that Worx is made in China, FYI.
No idea but it's great for me.
I called Worx and asked about using wire. They were evasive in their answer and would only say that it would void the warranty. I ordered some 20 gauge bell wire (plastic coated strand wire) that I’m going to try.
Also, I drilled out the Worx line holder a little and tried .105 trimmer line. Worked much better than the OEM .080 line, but still didn’t last as long as I would have liked.
The only concern is if it's going in your compost. What's worse in our bodies? Tiny plastics or metals. LOL.
Nice review except no closeup of the mulched leaves output to show the typical shredding size.
Thanks for the feedback - I will incorporate more closeups for future videos!
If you put it on the fine size it will chop up oak and maple leaves the size of corn flakes
hi you should bend with your knees.You should look into ryobi plastic blade for your leaf mulcher.that what i use on my string trimmer way better.they might fit for you.
I have done just that after reading this comment - thanks for the reminder!
This looks miserable. Dust never ending leaves 🍁 good review
I've found that it's best to use when the leafs are just a little wet - like 2 days after a rain. Keeps the dust down, and the machine handles the damp leaves well on the "wet leaves and thatch" setting.
1 yeah later, $250 on Amazon. WTF
junk. I use a DR Power chipper to shred leaves. It works really well.
I wholeheartedly disagree. I just tried to use my gas-powered chipper (MTD tecumseh) this weekend for wood chipping AND leaf mulching. It was much slower at leaf mulching than the electric leaf mulcher, plus I was breathing in exhaust the whole time I was trying to use it. I prefer the gas machine for chipping, and the electric for mulching. It's not junk, though - works great for its intended purpose.