Gasoline leaf blower

professor · Jun 4, 2008

I need advice on a good hand held blower. I have owned two JD's that Echo made for them and they gave me good service. The only hand held model my JD dealer has is a 4 cycle model priced at $249. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

jinjimbob · Jun 5, 2008

Getting a 2 cycle will be much easier to own, lighter and less hassle. I have a homelite 2 cycle, had it for 3 years, works great, they don't make the model anymore, seems like they went down hill. If I were looking today, I think I would get the Husqvarna 125B or TroyBilt TB320BV if I couldn't find that.

irvingj · Jun 5, 2008

I bought this Stihl BR420 blower several years ago-- a bit pricey --seems like it was over $300-- but starts every year and is powerful enough to move rocks up to 1-12" diameter, as well as twigs & small branches. Saves a bunch of time, seems to be very well made.

shot_gun · Jun 5, 2008

Professor, The new 4 stroke blower from Deere is a good little machine. Other than changing the oil that should be the only extra thing you have to do. It is quiet and about the same weight as the 2 stroke BH25. Plus it takes a vaccume attachment. I think your list is a little high. I sold one at list for 219.99 yesterday. I'm sure there is other machines that will do the job also out there. Just make sure what ever you buy get the 300 hour EPA rating. It's the highest you can get from the EPA.

AlanB · Jun 5, 2008

We usually run the echo's, I forget the model, but the basic hand held one that HD or similar will have.

Should be about $140

They run for about 4 years for us (commercial cutter) rolling around in the back of the truck. Sad to say maybe but I do NO maintenance on my two stroke equipment. When they are living the good life is when the crew remembers to sit them in the cut out milk crate so they will quit rolling around in the truck.

I picked up a Redmax yesterday, HB250 I think and was told $153. Probably pick it or another echo this week to have one in each truck, been a couple times they drove off and realized the blower was in the other truck.

Gittyup · Jun 5, 2008

I have a Homelite backpack blower. It is horrible and has been since day one. Runs good until it warms up, then the rpms start to oscillate. No adjusts on the carb either. I wish I had taken it back the first time it misbehaved. I will never buy another Homelite.

OTH, I've owned several McCulloch 2 stroke chain saws and weed eaters. They have all been great. McCulloch makes a blower, I think. McCulloch probably isn't as good as Echo or the other "high end" brands. But, they don't cost as much either.

amigauser · Jun 5, 2008

I have a Stihl BR600 backpack but they run around $500. They work as well or better then a push blower for me and are much more user friendly. If you want one that will last your lifetime get a Stihl.

jinjimbob · Jun 5, 2008

I wouldn't want an engine on my back though.

amigauser · Jun 6, 2008

The advantage of carying the engine on your back is it is much less tiring than a hand held or push type blower. You need to wear hearing protection but you probably should with a hand held or push blower to.

RobJ · Jun 6, 2008

$500 for a leaf blower. Wow!

I've had a Weedeater featherweight for over 5 years now. Think I paid $50 at walmart then. Now they are $69. I watched my neighbor futz around with a Craftsman for a year. Kept taking it back. I bought him one of these for Christmas last year and he loves it. Plus as the name mentions they are very light....7 pounds. I choke it, pull it twice when it starts move it to half choke for a few seconds then choke off. I have done nothing to it.

Let see $500 divided by $69, I can buy 7.2 of these for that price.