Leafblowers.....

[shawn474]

Anyone have a recommendation on a reasonably priced backpack type leafblower? I have to blow approx. half an acre of heavily wooded yard. NO RAKING!!! I blow them through the back gates of the fence to a wooded area. Need something powerful!

Shawn

[PhantomOG]

Never used a backpack blower, but I bought a regular hand held gas powered Ryobi and it was a piece of crap. Took it back and paid more for an Echo and couldn't be happier. Looks like HD has an Echo backpack for 299 here

I paid 199 for the regular one and think it was worth it.

[bobman1235]

I have a recommendation - don't turn it on before 9AM on a weekend.

[Ron-P]

Use a broom.

[cmy330go]

Kinda hard to beat a Stihl. Everything I've ever used of theirs has always been great quality and long lasting. I think they start out around $350 for a backpack style blower.

[danger boy]

you guys are all rookies in leaf blowing and vacuuming LOL
this is the only thing that works, and works well. the Black and Decker BV4000 Leaf Hog
yeah I said HOG! ;)

it's great.. I have 4 hugemongous maples leaves that drop a helluva lotta leaves every fall. this has saved me from raking them up for the past 4 yrs now. i blow them into several large piles.. then I just vacuum them up into 33 gallon plastic bags. then I post the leaves for free pick up on Craigslist and wham. done deal. :) :)

http://www.blackanddecker.com/Produc...roductID=6216#

this is a newer one than mine.. mine comes with an attachment to attach right to your garbage can. and it mulches the leaves to about 1" small. :D

here is the vacuum bag attachment. http://www.blackanddecker.com/produc...ProductID=2542

[MSALLA]

Kinda hard to beat a Stihl. Everything I've ever used of theirs has always been great quality and long lasting. I think they start out around $350 for a backpack style blower.

Ditto....the best.

[woofiepaws]

Stihl here for 12 years. Weed whacker, leaf blower, chain saw, hedgetrimmer. All used hard and never a break down. Worth the every penny.

[bobman1235]

you guys are all rookies in leaf blowing and vacuuming LOL
this is the only thing that works, and works well. the Black and Decker BV4000 Leaf Hog
yeah I said HOG! ;)

Only two and a half stars on Amazon.

[ninerbj]

We have carried the STIHL brand for over 30 years and couldn't be happier with their products. We also had the B&D BV4000...until too many started coming back for warranty.
What price range you looking to stay in?

[DaveMuell]

We have carried the STIHL brand for over 30 years and couldn't be happier with their products. We also had the B&D BV4000...until too many started coming back for warranty.
What price range you looking to stay in?

Do you work at Stan Houston by any chance? If so, first rate place to do business.

Dave

[steveinaz]

So people really do buy leaf blowers...I'll be damned.

[John in MA]

There's a big different between a bad leaf blower and good one. Avoid homeowner brands.

Echo is about the best bang for the dollar. Their better lines are also quite competitive with other high-end stuff. Good parts support, too.

Stihl and Husqvarna are the two largest players in general outdoor tools. I'd probably prefer Stihl of the two, but that's just me. One downside to Stihl is that you can't get parts online or by mail. Expensive.

The best backpacks are made by smaller companies. Shindaiwa and Redmax. Most lawn services around here use them, along with sampling of the other makes.

Sachs-Dolmar and Solo also make good ones. They're smaller outfits from Europe with fewer dealers in the US.

I'm wondering, how would a push blower work in your situation? Much more oomph and less tiring to use.

[m00npie]

So people really do buy leaf blowers...I'll be damned.

It's a growth industry:D

[treitz3]

Avoid homeowner brands.....

...if you want to accomplish anything quickly.

[WilliamM2]

it's great.. I have 4 hugemongous maples leaves that drop a helluva lotta leaves every fall.

Four whole maple trees? You don't know what leaf cleanup is.:D

I've been very happy with my Echo leafblower. I clean a 1 acre lot, with about 50 trees on it, surrounded by acres and acres of more woods.

[I-SIG]

I'm disappointed in y'all. We have a bin and vacuum that goes on the back of our Grasshopper.

'Hopper with metal dump bin

Wes

[dorokusai]

Echo makes a nice backpack blower.

[RSTERN]

Check out the front mount video http://www.grasshoppermower.com/fm_imp_blower.php

[ninerbj]

yeah, been with Stan Houston Equipment for 15 years...how did you know that Dave?

[DaveMuell]

yeah, been with Stan Houston Equipment for 15 years...how did you know that Dave?

I used to live there from 1985 to 2000 - I still even own a house over by Lincoln HS. Stan Houston is THE FINEST tool store in the country. Good prices, great service, great selection. Above all, a knowledgable staff that understands that 90% of the folks that come in don't know what they don't know and need some expert advice. One of the 10 or so companies that I have ever done business with that I would rate "A+".

[apc]

Stihl sounds like a good investment. My yard is 1/2 to 3/4 acre. Think a backpack is overkill?

[John in MA]

I wouldn't even consider owning a handheld blower--too much strain on the wrist. Consider a push blower, too.

[dorokusai]

Absolutely.

[shawn474]

When your entire yard is covered with trees a handheld is not powerful enough and very tiring to use. I would like to get a backpack blower as it is much easier and less taxing to use. I am going to look at the echo's for now. Stihl is alittle to steep in price.

Thanks for all of the suggestions,
Shawn

[John in MA]

All the Echos are servicable, but I'd try to get whatever the second step up is. Their parts support really is great. I have a hedge trimmer they made for John Deere in the early '80s and they still stock even the large housing parts for it.