Backpack Leaf Blowers

blue 07

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I live in New Hampshire and leaf cleanup is ongoing and I have had 3 different leaf blowers in the past, but my favorite by far is the Redmax 6500 model, if your looking to keep it long term and blow some crazy amount of leaves ! 232 mph and starts every time. Get the best you can afford, cleanup is faster and easier and your better off paying $5-600 once for an awesome machine than paying $300 twice for a lesser machine.
 

gtmustang00

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I own a landscaping business. I have all Stihl tools, and when I first started I bought a Stihl br600. Then I bought the Redmax 8500. That blower is a Hurricane in a box. It is suppose to be comparable to the Stihl 800. The Stihl 700 is a POS.
 

GodStang

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We have had this one from Lowes for years and it works great:

blowe.jpg
 

matab14

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Surprised no one mentioned a GreenWorks. I have about 2 acres back in the woods. I bought a GreenWorks last fall. It's battery powered yes and last about 45min to hour. Worked great for me and it charges in like 30min time. So I basically madea big pile for about 45min. Charged it and burnt said pile while it charged it.
 

lilcoop03

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My 80V Kobalt works like a champ. In fact, I ended up buying the weed trimmer that uses the same battery and it is awesome too. These tools are excellent for residential use. I got 2 batteries and 2 chargers, batteries charge up in 20 minutes or less and they usually last a good 30-45 mins at max load. I always though the battery powered tools where weak but damn its nice when they do just as good of a job as gas ones and you don't have to mix gas or mess with typical 2 stroke engine issues. You can also use them in your house/garage if needed and don't have to worry about the fumes.
 

Dusten

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Home owner here looking for advice on which leaf blower to buy. I’m a fan of my Stihl chainsaw. So I’m tempted to stay with their product line, but I have no loyalties.

Looking for a backpack style leaf blower. Going back and forth between Stihl vs Echo. What are you guys using?
I have a br650 and love it. Bought it used. Had it serviced after I bought it and no issues since. I have a few acres and lots of trees so it is a god send.
 

CobraBob

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I have 1.5 acres with heavy leaves. I've owned 2 Stihl handheld blowers, an Echo backpack blower and a walk-behind push blower.

The hand held blowers are great for clearing grass clippings/debris from driveways - also for getting leaves away from house and around bushes. Easy to handle.

The backpack is great for heavier volumes. Per the comment above - I never thought the weight an issue until I made the mistake of leaning over with it on to clear leaves from under a deck and did a number on my lower back
, which I'm still sort of dealing with.

The walk behind blower is great for big jobs - especially if you're just blowing leaves into the woods like my case and not collecting. Obviously you can't use one to clear leaves close to the house.

The backpack is the best compromise if you have lots of leaves to clear.


Here is the backpack I purchased - I bought from a lawn equipment store for the same price as HD but agree with all the favorable reviews - I can't see a need to spend another couple hundred over this one for the commercial grade units which don't offer an appreciable improvement. MPH was more important than volume for my application.


ECHO 215 MPH 510 CFM 58.2cc Gas 2-Stroke Cycle Backpack Leaf Blower with Tube Throttle-PB-580T - The Home Depot
I highlighted your great actual use comments. I totally agree.

My own experience follows. We have a 1/2 acre lot and the hand held is great like around the shed or around bushes, but a royal pain for clearing the entire back hard. After a short time your right arm will ache, and then you'll switch to your left until IT aches. Back and forth! A backback blower, while heavier, is much more comfortable overall when doing a whole lot because its balanced on your back. Just be careful not to bend completely over, like @Mackie said. My next door neighbor has a backpack blower and he just cuts through his back yard in rapid time...while I plod along with my hand held.
 

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