EZ-Leaf-Hauler-featured-image Reviews

EZ Leaf Hauler: Product Review

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Ease of Use:
Quality:
Performance:
Final Thoughts

A lightweight, noiseless, easy-to-use leaf transport system.

Overall Score 3.3

Available on Amazon

Buy It

The EZ Leaf Hauler is a unique new way of dealing with fallen leaves, twigs and small debris that I usually rake onto a tarp. But unlike a tarp (that frequently blows away unless I set stones on each corner), it is more like a giant dustpan with several grab handles and stakes to secure the tarp to the ground. It’s environmentally-friendly, noise-free and physically lightweight to haul.

I tested both the 6’ (model 0037) and 7’ (model 0007) EZ Leaf Haulers to see how they’d perform during fall leaf cleanup.

With a shipping weight of 2.15 lbs. (6’, Model 0037) and 3.55 lbs. (7’, Model 0007) respectively, these are an ideal and very lightweight tool for fall yard cleanup.

Both items came in a cardboard box, and the products themselves came in plastic bags.  Once they arrived, I couldn’t wait to open them and give them a try. The products came through without any transportation damage.

EZ Leaf Hauler package

The packaging was a strong, tough, see-through plastic.

Easy Assembly

The 6’ model 0037, also known as the “sport model” (6’ deep x 4’ wide), and the 7’ model 0007 (7’ deep x 5’ wide) are made of heavy-duty tarp material. Also included are three fiberglass poles that slide into the pockets sewn right into the tarp.

The shipping bag was easy to open, the product slid right out onto the ground. I was able to assemble it myself with ease, no extra tools needed. It didn’t take any time to figure out how to set it up with a quick look at the directions and just basically inserting the fiberglass poles into the pockets.

EZ Leaf Hauler sliding in poles

Sliding fiberglass poles into sewn pockets

EZ Leaf Hauler assembly

Inserting fiberglass poles into corner pockets.

EZ Leaf Hauler assembly 4

Finishing assembly by sliding fiberglass poles into end flaps

How the EZ Leaf Hauler Works

Like a giant dustpan, the EZ Leaf Hauler lets you rake leaves into (versus onto) a tarp – that’s a big plus. The three fiberglass poles hold up the back and two sides, making it into a standup tarp.

EZ Leaf Hauler assembly 3

When assembled, it looks like a giant dustpan

Two pegs (permanently secured to the tarp’s leading edge) act to hold the edge taut once driven into the ground. This tight lip makes it easier to rake leaves into the tarp as opposed to under it.

Six handles make it easy to tow the unit in almost any direction, and help with folding the tarp into a flat unit for easy storage. And unlike conventional tarps that often leave a small trail of leaves behind as you drag it, the EZ Leaf Hauler makes quick work of leaves, twigs, plant prunings, and small debris without dropping leaves along the way (sort of, more on that later).

EZ Leaf Hauler final assembly

EZ Leaf Hauler in use

Staking down the tarp

There are two plastic stakes that are attached on either side of the tarp’s front edge. These hold the EZ Leaf Hauler leading edge down so that the wind doesn’t blow the unit away. It also acts to pull the tarp tight to the ground so that debris will be less likely to slip under the tarp when raking.

These stakes take a little force to insert into the ground. The best way I found to insert them was by hand. I also found that they could be started with my hand and shoved into the ground with my foot. If you have really hard soil or are using the EZ Leaf Hauler on a patio or driveway, you’re not going to be able to use the stakes.

Easy to Use

With the EZ Leaf Hauler staked to the ground, it was easy to contain the leaves as it formed a giant dustpan. Estimates suggest that the hauler will hold up to 4 (6 cubic foot) wheelbarrows of leaves in the smaller 4’ x 6’ “sport” model, and 5 in the 5’ x 7” model.

And unlike a tarp, the leaves are captured by a set of dustpan-like side ribs. This helps hold the leaves in place, even on windy days. I can’t say this about a conventional tarp where wind will blow leaves off due to the lack of edges that are present in the EZ Leaf Hauler.

