A drive system for a mobile blower 11, includes a frame 14, and at least one fan unit 12 for generating an airstream, each fan unit 12 including a fan. The drive system includes a soft start and/or a soft finish, and at least one flexible cable drive 34. In use, the at least one fan unit 12 is attached to the frame 14 and a flexible cable drive 34, the flexible cable drive 34 being engageable with a rotary power source for transferring rotary power from the rotary power source to the at least one fan unit 12 to drive the fan(s).
