Gas Blowers

[CHDinCT]

Originally Posted by WH401

Buy another bottle. I believe on the bottle that I have, which I bought about 2 years ago, it says to discontinue using after 2 years basically because it's lost it's effectiveness.

Your probably right, but like lizardman, I had a 24 oz bottle that treats 120 gallons that I've been working off since 2004. It was left over from when I owned a decent size boat. Seems to work fine. Also, the Stihl 2-cylce oil I use has stabilizer in it anyway, so double covered there I guess.

I do have to get the full synthetic oil though. Right now I'm working off a supply of the Stihl oil in the orange bottle. I think it's a dino-synthetic mix, but not sure. I really didn't need the premium stuff until I got the BR-600. So, finish the orange stuff or get the premium stuff right away?? - decisions, decisions.

[WH401]

Originally Posted by CHDinCT

Your probably right, but like lizardman, I had a 24 oz bottle that treats 120 gallons that I've been working off since 2004. It was left over from when I owned a decent size boat. Seems to work fine. Also, the Stihl 2-cylce oil I use has stabilizer in it anyway, so double covered there I guess.

I do have to get the full synthetic oil though. Right now I'm working off a supply of the Stihl oil in the orange bottle. I think it's a dino-synthetic mix, but not sure. I really didn't need the premium stuff until I got the BR-600. So, finish the orange stuff or get the premium stuff right away?? - decisions, decisions.

I have to agree on the Sta-bil, I'm still using that same bottle and everything seems fine. That's one of the nice thing about Stihl oil though, it already has stabilizer so there's no need to mess with an aftermarket one. Their oil comes in three variant's; "Stihl HP" in the orange bottle which is a regular dino oil, "Stihl HP Super" in the black bottle which is a dino-synthetic mix, and "Stihl HP Ultra" in the white bottle which is a full synthetic. That said, when I bought my 600 last year the dealer I purchased from gave me 2 bottles of regular HP oil in the orange bottle. Already knowing that this oil is what specifically causes excess carbon build up in 4-mix engines, (carbon build up on the valves is the main culprit to a 4-mix engines reliability issues, which was the reason why Stihl developed their "Ultra" oil), I just stuck it on the shelf when I got home. Before I left the dealer they filled the tank with their mix, (I'm assuming they probably used regular HP oil), and after I ran that tank through I filled up with my regular use mix of Amsoil Saber at 80:1 w/ 89 gas. I have run that though the 600 for the past year, about 30 hrs worth of time, and it hasn't missed a beat and starts on the first pull in warm weather, second in the winter.

If it was me, I would buy the Stihl Ultra HP as soon as possible. It was design specifically for the 4-mix to curtail carbon build up, and it's only a few dollars as well so why not? On a side not, some people were confused, (including myself), about the statement on the Ultra oil bottle which says something to the effect of "Biodegrades by 80% in 21 days". Owners weren't sure if this meant "after 21 days it starts loosing is lubricating ability?". To fine out specifically what this meant, I emailed Stihl a few weeks ago and they stated that the biodegradability rating is based on "if it comes into direct contact with sunlight". For example, if you were to spill it on your sidewalk than it will eventually go disappear from the exposure to the sun, and not that it will loose it's lubricating abilities while mixed with gas in a storage can.

[CHDinCT]

Originally Posted by WH401

I have to agree on the Sta-bil, I'm still using that same bottle and everything seems fine. That's one of the nice thing about Stihl oil though, it already has stabilizer so there's no need to mess with an aftermarket one. Their oil comes in three variant's; "Stihl HP" in the orange bottle which is a regular dino oil, "Stihl HP Super" in the black bottle which is a dino-synthetic mix, and "Stihl HP Ultra" in the white bottle which is a full synthetic. That said, when I bought my 600 last year the dealer I purchased from gave me 2 bottles of regular HP oil in the orange bottle. Already knowing that this oil is what specifically causes excess carbon build up in 4-mix engines, (carbon build up on the valves is the main culprit to a 4-mix engines reliability issues, which was the reason why Stihl developed their "Ultra" oil), I just stuck it on the shelf when I got home. Before I left the dealer they filled the tank with their mix, (I'm assuming they probably used regular HP oil), and after I ran that tank through I filled up with my regular use mix of Amsoil Saber at 80:1 w/ 89 gas. I have run that though the 600 for the past year, about 30 hrs worth of time, and it hasn't missed a beat and starts on the first pull in warm weather, second in the winter.

