This Milwaukee 3017-20 review starts with a clear call: buy the 5.1 lb blower if you own M18 packs and clear a house lot, and skip it for wet leaf mats and big yards. The box holds the blower only, and Milwaukee’s own run time at full throttle is 12 to 19 minutes on its FORGE XC8.0 and FORGE HD12.0 packs. I used it on the pruning sawdust under my plum row and on the gravel edge beside the machinery shed, jobs where a gas backpack is too much machine. Below: what changed from the 2724-20, how long each pack runs and who should pass.
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Milwaukee 3017-20 Review: My Verdict in Brief
I recommend the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Blower 3017-20 (Tool Only) to an M18 owner who clears a house lot, a drive and a patio. Milwaukee prints 500 CFM, 120 mph and 12.2 N for it (newtons measure how hard the stream pushes), a light push that handles dry leaves, clippings and sawdust and falls short on soaked mats. The pack decides your day, since Milwaukee’s approximate run times range from 12 to 30 minutes depending on the FORGE pack and the throttle.
- Best for: an M18 owner with a large M18 pack and a house-lot yard.
- Does best: dry leaves, clippings and sawdust, with a 5.1 lb body and one lever that holds any speed.
- Main trade-off: a bare box and a full-throttle run time of 12 to 19 minutes on the FORGE XC8.0 and FORGE HD12.0 packs.
What the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Blower 3017-20 Is and What You Must Buy With It
The 3017-20 follows the 2724-20 as Milwaukee’s single-pack M18 FUEL handheld blower. The “-20” in the name means tool only: the carton holds the blower with its tube and nothing else, no pack, no charger and no nozzle. A 3017-21HD kit with a pack and a charger is a different product, and I judge only the bare tool here.
Every M18 pack and charger fits. Milwaukee says the blower is optimized for M18 High Output packs and names the FORGE XC8.0 (48-11-1881) and the FORGE HD12.0 (48-11-1813) for peak performance and longer run time, so I plan around those two.
The Amazon page shows no price and lists other sellers only. Milwaukee’s three-year tool warranty covers the original purchaser who buys from an authorized Milwaukee distributor, so check who sells the blower before you order.
Milwaukee 3017-20 Specs at a Glance
Two rows decide most purchases, the 5.1 lb bare weight and the run time, because the pack sets both. Every performance figure is Milwaukee’s own, and the row names say so.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Airflow, maker’s figure | 500 CFM, no separate low-setting figure |
| Air speed, maker’s figure | 120 mph |
| Blowing force, maker’s figure | 12.2 N |
| Sound, maker’s figure | 54 dB(A) at 50 ft (ANSI B175.2) |
| Weight, tool only | 5.1 lb |
| Run time, maker’s figure | FORGE HD12.0: about 30 min at 3/4 throttle, 19 min at full. FORGE XC8.0: about 20 min and 12 min |
| Warranty | 3 years on the tool, authorized distributor |
What Changed From the Milwaukee 2724-20
Milwaukee changed the controls and the airflow and kept the air speed.
| Item | 2724-20 | 3017-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow | 450 CFM high, 295 CFM low | 500 CFM, no separate low figure |
| Air speed | 120 mph | 120 mph |
| Weight, tool only | 4.9 lb | 5.1 lb |
| Controls | Trigger, high/low button, lock-on button | Trigger and sliding lock-on lever, no mode button |
| Run time printed | None | About 30 and 19 min on a FORGE HD12.0 |
The Milwaukee 3017-20 vs 2724-20 choice comes down to three changes: 50 more CFM, a sliding lever in place of a mode button, and a run time printed on the product page. Force and sound have no like-for-like pair between the two tools, because Milwaukee prints no force for the 2724-20 and gives its sound rating with no distance.
Setup, Controls and Attachments
The controls are simpler than on the 2724-20 because there is no mode to pick.
