jrepp
Silver Member
I see where some have used a Leaf Blower to help with burning brush piles. If anyone has used this please let me know how well it works an what technique you use.
Using a Leaf Blower to help burn brush
- Thread starter jrepp
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RobertN
Super Member
Works great. I make a small camp type fire at one side of the burn pile, theat I know will start up. Once it starts, I use the blower over that small area. Much like a blacksmiths fire pit, the blower will get a very hot fire going. The speed of the bolwer varies as necessary to tend the fire. Usually it is only needed to get things started, especially if the pile is damp at all.
Are you allowed to burn now? Out here, even a charcoal grill is kinda scary now. We've had 40-50,000 acres burn over the last few weeks, and we are not even at the peak of fire season yet. One of my Fire Fighter buddies from the station I used to work out of just got back from a strike team on a fire about an hour from here. Tinder dry conditions, crowning in the trees and brush....
Seems a lot of insurance companies are not taking on new policies in urban interface zones now, and are also starting to not renew policies. The San Diego fires really had an impoact on them. Calif Dept of Forestry recomends 60' of fire safe clearance, but now the insurance companies are asking for a LOT more, even if the brush is at the neighbors.
Whatever you do, be safe about it, get the right permits, confirm with your local FD it is a permissive burn day, and your pile is proper size.
Are you allowed to burn now? Out here, even a charcoal grill is kinda scary now. We've had 40-50,000 acres burn over the last few weeks, and we are not even at the peak of fire season yet. One of my Fire Fighter buddies from the station I used to work out of just got back from a strike team on a fire about an hour from here. Tinder dry conditions, crowning in the trees and brush....
Seems a lot of insurance companies are not taking on new policies in urban interface zones now, and are also starting to not renew policies. The San Diego fires really had an impoact on them. Calif Dept of Forestry recomends 60' of fire safe clearance, but now the insurance companies are asking for a LOT more, even if the brush is at the neighbors.
Whatever you do, be safe about it, get the right permits, confirm with your local FD it is a permissive burn day, and your pile is proper size.
SPIKER
Elite Member
what is done is to use the leaf blower to FAN THE FLAMES, which makes it burn Hotter & faster. you STILL need to get flames going, as in using some twighs/brush to get larger logs to catch... other way with out a leaf blower is to add gas/oil/diesle mix onto the pile Prior to starting. being carefull of using raw gas as it really does not help a lot (burns too quickly to ignite the brush.) one or the other is all that is needed, what I use anymore is a brush burner attached to a 20LB propane tank, nothing else is needed to start even wet large dia brush only takes a few min, but is kind of noisy, (think JET ENGINE)
Mark M
Mark M
RobertN
I understand your concerns about burning. It has been very dry here (NW Louisiana) for the last month, however I only try to burn when it's wet, that's why I think the blower will help as the brush pile is damp. I also use a small amount of diesel to get things started. In the rural areas of the parish (county) we can burn anytime, as long as the Fire Marshall has not issued a burn ban.
I understand your concerns about burning. It has been very dry here (NW Louisiana) for the last month, however I only try to burn when it's wet, that's why I think the blower will help as the brush pile is damp. I also use a small amount of diesel to get things started. In the rural areas of the parish (county) we can burn anytime, as long as the Fire Marshall has not issued a burn ban.
MarkLeininger
Platinum Member
Doh! I've got a brush burner that we use along the fences and have never thought to use it when I'm burning. That's a great idea and I'm going to try it soon as we have a few huge piles to get rid of.
RobertN
Super Member
Diesel is good; it does not flash like gas(bad!!!).
Another thing that can help is a Fusie(road flare). In wildland firefighting, for backburning, if a drip torch is not available, a road flare works well.
Another thing that can help is a Fusie(road flare). In wildland firefighting, for backburning, if a drip torch is not available, a road flare works well.
fishman
Veteran Member
I use Spiker's method with great success. Handy as pockets on a shirt.
Mark_in_NH
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2002
- Messages
- 1,554
- Location
- Moultonborough, New Hampshire
- Tractor
- New Holland TC35D w/ 16LA FEL
I have burned dozens of brush piles over the years, some BIG brush piles. I have Never used a fuel of any kind as an accelerant, nor have I used or needed a leaf blower to assist the flames.
I do use a 20 lb. propane tank with a torch kit, similar to this one (Photo attached) by Red Dragon
Light the torch, adjust the flame and stuff it in under the brush pile. Within minutes I have a roaring fire going. Shut the propane off at the tank, pull the torch out by the hose, shut the valve off on the wand and thats it. You can buy these torch kits almost anywhere for $40 to $60 and then just supply your own BBQ tank. There Safe and incredibly effective. Red Dragon wants like $250 for the one pictured which is an Outrageous price.
I do use a 20 lb. propane tank with a torch kit, similar to this one (Photo attached) by Red Dragon
Light the torch, adjust the flame and stuff it in under the brush pile. Within minutes I have a roaring fire going. Shut the propane off at the tank, pull the torch out by the hose, shut the valve off on the wand and thats it. You can buy these torch kits almost anywhere for $40 to $60 and then just supply your own BBQ tank. There Safe and incredibly effective. Red Dragon wants like $250 for the one pictured which is an Outrageous price.
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Mark_in_NH
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2002
- Messages
- 1,554
- Location
- Moultonborough, New Hampshire
- Tractor
- New Holland TC35D w/ 16LA FEL
This one from Red Dragon Is more like what I am speaking of. This one (photo attached) is $70 and you provide you own tank.
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I use one of the wax/sawdust fireplace logs from Wally world. about 1/3 of a large one, then feed broom handle sized wood. easier to tote thru the woods than a propane tank. A drip torch is enough to carry around