Redmax blowers have always worked great for me.
BTW the carbs are tunable and will run well on any oil ratio you chose once tuned properly. The LS in particular is very lean on these from the factory.
What's the best backpack blower on the market?
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BTW the carbs are tunable and will run well on any oil ratio you chose once tuned properly. The LS in particular is very lean on these from the factory.
WI_Hedgehog
You bought a WHAT???!!
Thank you for the tip. This one's plug looks like it's running a bit rich, and in 2-strokes I'm good with that.
Hello all, I figured this is the hottest blower thread around on a forum I trust, so it seems the best place to pose a blower question? Forgive me if I should have started a new thread!
I'm giving serious consideration to a backpack blower. I own a Stihl SH-86 which I find I make two or more passes with to get the desired result. Unlike you blokes in the Northern hemisphere, I don't get the carpet of leaves in autumn from a multitude of deciduous trees, but a mix of spent flowers (star jasmine) that will stick onto pavers and constantly dropping leaves, bark and hard nuts (various Eucalypts, Lophostemon Confertus). From now until maybe January, the Lophostemon shed leaves, bark and nuts like there is no tomorrow and they're used as verge street trees, so their debris gets everywhere. Give it a day or two after a clean up with the rotary mower, and the lawn is covered again. I've attached a photo I took a couple of years ago of the verge lawn two hours after an entire clean up!
I'd be keen to hear from anyone running a Stihl BR-450. It will not be used commercially, and the sides of the house can be quite tight to swing the SH-86, but no less full of leaves. I want directional control and more oomph than the SH-86. It seems like the most compact with the most speed, which I think will be more important than volume for my application. Would be helpful to move hedge clippings onto the lawn for the rotary to then pick up, which the SH-86 kinda is okay at but I could do with better.
Mainly dry conditions but would find use in the winter if it had the guts. Don't usually bother with the SH-86 in the wet for obvious reasons!
For those that run the BR-450, would you think I'm on the right track? Any glaring shortcomings? Compact? Reckon enough power for the proposed use case? Quiet, relatively speaking, since I'm in suburbia?
I suspect the BR-700 is overkill, same as the Shindaiwa EB-770. The Echo PB-760LN is in the mix but the BR-450 seems to have the numbers on it. Hoosq models seem to be all (580BTS) or nothing (345BT). Very happy to consider these models or others, but the BR-450 seems to be in its own segment. 2-Mix/4-Mix/2-Stroke/4-Stroke are all acceptable.
Much appreciate your experiences and opinions.
I'm giving serious consideration to a backpack blower. I own a Stihl SH-86 which I find I make two or more passes with to get the desired result. Unlike you blokes in the Northern hemisphere, I don't get the carpet of leaves in autumn from a multitude of deciduous trees, but a mix of spent flowers (star jasmine) that will stick onto pavers and constantly dropping leaves, bark and hard nuts (various Eucalypts, Lophostemon Confertus). From now until maybe January, the Lophostemon shed leaves, bark and nuts like there is no tomorrow and they're used as verge street trees, so their debris gets everywhere. Give it a day or two after a clean up with the rotary mower, and the lawn is covered again. I've attached a photo I took a couple of years ago of the verge lawn two hours after an entire clean up!
I'd be keen to hear from anyone running a Stihl BR-450. It will not be used commercially, and the sides of the house can be quite tight to swing the SH-86, but no less full of leaves. I want directional control and more oomph than the SH-86. It seems like the most compact with the most speed, which I think will be more important than volume for my application. Would be helpful to move hedge clippings onto the lawn for the rotary to then pick up, which the SH-86 kinda is okay at but I could do with better.
Mainly dry conditions but would find use in the winter if it had the guts. Don't usually bother with the SH-86 in the wet for obvious reasons!
For those that run the BR-450, would you think I'm on the right track? Any glaring shortcomings? Compact? Reckon enough power for the proposed use case? Quiet, relatively speaking, since I'm in suburbia?
I suspect the BR-700 is overkill, same as the Shindaiwa EB-770. The Echo PB-760LN is in the mix but the BR-450 seems to have the numbers on it. Hoosq models seem to be all (580BTS) or nothing (345BT). Very happy to consider these models or others, but the BR-450 seems to be in its own segment. 2-Mix/4-Mix/2-Stroke/4-Stroke are all acceptable.
Much appreciate your experiences and opinions.
timberslayer
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I've owned a 450 for almost 5 years at this point, it's been a rock solid blower in that time. I've never felt a lack of power for anything I've used it on (mostly clearing leaves from our property) and the leaves are fairly dense in the fall down South where I'm at. Some people complain about the straps and the back pad being uncomfortable, but I personally have never had an issue with the comfort.
