My BR600's tale of woe and intrigue...

[RunIt]

I posted about my search on the first page.

Sorry, I had planned on going back to the alternate suggestions involving switching to a 2-stroke when I resolved the dealer misinformation...which you seem to have thankfully took care of in short order .

Now that I've put two and two together and realize that you are actually the one in the YouTube videos painstakingly bringing those four BR600s back to life...and then purchasing/modifying a Shindaiwa...the choice for me became pretty clear. Really hate to give up on the Stihl as i always felt that it was extremely light on my back, comfortable over long periods and that it didn't rattle my teeth or eardrums but this is a big decision for me in regards to my favorite tool and I really appreciate your sticking with me through the decision process.

Thanks again to all who chimed in and I hope that I can return the favor on here someday as well.

Any thoughts on why you went with the next smaller model Shindaiwa as opposed to the biggest one? I ask because I really want all of the volume/pressure that I can possibly get if the sun gets to the snow before I do.

 

[RAMROD48]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. There is no place for a cam and valves on a blower/trimmer/chainsaw, especially when the camshaft is made out of plastic like on the Stihl 4-mix motors. The 4-mix engines are the definition of CHEAP JUNK in my humble opinion.

Man all of my 4 mix customers are gonna be pissed at me when they read this...

its a good thing they will now the truth about their trimmers and blowers that they have loved for the last 8 years or so...

What do you think they should run instead?

 

[komatsuvarna]

If Im not mistaken, I think the Stihl Ultra oil was actually designed for the 4 mixers in the first place. Im sure they're a fine blower, But I perfer the more simple 2 cycle design.

I just went through about the same deal. Id been wanting a backpack blower, but decided to wait till the off season to pick a used one up...hopefully at a good deal. I could have got several BR600s, but I done decided to stay away from the 4 mixs. I ended up picking a a smaller BR420 with low hours in good shape. It'll do what I need it to with no problem, and with no valves.

 

[RunIt]

The BR600's have been very durable since the improvements. I'm pretty sure the group of 600's Brad had were beat to death commercial junk. By the way they looked, its a testiment to their durability, as some or all were not updated with the improved engines. Stihl manned up and repaired them even if out of warranty.

Thanks albert. I'll report back tomorrow to tell you what the Stihl rep says about my issue (hopefully get a better cause/effect nailed down as well?) and lock in the serial number/approximate manufacture date for certain. I hate to give up before then but there's something about seeing your favorite toy torn up and scattered in a box that doesn't give one much hope (that and the fact that it's like $200 just for the main casting that the valve guide went through alone).

 

[RAMROD48]

Brad, I have four (4) BR600's that get used H A R D for 9 months out of the year. During leaf season, they only stop to have fuel put in them. I have not experienced any failures, let alone catastrophic failures. Maybe I just got lucky or maybe it's the HP Ultra and 93 octane they get fed? Either way, I wouldn't hesitate to buy four more of 'em.

Before I converted all of my 2-stroke stuff to STIHL, I used RedMax exclusively and I have had way fewer problems with the STIHL equipment. I wouldn't be opposed to running Shindaiwa hand helds but I have no dealer support in this area.

The only failures we ever see are when there is MULTIPLE users and people who dont know what they are doing puts "mix" in them.

I sell about 3-4 dozen a year...If I get 1 or 2 a year back for major problems its alot. In the 6-7 (if I remember right) that these have been out, I have 3 that were beyond repair due to engine failure. and amazingly enough:msp_wink: 2 of those were straight gassed...and the 3rd the customer wasnt sure what his "legals" did to it...and frankly, neither am I...lol

 

[RunIt]

Man all of my 4 mix customers are gonna be pissed at me when they read this...

its a good thing they will now the truth about their trimmers and blowers that they have loved for the last 8 years or so...
What do you think they should run instead?

I'm glad that you posted the above as I should mention in full disclosure that I have a Stihl pole saw and trimmer with the 4-mix engines that start/run beautifully every time!

