Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Leaf Blower 2824 Review

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Cell Leaf Blower Offers Increased Performance and Uptime

Milwaukee got off to a hot start with its battery-powered lawn care system, but the blower has been in need of an upgrade. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Cell Leaf Blower is the answer, and we're digging deeper to see if it's worth the wait.

advantage

• Blowing force much higher than previous version: 18.0 N on our meter
• Neat cruise control slider
• No gas noise, emissions, maintenance or other hassles
• Easy-to-view fuel gauge
• Comfortable handle and trigger design

shortcoming

• When using cruise control at lower levels, it sometimes behaves like switching between different speeds

energy source

The Milwaukee 2824 requires two M18 batteries to operate, high output batteries provide the best performance. There are no specific recommendations at this time, but the 8.0Ah high output battery pack offers a good balance between performance, runtime and weight.

Pro Tip: Be sure to use two batteries of the same capacity and start with a full charge for best results.

Blowing power

It's all about the numbers and the Milwaukee 2824 is a huge improvement over the previous single cell design (2724). For airspeed you are looking at 145 MPH supporting up to 600 CFM. At its best, it can generate blowing forces of up to 17.7 Newtons. Plus, its throttle response is ridiculously quick, reaching full power in less than a second.

Using a pair of 8.0Ah high output batteries we actually recorded a peak of 18.3 Newtons and a steady measured value of 18.0. It's always nice when things go beyond our expectations.

While that doesn't challenge the highest blowing figures we've seen, it's still impressive. Most handheld gas blowers will probably get you in the 12.0 Newton range, so it's going to push much better.

Perhaps more importantly, this level moves wet debris better than Milwaukee's first effort.

run

Run time depends on the type and speed of battery you use. Using the 8.0Ah high-output battery we tested, the blower ran at full power for just over 15 minutes. If you want the best run time you can go with the 12.0Ah high output pack which should net you over 23 minutes on WOT.

Of course, if you run at a lower power level, your run time will improve dramatically. We turned the blower to mid (3 bars on cruise control) and 4 bars after 30 minutes. After the stopwatch showed 1 hour and 51 minutes, it finally stopped.

Perhaps more relevantly, we tuned the cruise control to deliver 12 Newtons – which is the point at which the petrol model drops. There we were able to run for over 32 minutes (32:12).

noise level

According to the ANSI B175.2 test, Milwaukee's blower produces only 64 decibels. We test at the operator's ear, not 50 feet away, so you know what to expect when you're on the job. In this case, wide open throttle (WOT) yields 81 dB(a). This should keep the neighbors happy, even if you're working first thing on a Saturday morning.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Cell Leaf Blower Design

throttle control

As with many blowers on the market, you control the throttle with a variable-speed trigger or cruise control. Milwaukee has a slightly different take on cruise control, though. It's a center slider that's equally easy to operate whether you're right-handed or left-handed.

You can also operate the trigger with cruise control on. If you hit some stubborn debris, just press the trigger and get full power. When you let go of it, the cruise control keeps it at the previous level.

size and weight

The blower is just over 34 inches long and weighs 6.0 lbs without batteries. Your working weight will depend on which battery you decide to use. If you use a pair of 8.0Ah high-output battery packs, the total weight is 10.7 lbs.

other highlights

• On-board fuel gauge visible during operation
• off-hand grip
• Cone and flat nozzles included
• Compatible with all M18 batteries

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Leaf Blower Prices

Milwaukee offers the 2824 as a bare-bones model for only $299.00. It comes with a 3-year warranty.

It's not just a residential model with similar performance. Keep in mind that Milwaukee designed its OPE primarily for professional workers and will run their blowers longer than homeowners require.

Milwaukee Battery Operated Blower Comparison

the bottom line

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Cell Leaf Blower is a big step up in performance over earlier models, making it easier to market as a gas alternative. The dual-battery design allows for increased watt-hours of onboard battery capacity, and improvements to the controls make it easier to use. For fans of the Milwaukee lawn care line, the 2824 fills a big void for professional teams.

Specification

• Model: Milwaukee 2824
• Power supply: 2 x M18 batteries
• Maximum airspeed: 145 MPH
• Maximum air volume: 600 CFM
• Blow Force: 17.7 Newtons
• Weight: 6.0 lbs naked
• Price: $299
• Warranty: 3 years

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