Mountfield MBV 48 Li

What is the Mountfield MBV 48 Li?

The Mountfield MBV 48 Li is a powerful leaf blower and vacuum cleaner in one, with a Digi-Torq brushless motor. It’s easy to convert from blower to vac, and it’s exceptionally powerful. However, a large and heavy body and slightly fiddly controls mean that this isn’t the best leaf blower for all.

Mountfield MBV 48 Li Cordless Blower Vac – Design and features

A green button on the handle activates the Mountfield MBV 48 Li, and then you alter the speed using the thumbwheel, also found on top of the handle. There’s a red turbo button alongside the on/off switch. The Mountfield MBV 48 Li has a two-part nozzle: a long tube with an additional restrictive end.

To convert to a vacuum, you first need to remove the nozzle. Next, unclip the fan guard beneath, swing it back out of the way, clip the suction tube in place of the fan guard, and then clip the bag attachment in place of the nozzle.

The suction tube is in two parts, and since the coupling is stiff, it’s tough fitting them together. A shoulder-strap supports the bag, and you then hold the Mountfield back to front to get it to vacuum.

The 4Ah battery has four green lights on the end showing battery charge. The standard Mountfield charger has indicator lights. It took two hours to charge the battery. (A rapid-charger is available if you can’t wait that long.) On maximum power I achieved 12 minutes’ run-time; on low power this increased to 30 minutes.

Mountfield MBV 48 Li Cordless Blower Vac – Performance

The Mountfield MBV 48 Li has simple to use controls. I was immediately grateful for the fact it has no trigger, so I didn’t have to hold one down as I worked. I didn’t enjoy using the on/off switch; I’d prefer to use a thumbwheel because they’re easier to handle whilst wearing gloves. Again, the turbo button was difficult to use with heavy gloved hands.

This machine is billed as “the most powerful rechargeable blower on the market” – and it is, as far as the 280km/hr airspeed is concerned. It’s easily the most powerful leaf blower of all the smaller blowers we’ve tested, as long as you don’t use the restrictive nozzle.

With that on, the machine is slightly better at moving stubborn, sticky debris, but it doesn’t deliver the volume of air to move a larger quantity of leaves. The Mountfield MBV 48 Li shifts almost three times the volume of air without that restrictive nozzle. Turbo makes the machine slightly more powerful, but this doesn’t compare to the power that comes from changing the nozzle.

With the restrictive nozzle off, the Mountfield MBV 48 Li lifted leaves over a 44-inch kerb in my drive easily, taking only six minutes to clear damp leaves off 40 square metres of grass. It was very good at shifting wet leaves off gravel and concrete. With the restrictive nozzle on, the Mountfield MBV 48 Li took double the time.

The machine is quite heavy to hold. There isn’t a harness for the blower – only for the vacuum-bag – and there is nothing onto which you could to hook one either. The Mountfield MBV 48 Li was comfortable for me to handle because I’m tall, at 6ft 5in. However, my girlfriend found that the balance was only right for her when she held the blower far back along the handle. But on doing that, she could no longer reach the thumbwheel.

For that reason, I’d say that the Mountfield MBV 48 Li is really for the larger person; anyone small or physically weak would find it too tiring to use.

I found the vacuum awkward. The tube was too long, and with the bag hanging on my shoulder, the whole thing felt cumbersome. But it handled wet leaves without too much trouble, and dry ones with ease; it didn’t balk at largish twigs, either. It was super-easy to empty the bag by undoing the side zip.

Why buy the Mountfield MBV 48 Li Cordless Blower Vac?

The Mountfield MBV 48 Li is a very good medium-range blower with the added advantage of converting into a vacuum, too – although this is slightly awkward to use. It’s heavy, too, so would suit someone with a larger, strong build.

If you’re after something a little smaller, check out our Best leaf blowers guide a more suitable model.

Verdict

The Mountfield MBV 48 Li is a good combination leaf blower and vacuum, but it’s best for a large user.

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