 

[RAMROD48]

I'm glad that you posted the above as I should mention in full disclosure that I have a Stihl pole saw and trimmer with the 4-mix engines that start/run beautifully every time!

Mixing the wrong fuel is not Stihls fault, not that you did.

The BR600 has one of if not the best power to weight ratios out there.

I personally have one that gets used EVERY DAY without fail. Its used to blow out the isles in all the barns at the horse farm I caretake for. It probably has 500 hours on it. Starts 1st or second pull every time. We also use it to to clean the leaves up around the 35 acres.

This fall alone it had about 75+ hours put on it.

 

[blsnelling]

Admittedly, those that I had here were beat to death. However, none of them were seized. All of them failed because of the 4-Mix valvetrain. The biggest problems stem from not using the right oil and not keeping the valves adjusted. This guy did neither. But again, those are only issues because the were 4-mixes. They simply aren't the low maintenance tool that the market demands. I do believe that most problems were corrected with the introduction of hardened valve seats and improved valves. I'm just not a fan. The Ultra oil at no more than 50:1 is a requirement as well as regular valve adjustments.

 

[RAMROD48]

Admittedly, those that I had here were beat to death. However, none of them were seized. All of them failed because of the 4-Mix valvetrain. The biggest problems stem from not using the right oil and not keeping the valves adjusted. This guy did neither. But again, those are only issues because the were 4-mixes. They simply aren't the low maintenance tool that the market demands. I do believe that most problems were corrected with the introduction of hardened valve seats and improved valves. I'm just not a fan. The Ultra oil at no more than 50:1 is a requirement as well as regular valve adjustments.

So all but 2 of the units (trimmers and blowers) that I have sold have been thrown in the trash when they started running bad?

I ask because i have done a total of 1 valve adjust on a 600 and one on a FS 110...also only had 1 FS110 that needed to be decarbonized....

I guess my customers just dont use their stuff...

I can assure you that very few will spend the money on the Ultra.

Oh and by the way I am going to do a little bragging here. I have a FS110, FS130, BR600. They are all run on the regular HP oil. The 130 is 5 years old. NEVER opened the valve cover, dont see a need if the thing starts and runs for 10-20 hours a week ever year. (from early March to early Nov) I have the hedge trimmer and chainsaw heads and also run metal blades to clear brush with the 2 trimmers.

I have had Echo, and Husky's before that never held up like this.

Plain and Simply the 4Mix is a great motor.

 

[RunIt]

"..Mixing the wrong fuel is not Stihls fault, not that you did.."

You're right, I didn't and always ran the Ultra religously because I simply believed that this was indeed 'the deal' before I ever laid down my money for it. What I didn't know about was the whole engine issue drama at or around that time(?) until just after the purchase...which is why I'm kind of curious as to what the date/serial# is in relation and what the rep says tomorrow.

 

[blsnelling]

So all but 2 of the units (trimmers and blowers) that I have sold have been thrown in the trash when they started running bad?

I ask because i have done a total of 1 valve adjust on a 600 and one on a FS 110...also only had 1 FS110 that needed to be decarbonized....

I guess my customers just dont use their stuff...

I can assure you that very few will spend the money on the Ultra.

Oh and by the way I am going to do a little bragging here. I have a FS110, FS130, BR600. They are all run on the regular HP oil. The 130 is 5 years old. NEVER opened the valve cover, dont see a need if the thing starts and runs for 10-20 hours a week ever year. (from early March to early Nov) I have the hedge trimmer and chainsaw heads and also run metal blades to clear brush with the 2 trimmers.

I have had Echo, and Husky's before that never held up like this.

Plain and Simply the 4Mix is a great motor.

Are you denying that there were some major issues with the earlier BR600s? Redesigns of the cylinder and valves were for nothing? Developement of Ultra oil the same?