Setup and First Use
The tube goes on first: tab to notch, slide until it clicks, then a firm tug to confirm it is locked. Milwaukee says to remove the battery pack before you install or remove the tube or a nozzle, and I take the pack off every time. Locking the trigger does not replace removing the battery.
Milwaukee says full throttle arrives in under one second, so I point the tube at open ground before the first pull. The Milwaukee leaf blower CFM figure is a single 500 CFM, with no high and low switch and no turbo. Hold the tube 5 to 6 inches above the surface and sweep slowly from side to side.
The Sliding Lock-On Lever
The lever sits on top of the handle and works from either side: forward for more air, back for less, all the way back to stop. It holds the speed at any point, so a steady medium needs no finger on the trigger.
Milwaukee 3017-20 Attachments and Nozzles
The box has no nozzle. Milwaukee lists three accessories, each sold separately: the Angled Flare Attachment 49-16-2791, the Tapered and Flat Nozzle Kit 49-16-2797 and the Gutter Attachment 49-16-2790, which reaches over 8 feet for single-story gutters. Each one fits like the tube, with the battery pack removed. My farm sheds are single-story, and the two-story house gutters are out of its reach.
Which M18 Battery to Use With the 3017-20 and How Long It Runs
Milwaukee prints a run time for this blower, and the pack sets it. Milwaukee calls every figure approximate.
| Pack | Pack weight | Energy, nominal | 3/4 throttle, maker’s figure | Full throttle, maker’s figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORGE HD12.0, 48-11-1813 (12 Ah) | 3.37 lb | 216 Wh | About 30 min | About 19 min |
| FORGE XC8.0, 48-11-1881 (8 Ah) | 2.45 lb | 144 Wh | About 20 min | About 12 min |
My pick for the best Milwaukee battery for leaf blower work with this tool is the FORGE HD12.0: Milwaukee’s figure is 7 minutes more at full throttle than on the FORGE XC8.0, for about 0.9 lb more in the hand (3.37 lb against 2.45 lb). Milwaukee says the blower takes every M18 pack, the REDLITHIUM XC5.0 included, but prints no run time for the XC5.0.
Milwaukee M18 leaf blower battery life also follows your hand, because a medium lever setting stretches a pack: Milwaukee lists about 20 minutes at three-quarter throttle on the FORGE XC8.0 against about 12 at full, and about 30 against about 19 on the FORGE HD12.0. These minutes suit short jobs such as a drive, a deck or a patio. On leaf Saturday I plan in packs, not minutes, so a second pack sits on the charger before I start.
Cold shortens every run, since lithium-ion cells deliver much less energy and power at low temperatures (1). Milwaukee lists a recommended operating range of 0 to 125 F, and on frost mornings in late November I keep the pack in the house until I am ready to start.
How It Clears Leaves, Grass and Debris
A blower’s push depends on how much air leaves the tube and how fast it moves (2), and Milwaukee prints 500 CFM, 120 mph and 12.2 N for the Milwaukee blower 3017-20. Light material rolls ahead of the stream and heavy material stays put.
Dry Leaves Under the Trees
In late October the plum leaves land on the tree-row strips and the first alley feet. I push them from under the canopy into the alley with the lever at medium, and the mower shreds them there.
Clippings, Twigs and Sawdust
Before mowing the house lawn I blow twigs and seed pods out of the grass so the mower does not throw them. After dormant pruning, the lever at medium moves the sawdust and fine twigs from under the plum row into the alley without scattering them across the strip, which suits a 12.2 N push. On gravel I keep the tube low, because a steep, fast stream throws stones at ankles, windows and car paint.
Wet Leaves and Packed Mats
Wet leaves stick by surface tension, so they need volume under the leading edge, and 12.2 N has little to spare. Wet plum leaves pressed into the gravel by the shed gate stayed put: the stream took the dry top layer and left the wet layer behind. For soaked mats and long alleys I rake, or I reach for a stronger tool.
