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

[JohnfromPA]

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.

 

[murphy1244]

I have the echo and when they say 2 pumps of prime they mean it.

 

[QRTRHRS]

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.

 

[jenkinsph]

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.

 

[Gator6x4]

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.

 

[JohnfromPA]

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.

 

[JohnfromPA]

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.

 

[94BULLITT]

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.

 

[dfkrug]

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.

 

[JohnfromPA]

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.

 

[94BULLITT]

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.

The Stihl 4-MIX is a 4 stroke.

4-MIX engine

 

[xring100]

I have the echo pb770 and love it i looked hard at the stihl 600, shindawa and husky as my dealer sells them all. I run Stihl saws ms361 and ms660 and a 4 mix weed wacker. The echo might not look as polished as the stihl but they start easier than any stihl or husky ive ever run if my memory is correct the stihl does not move as much air with the same cfm or speed. If you concerned about the noise level i suggest you use a rake or broom all blowers are loud im sure the BR is a good machine as well but im not sure the 4 mix is as durable in the long run both the dealer service guys and grounds service crews at work said they dont last as long and have switched to other brands. P.S. This dealer has been a stihl dealer longer than any of the other brands

 

[94BULLITT]

I have the echo pb770 and love it i looked hard at the stihl 600, shindawa and husky as my dealer sells them all. I run Stihl saws ms361 and ms660 and a 4 mix weed wacker. The echo might not look as polished as the stihl but they start easier than any stihl or husky ive ever run if my memory is correct the stihl does not move as much air with the same cfm or speed. If you concerned about the noise level i suggest you use a rake or broom all blowers are loud im sure the BR is a good machine as well but im not sure the 4 mix is as durable in the long run both the dealer service guys and grounds service crews at work said they dont last as long and have switched to other brands. P.S. This dealer has been a stihl dealer longer than any of the other brands

The Stihl is less MPH but more CFM than the Echo.

My dealer told me the most he had done to a Stihl BR600 was work on the carb because of people leaving old gas in them.

 

[JohnfromPA]

The Stihl dealer I went to said I'd need to bring it in after the first year, @ 100 hours or so and have the valves adjusted. He said that is required maintenance. I asked if it was something that had to be done every season and he said no, generally after that first adjustment it'll be fine for a few years or so then may start running rough and need adjustment again. I must admit, this kinda turns me off a little bit.

 

[94BULLITT]

The Stihl dealer I went to said I'd need to bring it in after the first year, @ 100 hours or so and have the valves adjusted. He said that is required maintenance. I asked if it was something that had to be done every season and he said no, generally after that first adjustment it'll be fine for a few years or so then may start running rough and need adjustment again. I must admit, this kinda turns me off a little bit.

That does not make sense. If you take it home and use it 2 hours and let it sit for 12 months the valves will need adjusted?

 

[J_J]

I have used all the backpacks you mentioned, and about the most important thing is blowing power.

When I pull the trigger on the blower, I want it to blow as much as it can.

Sure you have to consider weight, cost, can you fix it yourself.

I have been to trade shows where they would connect two blowers nozzle to nozzle with a tennis ball, and see which can blow the ball into the other machine.

Someone else might like the color of the machine, or the weight, but I want blowing power, and not just volume and MPH figures.

I removed most of the exhaust screens because they built up carbon.

The most problem I had was the internal gas tank filters. If the engine started to run slower, that was the first thing I would check. I always carried spares.

I currently use the big Shindaiwa.

http://blog.extremehowto.com/2010/1...mmercial-blower-reviews-more-extreme-blowing/

 

[JohnfromPA]

That does not make sense. If you take it home and use it 2 hours and let it sit for 12 months the valves will need adjusted?

It makes perfect sense. I guess the guy figured it would take me a few years of usage to get to the number of hours required to meet the service interval.

I took the time to read the Stihl manual, and apparently the actual service interval for the valve check/adjustment is 139 hours. In addition, the interval for decoking the combustion chamber is 139 hours initial then every 150 hours thereafter.

