No one seems to be able to make a good standalone mulcher
that works great. I have most of the EGO tools except the chain saw and
snow blower but love them all.
Your blower is fantastic but now I need to have a really well designed mulcher
w/bag to use to clean up my yard work (leaves, twigs, etc.). This would be a
really good addition to your EGO lineup in my opinon since people really don't
want to haul around electrical extension cables around the yard and mess with
gas operated equipment.
Anyway I was just wondering if you folks were thinking of tackling a project
like this.
I am hopeful.
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450 Points
- Optimistic
Posted 3 years ago
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,008 Points
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450 Points
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,008 Points
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450 Points
Most people who buy EGO units know that they are
paying good money for Quality, Convenience, and saving time on their tasks.
If you are to produce a good mulcher then these
are a must:
1) Powerful Motor
2) Powerful suction
3) Little or no choke points from chute to
bag
4) As an afterthought if the first 3 are met
then make as light weight as possible but quality needs to be maintained.
There are a lot of people like me who will be
willing to pay good money like your other EGO tools to have a convenient
battery portable mulcher w/bag to get work done quick and easy.
So just don't consider it "do something about it".
After all that is how you make money - fill in the void that other
manufactures are bungling up so badly.
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,008 Points
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,008 Points
Yes, it seems lots of people want a high quality cordless solution from Ego. Many people complain about fragile plastic fans not lasting well.
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450 Points
The reason I stated to make it only a vacuum
mulcher is that it would not have to contend with a blower aspect which should
give it a better design ability from an engineering standpoint. Like I said before EGO already has a good blower that does not have to be changed.
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65,000 Points
But in general it's best to have dedicated tools, especially when they are electric.
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234 Points
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176 Points
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,008 Points
Vacuum mulchers use a centrifugal design that spins much slower and uses a thicker more durable impeller design. An Ego version would likely follow that design principle, I’d think.
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84 Points
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13,128 Points
To me, axial fans shred extremely well, but I still prefer centrifugal blower vacs, and to me, the best one out there is the Toro Ultra Blower Vac, the 51619 and 51621 models. I've been asking Toro for a cordless one of those. The impellers won't last forever, but they are easy enough to replace that it does not matter a hell of a lot to me. It would be nice if EGO could make one of these vacs with a longer lasting impeller, out of a more durable, impact resistant plastic that can handle high velocity projectiles like metal bottlecaps or nuts, and with a high CFM and shredding ability that is good, but not turn-to-dust good. It needs to suck well, but not so well that it sucks up stuff that you don't want it to suck up (have a large, high-CFM, low velocity tube with a large impeller and large discharge, something like a fatter version of the ultra blower vac.
At the very least I would like the mower to mulch better than it does without me having to purchase a new blade.
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13,128 Points
To me, axial fans shred extremely well, but I still prefer centrifugal blower vacs, and to me, the best one out there is the Toro Ultra Blower Vac, the 51619 and 51621 models. I've been asking Toro for a cordless one of those. The impellers won't last forever, but they are easy enough to replace that it does not matter a hell of a lot to me. It would be nice if EGO could make one of these vacs with a longer lasting impeller, out of a more durable, impact resistant plastic that can handle high velocity projectiles like metal bottlecaps or nuts, and with a high CFM and shredding ability that is good, but not turn-to-dust good. It needs to suck well, but not so well that it sucks up stuff that you don't want it to suck up (have a large, high-CFM, low velocity tube with a large impeller and large discharge, something like a fatter version of the ultra blower vac.
At the very least I would like the mower to mulch better than it does without me having to purchase a new blade.
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80 Points
https://www.amazon.com/Joe-40-Volt-Variable-Speed-Cordless-Brushless/dp/B01C8DZHCM/ref=sr_1_7?s=lawn...
Other brands are sure to follow. If I don't see an option from EGO within the next six months (at least announced), I will start investing in another system so I can get the functionality I need. I already have an EGO mower, string trimmer and chain saw. I need a blower and a leaf mulcher and would like nothing better than buy a EGO all-in-one blower/vacuum/mulcher. If EGO doesn't produce one, however, I will reluctantly invest in an other cordless platform.
Blue Angel, Champion
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180,008 Points
I must say, however, that SunJoe vacblower looks extremely weak... based on the video in that Amazon listing it can barely suck leaves and only has enough blowing power to clear a hard patio. And that video is likely shot in “best case” conditions, being a manufacturer shot video and all.
