It's that time of year again. Leaf season.

Ok. I'm looking for some help and opinions.
I'm looking for a backpack blower.
I have used a Stihl before while helping a landscaper friend clean up leaves but I don't know the model number or prices. I do know that thing moved some leaves.
I like Stihl machines but I'm not brand loyal. I want one that starts easy and fast....and Blows
Thanks
Tim

 

For a stihl you want a br600. Biggest they make.

Only one on the market that blows more air cfm is the shindiawa.

Hth.

 

I mow my leaves. I mow to discharge towards the flower beds. 80% are chewed up and gone before I get to the flower beds. I then use a Echo PB-2400 hand blower to clear off the patio etc.

Then the next day, all the neighbor's leaves are in my yard.

 

+1! Shindaiwa EB854 or EB854RT 79cc two stroke, Stihl is nice but won't compete with these, although the Stihl MSRP is less. Perhaps you could find a NOS Solo 471/472 but not the 'Kat' version, 'Kat' is CA CARB compliant crapola!

 

I used a redmax blower on the tree crew I worked for, and they were awesome. I'll see if I can find out the model #

 

Seems RedMax blowers are now made in orange resin, as Husqys. Got a 50 cc 150 bt a couple years ago for $225 delivered from VMInnovations dot com. Wet leaves not a problem. Strato engine a plus. NOT a 4-mix engine, a bigger plus.

 

Same idea here but my neighbor had his big red oak cut down last year. Now only the wood is in my yard in pieces that are about 16" long stacked up very neatly and there are many fewer leaves.

 

I feel the same about my re-furbed 150BT. I've had it 4 years and would buy another in a heartbeat.

 

How big is your yard? I acquired a br600 without really intending to, as part of a package deal when buying a used saw. I don't have much to compare it to, but my property is so small and the blowing goes so quickly that I can't help wondering whether I'd be happier with a lighter, less-powerful model. The br600 may be light for its class, but it's heavy enough to feel like I'm strapping myself into the robotic exoskeleton from Aliens just to take the trash out. I wonder what's the MS260 of backpack blowers?

Speaking of 4-mix engines, is adjusting the carb on them similar to standard 2-stroke engines? Mine dies at idle when hot, but I haven't tampered with the screws yet.

 

Well they are pricey and they are heavy, but that BR600 blows!
My dealer wants me to run aviation fuel in it at $7.00 /gallon. Yes he sells this fuel....
Any thoughts? I ran this fuel in a car many years ago. I know it's good, I know there is no ethanol in it, but Stihl built these machines to run on the junk fuel we have now.

 

Thanks. I recently acquired a tach so I can do it that way. Of course to tune it all I'm going to have to improvise a tool, since it has odd screws without slots.

 

When I was looking into this not long ago. I decided I would have went with a real 2 stroke or older stihl version before the 4 mix ones. Sorry just not a fan of 4 mix.

 

It's funny most of my leaves end up in my gutters and not on the ground, at least that's how it seems to me.a friend of mine has the br600 what a wicked piece of equipment almost a little to much for home owner use.heres my two blowers the echo back pack is almost 20 years old(pb-46 ht)the only thing I have done to the echo is one carb rebuild and replaced fuel lines i think one or two times .if and when it brakes i will try and find the parts to fix the thing , i hope to have it forever. Picked up the stihl hand held about a year ago and does well for what it is.

 

I ended up buying the gutter attachment. Makes things way easier twice a year.

 

Got leaves ? Get one of these
Just got my re-furbed 150BT. from VMInnovations this year , $220, free shipping, love it , starts easy, runs great and really blows ,wet leaves, sticks
I have 3/4 acre trees all around put 4-5 tanks through it .
It does a good job

 

I can't speak much for other brands, but I have friggin' ton of leaves and my Stihl BR600 was a game changer. Comfy for hours of nonstop use, loads of power and excellent fuel efficiency.