 

[Andyshine77]

Sorry to say but the BR600 blower is a complete pos!!! IMHO. Not only have I seen how they are made, {not well} and I've seen the few Brad had and numerous 600's sitting in the garbage at my dealer. My local dealer whom I've know for some time says, in his words, even with the upgrades the 600's are still unreliable for commercial applications. The 550 has the same engine with a different housing and fan, this puts less stress on the engine, and they have been more reliable in this area.

I'd look at a Shin, Echo or Redmax.

 

[Frank Boyer]

Does anyone have the serial numbers/date of manufacture for the improved units? I bought a used BR600 and after 3-4 tanks it quit. I found the intake boot clamp loose and cleaned out the carb. It runs fine now.

 

[stihl86]

Sorry to say but the BR600 blower is a complete pos!!! IMHO. Not only have I seen how they are made, {not well} and I've seen the few Brad had and numerous 600's sitting in the garbage at my dealer. My local dealer whom I've know for some time says, in his words, even with the upgrades the 600's are still unreliable for commercial applications. The 550 has the same engine with a different housing and fan, this puts less stress on the engine, and they have been more reliable in this area.

I'd look at a Shin, Echo or Redmax.

Red Max just had a stop sell order on some of their blowers. So.........
maybe shindawa or echo are the perfect tool.

 

[bcorradi]

Red Max just had a stop sell order on some of their blowers. So.........
maybe shindawa or echo are the perfect tool.

Don't worry Andyshine will vote for anything except Stihl

 

[RAMROD48]

Are you denying that there were some major issues with the earlier BR600s? Redesigns of the cylinder and valves were for nothing? Developement of Ultra oil the same?

I am not denying anything Brad, however I dont base my opinion on the BR600 on a bunch (read 4 if I remember correctly) of heavily ADUSED units that you worked on, thats not hardly fair to the BR600 and you know it...

I am basing it on real world experience from selling, to owning, to using, and to repairing. End of story.

 

[blsnelling]

I am not denying anything Brad, however I dont base my opinion on the BR600 on a bunch (read 4 if I remember correctly) of heavily ADUSED units that you worked on, thats not hardly fair to the BR600 and you know it...

I am basing it on real world experience from selling, to owning, to using, and to repairing. End of story.

My opinion certainly isn't just based on those 6 I had. It's more importantly based on the fact that Stihl had serious issues with this model, requiring a significant redesign. Stihl may have originally set the standard for blower performance with that model, but there are more powerful blowers out there now, that are far simpler, don't have the required maintenance, and excellent track records.

 

[RAMROD48]

My opinion certainly isn't just based on those 6 I had. It's more importantly based on the fact that Stihl had serious issues with this model, requiring a significant redesign. Stihl may have originally set the standard for blower performance with that model, but there are more powerful blowers out there now, that are far simpler, don't have the required maintenance, and excellent track records.

What are the weights of these blowers?

 

[blsnelling]

What are the weights of these blowers?

It's been a year since I did the research, so don't remember. I bought a Shindaiwa EB801. Is a simple 2-stroke and had a nearly flawless track record. Redmax makes a great blower as well. Also, my Shindaiwa has a pro design engine with a split crankcase and bolt on cylinder. The BR600 is a clamshell. Score the cylinder...buy a whole new engine, requiring a complete tear down of the blower.

 

[K&L Landscaping]

What are the weights of these blowers?

Here are some of the specs of the only competition STIHL has in the blower market:

1) Echo PB770- 63.3cc/23.8 pounds

2) Redmax EBZ8500- 75.6cc/24.7 pounds

3) Shindaiwa EB854- 79.7cc/25.4 pounds

4) Shindaiwa EB8520- 79.7cc/25.6 pounds

5) STIHL BR600 Magnum- 64.8cc/21.6 pounds

Kawasaki and Tanaka are producing commercial grade backpacks but Echo, Redmax, Shindaiwa and STIHL are really the only show in town when it comes to serious, commercial grade blowers. The big Husky's are just a rebadged Redmax so I didn't include them in the spec list.