I would imagine an Ego vacblower would need to be 3-4X as powerful as that in order to not sorely disappoint any existing Ego customers that tried it.
Perhaps that’s why we haven’t seen this from Ego yet? Just guessing.
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450 Points
I still think EGO makes some of the best battery operated equipment but to be a leader they need to stay innovative and not drop the ball on such a vital piece of equipment that we customers needed.
I still would like a stand alone vac mulching unit but would take a blower vac unit also, EGO needs to produce something or let it's customers know that they have no plans to produce one. Transperancy (being clear) with your customers is what creates loyal customers and good profits for EGO.
Just to let everyone know I personally have had nothing but great customer service from EGO and thier products meet my needs very well.
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84 Points
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122 Points
szwoopp, Champion
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106,256 Points
Plus having the 530 is so nice for everyday clean ups that take 2 minutes when I can just grab it and go to work with no worry about getting out the extension cord. I am done with the job before I would have had the extension cord unwound. So glad I change my mind on that one.
Amber F., Official EGO Rep
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68,294 Points
- 60 Points
Oregon Mike, Champion
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72,118 Points
- 60 Points
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234 Points
I realize a high quality blower with vacuum mulching - and using a high quality high carbon SHARP impellor - can't be manufactured for $150-200, but if you made one, and did it for under [hopefully :-)] $300, it would immediately become the Rolls Royce of blower/vacuum mulchers & immediately outsell the competition. At a good price point, your battery technology combined with high quality construction features would immediately render the competition's cord and gas units obsolete. My only extra expense would be a second battery. I have to drive to a park or forest to collect my leaves, but even if I was still on my property in CA, I would need portability. With the B&D unit I was severely limited by the power cord and trying to vacuum and mulch was truly a PITA! And....it had a cheap, non-sharp impellor and bag construction that was not up to the pressure created by the unit's power and would tear at the bag to strap locations. Your unit would address these concerns, I'm sure. Make the impellor easily removable for sharpening.
It's hard to fathom why a company such as yours with so many fine garden implements has missed the boat for so long in not coming out with a high grade, ie very high speed, stainless steel sharp impellor, with large capacity very durable collection bag, unit. Many folks need portability due to the size of their properties. And being a combo, I can quickly blow leaves into a pile in a park or the woods and then vacuum mulch them.
There's also the issue of cost of having to use two separate units to accomplish the mulching chore. If someone's situation has them using a blower + a large fixed mulcher, the cost is much greater than if you made a high quality combo unit. This isn't rocket science; it comes down to the decision-makers getting off their collective duffs and simply go forward with making this type of unit, which would lead the industry. I, like I have to assume many others feel the same way, do NOT want to use a gasoline powered unit. Technology has evolved way past the need for this once functional but now antiquated technology, lead in large part by yourselves. Please....pull the rag out and make this unit ASAP, and when you do, let me know where in the Greater Vancouver area of BC I can buy it! Thanks.
szwoopp, Champion
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105,650 Points
Blue Angel, Champion
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179,968 Points
Just thinking out loud. :-)
szwoopp, Champion
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105,650 Points
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122 Points
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234 Points
The only difference between what EGO should make and the B & D unit is the power source.:-)
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122 Points
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234 Points
Air direction is the same passing through the impeller and works just fine in the mulching form. For mulching, the expended air along with the mulched leaves are simply put into the bag as opposed to directed to the atmosphere. To convert from blower to vacuum mulcher, you simply remove the protective shroud over the air intake and attach the vacuum tube here. Connect the bag to the air outlet after removing the blower tube and you're ready to go. Couldn't be simpler. :-)
B&D's has two speeds, low and high but both work for mulching. The difference is you can use the lower speed for working around living plants you don't want to disturb or harm.
I don't buy into the idea of the current battery not providing enough power for a long enough period of time as they're used to power lawnmowers and snowblowers which require far more power than a leaf mulcher!
