ajchien
Well-known member
As the title says, can you guys recommend to be a brand of leaf blower/vacuum? Strictly homeowner use, not pro - so corded electrical would be okay.
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Recommend me a leaf blower/vacuum
- Thread starter ajchien
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Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
corded sux. I swear, if I ever fall out of a plane I hope I have an extension cord- it will surely get caught on everything.
and I don't use mine enough for a nice gas one. whatchya think about battery? That's where I'm going. Just dunno which one yet....
and I don't use mine enough for a nice gas one. whatchya think about battery? That's where I'm going. Just dunno which one yet....
Cato
Well-known member
Have you tried leaf vacuums? I had a Toro and it was not worth the trouble setting up- putting my the bag on and sucking up the leaves. It is easier just raking and using a leaf basket. Unless it is a ton of leaves I just mow them and my mower picks thems up with my grass clippings.
rlitman
Well-known member
corded sux. I swear, if I ever fall out of a plane I hope I have an extension cord- it will surely get caught on everything.
and I don't use mine enough for a nice gas one. whatchya think about battery? That's where I'm going. Just dunno which one yet....
That's one issue. The other is the power limit. A gas motor can deliver more power to the blower. Electric simply does not have enough power to vacuum effectively.
Stihl SH-86 is the answer if you want something hand held.
nieuport17
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2014
- Messages
- 466
I have a Craftsman corded leaf blower/vaccum from 15 yrs ago and it is still running great.
Blower function is awesome. Vaccum function not so great.
Like some people already mentioned, cord can be a pain. But, since I only use it once a while, its ok. : )
For me, if I had to get a blower today, I would probably visit Craftsman again (and still get the corded one) : )
Blower function is awesome. Vaccum function not so great.
Like some people already mentioned, cord can be a pain. But, since I only use it once a while, its ok. : )
For me, if I had to get a blower today, I would probably visit Craftsman again (and still get the corded one) : )
rslaback
Well-known member
I have a blower/vac attachment for my trimmer powerhead that works ok. It can be awkwardbeing that long but it gets the job done.
vmusch
Well-known member
Stihl and only use TruFuel.........
While it is expensive the best thing to come along in the last few years is TruFuel,
http://www.trufuel50.com/product-info/?gclid=CJ7agIrSg8ACFQQSMwodHmwAcQ
Stops all the damage from current fuels, stuff will start and run better.
While it is expensive the best thing to come along in the last few years is TruFuel,
http://www.trufuel50.com/product-info/?gclid=CJ7agIrSg8ACFQQSMwodHmwAcQ
Stops all the damage from current fuels, stuff will start and run better.
TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
Stihl and only use TruFuel.........
While it is expensive the best thing to come along in the last few years is TruFuel,
http://www.trufuel50.com/product-info/?gclid=CJ7agIrSg8ACFQQSMwodHmwAcQ
Stops all the damage from current fuels, stuff will start and run better.
What's this stuff cost?
Do you think it's that much better then eth free gas w/ oil mixed in? I just run eth free gas in all my small engines..
RedFordTruck
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 10, 2012
- Messages
- 921
Stihl and only use TruFuel.........
While it is expensive the best thing to come along in the last few years is TruFuel,
http://www.trufuel50.com/product-info/?gclid=CJ7agIrSg8ACFQQSMwodHmwAcQ
Stops all the damage from current fuels, stuff will start and run better.
What's this stuff cost?
Do you think it's that much better then eth free gas w/ oil mixed in? I just run eth free gas in all my small engines..
x2 on the cost. I go through a good bit of 2-cycle gas and dont really want to pay the $8/quart that this sells for most places.
I've found a gas station that sells Ethanol Free 93 octane which is what Stihl recommends. Its $3.89/gallon and after mixing in the oil ($1.29/bottle) I'm looking at a little over $5/gallon for mixed fuel instead of $32.
Back on topic... Depending on your needs for the vacuum, Northern Tool sells a reconditioned Husqvarna handheld for $99, and after $20 off $100 coupon you could get it for $80. I've never had a Husqvarna handheld, but have had great experiences with their backpack blowers.
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TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
Depending on your needs for the vacuum, Northern Tool sells a reconditioned Husqvarna handheld for $99, and after $20 off $100 coupon you could get it for $80. I've never had a Husqvarna handheld, but have had great experiences with their backpack blowers.
