Off Topic: Handheld blower

[cbfarmall]

I'm seriously considering purchasing one to replace my old electric one. I have a substantial yard ringed with big oaks and am tired of stringing together 4 extension cords to get all the leaves up. Wasn't even able to finish last year.

The BG 85 seems to be pretty good, but I'm looking for other suggestions. Don't want a backpack model and probably I'll use it sporadically throughout the rest year. What does Echo offer that's decent? Any other brands/models?

I stopped in at Home Depot to have a look at the Echos--200 & 210. Have no idea how they fit into the lineup. I see limiter caps on the carb, but I bet I won't be able to get away from that.

Thanks for any comments, and now I'll let you get back to chainsaws.

Chris B.

 

[WoodTick007]

Don't waste your time with a handheld. Purchase either a walkbehind or backpack blower. Both will do the work of 2 handheld blowers in the same time frame.

Regards

007

 

[John in MA]

I'd seriously consider a backpack. I just have a small residential lot, and I'd never use anything less. Much easier to handle, more power, easier to walk around with.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

And best of all you can pretend to be a ghostbuster!:alien:

I have a BG85, does really well and since I have limited space in my truck so its my choice of blowers (and it was on special). I would look at the echos seriously, they are good kit for the $.

Timber

 

[sedanman]

You didn't hear this from me but, the only difference between the hand held Stihl blowers is the size of the exhaust nozzle. The hand helds are all 27cc. Buy a BG-55 and get the nozzle for a BG-85, instant hp increase. Or do what I did, get a BG-55 and grind the taper completely off the nozzle.

 

[cbfarmall]

Thanks for the responses. I realize that the backpack models are far better, but I can't justify the cost, especially if what sedanman is true. I suspected that nothing was different about the engine. Looks like some of the big differences between BG 85 and 55 are an extra piece on the base, elastostart handle and other assorted bells and whistles. I would consider an Echo if I knew anything about them. My Stihl/Echo dealer is only able to tell me what is on the info card.

Timber: I always thought it would be fun to be a ghostbuster. Maybe I wasted my time with an engineering degree.

Onto chainsaws: I picked up an 056 Super w/siezed engine on Ebay for $43.51. Ruppedoggy bid on it, but I never expected to win it.

Thanks again, Chris B.

 

[Frans]

Home Dept sells one of the best handheld commercial blowers on the market today.
The Echo PB201-E (it is orange)
Any shop person will tell you this is a great blower, well built and lots of blowing. It is light weight, has a heavy fan assembly and is easy to use. It does twist a bit under full acceleration but they all do that.
I am surprised no one else recommended this blower to you. It has been on the market for awhile and has a great reputation. Home Depot has it but you have to special order (I had to anyways)
Good luck!
Frans

 

[tony marks]

okay , if u want the strongest airvelocity ive seen in handheld. surprise its the craftsman 25cc .
now if u are clearing up leaves or parking lots ,u just as well go on and get a pro backpack. but if what u need is strong air velocity for clearing the plants that tend to be in gutters an such. the little 25 cc craftsman ,gets my vote.
it really is a 200mph blower i think.
i think enough of these that i have three backups ,as i never know when that unit will be discontinued.i get about 2yrs out of them,,with regular use.

 

[Grateful11]

I've got the Stihl SH-85 with the metal shredder blade on the impeller. I don't use the vac much but in around shrubs and bushs it works great. I think the BG/SH-85 is probably the most powerful handheld available. For the extra $20 you get the vaccum tubes and a nice collection bag. Don't forget the higher models in this series can be flipped over and held in your other hand via the bottom handle and it won't suck your pants into the fan. If you decide to go backpack, go look at the Poulan Pro at Lowe's, it got a nice Kawasaki engine. I'm not much for buying stuff like this at Lowe's but they're the only dealer around here selling Poulan Pro.

 

[Clem]

I have owned an Echo PB-1000 for quite a few years and it has been an excellent tool. Never needed any repair. Second pull start. It really sees more use clearing the garage and driveway than leaves in the yard, but I like to pick them up with a mower anyway. From my experience I always recommend the Echo.

 

[Dan F]

We haven't had any major problems with our PB-2400 Echo at work. Took it in this spring to get a new starter rope put on it and they also did some work on the carb. It'll scream now once it's warm. I think this is the third season on it. Does great for it's size, but I wish we had a backpack instead.

The 2400 is a blower/vac, and I know we are on at least our second, if not third, bag for it.

Like everything else 2 cycle, I think longevity is directly linked to quality of gas mix....

If you intend to get one with a vaccum attachment, look at how the muffler is placed. A company I worked for while in school had bought one (a Husky(?) I believe), and when you were using the vaccum attachment, the exhaust was blowing right up into your face. VERY serious design flaw on someone's part.......


Dan

 

[Bill G]

I just have to play the devil's advocate here but why in the world do you need a blower. I realize that is you have a large amount of closely spaced oaks the leaves may be a little thick but they should still be fine. Run over them with the mower a couple times a let them be. They wil break down and provide a nominal amout of N.

Now I actually am interested in a blower but I do not think anyone makes one big enough for my use. I want a blower/vac that has emough suction to suck of corn and blow it about 20 feet. I am getting tired of shoveling out bins when the sweep auger stops.


Just my random thoughts open for agruement

Bill

 

[cbfarmall]

Everybody, again thanks for all the input.

Bill G: Twenty-five years ago, the leaves would fall off the trees knee-deep in some spots. Some of those trees in the yard have since been cut down, but it's still considerable. I don't believe a blower to be a waste of money at all. Also, I rather enjoy blowing the leaves into piles, dragging them on a tarp to the fire pit, and spend a couple afternoons/evenings burning them. Seriously.

My dog hates it when I toss her frisbee into a 4 foot deep pile. She's tiny and gets buried, but she'll always come out with it.

I'm leaning towards the Stihl mainly because I have two good dealers within 20 minutes. They also get a kick out of me restoring old 045/056s, and one of the employees remembers selling all the oldies. And at least it comes with a 2-year warranty, unlike the saws.

Thanks, Chris Bean

 

[sedanman]

Rocky, When the leaves fall at my house they can be 4" deep. After shredding there will be 40 or so garbage bags full. Cleaning this up with a hand held will cause the muscles in my forearms to lock up (constant fighting of gyroscopic force) I have only 1/3 acre and NEED my BR-400 to clean up leaves. My BG-55 serves as a gas powered broom. Enough leaves fall in my yard to fill my 24' pool

 

[sedanman]

I was refering to the gyroscopic force of the fan, don't suppose I could remove that though! The fan wants to stay in one plane of motion but blowing leaves requires that I "sweep" the nozzle from side to side thus upsetting the inertia of the fan, With a backpack the fan does not have to sweep with the nozzle.

 

[Bill G]

I hate to admit it but I do have a blower. I bought one for $5 with the intention of building a hoovercraft. My 5 year old grabbed it and strted blowing rocks out of the driveway into the yard. I guess he just didn't understand. After he was done I "put it away" and he forgot we had it.

Bill

 

[sedanman]

I can't beleive I'm saying this but, Homelite has some very innovative features on some of their blowers. They have a kill switch spring loaded to the on position, makes it harder to flood , a choke linked to the throttle and the exhaust blows right down the nozzle (discharge temp not noticeably higher than other models. The only problem with the Hoomelites is the poor quality