Weight, Balance and Noise
The Milwaukee leaf blower 3017-20 weighs 5.1 lb bare, and the pack adds the rest: adding Milwaukee’s pack weights gives about 7.5 lb with a FORGE XC8.0 and about 8.5 lb with a FORGE HD12.0. With the FORGE HD12.0 on, I feel the extra weight in my grip hand on a long job, so I change hands between rows.
Noise and Hearing Protection
According to Milwaukee, the sound is 54 dB(A) at 50 feet, measured to the ANSI B175.2 standard. That is a bystander figure and says little about what reaches your ears at the handle. A field study of two leaf blowers and a hose vacuum measured the individual machines at 85 to 101 dB(A) at the center of the test site (3).
NIOSH recommends limiting exposure to 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour day and halving the time for every 3 dBA more (4). Milwaukee’s manual requires hearing protection, and I wear it every time, with the fit checked, since poor earplug fit may limit protection for about 40 percent of users (5).
Care, Charging, Storage and Warranty
Milwaukee’s manual asks for a clean, dry tool: with the pack off, wipe it with mild soap on a damp cloth, clear dust from the vents and never immerse the tool or a pack. Milwaukee says to lock the trigger or remove the pack whenever the tool is not in use, and I store the blower with the pack off. Charge only with the specified charger. In lab work on lithium-ion cells, storage at a high state of charge was the main driver of capacity loss (6), so after the leaf season I leave my packs partly charged on a shelf in the house.
Milwaukee gives three years on the tool to the original purchaser from an authorized Milwaukee distributor. Packs carry their own warranty, and blower tubes count as normal wear. A claim needs proof of purchase.
Who Should Buy the Milwaukee 3017-20 and Who Should Skip It
The Milwaukee M18 leaf blower 3017-20 suits a narrow buyer, and the dividing line is the pack shelf and the size of the yard.
Buy It If
- You own M18 packs, ideally a FORGE XC8.0 or a FORGE HD12.0.
- You clear a house lot, a drive, a deck or a patio with routine cleanups.
- You want a printed run time and force to plan around.
Skip It If
- You own no M18 packs: a kit with a pack and charger in the box is the cheaper way to start.
- You clear an orchard alley or a large yard, where Milwaukee’s 12 to 19 minutes at full throttle means a lot of pack changes.
- Wet, packed leaf mats are your main job, or you want a strap or a turbo button.
- You cannot confirm that the seller is an authorized Milwaukee distributor.
Drawbacks and Common Problems to Know About
Two limits shape how I use this blower. The run time at full throttle is short, so a second pack stays charged. The push on wet debris is modest, which is why leaves get time to dry before I blow.
The manual warns that loose clothing and long hair can be drawn into the air inlets, so wear close-fitting sleeves and eye protection marked to ANSI Z87.1. If the blower will not run at full power on a full pack, Milwaukee says to clean the pack contacts, and I wipe them after a dusty shed cleanup and wear a dust mask for that work.
How It Compares With Alternatives
Four tools sit close to the 3017-20 in what they move and what you must buy, and my leaf blower guides cover the wider category.
| Blower | Airflow | Force | Bare weight | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee 3017-20 | 500 CFM | 12.2 N | 5.1 lb | Blower only |
| Milwaukee 2724-20 | 450 CFM high | None printed | 4.9 lb | Blower only |
| Milwaukee 2824-20 | 600 CFM | 17.7 N | 6.01 lb | Blower only, takes two packs |
| Makita XBU03Z | 459 CFM | About 11 N | 4.6 lb | Blower only, 18V LXT |
| EGO LB6504 | 650 CFM | About 20 N on turbo | 4.77 lb | Blower, 5.0 Ah pack and charger |
- Milwaukee 2724-20: the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2724-20 450 CFM Handheld Blower (Tool Only) adds a high and low button for flower beds and mulch.
- Milwaukee 2824-20: the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Dual Battery Blower 2824-20 (Tool Only) takes two packs, for heavier leaf fall.