It does feel a bit louder than an Echo 770 or a Stihl 600, but it's not as loud as an Echo 9010 or the big Redmax blowers. As long as you're wearing good ear protection you'll be fine
It does feel a bit louder than an Echo 770 or a Stihl 600, but it's not as loud as an Echo 9010 or the big Redmax blowers. As long as you're wearing good ear protection you'll be fine
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I've not run a BR450, buf I have a BR600 that has always worked great for me. Ww have a ton of wet leaves this time of year and the 600 has no problem with sticking leaves to cement or asphalt. Nice quite idle and less noise than a big two stroke when the throttle is wide open. Also check out the ergonomics as some backpacks will be more comfortable than others.
We just had this conversation at our hunting cabin.
Guy showed up with an X series Echo backpack 79.9 CC.
He said he could blow his kids out of the yard
Guy showed up with an X series Echo backpack 79.9 CC.
He said he could blow his kids out of the yard
Of the ones you mentioned i would go with the Husky then the Echo/Shindaiwa .
I would avoid the 4mix engine like the plague.
Never had an issue with my 4-Mix (BR600) in over 12 years of HEAVY spring and fall use, (though it may be time for a valve adjustment). LOL
If Stihl is where you want to go, you wil immediately regret not going with the BR600 for the situation you describe. Anything else from any brand would be overkill in my opinion. For the extra money, you'll be glad you bought the more capable unit (and perennial workhorse by whose benchmark most others have been compared to for years) over the 450. A little heavier, but it won't be hanging on your shoulders as long, either. You won't look back.
If Stihl is where you want to go, you wil immediately regret not going with the BR600 for the situation you describe. Anything else from any brand would be overkill in my opinion. For the extra money, you'll be glad you bought the more capable unit (and perennial workhorse by whose benchmark most others have been compared to for years) over the 450. A little heavier, but it won't be hanging on your shoulders as long, either. You won't look back.
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While I do not use my BR600 commercially, most pro's around here do. I see the 600's more than 450, 700, or 800's by a lot.
And I hear rumors of a 95 CC for next year. I have a Shindaiwa EB810RT which is the same as the echo. The EB910 is the newer model. It will absolutely trounce the competition, the people over at the Weather Chanel get all upset every time I start it up.We just had this conversation at our hunting cabin.
Guy showed up with an X series Echo backpack 79.9 CC.
He said he could blow his kids out of the yard
When it comes to BP blowers too much is better than not enough. I'd buy the most powerful unit of the brand you prefer. When the leaves get wet, it's windy, your cleaning off driveways or blowing snow the added power is welcome.
If your only using it for small jobs get a hand held.
If your only using it for small jobs get a hand held.
Ta muchly everyone, for taking the time to respond.
timberslayer, good to hear that you have run the 450 with nothing to really complain about. There doesn't seem to be a lot of you out there, at least not on the internet, running that model.
For those running and loving the 600, sadly for me, the 600 is a non starter as Stihl Australia does not carry it. 350; 450; 700; and 800 only. I checked the USA website and you have a lot more choice. I was actually under the impression the 600 was not being produced anymore until I checked! Going by numbers, the 450 seems as close as I can get to a 600 in the Stihl stable here.
I guess I'll have to go and throw them on my back and check out the comfort and ergonomics. I'm at a loss as to how the Echo PB-760 is so much behind, at least on paper, to its relation the Shindaiwa EB770, when they're both in the 60cc class. Reading the emissions specs, looks like they're honest to goodness, plain old non stratified two strokes. At least the Echo, anyway? Maybe that's the difference in engine output?
bwalker, I am usually in agreement that too much power is barely enough. I just wonder if in tight confines and long narrow sides of the house massive volume might make my life harder! Otherwise I could not resist a 79.9cc monster.
Or as StoneyMeadowMaple says, a 95cc?! That's something I'd need to try at least once if true!!
timberslayer, good to hear that you have run the 450 with nothing to really complain about. There doesn't seem to be a lot of you out there, at least not on the internet, running that model.
For those running and loving the 600, sadly for me, the 600 is a non starter as Stihl Australia does not carry it. 350; 450; 700; and 800 only. I checked the USA website and you have a lot more choice. I was actually under the impression the 600 was not being produced anymore until I checked! Going by numbers, the 450 seems as close as I can get to a 600 in the Stihl stable here.
I guess I'll have to go and throw them on my back and check out the comfort and ergonomics. I'm at a loss as to how the Echo PB-760 is so much behind, at least on paper, to its relation the Shindaiwa EB770, when they're both in the 60cc class. Reading the emissions specs, looks like they're honest to goodness, plain old non stratified two strokes. At least the Echo, anyway? Maybe that's the difference in engine output?
bwalker, I am usually in agreement that too much power is barely enough. I just wonder if in tight confines and long narrow sides of the house massive volume might make my life harder! Otherwise I could not resist a 79.9cc monster.
Or as StoneyMeadowMaple says, a 95cc?! That's something I'd need to try at least once if true!!Similar threads
