Leaf blower

[v1ru5879]

Finally time to get one. Weighing out my options n what better place to ask for some input than here. What's everyone have for their leaf blower? I'll be using it for general use leaves grass clippings, cleaning out the garage and cleaning the dust n debris off the mower. I have the sthil kombi trimmer and the blower attachment is around $200. Dunno if I can get something that's a stand alone blower for more bang for my buck. Gas or electric? Gas powered makes me think more power and stronger blow. Like I said it's gonna be a general use so I doubt I would need something commercial grade, that is unless it's a hell of a deal or just makes sense to spend a little more for something superior. Appreciate any and all input

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[Itsjustdirt]

My Dewalt 20v blower runs circles around my 3 year old echo gas blower. Not to mention, I don't hate touching it or using it. I don't need earplugs. I don't need to put on clothes that can get 2 stroke oil or gas on them.

 

[James-W]

My oldest daughter has a Toro leaf blower that uses a power cord. It works really well, but you do have the cord to contend with. I have a small 18 volt Ridgid leaf blower that works quite well for most things, but the battery doesn't last very long. I prefer using the Toro leaf blower the daughter has because I can use it all day and it never slows down.

However, for small jobs the Ridgid leaf blower works pretty good. Here it is if you are interested.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Leaf-Blowers/RIDGID/N-5yc1vZbxavZ18g

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Just my two cents worth... I recently made the switch from my 20+ year old Makita cordless tools to the Milwaukee M18 platform ( drill, hackzall, Sawzall, impacts, etc.) and said , "what the heck, might as well get the string trimmer and 120 MPH blower (FUEL Models) that match my others". By the way, HD has the package on sale currently for $299 which includes shipping and a 9Ah battery(Internet # 304160604)

)

 

[CJM8515]

Depends on what your expectations of the blower are. If you just want a home owner type unit, electric or cordless is fine. If you want it to be able to do whatever, and not break then pro 2 stroke backpack is all I would want. I much prefer the redmax or stihl pro backpack units. But they are 50+ cc strapped to your back and heavy for some.

 

[CR888]

If you have real work to do gas is the only option. I have both Stihl handhelds BG86 & BG56 as well as backpacks. Get the cheaper BG56 that's US made at Vaginia beach. It has the same engine as the professional BG 86. The only other difference is better hd2 air filter and spring AV and different ignition. None are really important, the bg56 is lighter and what I usually reach for.

 

[rlitman]

...I have the sthil kombi trimmer and the blower attachment is around $200...

The Kombi blower is $130 around here. I've got that, a BG-86 (actually SH-86), and a BR-500 backpack.

What you describe, doesn't call for a backpack, but I will say that for me, the backpack is the most useful. However, with long hair, my wife cannot safely use it.

Which Kombi engine do you have? Bigger engines turn that Kombi attachment turbine into a serious blowing machine. With my KM-110 (now 111), it is much stronger than the BG-86. Though still not backpack material, it can blow rocks. If you have a smaller engine (like the 55), it may not be up to the task as much. One advantage of the Kombi blower is that you have one less engine to maintain.

The smallest decent gas blowers move twice the air of anything electric.

 

[nh_yota]

Do you need to deal with a lot of leaves in the fall? The cordless blowers are great for general use but they just don't have the power or runtime to deal with fall leaf cleanup (at least up here in the northeast). I currently have a tiny urban yard and use a corded Toro blower because my yard is small but thanks to my neighbors and their trees I have a lot of leaves to clean up in the fall. My yard is small enough that using a cord is fine but if I had a larger yard I would own a cordless blower for routine cleanup/grass clippings and a backpack gas blower for fall cleanup. My dad has always used backpack blowers for his properties because nothing else can match them. The wheeled blowers can move more leaves but they can't handle uneven terrain. I am partial to Stihl because that's the most popular brand up here so it's easy to get parts for them.

 

[vavet]

If you're moving leaves on grass or wet leaves on a hard surface, you probably need a gas unit. If you're only blowing out leaves and sawdust from your garage or dry leaves and lawn clippings off your driveway and sidewalk, a battery unit would be my choice.
I don't have any experience with the Stihl kombi unit, generally speaking, things that are add-ons don't work as well as things that purpose-built, dedicated devices.

I have a Husqvarna backpack, pro-style unit that I picked up on CL several years ago for a song. Performance wise, it's fantastic. The carb leaked and I had a hard time finding parts for it, but thanks to GJ, I did find a carb rebuild kit on ebay and I actually found a complete replacement aftermarket carb on amazon for less than $20. It worked beautifully out of the box.

 

[nh_yota]

If you need to step up from the cordless/corded electric units go straight up to a backpack gas blower and skip the handheld gas blowers. I've always thought those things were useless because they bring together all the worst traits of the other styles.