If it was me, I would buy the Stihl Ultra HP as soon as possible. It was design specifically for the 4-mix to curtail carbon build up, and it's only a few dollars as well so why not? On a side not, some people were confused, (including myself), about the statement on the Ultra oil bottle which says something to the effect of "Biodegrades by 80% in 21 days". Owners weren't sure if this meant "after 21 days it starts loosing is lubricating ability?". To fine out specifically what this meant, I emailed Stihl a few weeks ago and they stated that the biodegradability rating is based on "if it comes into direct contact with sunlight". For example, if you were to spill it on your sidewalk than it will eventually go disappear from the exposure to the sun, and not that it will loose it's lubricating abilities while mixed with gas in a storage can.

WH401, good info, thanks. I have the stuff in the orange bottle, so that's regular dino. I think I'll pour the gal I have mixed into my truck and buy some of the HP stuff for now. Cheap insurance I guess. I would assume it's good for use in my old Stihl chainsaw and Echo wead wacker too, not that those need synthetic.

[WH401]

Originally Posted by CHDinCT

WH401, good info, thanks. I have the stuff in the orange bottle, so that's regular dino. I think I'll pour the gal I have mixed into my truck and buy some of the HP stuff for now. Cheap insurance I guess. I would assume it's good for use in my old Stihl chainsaw and Echo wead wacker too, not that those need synthetic.

Anytime

Yep, it's good for all your 2-stroke equipment, new and old.

[lightninboy]

I bought a cheap Ryobi gas blower a few years ago and the only thing wrong with it is lately the carburetor will leak the fuel tank empty. So I should just put what fuel I need in it before I use it.

[keegs]

sorry guys...but I gotta say...the title of this thread just cracks me up every time I see it.

[Wineslob]

Originally Posted by keegs

sorry guys...but I gotta say...the title of this thread just cracks me up every time I see it.

LOLZ!

I've got a Echo PBXX (can't remember the number) from the early 90's (?) Works great, but you HAVE to wear hearing protection.
It was given to me by my mother-in-law.

[CHDinCT]

Originally Posted by Wineslob

LOLZ!

I've got a Echo PBXX (can't remember the number) from the early 90's (?) Works great, but you HAVE to wear hearing protection.
It was given to me by my mother-in-law.

Yeah, my Echo PB-4600 was from early to mid 90's and ran like a top; it just liked to smoke like an 18 year old My new Stihl has more maners, or maybe it's just too young to smoke yet.

[roygo]

Originally Posted by CHDinCT

Well, pulled the trigger on Friday. Was all set to buy another Echo backpack blower, specifically the PB-755T. I stopped at an Echo dealer on Thursday and tried one out. Very powerful. I knew it was heavier than the Stihl BR-600 and maybe not quite as powerful, but I had made up my mind to stay pure 2-stroke after reading a bunch of threads comparing various models. Then, on Friday, I stopped and tried the Stihl at a dealer that sells both. The Stihl just ran smoother, was quieter and was noticeably lighter. After the salesman assured me that the 4-mix units were proven in the field by commercial landscapers, and that it should hold up just fine for homeowner use, I decided to get the BR-600. Used it last weekend and was very impressed with it's power and smoothness.

A few things I don't like vs the Echo: it seems to have more plastic parts or lighter plastic, but I guess that's part of the weight difference, the fact the air filter is harder to get at to check/replace, the cruise control can only be set to 3 pre-determined speeds vs infinite for the Echo, and just generally that it looks to be harder to remove the shroud for maintenance/cleaning. All these were secondary, however, to the power and smoothness of the unit. In short, I guess I was taken by the BR-600. Hopefully, it's a long and happy relationship.

I'm using BR-600 too. It was so powerful and I'm happy with it.