Hauling Leaves

After filling the EZ Leaf Hauler, it was time to move the contents to my leaf pile. The hauler can be towed flat or rolled into a bundle.

I found the best way to haul the full EZ Leaf Hauler was to grab the two handles on the leading edge of the tarp (the same side as the spikes to secure it to the ground) and tow the whole thing behind me (the leading edge against my back). This kept the leaves piled up at the back of the unit where there is an upright ridge of tarp material. I did find that dragging the leaves with the opening away from me tended to leave some leaves behind, especially when I went over rough ground or up hills.

When it comes to rolling up the hauler into a bundle I also found it an effective way to move the leaves. But this method left the ends slightly open and I found that a few leaves fell out. It was not a lot of leaves, but just enough that I had to come back and rake them up again.

EZ Leaf Hauler dragging and losing leaves

Some leaves fell out of the hauler when rolled

EZ Leaf Hauler snapped handle 1

A snapped fiberglass pole made the EZ Leaf hauler unusable

Not for Heavy Materials

The EZ Leaf Hauler is made of lightweight material and should not be used for mulch, soil, rocks, wood or other heavy yard material. The heavy stuff will cause the bottom of the tarp to wear through prematurely, rip the tarp altogether, and possibly snap the fiberglass rods that hold the Hauler in place.

On the other hand, it’s great to spread out under plants, shrubs or trees for light trimmings of very small branches, water sprouts or suckers, deadheading debris and any other lightweight objects to clean up.

Fiberglass Poles Didn’t Hold Up

Unfortunately, I found the fiberglass pole snapped on the 6’ (model 0037) “sports model” hauler when I folded up the sides to haul the leaves away. On the 7’ (model 0007) hauler the tension needed to insert one of the side poles into the sewn pockets caused the pole to snap. Both haulers are no longer useable without new poles.

EZ Leaf Hauler snapped handle 2

Another fiberglass pole snapped, hobbling the hauler

Warranty

Per the owner’s quote, “We do not have a declared warranty for the hauler. There are various levels of use from professional landscapers to the home user for fall cleanups. We stand by the product for any manufacturing defect or if one of the rods break, we will replace at no charge.”

Where To Buy

Plow & Hearth Ez Leaf Hauler
Price: $54.99
Price Disclaimer

We found a variety of retailers where you can buy the EZ Leaf Hauler “sport” model 0037 (4’ wide x 6’ deep): EZ Lawn & Garden offers it for $34.99 (plus $5.00 shipping), Home Depot for $34.99 (plus shipping), and $27.83 at Walmart.  Amazon Prime offers this model for $34.99.

You’ll find the 5’wide x 7’ deep model 0007 at EZ Lawn & Garden for $39.99 (plus $5.00 shipping) and from Amazon Prime for $42.42.

Recommendation

The EZ Leaf Hauler is a novel product for picking up and disposing of leaves. With leaf blowers under attack from noise pollution advocates, it is a product whose time has come. I liked the heavy-duty construction and the 3 sets of handles for dragging, rolling, or stowing. It performed as advertised and (while it worked) made the chore of leaf and small debris removal a snap. I liked the tent-like construction that held the unit open/upright and the stakes that held the leading edge to the ground (so that the wind wouldn’t blow it away and also keep the edge taut so leaves wouldn’t get caught under the hauler). The snapping of the fiberglass support rods was disconcerting (some re-engineering or better quality control may be needed here). Overall a good product with some mechanical defects.

And now, over to you – do you use a tarp to clean up your yard? Would something like the EZ Leaf Hauler make your task easier?

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Disclaimer – GPReview would like to thank Plow & Hearth for giving us a free sample to review. There was no expectation that it would be a positive review and we received no compensation for writing it. All opinions expressed here are those of the author based on personal experience using the product.

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1 Comment on EZ Leaf Hauler: Product Review

  1. I love your review. If I were young and strong enough to carry 24-30 cubic ft of leaves, I might buy one. However, I find hand-held leaf scoops do the job for me to fill my wheelbarrow accessory called the Wheelbarrow Expander. This rig is easier on the back than a big hand-held hauler. It is easy to load and unload and it takes very little storage space.

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