 

[Jonny Rotten]

If all your blowing is dust and grass clippings off the driveway all you need is the cheapest electric blower you can find. You need about zero power. Any type of leaf blowin and get the most powerful backpack blower you can afford.

 

[Davefr]

If you have easy access to 120V, these are inexpensive and very powerful.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/WORX-12-Am...MIqq6AwOnV2wIVD1gNCh3t3w8CEAkYAiABEgIGNPD_BwE

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have two. One is kept in the pool house for quick jobs around the pool area and deck. It's a Worx cordless and it does a pretty good job. The other is an older Sthil blower shredder/vac. They are not on the same planet performance wise. When I need something cleaned off well, the Sthil gets used.

Mines the model just before this one. https://www.stihlusa.com/products/blowers-and-shredder-vacs/shredder-vacs/sh86ce/

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I have a corded Toro blower/vac. Use the **** out of it. As a blower I use it to clean gutter spouts, clean out the laundry duct, etc. as well as blowing **** off the deck etc.

 

[06 DIESEL]

I have the Kombi blower and it will outwork my brother in laws Stihl professional backpack blower any day of the week. I also have the largest power unit for the Kombi system, and the blower is not enough drag for the power unit at full tilt it will bounce off the rev limiter so you have to throttle it down some.

Unless you plan on using both the string trimmer and blower at the same time I would just get the blower for the Kombi so that you only have one piece of gas powered equipment to maintain.

Here is the blower specs with each of the Kombi power units.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I use a no name electric but if you need a serious blower look at these. 200 cc beats 50 cc.

 

[finn]

I have a Craftsman backpack refurbished. It’s probably ten years old, and does fine for my use.

I’ve been looking at the Stihl and Husqvarna combi units to replace my broken Stihl trimmer and my pole saw, but they seem to weigh almost twenty percent more than a dedicated tool,more if you go to the pro models.

I’m not sure the flexibility advantage of the combi overcomes the cost and weight disadvantage, considering that the Stihl trimmer is the only thing than needs immediate replacement.

I maintain about three acres on three parcels, so the homeowner units are probably adequate for me, because of the weight disadvantage of the pro models.

 

[rlitman]

I have the Kombi blower and it will outwork my brother in laws Stihl professional backpack blower any day of the week...

That's not a "professional" backpack then.

Per your specs above, with the KM-130R power head, the Kombi blower puts out 603 CFM @ 157 MPH.

My BR 500 (this is their reduced noise and power backpack) only puts out 544 CFM, but it is at 207 MPH with 22 newtons of blowing force, and from personal experience, my very tame backpack easily moves more than the Kombi attachment can.

However, Stihl's actual pro backpack for a long time was the BR 600.
That puts out 677 CFM @ 238 MPH, and blows the Kombi attachment on any motor out of the water with 31 newtons of blowing force.

Their current top of the line BR 700 is doing 912 CFM @ 197 MPH (35 newtons of blowing force).

 

[v1ru5879]

Thanks for all the replies! Well I live on an acre the front of the house gets the brunt of the leaves during the fall, however I have a riding mower with bagger that should get the bulk of that. Large maple tree in the back that leaves a ton of leaves under the deck and surrounding area. I have enough outlets to be able to run a corded which I like the fact you just plug in and go. I was actually looking at the Worx corded you linked to. Now with the fathers day sale at Lowes I may just have to jump on that deal! As much as I would like to have a backpack unit I think I would not use it to its full potential. My main uses are blowing the dust and clippings off the mowers, clearing leaves under the deck, cleaning out the garage and clippings off of the flowerbeds and gravel

 

[rlitman]

...cleaning out the garage...

Well, for indoor use, electric wins, simply because it has no fumes.

 

[v1ru5879]

I have the 55r kombi so I wasn't too sure if it would be enough to get the most out of the blower for what I am neededing

 

[wee]

I have a Echo Pb-580T backpack gas blower and love it...I used a corded electric for years and hated every minute of it.

Brian

 

[rlitman]

I have the 55r kombi so I wasn't too sure if it would be enough to get the most out of the blower for what I am neededing

It sounds like your needs aren't that great. Garage cleaning and moving clippings can even be met with a cordless, though with battery limited runtime.

Even with just the 55, the Kombi blower will probably move twice as much as any electric blower, without cords to trip on. But yes, you'd get more out of it with a bigger engine. That said, I've seen these on CL from time to time for around $75, and if I didn't have one already, I'd certainly jump on it.

Oh, one other thing, if this matters to you. The Kombi blower tip will also fit the gutter cleaning attachment that works with the hand held blowers. Can't use that with a backpack.

