Roof Clean Up
STIHL SH 86 C-E Leaf Shredder Vacuum
by Camille Dodson, Editorial Assistant
Every roofing contractor has had to deal with plant clutter in the gutters or on the roof that they have been hired to repair or replace, and on commercial roof maintenance projects, keeping the roof free of debris is a must. Between having to gather and remove things like leaves and other plant material from jobsites, it is no wonder that contractors need new tools to keep large roofs clean.
Our team was given the opportunity to test out the STIHL® SH 86 C-E Leaf Shredder Vacuum. With a compact, ergonomic design, the leaf shredder is easy to use and was comfortable for our team members to carry. We tested it both for regular yard work and maintenance and, more importantly, for use in cleaning up roof clutter.
The STIHL Easy2Start™ system makes starting STIHL outdoor power tools almost effortless, eliminating the need for a strong pull of the starting cord. This advanced starting system is designed to make starting STIHL products fast and easy.
To get started, users simply pump the fuel primer, set the choke, and pull the starter cord. The built-in stop switch allows the user to turn off the engine with a simple press of the button. When the engine is off, the throttle lock automatically returns to the start setting. The tool will be ready to start again when the user is ready to get back to work.
One of the things our team immediately noticed was that the handle of the tool is soft and easy to grip without any risk of slipping. Additionally, there is an adjustable shoulder strap that made it easier to carry the tool without causing any dangerous weight displacement while trying to carry it up a ladder to use it on the roof.
The vacuum suction on the shredder was incredibly powerful and was able to suck up and shred leaves without issue. On the roof of our main office, the SH 86 C-E also proved to be adept at collecting and breaking down pine needles and other brittle tree materials. For any straggler leaves and needles, the blowing function of the tool worked well to loosen the stuck plant material.
The blowing function did not expel the contents of the shredded material already inside of the secure clippings bag, and the remainder of the cleanup was handled easily by our team with the help of the SH 86 C-E. The bag is zipper sealed for convenient emptying, and our team had no issue with cleaning out the tool for future use once we were done using it.
For any contractor who has experienced issues in the past with keeping their work space as clean as possible while doing tricky roofing jobs, this leaf shredder vacuum is the tool for you. If a catchall tool for easy clean up appeals to anyone looking for something efficient in their arsenal, the STIHL SH 83 C-E is just the product that will help you save time and energy on the roof.
