Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa

   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa #1  

JohnfromPA

Bronze Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
83
Location
Florida Nature Coast
Tractor
Ariens Zoom XL 54
Hi all.

I am looking to pull the trigger on a backpack blower. I recently moved from Pennsylvania to Florida and sold most of my power equipment. The only things I brought with me are a lawnmower and a string trimmer. I had a handheld 2-cycle gas blower that I sold to a friend before I moved. I wasn't particularly attached to it and it wasn't anything special. It was good for blowing clippings off the driveway, that's about it.

I like to buy stuff once and have it last. So, I am looking at the higher-end models. I am looking at the Stihl BR600, the Husqvarna 580BTS (along with it's twin the RedMax 8500), and the Echo PB770 as well as the Shindaiwa EB802.

The situation isn't so much my own trees. There are only three leaf-shedding trees in my yard, but my property backs up to a golf course. There are tons of big oak trees planted behind my house as well as behind all the lots on either side of me. Consequently, I have a bunch of leaves piled up around the base of my fence, big piles around/behind the air conditioning compressors, a bunch piled around the pool filter, piled up in the flower beds, etc.

I am getting complaints (from the wife) and apparently this is the next outdoor issue where I need to focus my attention.

So far, I really like the Stihl. It's quieter and supposedly uses less fuel than the conventional 2-strokes. I got a good price from a local dealer. Tomorrow I am hoping to check out the Husqvarna/Red Max dealer. I saw the Echo and Shindaiwa at other dealers (who also carried the Stihl) and both seemed kinda unremarkable. Neither dealer directed me towards those over the Stihl.
 
   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa #2  
I have the echo and when they say 2 pumps of prime they mean it.
 
   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa #3  
John, I have a BR600 four plus years. I run the recommended 89 octane with synthetic oil. I took it in for a checkup last fall prior to the "big season". A spark plug and fuel filter and I was good to go. The rubber fuel line was still in good shape.

While I use the blower sporatically throughout the year, my big season is in the fall when the leaves come down. Where as I ususall go through maybe seven gallons of gas, last fall was a killer. The wind blew leaves from the woods big time. I went through over 20 gallons of gas.

Do a search though. There are some threads on blowers in other forums.
 
   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa #4  
John,
I think the BR600 does a great job for most residential jobs and is what I would recommend. I haven't checked out all the new models so it will be interesting what you find out. Keep us posted.
 
   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa #5  
Hi all.

I am looking to pull the trigger on a backpack blower. I recently moved from Pennsylvania to Florida and sold most of my power equipment. The only things I brought with me are a lawnmower and a string trimmer. I had a handheld 2-cycle gas blower that I sold to a friend before I moved. I wasn't particularly attached to it and it wasn't anything special. It was good for blowing clippings off the driveway, that's about it.

I like to buy stuff once and have it last. So, I am looking at the higher-end models. I am looking at the Stihl BR600, the Husqvarna 580BTS (along with it's twin the RedMax 8500), and the Echo PB770 as well as the Shindaiwa EB802.

The situation isn't so much my own trees. There are only three leaf-shedding trees in my yard, but my property backs up to a golf course. There are tons of big oak trees planted behind my house as well as behind all the lots on either side of me. Consequently, I have a bunch of leaves piled up around the base of my fence, big piles around/behind the air conditioning compressors, a bunch piled around the pool filter, piled up in the flower beds, etc.

I am getting complaints (from the wife) and apparently this is the next outdoor issue where I need to focus my attention.

So far, I really like the Stihl. It's quieter and supposedly uses less fuel than the conventional 2-strokes. I got a good price from a local dealer. Tomorrow I am hoping to check out the Husqvarna/Red Max dealer. I saw the Echo and Shindaiwa at other dealers (who also carried the Stihl) and both seemed kinda unremarkable. Neither dealer directed me towards those over the Stihl.

I like the Stihl also. If you purchase either consider using 89 octane gas instead of 87. I think the Stihl specifies 89 octane and synthetic oil for the mixture.
 
   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I went to the closest Husqvarna and RedMax dealer and it was a real tiny place, more focused on repairs than sales. They only had one backpack blower in stock and it was a small one, the RedMax 5150. I am considering hitting up the Husqvarna dealer in the next town over to see if they have any of the bigger ones. I really would like to get a good look at one for comparison before pulling the trigger on the Stihl.
 
   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Got a new wrinkle in the situation. Came across a Dolmar 4-stroke blower at local Husqvarna dealer. I'm giving it serious consideration. It's got a Robin engine, and the same blower is sold under the Makita and Robin names as well. Haven't found any bad reviews.
 
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   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa #8  
I love the BR600. It has tons of power and start easy. Here is a video showing the fuel efficiency, if that is important on a blower.

 
   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa #9  
Came across a Dolmar 4-stroke blower at local Husqvarna dealer.

I have never owned a 4-stroke blower or trimmer, but they are interesting. Do you mix gas
with oil on that unit? One 4-stroke trimmer I saw required pre-mix.

My backpack blower works well, a Husky BT45. I have not owned the other major b/p blower
brands, but the pros around here use Echo, Shindaiwa, Stihl, and Husky. I once had a homeowner
Homelite, but it was weak. Shindaiwa is part of Echo now, and I love their chainsaws. Dolmar
is an xlnt brand, too.
 
   / Backpack blower - Stihl vs. Husqvarna/Red Max vs. Echo vs. Shindaiwa
  • Thread Starter
#10  
No mixing. It has oil in the crankcase like any other 4-stroke engine and just takes straight gas. The Stihl 4-mix engines are really 2-stroke but have valves like a 4-stroke. They still use oil in the gas.

I really am not sold on it yet, still kicking my options around.
 
 
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