backpack leaf blowers

T77911S · 02-22-2018, 04:33 AM

once again trying to buy something and cant decide, and of course the one I buy I will probably hate.

narrowed it done to the redmax 8500 and stiihl br700 then I saw this one,
Maruyama BL9000 , highest CFM but not sure how accurate all tests are and not sure if the small differences are a big deal.
I saw a review were the guy said this one does not circulate the air, which I am just doing my yard so not sure if that is a deal breaker,

I have LOTS of leaves and looking for a good way to deal with them.
I have ZT with a bagger but man that thing just COVERS me with dust and dirt.
will still use it but hoping to get most of the leaves taken care of some other way that is easier.

Rickysa · 02-22-2018, 04:40 AM

KFC911 · 02-22-2018, 05:30 AM

Top of the line...either Redmax or Stihl....no brainer....have no clue about the other one

KFC911 · 02-22-2018, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickysa

I only watched a few seconds....reminds me of a Bill Dance fishin' show....my leaves don't behave like that

KFC911 · 02-22-2018, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

...

I have LOTS of leaves and looking for a good way to deal with them.
I have ZT with a bagger but man that thing just COVERS me with dust and dirt.
will still use it but hoping to get most of the leaves taken care of some other way that is easier.

Oh yeah...I bought a Cyclone Rake last fall...should've done it years ago....

Sunroof · 02-22-2018, 06:45 AM

Tons of leaves where I am...and I mean tons!!!
Looked at reviews, talked to folks and settled on the Husaqvarna backpack model that blows 250+ mph. They can be uncomfortable on the shoulders if not adjusted right, but , wow does it clear leaves out fast. Best bang for the buck! Love it...........

willtel · 02-22-2018, 06:49 AM

I've got the BR700 and I've been happy with it. My other Stihl stuff has been trouble free and I'm surrounded by Stihl dealers so it was the obvious choice for me.

T77911S · 02-22-2018, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

Oh yeah...I bought a Cyclone Rake last fall...should've done it years ago....

i looked at the cyclone rake a few years back. never could come off the $$ for one.
then we had the kid to do the raking, not sure that was easier or better. kids are gone now I have to do it.

I have to wear ear protection, eye protection and face mask when using the mower to pick up leaves. I still cough and hack for 2 days after not to mention digging eye buggers and barn buggers out.

was actually leaning towards the redmaxx. that seemed to be the standard the others are compared to.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

Can't go too far wrong with Stihl but having said that I'm in the Husqvarna camp. I have a 150BT and love it. I get a lot of leaves from several maple trees and have no problem moving them wet or dry.

LWJ · 02-22-2018, 05:38 PM

350bt for Christmas. I have a ton to big leaf maples. Blows wet leaves no problem. I am very pleased with it.

An alternative option.

KFC911 · 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabmando

Can't go too far wrong with Stihl but having said that I'm in the Husqvarna camp...

I love Husqvarna stuff..none of the dealers sell or service them here though

. On the top few Stihls...it used to be the motor was the same and the air-flow design/hose made the difference in braggin' rights....all them big boyyz will move some air....I have an older echo that still blows

Don't see many Redmax products here....uncle has a mid-size blower and the big commercial dealer carries their line of blowers & saws as of a couple of years ago....awesome stuff.

T77911S · 02-23-2018, 04:48 AM

https://opereviews.com/landscaping/leaf-blowers/best-backpack-blower-shootout/

the Husqvarna has moved to the top but am leaning towards the stihl only because of fuel mileage. smaller tank=less weight but same run time.
it is the parent company of the redmax

KFC911 · 02-23-2018, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

https://opereviews.com/landscaping/leaf-blowers/best-backpack-blower-shootout/

the Husqvarna has moved to the top but am leaning towards the stihl only because of fuel mileage. smaller tank=less weight but same run time.
it is the parent company of the redmax

I just read that about Redmax earlier...maybe the same as Husqvarna but made in Japan w/ available parts? All the big one's will kick butt...my local goto dealer only carries stuff a pro would....Redmax, Stihl, Echo. When I've asked about Husq there and at other places before, and why they didn't carry...parts, support, etc. I dunno...Stihl might have just bribed them

.

VincentVega · 02-23-2018, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

i looked at the cyclone rake a few years back. never could come off the $$ for one.
then we had the kid to do the raking, not sure that was easier or better. kids are gone now I have to do it.

I have to wear ear protection, eye protection and face mask when using the mower to pick up leaves. I still cough and hack for 2 days after not to mention digging eye buggers and barn buggers out.

was actually leaning towards the redmaxx. that seemed to be the standard the others are compared to.

I got a cyclone a before last season. Also meant I had to get a tractor. yeah, $$ up front but it works. I could have gotten a cheaper model but the hopper holds tons of leaves and I really like the vac hose attachment. Simplifies beds and berms. Thing is, I still use a blower and a rake, I dont think anything out there is a 100% solution.

I've spent a ton of hours with a backpack blower, nothing like leaking fuel mix down your leg. I'm currently using a mid level handheld blower, dont really need to backpack with the cyclone.

T77911S · 02-23-2018, 06:44 AM

I have a ZT mower.
not sure if the cyclone would work with it.

what are the cyclones, almost $2k for one no?

VincentVega · 02-23-2018, 06:46 AM

I think you can still get a smaller one for ~1500 but the bigger vers are 2k + I've seen them on a zt, but ymmv . One thing I liked was each used model I called about was sold. At least my $$ leaf vac has some resale value

T77911S · 02-23-2018, 06:53 AM

the husq is going to be 4.5lb heavier with fuel, good thing that fuel will run down fast, it also has the cooling as the stihl does not.
don't know if the cooling is a big deal but the review also said husq was most comfortable.

T77911S · 02-23-2018, 07:05 AM

I ordered the husq.

535 and free shipping.

wish me happy blowing.....did rawknees hear that

T77911S · 03-12-2018, 03:30 AM

well I finally got my husqi.
don't go thru discount bandit. I ordered it, put in my CC info and waited. week later I call and get the company that was suppose to ship it. they said they sent me an invoice. I said I paid already.
nope I didn't.

anyway, that sucker blows.
had it on my back for around 5 hrs Saturday, maybe more. went thru about 4-5 tanks.
man I was sore that night and the next day. actually went and did my neighbors front yard sunday.

I am quite surprised at it. it will get leaves that out that are imbedded deep in the grass. does not work as well with tall grass, which I did cut first hoping to loosen up the leaves.
my wife raked part of the front. that worked really well because I could easily go back and blow what the rake WOULD NOT GET.

still very slow though.
had to do it much like raking. had a line or row and would move it forward in columns 2ft x about 6ft, then do the next column.
lots of walking backwards and sideways. that made me sore.
my neighbors leaves were really compacted because she has been parking in the grass lately. it even got them up.
nothing but dirt and grass left.

only problem, the rubber flex hose kept coming off. no clamps in the box. I had a big clamp and put it on one end and zip tied the other end as a clamp.

starts great, except when you leave the switch off. started up the second day with no choke.

it is a lot of work but it does a much better job than my mower does.

KFC911 · 03-12-2018, 03:40 AM

For my own lawn, and smaller properties, I just use my blowers...but if I have a bunch to get "from here to there", I will sometimes blow them on a plastic tarp and drag the tarp. Blowing a huge amount of leaves for any distance still sucks....

And unlike Bob Seger....never against the wind

if I can, just the opposite.