Which Backpack Blower?

[Liquidsilver]

I have the biggest Echo backpack blower... 80ccs. It's great when it's working. I need it for the power to blow off my woods trails, even when the leaves are a little wet.

I have to have a carried/backpack model, because many of the trails are too steep to use any of the wheeled models, even if that would work.

The Echo is going back to the shop for the second time. It was covered under warranty, but it was gone for months last time.

I've also killed a Stihl 60cc model... it seemed to go the same way. I think the main bearing went south and seized.

Yes, I run the recommended oil in them, and I use them for long hours at a time, but not like I imagine a yard service would. I just don't know why I'm killing them.

Has anybody tried the RedMax? I haven't tried them yet.

Thanks.

 

[K5lwq]

What oil are you running and at what ratio?

 

[kirkawilson]

I bought a used a Red Max backpack blower (I think the 5150) about 10 years ago, used it for 6 years and passed it on to my son who is still using it. All residential use. Still runs like it did the day I bought it, and is built like a tank. I actually bought a Ryobi backpack blower because it is much lighter than the Red Max. But that used Red Max will likely outlast my new Ryobi.

 

[4570Man]

I have a redmax 8500 and I had a 6500 before that. I’ve had good service out of both of them my only complaint is the harness isn’t very comfortable.

 

[daman1]

"Long hours at a time", I'm sure she's getting hot and at the recommended 50:1? I can see why ur having bearing issues. Go to 40:1 and shorten the run time

 

[Liquidsilver]

On the previous Stihl, I was mixing 3.2 oz/gallon with Valvoline 2 cycle oil - 40:1

On this Echo, I'm using the Echo branded oil at the recommended ratio of 2.6 oz/gallon - 50:1 because that's what the dealer recommended after the same inquiry. (They accuse me of not putting oil in them.)

But every other piece of 2-stroke equipment, chainsaws, dirtbikes, trimmers, saws, etc. last me forever, with zero engine problems. My 2-stroke weed whackers get used up completely until their components wear out while their engines still run like new (same speech I've given to the dealer)... so yes, I don't have trouble with any other 2-strokes... just these blowers.

 

[ArlyA]

Running them full throttle should not knock a bearing out of them or overheat them. We run Echo's and Stihl's here and use them lots. Something else is happening but i can not tell you what.

 

[dlctcg]

Running them full time should not knock a bearing out of them or overheat them. We run Echo's and Stihl's here and use them lots. Something else is happening but i can not tell you what.

I completely agree.. We run (3) Echo's & never have any issues with them... We run them full out for hours on end when needed... They always start easy & run flawlessly.... (& my guys aren't easy on tools / equipment).... not sure what's happening...

 

[K5lwq]

I have had good luck with the Echo blowers. I like Red Line synthetic oil at 40:1. I also like to run a little rich on the high end to help with cooling.

 

[groundcover]

Love my three Echo backpacks, the 80cc is a beast, I run 40:1 non ethanol as recommended by my dealer.

 

[bmg88201]

I have and Echo trimmer and backpack blower that won’t die, just keeps running. I use Echo oil (black bottle-RedLine I think ?) I buy the small bottles that will mix with one gallon of gas but I add about a thimble full of extra oil to the mix from another open bottle. Always done that, so I really don’t know what my ratio actually becomes. But I get good longevity from my equipment. Oh and always used premium non ethanol gas. Heavy use should not be a cause your blower problem.

 

[RSKY]

Use non ethanol gas. If it sits for a month or so between uses the ethanol will separate from the gas and float to the top. Oil doesn't mix with the ethanol and when the tank is run dry you will be running pure ethanol with no oil. At least that is what my dealer told me when I welded a piston to the cylinder of a chain saw.

RSKY

 

[CalG]

I run that $350 Husky.

Works fine. starts easy even after sitting in loft over winter, (no special gas treatment or prep, Just put it away.)

Blows a lot of air, and Leaves! I've got "a hundred head of maple" , so there will be leaves every autumn.

Don't up the oil mix unless you readjust the carbs. Oil takes up room in the carb jets that should go to gasoline. Too much oil will make the engine run lean and HOT! not good.

40: 1 or 50:1 depending on the oil. I buy the packs. What are they? 3.6 oz or something? Goes right into the 2 gallon jug.

Remember when it was a "quart to five" 16:1 and 20:1 Smokey!

 

[CalG]

Use non ethanol gas. If it sits for a month or so between uses the ethanol will separate from the gas and float to the top. Oil doesn't mix with the ethanol and when the tank is run dry you will be running pure ethanol with no oil. At least that is what my dealer told me when I welded a piston to the cylinder of a chain saw.

RSKY

BS!

Though ethanol will bind to any water present (think dri-gas.)

It will not magically float to the top. Ethanol is miscible in gasoline.

Ethanol is miscible with gasoline. Ethanol is polar. The net dipole moment is 1.69D.

Ethanol, at one end, can behave as a nonpolar organic molecule, but at the other end it is not only polar, it can exhibit hydrogen bonding with water.

 

[Liquidsilver]

UPDATE: The service shop just informed me that it wasn't the bearing that went bad on the 80cc Echo before, but the fan "got loose from the shaft." (??) Echo covered it 100% and said the problem had nothing to do with the engine or oil. It had seized, so I thought it was the motor. The only problem, I was without a blower for about 4 months.

Now it's making that same sound like before it seized last time, so I've taken it in. - - I'm about to buy a second big blower because I do need one, which adds to the urgency of the question.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[ArlyA]

Gee whiz, maybe Echo has quality problems.....

 

[Thomas]

I have ECHO PB580T for many years does great jobs mostly during the fall I use ECHO oil 50-1 also never run above 3/4 throttle.

 

[Liquidsilver]

I've had excellent service from most other Echo equipment and I don't believe any manufacturer is perfect... but I'm just wondering why little ol' me is having trouble with these blowers.

The blower I want must be able to run at full throttle constantly, like any other piece of equipment I would buy.

 

[ArlyA]

All these 2 stroke engines are made to be run at full throttle.

 

[daman1]

All these 2 stroke engines are made to be run at full throttle.

Get a 2 smoke snowmobile out on the lake hold her wide open throttle for few miles see what happens