Cordless Backpack Blowers

[FMC1959]

I know there are members here that are more in the know, go to tool shows (SEMA?), or know someone at the manufacturers.

I was wondering how come there are not many choices when it comes to cordless BP blowers. Specifically, I am hoping for one of the main guys, Milwaukee, Dewalt, & Makita. I also consider Bosch as one of the 4 main guys but care less for Bosch because I do not have any of their batteries, but do have M18, Flexvolt and 18v Makita.

I know Dewalt did have a 40v, don't know if it was good, but it is now defunct. Then Ryobi just came out with a 40v, Greenworks has one, I think Poulan does, and of course Ego has one; but I was hoping to NOT go to another battery platform again. Besides, I have not read all the reviews, but the Ego seems pretty good and competitive to a small to mid gas model, but the other current choices are not highly rated.

I figured that Milwaukee keeps squeezing watts out of their M18 and have many tools that years ago would have never been considered a battery tool. Then Dewalt Flexvolt has 56v and offer 2 x 56v, like on their Sliding 12" saw, figured for sure they would have a BP blower; they certainly are getting into more OPE. Also, Makita with their many 2 x 18v tools (which I have a few and like very much), figured they also would have a BP blower. I know their new XGT tools offer more power but being completely non compatible with the 18v LXT, it's like buying into a new platform, which I am trying to avoid.

I don't want to buy into a new platform, just to get a decent BP blower, anyone know or heard something about M18, Flexvolt, or 18v LXT introducing one soon?

 

[Davefr]

BP blowers need high voltage and high capacity batteries and even when they do, the run time on high is very, very short. I don't think 18V is even viable unless the unit uses several of them but then you have weight and charging issues. For example the EGO unit uses a 56v 7.5 AH battery and run time is only 20 minutes on high. Run time on low is meaningless.

IMHO the cordless BP blowers are only viable for short duration/detail work projects and for those handheld blowers work just fine IMHO.

For real work that requires moving mountains of wet leaves, there is no substitute for a gas BP blower. (just not a good candidate for battery)

 

[bassJAM]

I don't see a backpack blower being powered by 18v. If you take the time to put on the backpack you are probably expecting to use the blower for awhile, and the 18v packs just aren't going to have the juice. Not to mention, the and extra tubing distance and bends in a BP blower creates more parasitic loss than a straight handheld blower. I don't think Stihl has come out with a battery backpack blower yet, just a backpack battery pack for a handheld blower, which is pretty telling to me.

 

[GrantCee]

This...

Makita USA - Product Details -XBU02Z

36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless Blower, Tool Only

www.makitatools.com

...combined with this...

Makita USA - Product Details -PDC01

ConnectX™, LXT®, LXT® X2 and XGT® Portable Backpack Power Supply

www.makitatools.com

...is probably as close as you're going to get.

 

[budget76]

buddy was happy with the Ryobi 40v one. Haven't seen it in use yet so I can't comment much further

found a good video on the handheld 40v comparisons on Youtube - dude was unbiased an had good tests, and had like 9 different options. EGO was the clear winner

 

[FMC1959]

I don't see a backpack blower being powered by 18v. If you take the time to put on the backpack you are probably expecting to use the blower for awhile, and the 18v packs just aren't going to have the juice. Not to mention, the and extra tubing distance and bends in a BP blower creates more parasitic loss than a straight handheld blower. I don't think Stihl has come out with a battery backpack blower yet, just a backpack battery pack for a handheld blower, which is pretty telling to me.

Makes sense

BP blowers need high voltage and high capacity batteries and even when they do, the run time on high is very, very short. I don't think 18V is even viable unless the unit uses several of them but then you have weight and charging issues. For example the EGO unit uses a 56v 7.5 AH battery and run time is only 20 minutes on high. Run time on low is meaningless.

IMHO the cordless BP blowers are only viable for short duration/detail work projects and for those handheld blowers work just fine IMHO.

For real work that requires moving mountains of wet leaves, there is no substitute for a gas BP blower. (just not a good candidate for battery)

Again, makes sense. I was just hoping with the bigger batteries we have today that someone have make something decent

 

[FMC1959]

buddy was happy with the Ryobi 40v one. Haven't seen it in use yet so I can't comment much further

found a good video on the handheld 40v comparisons on Youtube - dude was unbiased an had good tests, and had like 9 different options. EGO was the clear winner

The Ryobi 40v reviews I have seen, just a couple, were semi favorable. Basically did not want not want say anything bad, but not great at the same time.

 

[TRITOON]

I have kobalt 80v stuff, like alot of things, mower, blower(s), weedeater(s), edger, etc. Love it, but they are no longer carrying it in stores. Lowes jumped on the Ego Brand for the high voltage stuff.

It bothers me a little, but Ego stuff is some of the best in the market.

 

[FMC1959]

I have kobalt 80v stuff, like alot of things, mower, blower(s), weedeater(s), edger, etc. Love it, but they are no longer carrying it in stores. Lowes jumped on the Ego Brand for the high voltage stuff.

It bothers me a little, but Ego stuff is some of the best in the market.

I kind of like the Ego products, they all look quite well made, they have serious size batteries, great reviews, and a great selection of OPE. At some point, I may go Ego, but for now I can wait and hope that one of the 3 brands I have strong batteries for comes out with a BP blower. (I do have Metabo - not HPT, Fein, M12 & Ryobi 18v, but none of these have shown interest in OPE or simply don't have the battery size required)