- Makita XBU03Z: the Makita XBU03Z 18V LXT Brushless Blower (Tool Only) suits a shelf that already holds Makita 18V LXT packs.
- EGO LB6504: the EGO Power+ LB6504 650 CFM Blower Kit is a kit that weighs about 9.8 lb with its pack, for a buyer with no cordless packs who wants a harder push.
Is the Milwaukee 3017-20 Worth Buying?
It is worth buying for an M18 owner who already carries a large M18 pack: a light blower, rated by Milwaukee at 54 dB(A) at 50 feet, that handles the dry work around a house lot and lists about 19 minutes at full throttle on a FORGE HD12.0. Soaked leaf mats, orchard alleys and a first M18 purchase ask for a different tool, a bigger kit or a rake. My Milwaukee 3017-20 review verdict is a buy for M18 owners who clear a house lot with one or two big packs, and a pass for anyone with wet mats, long alleys or no M18 packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Milwaukee leaf blower good?
A Milwaukee leaf blower is good when the job matches it, and the 3017-20 is a good fit for dry leaves, clippings and sawdust on a house lot. Milwaukee rates it at 500 CFM, 120 mph and 12.2 N in a 5.1 lb body, but wet mats and big yards need more push and more packs.
How long does the battery last on a Milwaukee leaf blower?
The battery on the Milwaukee 3017-20 lasts about 19 minutes at full throttle on a FORGE HD12.0 pack and about 12 minutes on a FORGE XC8.0, by Milwaukee’s approximate figures. At three-quarter throttle the same two packs give about 30 and 20 minutes, so a lower lever setting stretches each pack on long, light jobs.
Does Milwaukee make a small handheld blower?
Milwaukee makes a light handheld blower in its M18 FUEL line, the 3017-20, which weighs 5.1 lb without a battery and runs on one M18 pack. According to Milwaukee, it moves 500 CFM at 120 mph, and the pack and charger are sold separately, so a first-time buyer pays for them on top of the blower.
Is the Milwaukee M18 better than Dewalt?
The Milwaukee M18 3017-20 runs on one 18V pack, with 500 CFM and a 5.1 lb tool body. The DeWalt DCBL772 needs 60V FLEXVOLT packs and reaches 600 CFM and about 17 N of push, so the better choice follows the battery family you already own and the size of your yard.
What are the differences between Milwaukee M18 XC and HD batteries?
The differences between the Milwaukee M18 XC and HD batteries for this blower are size, weight and capacity: the FORGE XC8.0 (48-11-1881) is 8 Ah at 2.45 lb and the FORGE HD12.0 (48-11-1813) is 12 Ah at 3.37 lb. According to Milwaukee, the 3017-20 runs about 12 minutes at full throttle on the XC8.0 and about 19 on the HD12.0.
References
- Ji Y, Zhang Y, Wang C-Y. Li-Ion Cell Operation at Low Temperatures. J Electrochem Soc. 2013;160(4):A636-A649.
- NASA Glenn Research Center. Thrust Equation. Beginners Guide to Aeronautics. Updated June 10, 2026.
- Walker E, Banks JL. Characteristics of Lawn and Garden Equipment Sound: A Community Pilot Study. J Environ Toxicol Stud. 2017;1(1).
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Noise and Hearing Loss. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2024.
- Morata TC, Gong W, Tikka C, Samelli AG, Verbeek JH. Hearing protection field attenuation estimation systems and associated training for reducing workers’ exposure to noise. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2024;5(5):CD015066.
- Keil P, Schuster SF, Wilhelm J, et al. Calendar Aging of Lithium-Ion Batteries. J Electrochem Soc. 2016;163(9):A1872-A1880.
Safety Note: Leaf blowers throw debris and can damage your hearing. Wear eye and ear protection, read the manufacturer’s manual, and check your local rules on noise and operating hours.