At this point, it's all academic because I pulled the trigger today on the Red Max EBZ7500RH. The dealer convinced me the 8500 would be pure overkill for my needs.

I picked it up this morning and love it. Just got finished the trial-run. I cleared all the leaves from the backyard and on both sides of the house. It did a nice job.. I have to rig up some PVC so I can clean my gutters this weekend.

Thanks everyone for all the replies.

 

[kenmac]

I don't know much about the 4 stroke machines other than my son's stihl trimmer.He has a lawn service & it Seems like he always has 4 stroke trimmer in in the shop for valve adjustment.I would not have 1.I have that same red max blower and love it.I think the 8500 is the next step up. The best thing about the redmax is, you won't have to worry about valve adjustment

 

[djdicetn]

It makes perfect sense. I guess the guy figured it would take me a few years of usage to get to the number of hours required to meet the service interval.

I took the time to read the Stihl manual, and apparently the actual service interval for the valve check/adjustment is 139 hours. In addition, the interval for decoking the combustion chamber is 139 hours initial then every 150 hours thereafter.

At this point, it's all academic because I pulled the trigger today on the Red Max EBZ7500RH. The dealer convinced me the 8500 would be pure overkill for my needs.

I picked it up this morning and love it. Just got finished the trial-run. I cleared all the leaves from the backyard and on both sides of the house. It did a nice job.. I have to rig up some PVC so I can clean my gutters this weekend.

Thanks everyone for all the replies.

JohnFromPA,

When you say "I have to rig up some PVC so I can clean my gutters this weekend." does this imply you are making your own "gutter kit" for the new Red Max backpack blower???? I had been considering getting a backpack blower(mostly for leaves in my gutters in the Fall), but all of the backpack blowers never show a "gutter kit" on the manufacturer websites(only the handheld blowers for each brand do). I had gotten advice on the forums that you are "supposed to" use a handheld ONLY for cleaning gutters, which makes no sense whatsoever to a "blower-challenged" homeowner(I've never owned either, but do have a blower attachment for my string trimmer). Sooooooo, do you have to "build your own" for a backpack blower or if RedMax sells a "gutter kit" can you use it on the backpack blower you just bought??? I'm pretty confused on this as you can plainly see:0)

 

[JohnfromPA]

JohnFromPA,

When you say "I have to rig up some PVC so I can clean my gutters this weekend." does this imply you are making your own "gutter kit" for the new Red Max backpack blower???? I had been considering getting a backpack blower(mostly for leaves in my gutters in the Fall), but all of the backpack blowers never show a "gutter kit" on the manufacturer websites(only the handheld blowers for each brand do). I had gotten advice on the forums that you are "supposed to" use a handheld ONLY for cleaning gutters, which makes no sense whatsoever to a "blower-challenged" homeowner(I've never owned either, but do have a blower attachment for my string trimmer). Sooooooo, do you have to "build your own" for a backpack blower or if RedMax sells a "gutter kit" can you use it on the backpack blower you just bought??? I'm pretty confused on this as you can plainly see:0)

I did not see any gutter kits available for my blower. So, that is why I went the homemade route... What I did was go to Lowes and purchase a 10' section of PVC drainpipe ($9) and two 90 degree elbows ($5 each). Drainpipe is the thin-walled stuff, not standard PVC pipe - that would be way too heavy. I put both elbows on the one end of the straight piece and swiveled them around to get the angle right. When I figured I had it right I secured everything with duct tape. It worked pretty well but was a bit unwieldy so I had a helper hold/maneuver the piping into position while I worked the blower.

Since my house is a single-story I can actually get by with a shorter piece than 10' but the benefit of the longer pipe is that you are further away and out of the "blast zone" so to speak... But, I think I am going to cut the pipe down to 5' or 6" so I can do it myself in the future. Initially, I planned on going up on the roof and blowing the gutters out from up there. But, once I got up there I determined that the angle of the roof was too steep for me to feel comfortable walking around up there with the blower strapped on my back.