Pro Backpack Leaf Blower?

Yes CFM is where it’s at

 

the walk behind would be the ticket if you can blow it off 3 sides of your property. Makes a leaf blower look like a in a wind storm

 

Take a look at this...

Best Backpack Blower Shootout | Outdoor Power Equipment Reviews

I didn't know Husky owned Redmax!

 

I completely agree with this assessment.

I have a BR600 and a BR800. Seriously considered the 8550, but really liked the comfort of the BR800 harness, the echo is a little louder also, but a little better in deep leaves. I bet the 800 saved me about 1/3 the time over the 600 blowing leaves this fall. And with all my leaves that's a lot of saved hours.

If your blowing a lot of deep leaves, buy the biggest one you can, helps with re-sale also.

 

Someone beat me to it. Redmax and Husky blowers are one in the same internally. I have a 580 bts which is the same as the 8500 Redmax. It’s a beast. Was the top dog until the new Echo came out. I can blow bricks around my yard with it. I’d recommend it any day.

 

I have had a Stihl for 20 years-2 stroke model. The best advice I can give, as others have, is to buy the biggest you can afford.

 

I have to agree with everyone saying get the biggest you can comfortably afford. You’ll never go “This just blows way too much air”. Lol
I have an Echo 8010 I bought on “Dealer Day” here locally, at 15% off. It’s an absolute hoss. I had a Husky BT350 that did fine for a while. Then the want for more overcame me, and I got the Echo. Not once have I regretted it.
I usually have to go out and rake up branches and sticks after storms; now I just blow them into a pile. It’s that good. My 10 year old has claimed the BT350 as his now. Lol

 

You're right they are about $600 or a bit less depending on where you buy. I buy from local family businesses whenever I can. I find they always have knowledgable people who know how to fix it if it's broke. They have expertise in the subject matter, chainsaws, lawn tractors, motorcycles, ski equipment.. etc. Love my local dealers and gladly pay them a few bucks more. I figure it usually goes into Little League T-shirts and scholarships for the high school kids anyway. Don't see that happen at Home Depot.

Last year we lost the power equipment business we've had for the last 40 years. It was a great business, family-owned great service. Because where I live in Massachusetts many people drive over the border to NH to buy the product from Home Depot, no sales tax, it's a few bucks cheaper. They carried Stihl and Husqvarna and were a great service business as well but the father past away and the children couldn't continue to make a profit.

So now the closest family business is the town a grew up in 12 miles away. They carry the Echo's. Someone else mentioned by the "next biggest one", even though I don't have it a business clearing lawns, I have a BIG lawn, and lot's of big trees. So I'm going with the 8010 Echo. It gets great reviews, has a 5-year warranty, and most of all it's a family business in my town.

Because I know so many of us love pics. Here a few of the lawn I deal with, well, and the trees I deal with every year. I figure now that I'm 70 I need more than a rake and a wheelbarrow.

https://www.facebook.com/steve.leblanc.731/media_set?set=a.10158062366074924&type=3

 

jmb6420

Thank you for that shoot out report, talk about comprehensive. The only 2 brands I can buy around here, without going to a big-box store are the Husqvarna and the Echo. I really wanted a Stihl BR800 before doing so much research, and I was down on the Husqvarna only because it's been around so long and its numbers aren't that impressive, but it comes out on top here in many categories.

I'm leaning to the Echo right now, but feeling better about the fall back plan to the Husqvarna. I wish I could find a Stihl around here. I've got big-time deep leaves that are matted down after years of piling up in tight to get at places that I cam clearing to make prettier landscaping around the front and sides of the house. So it's not just getting the leaves off the lawn, it's also clearing matted leaves/mulch that has been sitting and accumulating for years.

Right now I'm thinking I'll go with the Echo. I'm a sucker for power and lots of the reviews I've seen on Youtube, with guys doing leaf clearing daily who have done 1-on-1 compares, vote for the Echo for its grunt in deep leaves.

 

Thanks. I've got the 350 and my SIL has the 150. Both are very good tools. The advice I have just echos all the other suggestions. If I had it to do over I'd get bigger and badder! When mine dies, I'm going for 'more power'.

 

Check this Scag out.... 37 HP..





Windstorm Stand On Blower - Scag Power Equipment

 

bring your kids and pets inside I am going to blow some leaves

 

T

The echo 8010 is a monster with deep leaves... You won't have any issues with any of them pulling up matted wet leaves... The strap harnesses tend to fall off my shoulders on some blowers and the Echo 8010 gets dinged for that also. I found the harness on the Stihl br800C to not have that issue. Let us know what you decide....

 

I’ve got the Husky 150BT. No complaints. I’ve got oaks/maples on two sides, but the winds keep a majority of the leaves out of the yard. Much easier to use for long periods of time than the garage sale special handheld blower I replaced.

 

fairly close to you in milford nh is chappell tractor they have stihl and husqvarna are tax free and have the best sales people i have dealt with ,very nice but also very knowledgeable and there is often a ''deal '' to be had ,they really are worth a look

 

unclefess, I never think of them, and they aren't far away at all. Sometimes just the size of that place overwhelms me. I'll check them out, as everyplace is empty of customers right now.

PS Rt 16 in NH one of my favorite riding roads on my motorcycle. Beautiful country. My BIL lives on Ossipee in Freedom.

 

the lawn and garden dept. manager's name is jeff ,you wont be disappointed ,i have bought many many stihl items from them

 

Echo and Shindaiwa are owned by the same Parent company.

https://www.rermag.com/news-analysi...-and-shindaiwa-announce-joint-holding-company

My cousin is the Cemetery Superintendent in my hometown. He told me this morning the town just bought a new Shindaiwa backpack blower from Home Depot. It is internally the same as the Echo 8010. He said that Echo had some issues with the tube bending due to the power/air volume, and that Shindaiwa waited about a year before unveiling their model. Apparently this issue was resolved on the Shindaiwas. I'm sure newer Echos will also address it. He said Home Depot stopped selling the large Echo, and now only sell the smaller echo blowers, and are stocking the new Shindaiwa's. I'll let you know how he likes it. The price was $599. This was for a municipality. I think all big backpacks are going to be in this pricerange.

 

I have a hand held BG86 and the BR600 backpack. The backpack is a beast and will push more leaves but the handheld is still used in tight spots and on the roof for the gutters. The backpack is great for wide open areas but I toss the 86 from hand to hand as I’m working around bushes and obstacles.