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Leaf blowers/vacuums

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stihlntime

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Messages
603
Location
SW Missouri Ozarks
If you are moving a leaves off a very large area say 1 acre up I recommend a Stihl BR 600, 550, which are four mix engines.Four Mix engines are four strokes without an oil sump, they use mixed gas like a 2 stroke to provide lubrication instead of a oil sump. They have been around for years and are extremely reliable. If you have a smaller yard get a BR 430 for a backpack or a BG 86 for a hand held. It is important to run ethanol free fuel. Ninety five percent of what I do in the shop is ethanol fuel related. Don't let fuel sit in an unused machine over 90 days,dump the fuel and run dry. Use Stihl Ultra mix it is F B rated 20 percent more lubrication and 40 percent more detergent than non synthetic mix. If you buy a six pack of the Ultra when you purchase a blower it doubles the warranty From 2 to 4 years.
 

hondacivic247

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2014
Messages
538
Get a stihl bg56 with the mulching kit and call it a day. I own one and have close to 70 hours on it and it runs awesome never changed the plug. Stihl sells easy to mix 1 gallon 2 stroke mix just get a gallon can qnd add 1 bottle of oil and shake, it's 50:1 which works in my hitachi weed wacker. The mulches works great simple good quality bag and mulching fan which has taken rocks and pine cones all the time and shows no wear. I do wish I had a back pack for larger areas as my arms get tired
 

bczygan

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 4, 2009
Messages
22,002
Location
DETROIT! Arsenal of Scrappers
Does it have to be gas powered?

I've had this one for about 5 years and it works great, no issues at all. But tethered to a cord...

http://www.amazon.com/Toro-51619-Ultra-Blower-Vac/dp/B00SBPFREU

Depends on yard size. I have a small (40x100) corner lot, covered with trees, including the berm.

I have electrical outlets located so that a 50' cord will do and 100' gives me reach out to the middle of both streets.

I picked up the predecessor to the above one, for $4 at a garage sale. It finally died and I bought the one above for $60+-. It's more powerful, but a bit heavier. It also works as a vacuum, but don't use it for that because it will eventually ruin it.

71iTlW5ax3L._SY450_.jpg


Bill
 

M6erfan

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 6, 2014
Messages
10,170
Location
'Merica!
Depends on yard size. I have a small (40x100) corner lot, covered with trees, including the berm.

I have electrical outlets located so that a 50' cord will do and 100' gives me reach out to the middle of both streets.

I picked up the predecessor to the above one, for $4 at a garage sale. It finally died and I bought the one above for $60+-. It's more powerful, but a bit heavier. It also works as a vacuum, but don't use it for that because it will eventually ruin it.

71iTlW5ax3L._SY450_.jpg


Bill

Why do you say that using it as a vacuum will ruin it? I disagree, I use mine as a vac all the time, still going strong after years of use...
 

Dave in Mass

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
635
Location
Massachusetts
Depends on yard size. I have a small (40x100) corner lot, covered with trees, including the berm.

I have electrical outlets located so that a 50' cord will do and 100' gives me reach out to the middle of both streets.

I picked up the predecessor to the above one, for $4 at a garage sale. It finally died and I bought the one above for $60+-. It's more powerful, but a bit heavier. It also works as a vacuum, but don't use it for that because it will eventually ruin it.

71iTlW5ax3L._SY450_.jpg


Bill

I have one of these Toros left over from my older, smaller yard. I have a gas blower, but still use the Toro only as a vac. Does a good job sucking and chopping up leaves but a well placed piece of much has been known to clog the impellers at times.
 
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valentine

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
239
Forgot to say that the Redmax back pack blower I replaced my burned out Echo with is an absolute Beast. Easily the most powerful pack blower I've come accross. It's got a 75cc motor that cranks out more than 900 cfm. I have seen it blow firewood off the pile. Patio furniture is no match, LOL. Seriously, it's extremely powerful and I give it two thumbs up. It is pretty pricey, though.

-Valentine
 

Skin

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2010
Messages
11,713
Location
Boston
Why do you say that using it as a vacuum will ruin it? I disagree, I use mine as a vac all the time, still going strong after years of use...

I think at one time they used plastic impeller/fans so mulching takes a toll. They're metal now I believe. Also a serviceable part regardless of metal/plastic.
 

Finky198

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
2,120
Location
North East
We have 2 Redmax backpack blowers both 10years old and 15yr old 8hp fradan push blower at the shop and when anyone asks about leaf blowers I always recomend Redmax backpacks there's a reason why most landscapers use them they come in all different size and run forever

Your leaves will run for their lives :scared:
 
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Davefr

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 7, 2010
Messages
11,820
Location
OR
Has anyone run a Shindaiwa 802 vs. Redmax 8500/Husky 580BTS (same blower since Husky bought Redmax).

Which one is best? They're both highly rated.
 

Finky198

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
2,120
Location
North East
Has anyone run a Shindaiwa 802 vs. Redmax 8500/Husky 580BTS (same blower since Husky bought Redmax).

Which one is best? They're both highly rated.

Just Buy the Redmax. I have yet to find any other blower on the market that truly competes they are the longest running, most powerful backpack blowers you can get.... 10yrs later they still start second pull and the only maintenance they have every needed was a plug air filter and fuel filter every 1-2yrs depending on the usage
 
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Bdgjr215

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 21, 2015
Messages
760
I own 3 redmax blowers a 7150 a 7500 and an 8500 the 8500 is a strait leaf moving beast
The 7150 is the oldest (6or 7 seasons) and still starts on the second pull if your doing just your property the 7500 is plenty .we run these blowers commercially everyday and they are solid. Previous posters are correct husky and redmax are the same company but i believe
The husky is the equivalent to a 5500 redmax
FYI Echo owns Shindawa
 
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