The only issue as I see it, and I'm an engineer too, is that the current cordless blower cannot be modified to the multi-use platform we see in the B&D unit......it has to be a completely new design to make it the multi-use tool it needs to be. EGO is considered an upscale model and with the technology, both in multi-use design as shown by B&D for a long time now, and battery design from EGO leading the industry, there is no reason why the marriage of design and battery power can't be put into production asap. Basically copy B&D's design with enough changes to not run afoul of any patents of course. I can't imagine EGO isn't aware that they're losing a market share to B&D and other manufacturers by not having a combo unit of their own. Knowing your competition is the key to success and their units are filling a niche in the market for a blower/vacuum mulcher, however NOT a portable version that isn't gasoline powered.
Blue Angel, Champion
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179,968 Points
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110 Points
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76 Points
I'm on edge of my seat about to buy a new vac/mulcher. Can't decide if I want to go the WORX corded one again, or get a battery powered one like Black-n-Decker's and then have to deal with another type of battery (I already have an EGO blower, mower, and string trimmer).
If EGO made a vac/mulcher I'd buy it in a heart-beat - even if it was a dedicated vac/mulcher. If EGO has plans to make one, it would really be nice to know before I can't wait anymore and end up wasting my money buying something else. Thanks!
Blue Angel, Champion
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179,968 Points
Now that you have all the main categories dominated, Ego, it’s time to start branching out a little. Start wining and dining those Home Depot execs who set up your new product deals and make it happen!!!
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13,128 Points
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140 Points
Amber F., Official EGO Rep
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68,272 Points
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82 Points
- 60 Points
While the blower is great for certain functions a cordless mulcher would be unreal.
There are other companies now producing these but I would prefer sticking with EGO.....dont know how long I will hold on though!!!!
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86 Points
Please, Ego, use your considerable expertise to make a mulcher-vac up to the capability of the Toro 51619 corded unit!
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80 Points
https://www.amazon.com/Greenworks-Var...
Oregon Mike, Champion
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72,340 Points
https://community.egopowerplus.com/ego/topics/string-trimmer-as-leaf-mulcher
- 68 Points
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234 Points
I started this thread and it's been long enough for Ego to have designed and produced what the people want. I've lost interest in waiting and bought the corded Black & Decker vacuum/blower/mulcher. It doesn't have the freedom of a battery unit so getting shredded leaves for composting has unfortunately become a two step procedure: gather the leaves at the park and bring them home to mulch.
I don't need any other powered garden tools but if I did, I wouldn't buy EGO due to their lack of caring regarding what the public wants that happens to be the logical solution to the issue. I just got sick and tired of waiting on a corporation's dragging their feet on making a sound business decision.
Snooze you lose.
szwoopp, Champion
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105,650 Points
Or maybe the market for the "most wanted" products really are not large enough markets to warrant manufacturing.
In any case hardly a reason to give up on a quality line of products because you can't get what you want NOW.
Good luck with search for better battery powered line of OPE.
Blue Angel, Champion
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179,968 Points
There's also the very real possibility that after researching the market there just wasn't the demand necessary to justify the investment in a new tool (that's just me speculating). Remember, not only does Ego have to develop the tool, but retailers have to agree to sell it. It's not always as simple as "I want it, therefore it shall exist". ;-)
Take my comments for what they're worth... for all I know Ego could be ready to announce their new mulcher/blower combo unit. Lol.
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234 Points
I certainly agree with you regarding not making a brand new product whatever it may be just because one or a few want it, but that's not the case here. What we want is just another version of a product that's already in the marketplace - separate blowers & mulchers - and obviously doing very well by the fact they're continuing to be produced. What I've suggested is merely a 'variation on a [existing] theme'. It would fill a need in the market that's only competition currently for sale, is a gas powered unit which I won't use.
Now having made my point, the only caveat to this unit not selling at the retail level would be its price point. I would and I believe others would as well, be willing to pay a premium for this unit being the only style - battery powered - on the market. That does not mean we'd pay a huge premium. If would have to be reasonable to the buyer/end user while rewarding EGO for producing a high end product that's unique to the marketplace.
I've successfully argued against all reasons given here by a few folks why this unit shouldn't or can't be produced. To me, these are lame arguments contending I haven't thought through all aspects of producing this unit. I have, so I conclude these folks do not have marketing experience or are EGO sympathizers attempting to derail this thread I started. Knock yourself out folks, I can counter any counter argument you or EGO can come up with. :-)
Blue Angel, Champion
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179,968 Points
Ego, what are you waiting for?