Is this the one?? It is on sale for $119....Still a good deal, IMO...
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200481414_200481414
Trey T
Well-known member
I would spend a lot of money on a good blower. A good and powerful blower will let you mow your lawn at any given time, wet ground or not.
If you have $600 to spend on lawn equipment, spend half of it on a backpack blower and the rest on trimmer and mower.
I own entry-level trimmer and mower but I have a very good Husqvarna 150BT backpack blower. I enjoy doing my own lawn mowing but my schedule is always full. When I'm free, the ground is wet from previous rain but the blower is the key to complete the job and be satisfied.
I chose not to have vacuum bc I believe it takes a the same amount of time w/ a good blower to gather it and put it in trash bag.
If you have $600 to spend on lawn equipment, spend half of it on a backpack blower and the rest on trimmer and mower.
I own entry-level trimmer and mower but I have a very good Husqvarna 150BT backpack blower. I enjoy doing my own lawn mowing but my schedule is always full. When I'm free, the ground is wet from previous rain but the blower is the key to complete the job and be satisfied.
I chose not to have vacuum bc I believe it takes a the same amount of time w/ a good blower to gather it and put it in trash bag.
TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
I would spend a lot of money on a good blower. A good and powerful blower will let you mow your lawn at any given time, wet ground or not.
If you have $600 to spend on lawn equipment, spend half of it on a backpack blower and the rest on trimmer and mower.
I own entry-level trimmer and mower but I have a very good Husqvarna 150BT backpack blower. I enjoy doing my own lawn mowing but my schedule is always full. When I'm free, the ground is wet from previous rain but the blower is the key to complete the job and be satisfied.
I'd go with a backpack, but it just takes up too much space in my garage.. (3 car w/ little room w/ 3 cars plus tools.)
I bought a used Redmax EB7000 backpack blower off ebay for $200 shipped 7 years ago. Still runs great, and always starts on the first or second pull.
It's a professional tool, but pretty much at homeowner price.
As for storing it, I just put it on my riding mower's seat. Doesn't take up any extra space over what the mower does.
It's a professional tool, but pretty much at homeowner price.
As for storing it, I just put it on my riding mower's seat. Doesn't take up any extra space over what the mower does.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Hand held, back pack or roll around ?
Stihl for the first 2.
If you have a really LARGE amount of leaves, Billy Goat or Little Wonder for the last.
Stihl for the first 2.
If you have a really LARGE amount of leaves, Billy Goat or Little Wonder for the last.
TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
corded sux. I swear, if I ever fall out of a plane I hope I have an extension cord- it will surely get caught on everything.
and I don't use mine enough for a nice gas one. whatchya think about battery? That's where I'm going. Just dunno which one yet....
I always had gas, except for my last one which was a toro electric...It was actually pretty powerfull, but it finally died... I went back to a stihl handheld, only becasue I have since put in a basketball court in the backyard, and it is easier to walk around the yard with a gas handheld then lug around the powercords for the electric...
Trey T
Well-known member
I borrowed my friend's top-of-the-line Stihl hand-held blower for two mowing events and I don't like it. My arm gets fatigued after awhile and it makes less enjoyable.
If you want to mow your lawn as long as you live, I believe a good backpack blower is the key!!!
If you want to mow your lawn as long as you live, I believe a good backpack blower is the key!!!
RedFordTruck
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 10, 2012
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Is this the one?? It is on sale for $119....Still a good deal, IMO...
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200481414_200481414
Thats the one. Must've gone up a tad but still a pretty good deal. In their July mail-out it was listed at $99.99
Jagmandave
Well-known member
Please don't get a backpack blower, several of my neighbors delight in using theirs to blow **** all over their yards every damn weekend - they're loud, obnoxious sounding and stink.
It's one thing when the pro's use them, they're usually done in a few minutes and on to the next job, but when my neighbors drag theirs out it's like they have the silly thing so they're gonna use it as much as they can to justify the purchase! They'll be out there for hours with the damn thing droning on.....and that's before leaf season starts!
