backpack blower

[sawduster]

I've decided I need a new one .....wife agrees :gar-Bi I like Husqvarna and the 150 BT looks good to me but I am flex. Anyone have any input ? Any of you " ad-watchers " know where there is a deal ? Used is even fine if the person is trustworthy :icon_thum

TIA :mrgreen:

 

[gfernandez]

I purchased a 150BT 4 months ago after my old leaf blower finally died. I've been very happy with it, it has plenty of air movement...enough to peel paint off my front door, and is quieter than expected. Have not had a issue with it.....yet.

I always use a Lowes 10% off coupon when making these bigger purchases.

 

[scsmith42]

Go to a professional outdoor equipment store and fine out what the pro's are using.

8 years ago when I bought mine the two brands to get were either Stihl or Echo. I don't know what the current recommendations are though.

Wilson Outdoor Power Equipment in Raleigh is a good place to start.

 

[farmerbw]

Bro I've had a Stihl BR380 for about 6 years now and have had zero problems with it. It can flat move some leaves, even if they're damp. If you need a really big dog one keep an eye out on CL for a BR550 or BR600. I have a bro that's had a BR600 he bought used a year or so ago and he loves it, I've been looking to upgrade to one myself but haven't found one close on CL. There were a few BR420's and the like on CL recently and you probably couldn't go wrong with one of those as they're all pro level and build to last forever. I'd offer you mine at a good price if it wasn't fall or if I had an opportunity to pick up a BR600 at a good price!!:gar-La;

+1 on what Scott said about Wilson, I've had a Stihl chainsaw serviced there and they're top notch. They carry pretty much the full Stihl line and maybe most Echo as well still too.

HTH,
Brian.

 

[Joe Scharle]

When I bought my last one (1998), the Echo PB60 was the pro's favorite. I went to Wilson Outdoor Power Equipment and they told me that and fixed me up.

 

[LeftyTom]

I have the Echo backpack blower, from Home Depot (no one else carried the model), 2 yrs ago. So far, so good.

 

[KenOfCary]

Not a backpack but the John Deere blower has a four cycle engine. No more mixing gas and oil and one fewer gasoline can in the carport.

- Ken.

 

[Bas]

I have the Husqvarna 130BT (the 150BT's little brother) and love it. Not aware of any backpack blower deals going on right now.

 

[RandyJ]

Hi Robert,
I can't speak to the Stihls but have always heard good things about them. I have had a Echo PB403T for 6 or 7 years with absolutely no problems. It still has the original spark plug in it:embarrassed: and I use it every week during the summer and fall. It has more than enough power for my needs and it usually starts on the second pull. If it is extremely cold out, a third pull may be necessary.
If you want to borrow mine for a test "drive", let me know. I can drop it by on my way to the big city.
Good luck in your decision,

 

[Phil S]

I have the 56cc Stihl and it works great. When I bought it I asked the salesman which model would blow away the dog dodo. This Stihl is so strong that move almost anything and quickly. This is not a matter of the dodo hitting the fan but the fan hitting the dodo and all is gone quickly- maybe too much description there - sorry

 

[ScottM]

I have the Husqvarna 150 and love it.

 

[dupont6480]

I have been using an ECHO backpack since 03 and it starts everytime. STIHL or ECHO you can't go wrong.

 

[tmwassack]

Greetings from Asheboro!
My son, now a senior @ NC State, has worked for 2 different lawn care businesses during summer breaks and they both had multiple RedMax blowers. Vic says they are quite a bit lighter than my Huskie 150T that Lowes sales and are more powerful - I hit a sale at Lowes last fall and saved $50 on the 150T though!

Regards,
Tom Wassack

 

[JackLeg]

+1 for RedMax. The small one only weighs 17 lbs and Mary loves it!:icon_thum Easy to start.:wsmile:

 

[kooshball]

I picked up a 65cc John Deere backpack blower 2-years ago from an overstocked authorized dealer on eBay complete with 3-year warranty for less than $300. This blower is actually made by Kawasaki and although I live in a sub-division I can't imagine ever being without this type of tool again. This machine has been trouble free and if it broke I would buy another one in a second.

One thing to consider, velocity is nice but CFM is better and high velocity with high CFM is best. Think about what a mess things are after a 30mph wind storm...that is CFM not velocity at work. Get a machine with a high CFM (500+) and don't get hung up on the velocity, it won't matter and you will get much more work done in less time.

 

[gdoebs]

Go to a professional outdoor equipment store and fine out what the pro's are using.

8 years ago when I bought mine the two brands to get were either Stihl or Echo. I don't know what the current recommendations are though.

Wilson Outdoor Power Equipment in Raleigh is a good place to start.

Thanks for the recommendation to check with a pro equipment store. By default I usually check the big box stores. Monday I went to Sedgefield Outdoor Power Equipment and walked away with a Stihl BR200. It works great and it's very light on my (bad) back at 12.6 lbs.

They also recommended True Fuel. It's a fuel/oil mix (50:1) but doesn't contain ethanol so it's safer for 2-cycle engines. And it had a longer shelf life than gas.