 

[v1ru5879]

I ended up ordering the worx 12 amp 600 cfm one with a 10% off

https://www.lowes.com/pd/WORX-12-Am...m-Duty-Corded-Electric-Leaf-Blower/1000167581

for the price I don't think I could go wrong. What I really want for my kombi is the hedge trimmer attachment

 

[Fbmoose48]

Depends on what your expectations of the blower are. If you just want a home owner type unit, electric or cordless is fine. If you want it to be able to do whatever, and not break then pro 2 stroke backpack is all I would want. I much prefer the redmax or stihl pro backpack units. But they are 50+ cc strapped to your back and heavy for some.

This. If you think you'll be blowing anything away like you see pro-landscappers do with anything but gas you will be disappointed.

 

[Fbmoose48]

And disregard any manufacturer's CFM or MPH claims, they all measure at different locations if they actually measure at all making the comparison worthless, just bogus marketing hype. Other than some variations on the losses in tube design and efficiency, displacement is all that matters.

 

[rlitman]

I've had 2 stroke blowers, while the lightness is nice and power was fine, the smell and noise was terrible. I switched to a Makita 4 stroke, while a bit heavier than the 2 stroke, there's no smell to speak of and it's very quiet and fuel efficient. 1st pull all the time and very easy to maintain. While I would entertain a battery powered unit, my experience is with the battery plugged in it's typically about as heavy as a 2 stroke. I have 1/3 acre and lot's of maple trees, a 25-30 min. battery life won't make it here, If technology improves, I'd definitely give a battery unit a look though.

Probably a moot point now, but true. My KM110 is 4-stroke, and the exhaust hardly has a smell. My clothes reek of unburned gas and oil after using my 2-stroke blowers. FWIW, the OP's KM-55 is 2-stroke.

I ended up ordering the worx 12 amp 600 cfm one with a 10% off

https://www.lowes.com/pd/WORX-12-Am...m-Duty-Corded-Electric-Leaf-Blower/1000167581

for the price I don't think I could go wrong. What I really want for my kombi is the hedge trimmer attachment

I have the HL-135. I highly suggest spending the extra dough for the angle adjustable version. It's a spendy unit, but the best hedge trimmer on the market. I also have the power scythe. It's basically the same thing, but with shorter blades. That makes it easier to handle when I'm using the extension shaft.

 

[nh_yota]

Thanks for all the replies! Well I live on an acre the front of the house gets the brunt of the leaves during the fall, however I have a riding mower with bagger that should get the bulk of that. Large maple tree in the back that leaves a ton of leaves under the deck and surrounding area. I have enough outlets to be able to run a corded which I like the fact you just plug in and go. I was actually looking at the Worx corded you linked to. Now with the fathers day sale at Lowes I may just have to jump on that deal! As much as I would like to have a backpack unit I think I would not use it to its full potential. My main uses are blowing the dust and clippings off the mowers, clearing leaves under the deck, cleaning out the garage and clippings off of the flowerbeds and gravel

Then it sounds like a corded blower will best meet your needs. I have a corded Toro blower and it's got more than enough power to do what you are talking about. If you didn't have the mower/bagger and you needed to blow large piles of (wet) leaves across the lawn then you would need a backpack blower.

 

[v1ru5879]

Lets see how this worx turns out, 30 day satisfaction guarantee so I couldn't go wrong. Yeah I finally got a bagger after about 5 years and wow what a difference it makes. I cleared out all the fallen maple leafs and other **** that had been compacting into the ground. I spend about 3 hours last night and got my problem areas cleaned out very nice. The leafs had been neglected for so long when I got done bagging them all I had some amazon soil waiting for me under. I imagine this will be a life saver come fall. Literally a big ride on vacuum haha. Now to get the problem areas with the blower and I will finally have my yard under control.

 

[v1ru5879]

Probably a moot point now, but true. My KM110 is 4-stroke, and the exhaust hardly has a smell. My clothes reek of unburned gas and oil after using my 2-stroke blowers. FWIW, the OP's KM-55 is 2-stroke.



I have the HL-135. I highly suggest spending the extra dough for the angle adjustable version. It's a spendy unit, but the best hedge trimmer on the market. I also have the power scythe. It's basically the same thing, but with shorter blades. That makes it easier to handle when I'm using the extension shaft.

I will look into this one. I hate the fact you can't get pricing for anything STIHL online and there is one dealer where I live, luckily where I work there are several.

 

[rlitman]

I will look into this one. I hate the fact you can't get pricing for anything STIHL online and there is one dealer where I live, luckily where I work there are several.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/multi-task-tools/kombisystem-attachments/hlkm145adjhedgetrim/
Click on the find a local dealer, and many have pricing. Unfortunately, while I found pricing for blowers, I can't find online pricing for this attachment.