I live in an area that has a lot of trees, and one of mine is a pin oak, which not only produces copious quantities of leaves but also drops about a half ton of nuts on my yard each year...to that end I made sure that my leaf blower/vac had a metal blade instead of a plastic one - when you hit one of those nuts with a plastic blade it just breaks. I bought a neat kit at Home Depot that consists of a cover that ties over a large trash barrel and about a 30 ft hose that attaches to the blower and that cover, that way as I mulch they automatically go into the barrel, saves an extra step and it works really well. I used to put the trash bag into the barrel first but now they don't allow that here, so I just blow them into the barrel and then pour the mulchings into the paper bags they allow for pickup.
It's one thing when the pro's use them, they're usually done in a few minutes and on to the next job, but when my neighbors drag theirs out it's like they have the silly thing so they're gonna use it as much as they can to justify the purchase! They'll be out there for hours with the damn thing droning on.....and that's before leaf season starts!
I live in an area that has a lot of trees, and one of mine is a pin oak, which not only produces copious quantities of leaves but also drops about a half ton of nuts on my yard each year...to that end I made sure that my leaf blower/vac had a metal blade instead of a plastic one - when you hit one of those nuts with a plastic blade it just breaks. I bought a neat kit at Home Depot that consists of a cover that ties over a large trash barrel and about a 30 ft hose that attaches to the blower and that cover, that way as I mulch they automatically go into the barrel, saves an extra step and it works really well. I used to put the trash bag into the barrel first but now they don't allow that here, so I just blow them into the barrel and then pour the mulchings into the paper bags they allow for pickup.
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todd_fuller
Well-known member
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- Jul 9, 2013
- Messages
- 301
I have the top-of-the-line Toro electric blower/vac. Works well, zero maintenance.
rlitman
Well-known member
Please don't get a backpack blower, several of my neighbors delight in using theirs to blow **** all over their yards every damn weekend - they're loud, obnoxious sounding and stink.
As for your loud, obnoxious and smelly neighbors, I'm sorry to hear about them.
But, I have a backpack blower. A Stihl BR 500. It is not loud. I can hold a conversation while using it, and it is quieter than most electric blowers. It is 4-stroke, so it does not stink either.
manioso
Well-known member
Personally, I use handheld gas blowers. I've got two of them, a Craftsman I bought for a $1 in 2005 and a later Craftsman I bought in 2012 for $2. Neither ran when I bought them, but was able to boil the carbs and then both start easily and run great. Love to get ethanol free gas, but it's not available in Jersey, and I won't drive to central PA to get it (300 miles r/t). Also use TCW-3 oil and have not had problems. Both engine only spin to 6500-7000rpm, so I don't need the exotic synthetics spec'd for 12,000rpm chain saws.
I keep two machines, so I have a backup, but have never had a failure. The 2012 machine is now my pimary, because it is a 32cc and has more grunt. Even so, I make sure the early one also gets a little exercise, and both are stored without fuel at the end of the fall leaf season.
I keep two machines, so I have a backup, but have never had a failure. The 2012 machine is now my pimary, because it is a 32cc and has more grunt. Even so, I make sure the early one also gets a little exercise, and both are stored without fuel at the end of the fall leaf season.
kgorman
Well-known member
I got a Stihl BG86 over a year ago. Amazing blower. Have Stihl trimmer, blower, and yard boss. Great stuff. Trimmer is >10 years old with no signs of stopping.
Bruce57
Well-known member
I recommend not buying a Craftsman. My wife bought me one, she meant well. It can be a pain to start and runs too lean. No adjustment on the carb to adjust. The only way I can get it rich enough is to partially close the choke.
expfcwintergreen
Well-known member
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- Oct 16, 2011
- Messages
- 157
I bought a Stihl handheld that was still supposed to be a professional model. It has functioned really well as a blower but not well at all as a vacume.
I just bought a Husqvarna backpack. To get a 2 yr extension on the warranty I had to buy 3 qt cans of Husqvarna premix fuel. The warranty extension offset the cost but 7 bucks a qt ain't cheap. It seems to be the same as what you are showing. It is 50:1, methanol free and contains fuel stabilizer. It is nice to know I can get it in other ratios for other 2 cycle machines. I might even try the 4 cycle stuff after I get the carb degunked on my Honda GX200 powered pressure washer.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Stihl and only use TruFuel.........
