UH OH
opcorn:
Actual handheld blower experience please
- Thread starter KMB
- Start date
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opcorn:
Knuckles
ArboristSite Operative
Stihl BG55 here. Love it. Plenty of blowin' for Joe Homeowner.
lawnmowertech37
Addicted to ArboristSite
BlueRidgeMark
Addicted to ArboristSite
Hi, Kevin!
I've found it a bit annoying now and then to have my pants suddenly glued to my blower, but it's not a big deal. I wouldn't call this the most important factor. You'll switch sides now and then anyway.
I have the Stihl BG86, and am very happy with it. I got it used for 90 bucks, and it gets the job done. I have to blow about half an acre with a lot of trees (oak, sycomore, and an ash), and I really should have a backpack, but money is tight. But between the boys, some rakes, and the blower, we manage. The boys fight over who gets to use the blower.
I also use it on the gutters. My roof has a fairly shallow pitch, so I just go up the ladder and walk around with the blower and clean off the roof and blow out the gutters. Works very well.
It's got plenty of power. I'm sure the back pack jobs would be better, but until I can afford that, the handheld is doing the job.
fishercat
Addicted to ArboristSite
yeah,keep believing that.
Germans loved suckers.what do you think keeps Volkswagen in business.i got one of your great Stihls here with a bad crank.had a few that didn't oil to well.
i got a shelf full of Huskies with no problems.they work almost every day,even in Obama's economy.
Germans loved suckers.what do you think keeps Volkswagen in business.i got one of your great Stihls here with a bad crank.had a few that didn't oil to well.
i got a shelf full of Huskies with no problems.they work almost every day,even in Obama's economy.
mechanickeven
ArboristSite Member
i have some pro experience
In all the years I worked lawn crew I have used echo. There backpack and handhelds have never failed me. Also husky makes an ultralite backpack blower for lighter work. I have one, it was only 200 bucks on sale and I love it.
In all the years I worked lawn crew I have used echo. There backpack and handhelds have never failed me. Also husky makes an ultralite backpack blower for lighter work. I have one, it was only 200 bucks on sale and I love it.
KMB
Addicted to ArboristSite
Hi, Kevin!
I've found it a bit annoying now and then to have my pants suddenly glued to my blower, but it's not a big deal. I wouldn't call this the most important factor. You'll switch sides now and then anyway.
I have the Stihl BG86, and am very happy with it. I got it used for 90 bucks, and it gets the job done. I have to blow about half an acre with a lot of trees (oak, sycomore, and an ash), and I really should have a backpack, but money is tight. But between the boys, some rakes, and the blower, we manage. The boys fight over who gets to use the blower.
I also use it on the gutters. My roof has a fairly shallow pitch, so I just go up the ladder and walk around with the blower and clean off the roof and blow out the gutters. Works very well.
It's got plenty of power. I'm sure the back pack jobs would be better, but until I can afford that, the handheld is doing the job.
Good info Mark, thanks!
KMB
Addicted to ArboristSite
Haven't got a blower yet. Anybody have any experience with the Echo PB-403 or the Echo PB-413? They're not available new from Echo anymore, but a used one might show itself. I'm also interested in used Stihl BR 320's, 340's and 380's. One of these used Stihl's or Echo's should fit in my budget.
Kevin
Kevin
talon1189
"Da Smiley King"
I have no experience with the back packs mentioned above. I bought a Stihl BG-86 hand held 2 weeks ago and have been using it more recently. It is a very,very nice well balanced unit with decent power. It takes 3 pulls with my "Easy2start" optional feature that I paid an extra $20.00 for when the blower is cold. From a 1-10 scale........I would rate it a 9 for a hand held
(I am a tough grader) for blower power. BP's have alot more power. If you can afford one of the above used BP's in good shape.......I think you may be happier down the road in my honest opinion. Buy one locally if you possibly can so you can try it out before buying. I would avoid Ebay unless you like to gamble. Good luck on whatever you decide. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>TalonJavelin
Addicted to ArboristSite
I sell redmax Dolmar maryuama jonsered tanaka and now echo! The PB251 I cannot keep them in stock and so far no problems! The echo will fool you because it sounds like it is doing very little till you use it it has a large amount of cfm about it and it starts so easy!
Mr. Obvious
ArboristSite Operative
Lowes recently lowered the price on the husky by $10 so now its $139. I bought one using a $10 off card that came in the mail so I paid 129 plus tax. Its a great blower. Sucks air in on the right so good for right handed person. Comes with both flat and round nozzles and has 170 mph and 430 cfm.
Best one for the money.
Best one for the money.
"The Leaf Blower: is there anything more futile?" -- William Shatner, I Can't Get Behind That
talon1189
"Da Smiley King"
At what point did you contribute to helping this man with his question?
'Twere a bit of a jest to lighten the mood. I promise I'll be serious in my next three posts.
KMB
Addicted to ArboristSite
An update. I must recant. I had mentioned that I would not buy a blower from ebay…but I did. I did a lot of praying and bidding and ended up with this one. The pictures are as it came to me:
Opened the box yesterday afternoon, looked it over, put in some mix, throttle to about half on, 2 pulls on choke until it coughed, 1 pull with no choke and it started. The seller said it was a 2006 model. He also said it was ‘like brand new’, and aside from some surface dirt smudges, it looks like new. This is my first blower, and I was impressed by the little bit of blowing I did. I’m gonna like this thing! My wife tried it and she is also hooked. As far as tuning goes, I think idle is supposed to be at 3100. Not sure about max rpm. If anybody has the right numbers, post away please.
Now I’ll have to go over to the ‘manual’ thread and see if I can get a IPL. I believe there are optional curved and flat nozzle tips (and the proper tube for the tips) available. I have downloaded an operator’s manual from the Stihl site (and have ordered a paper copy). Aside from what I read in the manual, is there anything else I should know about this blower?
I know others talk about the BR600 and other big blowers, but for my needs and my wallet, this one will do nicely.
Kevin
Opened the box yesterday afternoon, looked it over, put in some mix, throttle to about half on, 2 pulls on choke until it coughed, 1 pull with no choke and it started. The seller said it was a 2006 model. He also said it was ‘like brand new’, and aside from some surface dirt smudges, it looks like new. This is my first blower, and I was impressed by the little bit of blowing I did. I’m gonna like this thing! My wife tried it and she is also hooked. As far as tuning goes, I think idle is supposed to be at 3100. Not sure about max rpm. If anybody has the right numbers, post away please.
Now I’ll have to go over to the ‘manual’ thread and see if I can get a IPL. I believe there are optional curved and flat nozzle tips (and the proper tube for the tips) available. I have downloaded an operator’s manual from the Stihl site (and have ordered a paper copy). Aside from what I read in the manual, is there anything else I should know about this blower?
I know others talk about the BR600 and other big blowers, but for my needs and my wallet, this one will do nicely.
Kevin
Wow kevin, That dude looks clean. You'll be glad ya got it after a while of use. Congrats and have a blast with it. wear ear protection as the motor is close to you're head.
KMB
Addicted to ArboristSite
Thanks. The motor doesn't sound that loud, but after an hour or more, I'm sure it will affect my hearing for the worse.
Kevin