Anyway, HL-KM 145 IIRC is something like $249.

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

Ryobi 40v leaf blower is on sale now. Jist saying.

 

[engineer2]

I hated dragging the power cord around, so I got the Makita 2x18V cordless and love it. Just grab it and go. Needs the 5 AHr batteries though. 6 speeds. Great for herding leaves and grass clippings. Also great for cleaning snow off cars, light-duty snowblowing, cleaning the garage, the kids's rooms, getting a stubborn campfire going, etc.

For a 1 acre lot and lots of leaves, gas would be ideal, but the noise might make you unpopluar with the neighbors.

 

[C.L S2000]

Thanks for all the replies! Well I live on an acre the front of the house gets the brunt of the leaves during the fall, however I have a riding mower with bagger that should get the bulk of that. Large maple tree in the back that leaves a ton of leaves under the deck and surrounding area. I have enough outlets to be able to run a corded which I like the fact you just plug in and go. I was actually looking at the Worx corded you linked to. Now with the fathers day sale at Lowes I may just have to jump on that deal! As much as I would like to have a backpack unit I think I would not use it to its full potential. My main uses are blowing the dust and clippings off the mowers, clearing leaves under the deck, cleaning out the garage and clippings off of the flowerbeds and gravel

yea, doesn't sound like you need much power for that. I have the (don't laugh) black and decker in the link for the same exact minor tasks as you intend to use it for and I am more than happy with the job it does. (I guess I got mine on sale at Walmart for $29.99)

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BLACK-DE...rdless-Lithium-Ion-Sweeper-Kit-1-5Ah/49405444

 

[v1ru5879]

My only opposition to the battery blowers is the run time

 

[stioc]

I have a basic Ryobi cordless leaf blower. The pros are- I use it ALL the time as a sweeper...I clean the garage, the driveway, the backyard, front porch. It's not very powerful (which can be pro as in my case) so it doesn't kick up the landscaping river rocks etc if I'm careful. It's my most frequently used cordless tool.

On the negative side- it's not super powerful if you want that and you're limited to the no of batteries you have. For me two fully charged batteries are all I ever need at any given time. Then again I don't have an acre to clear, more like 2000 sq-ft at any one time.

 

[6PTsocket]

Depends on what your expectations of the blower are. If you just want a home owner type unit, electric or cordless is fine. If you want it to be able to do whatever, and not break then pro 2 stroke backpack is all I would want. I much prefer the redmax or stihl pro backpack units. But they are 50+ cc strapped to your back and heavy for some.

Husqvarna, the same company that makes Red Max backpacks, also sells them under the Husqvarna label. The one difference is the harness. I also asked advice here and was told that the Husqvarna was more comfortable. I tried in both and totally agreed. It also was $50 cheaper with the sales and rebates at the time. It is kinda heavy but if I put on roller skates, that thing could be used as a jetmobile. The air coming out of that thing is unbelievable but so is the noise. I usually overbuy but rarely suffer from buyer's remorse for not buying a better product.

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[Lelandwelds]

I rent a Billy Goat. It has 15 hp and blows 2500 cfm @ 200 mph. Self propelled.

Between both houses, yard, and the outbuildings , we clear about 5 acres of leaves. It used to take about a month each spring. (Spring is the biggest leaf drop for live oaks.) Now it is a two day job.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

My only opposition to the battery blowers is the run time

An update to my original reply: I have had and used for over 20 years a Homelite 2-Stroke blower that ran for 20 minutes - TOPS- on a tank of fuel. The Milwaukee FUEL with the 9aH battery will exceed that. Your mileage may vary, but, the stink, the pain of mixing and stale fuel issues more than exceed any other previously stated inconveniences by others here for me. a BIG plus for me was that t I made the decision to replace my old 7.2, 9.4 & 14.8 Makita units with the Milwaukee M18 platform. For me, it just made sense, your needs may be different than min - you asked for opinions and that was mine.

 

[v1ru5879]

Unfortunately the nearest home Depot in about an hour away so that's why I'm invented in the kobalt 24v max line but even after long hard thinking on battery operated just doesn't make sense for me and for $60 bucks for the work corded I'm gonna give it a shot. Worst case scenario I'll return it. Maybe I'll even do a review on here for it. Convinced myself since I'm not doing any pro landscaping commercially only my own the backpacks are out of the question. Battery I didn't wanna have to deal with swapping batteries or keeping them charged. Corded just plug in n get to work. Can get a 100' 14 guage extension cord at Lowe's for $40 so that's more than enough cord for my property (200' x 210') and half of that is a corral.

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