While it is expensive the best thing to come along in the last few years is TruFuel,
http://www.trufuel50.com/product-info/?gclid=CJ7agIrSg8ACFQQSMwodHmwAcQ
Stops all the damage from current fuels, stuff will start and run better.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
I have a Stihl BG86 with a vacuum kit. The vacuum kit should only be used for areas where blowing the leaves around isn't an option. Around bushes, rocks, difficult corners, etc. It just won't process large amounts of leaves.
Otherwise If you have a riding lawn mower, buy a yard sweeper to process large amounts of leaves.
Otherwise If you have a riding lawn mower, buy a yard sweeper to process large amounts of leaves.
kctyphoon
Banned
I bought one 3 years ago (maybe 4), and was deciding between the echo and Husqvarna. I have an echo trimmer for maybe 10 years now that's been great. Went to hd to buy the echo blower /vac, only.one left with the box all torn up. Just gave me a bad feeling so I got the Husqvarna instead.. the Husqvarna is pretty good, but I wish I went echo with that also. The Husqvarna can be temperamental with choke settings - I bought two and they were both the same. While the Husqvarna came with a fan tip in the box, I believe echo does offer one as an accessory. Also, the leaf collection bag from echo is black, Husqvarna is white, so it doesn't take long for it to start looking ******.
The echo trimmer has been basically flawless with some maintenance items replaced. The Husqvarna as stated can be a little annoying. Harder to start sometimes, doesnt wanna run full throttle sometimes - nothing horrible - but it's there, and remember - I've bought 2 - one a year newer than the next and it behaves the same. I wouldn't give up having the vac function though. It makes things alot easier. I have a push type leaf vac with a chipper also, but the handheld is much easier to use.
I've recently gotten some cordless stuff - string trimmer and blower - but the vac function on the gas unit assures it will have a home here.
The echo trimmer has been basically flawless with some maintenance items replaced. The Husqvarna as stated can be a little annoying. Harder to start sometimes, doesnt wanna run full throttle sometimes - nothing horrible - but it's there, and remember - I've bought 2 - one a year newer than the next and it behaves the same. I wouldn't give up having the vac function though. It makes things alot easier. I have a push type leaf vac with a chipper also, but the handheld is much easier to use.
I've recently gotten some cordless stuff - string trimmer and blower - but the vac function on the gas unit assures it will have a home here.
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
That is the classic indication that the idle/primary circuit in the carburetor is clogged.I recommend not buying a Craftsman. My wife bought me one, she meant well. It can be a pain to start and runs too lean. No adjustment on the carb to adjust. The only way I can get it rich enough is to partially close the choke.
Start by removing/emptying the fuel tank and rinse it out well. There is probably a small filter in the tank. replace it. Carrefully inspect all of the fuel lines. If they are starting to get stiff replace them. Dis-assemble the carburetor and probe all orifices with a single wire from a wire brush. Squirt everything down carb cleaner and re-assemble.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I had Stihl backpack leaf blower for about 15 years until it died.
Define "died". No start ? Probably a dirt carburetor or an air leak in the fuel system. Older fuel hoses get brittle and develop leaks. Replace all the hoses and the filter in the tank.
B T C
Well-known member
I have the Stihl KM 130 R Kombi unit with several attachments, including the blower. I'm just a home owner, and it might be overkill for my needs, but I love that thing. Having said that, I'm not aware of a vacuum option for the Kombi units.
Tinner
Well-known member
I've been meaning to get a blower for a while now. I got the Milwaukee M18 trimmer last year and love it. I tried out a friend's M18 blower and was not impressed, so I decided to go with a corded.
I picked this one up this morning at HD.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Ultra-250-MPH-350-CFM-Electric-12-Amp-Blower-Vacuum-Mulcher-51619/205746070
I'm really impressed with this machine. Plenty of power blowing and good power in vacuum mode. Metal impeller, fairly quiet (68 db), a bag and several cool nozzles. 2 year warranty.
It was marked $69.97 on the shelf, but rang up at regular price. They gave me the sale price when I bitched. Also had a $5.00 coupon for joining the HD Garden Club, So $65 and tax out the door.
Fleet Farm has a Woods brand 14ga, 100 foot cord on sale for $28, so I grabbed that on the way back from HD.
