I agree watts way to low rated cord, amps or watts is what you need to know. How much does the elect. blower pull. probably 1200 to 1600 watts atleast. here a simple formula If i remember it correctly 1. amps X volts = watts. 2. Watts divided by volts = amps. 3. watts divided by amps = volts. The blower should have one of these numbers on it. amps or watts. I agree with ibpod at least a 14 gauge. the smaller the gauge the heavier elect. load it will carry. Glade you found the problem the extension cord was probably too light duty to carry the amps, therefore it overheated melted the wire insulation off and shorted out when the two wires touched (this very same thing happens in old houses with old wiring techiques when a single wall outlet has several adapter cord pluged in, it only takes one on the line to pull too much amps and over heat the wiring in the walls an catch a house on fire (todays fault and trip cicuit breakers prevent this unless they malfunction. Or it had a break in the insulation and the movement of the cord alowed it to ground out (bare wires touching) heat up very quickly and short out. Every wonder why you hair dryer quits and pops the circuit breaker. hair dryers probably pull as much or more watts than that blower that's why the have a short cord.

Since the Craftsman leaf blower has not left for itÂs new home, I had a chance to verify some questions and etc.. 1. The fuel filter was very restricted to my mouth vs my compressor but another d/n make it run better. 2. The muffler had no spark arrest and was as clear as can be. The chrome cyl was as clean as a mirror. The vacuum was as good as the compression mentioned above. 3. Problems include loosing fuel like a float is stuck "flooding" or cracked tank making a raw fuel mess? IÂll pressure test the plastic tank which w/n help running if the "killer" is not gone before I have spare time. Raw fuel appears to be blowing out the muffler due to carb problems and the plug is always soaked? 4. The gray wireÂs purpose is still puzzling since it has metal appears pointing to flywheelÂs magnets? 5. Has anyone posted Pics open using the "free photobucket version" vs links, if so, what are your steps? 6. I have learned more with this project than I had planned but learning and documenting, Is My Life! Loger http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/JOW_06/WhippedByABlower.jpg?t=1282421791 http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/JOW_06/CraftsmanBlower2.jpg?t=1282421791 http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af312/JOW_06/CraftsmanBlowerrelated.jpg?t=1282523738

Heres a good review of Tanakas back pack blower: 23 of 30 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Earning Respect, January 1, 2010 By Alan E. Schmidt "Monkey head" (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) This review is from: Tanaka Commercial Grade Gas Powered Large Backpack Blower Side-Mounted Throttle 65cc 4.3 HP 2-Stroke (CARB Compliant) TBL-7800 (Lawn & Patio) In one word "DOMINATING". The Tanaka 65cc TBL-7800 has made me king of the cul-de-sac. They now call me the blow king. Autumn. 2009. My Tanaka 65cc TBL-7800 arrived late in the afternoon. 4:16 p.m. A quick scan of the yards in the cul-de-sac revealed that the trees had left an abundance of prey all over. My adversaries, or as you would call them, my neighbors, were also surveying the battlefield. I locked eyes with my neighbor, Francis, I lowered my brow and gave him a "whats up" head nod. He returned my head nod with a demonic smile. Stupid french. It was on now. Oh Yeah. See you on the battlefield Saturday morning. What do the French know about blowing anyway. Saturday morning. 6:55 a.m. Garages opened. The gladiators took the field. We sized each other up. Jaws dropped when I turned to the side and they saw the Tanaka 65cc TBL-7800 strapped to my back. Thats right boys. Drink it in. I just brought a semi truck to a demolition derby full of Hyundais. We all spotted the new guy at the same time and smiled. He wore sunglasses instead of ski goggles. HA HA, hope he likes watery eyes.... amateur. 7:00 a.m. Let the battle begin. City ordinance says no blowers before 7. It was like the gates opening at the Kentucky derby. The action started quickly. New Guy - The TBL-7800 blew the sunglasses clean off his head. As he ran away I blew one of his flip flops off also. Like I said, amateur... Don't come into the wolf den wearing deer antlers, idiot. I took the sunglasses as a trophy. The flip flop ended up on the roof. He can kiss that one goodbye. Francis - The leaves were flying, hot air burned my skin. I sacked up and plowed forward. I knew he was limited by his extension cord. The end came quickly. He surrendered in less than 2 minutes. Imagine that, the French surrendering quickly. Who would have thought. I stood in the middle of my leaf free yard like a King. My scepter was the Tanaka 65cc TBL-7800. They lined up to kiss my ring and acknowledge the blow king. All except the new guy. We may have put him in therapy for awhile. The Tanaka TBL-7800 slayed them all that day. Hands down, the clear winner. I did get a little hot on the back. Wear a good shirt. I wore cut off jeans, tank top, knee high moccasins, and ski goggles. Wanted to look respectful when sporting the TBL-7800. No doubt I did it justice.

I have small pebbles across my back yard and mostly use a small hose connection for my wet/dry vacuum. I blow the yard around individual bush and objects such as chairs/table legs, also in some instances use a 'wire' rake that won't gather pebbles but helps gather leaves and similar bits of trash. I've also used a hose nozzle that I can adjust to a fine but strong spray and that works equally well for the objects I've mentioned. Clearing the yard well of weeds and other growth before placing pebbles over the yard area. Once cleared and leveled to a point satisfactory you need to spray for weed and any other growth on all the yard you wish to cover. Then you need to cover with the type of fabric or other material that you can fasten well to the ground. At this point you need to determine how much you will be covering and a range of 1/2 to an inch thick. The next project is to choose or devise a means of some form of edging, i.e. roll of plastic edging that you can insert into the ground ( laying the ground cover fabric over the top if that) and maybe use brick or other forms of edging you good design the layout to fit your yard 'areas' or a point up to grass or garden or the base of a tree which can be separated by brick, etc. I have found a gravel and stone company, Southwest Boulder & Stone, southwestboulder.stone where I purchased the pebbles. They can deliver large amounts to your 'driveway' and you can then , with wheel barrow, spend a day back and fourth from front to back. I have further suggestion and that is to use other stone, sizes and design, to give the appearance of a small stream around or through the various areas of the total yard. You can call me (JayB. 949 854 6450 and leave msg and number if you want further conversation.