According to a noise level chart produced by Acoustic Solutions,77dBA is roughly the noise level you’d expect to find in a busy laboratory. 77dBA is, coincidentally, also the noise level at the operator’s ear of Billy Goat’s QV550H, a four-wheeled outdoor vacuum cleaner which offers class leading low-noise performance. The Acoustic Solutions website doesn’t offer too much detail about what the laboratory in question is used for, or whether it is full of particularly noisy scientists, but it is reassuring to know that you could happily clean up outside the lab without disturbing the important research going on within.

As well as apparently being science-friendly, the superbly quiet performance of the QV550H makes it ideal for use in built up urban and residential areas where noisier equipment would likely cause unwelcome headaches for all nearby. This is partly attributable to the QV550H’s brilliant 160cc Honda GX160 four-stroke petrol engine, which offers magnificent low-noise performance in addition to great reliability and pleasing fuel efficiency. Equally important, however, is the volute design of the fan housing, which both helps to keep noise levels minimal and boosts suction power. For added convenience, an innovative cyclonic filtration system combines with the supplied ‘Dust Sock’ to dramatically reduce dust in dry conditions (dust sock can be removed if working in wet conditions). The QV550H will therefore allow you to work in complete comfort at all times.

This is particularly important when using the QV550H for prolonged periods, but with an 83.8cm working width and a powerful six-blade impeller fan (which shreds dead leaves and light debris as you work) this vacuum has more than enough clout to make short work of even the toughest commercial clearance work. Compatible with a range of optional accessories (available separately), the QV550H is also versatile enough to be used for just about any outdoor cleaning job imaginable, ranging from tidying dirt and litter from school grounds to vacuuming deep drifts of dead leaves from parks in the autumn. To help ensure this versatility, the QV550H also features a practical height adjustment system (offering working heights from 1.25cm to 7.5cm), along with large rear tyres and front casters, thereby offering exceptional manoeuvrability on both lawns and hard surfaces.

Supplied as standard with an impressively capacious 136 litre collection bag, featuring an easy to use latch system to facilitate quick and efficient disposal of collected material, there are thus few machines better for tackling heavy clearance workloads than Billy Goat’s QV550H, combining power and user-friendliness to truly superb effect.