Leaf blower recommendation

TMGT · Sep 17, 2018

I really like my Echo 770, I used a handheld for years but after 1 year of living at my current house in the woods and taking care of the yard for a neighbor I couldn't do the handheld anymore.

Not sure how much area you have but the large backpack saves me a lot of hrs every year just on leaves, I still have a handheld for quick smaller jobs but the backpack is my go to.

TractorNH · Sep 17, 2018

I went from an old handheld gas Homelite one to a Husqvarna 150BT backpack blower and getting rid of leaves isn't as bad anymore. They run $300 at Lowes and I'm very happy with it. I can't see spending upwards of $500 for a commercial model when I only clear leaves off two lawns.

Thomas · Sep 17, 2018

I have ECHO 500T back pack blower all you got to do is pace yourself and good ear plugs,you'll be surprise quick task done.

BigBlue1 · Sep 17, 2018

4570Man said:
I wouldn稚 want to use mine for several hours at time either but an hour job for a big backpack blower would probably take 4 hours with a cordless blower.

Very true. The volume a good backpack blower has is an immense help in moving large quantities of leaves. Last fall I spent an hour or so blowing leaves from about a 40yd by 50yd area over to my septic system's mound in hope of insulating it for winter. Leaves were 2-3' deep at times as I rolled them together and funneled them to the mound. Finally got them distributed into about 1 to 1.5 foot deep layer.

In the next week or so the wind blew like crazy and all the leaves I worked so hard to pile up blew away. I was naive. I learned.

Rob

Wagtail · Sep 17, 2018

4570Man said:
I wouldn稚 want to use mine for several hours at time either but an hour job for a big backpack blower would probably take 4 hours with a cordless blower.

Agreed, especially if it's a hand-held model (as mine is, 2-stroke).

For me, it's the vibration of the device... even for a short half-hour job. I've tried to mitigate the circumstances by wrapping the blower handle with foam neoprene 'pipe insulation' and wearing foam neoprene diver (wet suit) gloves. That helps. Extended use and my hand(s) are in agony for days after.

oosik · Dec 26, 2020

I don't have leaves - I've got pine needles. Really long ones from my Ponderosa pines. My JD 570 riding mower will still blow these needles into long rows. Then rake up the rows - into my wheelbarrow - onto my scrap pile.

TMGT · Dec 26, 2020

I see this thread has been resurected, since I last posted I have added an Echo pb8010 and a Kobalt 40v battery blower to the mix.
The 8010 is a beast, really cuts down on blowing time and can move some serious material around!
As for the battery powered handheld, its nice to grab when you just need to blow something off real quick instead of firing up the gas blower, warming it up, then shutting it right back off. Also great to blow out the shop/back of the truck (have a cap so its an enclosed area).

As for the Stihl 86, my dad has one, its been a good blower but check the bolts regularly for tightness. He's lost a number of bolts that have vibrated out and even had one back out behind the flywheel and lock the engine! Luckily it was a somewhat easy fix and the blower is still going strong.

Personally, I have pretty much all Echo equipment for my handheld stuff with the exception of 2 Dolmar/Makita saws.