My girlfriend came out while I was test driving the new toy and she was so amazed, she ran out and got the same deal.
I picked this one up this morning at HD.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Ultra-250-MPH-350-CFM-Electric-12-Amp-Blower-Vacuum-Mulcher-51619/205746070
I'm really impressed with this machine. Plenty of power blowing and good power in vacuum mode. Metal impeller, fairly quiet (68 db), a bag and several cool nozzles. 2 year warranty.
It was marked $69.97 on the shelf, but rang up at regular price. They gave me the sale price when I bitched. Also had a $5.00 coupon for joining the HD Garden Club, So $65 and tax out the door.
Fleet Farm has a Woods brand 14ga, 100 foot cord on sale for $28, so I grabbed that on the way back from HD.
My girlfriend came out while I was test driving the new toy and she was so amazed, she ran out and got the same deal.
metaldad
Well-known member
my 2 stroke blower died.
picked up a toro 2 stroke from home crappo last year.
stupid plastic choke lever cracked off, at the bore hole.
no parts available.
bought a m18. works ok, i guess. (i hate cordless)
picked up a toro 2 stroke from home crappo last year.
stupid plastic choke lever cracked off, at the bore hole.
no parts available.
bought a m18. works ok, i guess. (i hate cordless)
kctyphoon
Banned
Finally used my m18 fuel gen1 blower - it's not the most powerful blower around, but it's more than sufficient for me. Filled up a 50 gallon garbage bag with all the leaves, dirt, and other **** it blew off the driveways. Best part was I was out after it got dark and didn't need to worry about annoying the neighbors.
timbitca
Well-known member
Please don't get a backpack blower, several of my neighbors delight in using theirs to blow **** all over their yards every damn weekend - they're loud, obnoxious sounding and stink.
It's one thing when the pro's use them, they're usually done in a few minutes and on to the next job, but when my neighbors drag theirs out it's like they have the silly thing so they're gonna use it as much as they can to justify the purchase! They'll be out there for hours with the damn thing droning on.....and that's before leaf season starts!
I live in an area that has a lot of trees, and one of mine is a pin oak, which not only produces copious quantities of leaves but also drops about a half ton of nuts on my yard each year...to that end I made sure that my leaf blower/vac had a metal blade instead of a plastic one - when you hit one of those nuts with a plastic blade it just breaks. I bought a neat kit at Home Depot that consists of a cover that ties over a large trash barrel and about a 30 ft hose that attaches to the blower and that cover, that way as I mulch they automatically go into the barrel, saves an extra step and it works really well. I used to put the trash bag into the barrel first but now they don't allow that here, so I just blow them into the barrel and then pour the mulchings into the paper bags they allow for pickup.
This to a certain extent. At my MIL's cottage, blowing off the needles and acorns from the decks is a near full time job. Has to be done every weekend when we get there, and depending on the temperature has to be done another time or two during the weekend. MIL's boyfriend has a Husqvarna blower/vacuum combo that works very well. Though being on a small private peninsula with a lot of cottages, I'm sure the noise can get annoying to neighbors. He recently upgraded his power tools to Ridgid and bought the blower too so now we use that for the regular cleanups and only bust out the Husqvarna for major jobs or when the vacuum is needed.
As for me, if the situation allows it I still prefer gas equipment, though I wouldn't mind having the Milwaukee battery blower too. I got lucky this spring and scored a heck of a deal on a Stihl SH86C on Kijiji for 100$. Thing was less than a year old and couldn't have been used more than 5-6 times.
I would never buy corded for myself, I absolutely loathe extension cords for anything that 1) gets used regularly and 2) is used outside of the garage seeing as I only have one power outlet outside of my house and it's in the front.
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I have Worx TURBINE WG520 corded leaf blower. It is really good. It is engineered to give a high volume air flow and show superior performance with a hyper stream nozzle attached.
Shills have zero shame sometimes
Lynden
Well-known member
I picked this one up this morning at HD.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Toro-Ultra-250-MPH-350-CFM-Electric-12-Amp-Blower-Vacuum-Mulcher-51619/205746070
I'm really impressed with this machine. Plenty of power blowing and good power in vacuum mode. Metal impeller, fairly quiet (68 db), a bag and several cool nozzles. 2 year warranty.
+1 on Toro Ultra.