br550 vs br600 difference?

[TimberMcPherson]

Okay Im confused, they seem to have the same engines, same hp, but the 550 is quieter and less air output.

If, for example I can get a br550 for 1/3 less than a BR600, can I get its air output closer to the BR600?

Essentially what are the differences, I see the nozzles are different, by the looks of it the br550 has more of a muffler than a straight pipe, what else is holding it back from its big bad brother the BR600?

 

[albert]

All that I know is the 550 is detuned in some way, carb muffler cam? They don't even stock the 550's @ my dealer because the price there is not that much.

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

The engine, ignition, muffler is the same on the 550 and 600, but they do have different carbs, and the blower fan is different between the two models.

 

[catman963]

Yea I forget the exact air flow difference, from the 550 to the 600.... Thinking it was like 200 - 250!? I didn't really even consider the 550, as I had already used a buddy's BR 600 - and KNEW that's what I wanted!


I gotta say... I LOVE my BR 600 Magnum!!

 

[bigredd]

My local Stihl dealer told me the same as bloodontheice. Also said that almost all buyers jump for the BR600 due to the relatively small difference in price for significant increase in performance with no extra weight.

Makes you wonder if Stihl keeps making the 550 to help sell the BR600.

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

The 600's outsell 550's 20:1 easily.

 

[Paul001]

The 600's outsell 550's 20:1 easily.

+1

The only times I sell 550's, when someone is worried more about noise than preformance.

 

[sweetjetskier]

Do yourself a favor and look at the Stihl 420, not that 4 mix crap.

I have owned 400,more recently 420 for over 12 years and they get worked hard.

My oldest 400 just died this week, air and fuel filters only and a few spark plugs.

Maybe not as powerful as 600,but as bullet proof as one can get.

 

[Mad Professor]

Do yourself a favor and look at the Stihl 420, not that 4 mix crap.

I have owned 400,more recently 420 for over 12 years and they get worked hard.

My oldest 400 just died this week, air and fuel filters only and a few spark plugs.

Maybe not as powerful as 600,but as bullet proof as one can get.

+1 on the BR 400. I added sprayer attachment and take care of my garden and orchard with it too. Air filters just so far

 

[COLD_IRON]

Go Big or Go Home.

The 600 will do everything you could possibly need to do. The idle is practically equivalent to full power on a little hand held blower. And there is nothing wrong with the 4 mix engines, I have ran them enough to know they are pretty dog-gone reliable. Never had any engine related issues in 3 years of running them, only problem I have had is a slightly frayed throttle cable on my 130 (no biggie deal).

Also, the 600 is really cool for the following:

Drying your car or tractor after you washed it

Cleaning off your roof and gutters (Do not try this at home or anywhere else for that matter)

Jonesing the neighbors (afterall they would need a PTO mounted blower to top you)

Oh and it can be used in the rain!

 

[ol'homey]

Looking at my IPL for the BR 500,550, and 600 models I see:
cam wheel- 42820301801 (BR550 and 600) and 42820301802 (BR500)
ign module- 42824001301 (BR500) and 42824001305 (BR550 and 600)
muffler- 42821400602 (BR500) 42821400603 (BR550 and 600)
carb- 42821200600 (BR500) 42821200602 (BR550) 42821200601 (BR600)
fan housing inside- 42827004100 (BR500 and 550) 42827004101 (BR600)
fan housing outer- 42827010701 (BR600) 42827010700 (BR500 and 550)
fan wheel- 42827003400 (BR500 and 550) 42827003403 (BR600)
blower tube kits are different for each model as well

So it looks like the differences between the 550 and 600 are the carb, fan housing, fan wheel, and tube kit

 

[TimberMcPherson]

It never ceases to amaze me how knowledgable you guys are!

In NZ dollars (a bit smaller than US dollars and smell like hobbits) the BR600 is close to $1700. (thats 1200 greenbacks) Some guys getting them fresh from the states and avoided the local stealer network and selling a BR550 for $1100 (about 800US dollars).

Its tempting to get the BR550 but I think the lack of power isnt going to cut it, shame.

Thanks for the help, will keep a look out for another PB655

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

In NZ dollars (a bit smaller than US dollars and smell like hobbits)

McPherson, you owe me for a keyboard! :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[jbighump]

+1 on the br 600 we have one at work that has been used hard for 3 years and it still starts on the 1st pull. i have used it to blow leaves at my house and it is nothing short of amazing.

 

[climber96]

get a shindaiwa eb802 or a br 420 the 550/600 models get carbon on the valves got 7 of in the shop (not mine)

 

[Paul001]

get a shindaiwa eb802 or a br 420 the 550/600 models get carbon on the valves got 7 of in the shop (not mine)

Then run what is recommended by Stihl (and hopefully your dealer), and never have an issue agian.