Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

As part of my latest OPE Madness,   I've been thinking about a backpack blower. It seemed to me that a handheld would become tiresome on the arm if used for an extended period of time and a backpack would fit the bill. While in HD today I came across an ECHO 40 cc reconditioned blower that was laying on the floor unopened. I never tried one on before and thought, what the heck. Man, I was suprised at the weight and how it felt. I found as I walked around with it that I was bending forward to counter act the weight of the blower. This in itself seems like it would be tiresome.  Now I admit, I'm only 5'4" and 144 lbs, but I'm no weakling. I liked the idea of a backpack blower, but not sure if thats the direction I want to go in now. Any opinions or suggestions as to a lighter machine or alternative are appreciated. I figure at worst if I buy one, I could hook up a dual tube to the back and fly around the neighborhood.

                                                  Thanks,  Kevin

How much did they want? 

If you drop down to the 23 - 25cc blowers the weights about cut in half. 23-24lbs is pretty heavy.

I used a backpack blower when I used to work at Hovander park and your hand and arm still gets tired using it the same way with a regular blower. If the backpack blower is too much for you to handle than my best advice is to just buy a 140MPH regular blower

Hi AJace. They wanted $210. Normally $299. Tag said it was reconditioned. It was a 44cc model as pictured here.

Kevin

Marshall wrote:

Hi Marshall. That model, the PB-403 runs about 21lbs, the next model down, the PB-260L runs close to 15 lbs. Do the 25 cc units have enough push in them though? Will it fly me around the house.  LOL.  I'm just starting to check these out so I have some researching to do. I was just suprised when I strapped it on how it felt.
                                                                                                                                  Kevin

Kevin,
I have a little 2100 Shred and Vac. It is a hand held. It's light, blows and sucks well, steel shredder, runs pretty smooth. It is no problem to use for an hour or more. It's size and weight make it very convienent, I use it all the time. If you don't use a blower for several hours at a time, you might want to look at something that is easier to use. That way you will use it, Does that make sense?

I, like Rob, have the Shread-N-Vac ES 2400, it blows! 

robmints wrote:

Hi Robmints. Yes, that does make sense. LOL.  It's nice to see "blows and sucks" in a positive light. These are the Echo Shred and Vacs on their site. I assume they both have the steel shredder.

ES 210

ES230

Kevin

I have a BP200 and it BLOWS too

Hi Brian. So I guess the Echo's really blow. Sometimes they suck. Hows yours for extended use?

I had a handheld blower and gound it very tiring after not too long.  Wasn't crazy about the vibration either.  I finally sold it at a garage sale and have been looking for a backpack blower since.  The one I wanted was teh Echo PB360L with the separate throttle arm but couldn't pass up the bargain on the Husqvarna 145BT I picked up a week or so ago.  I have yet to use it, or for that matter try it on (I will post when I finally do use it).

There are a number of backpack blowers out there and I'd imagine their comfort is a fucntion of not only the weight but as is the case in using a backpack for hiking, the placement of the weight and the design of the straps.

When I see the local professional lawn care companies, they typically don't use the backpack blower for more than cleaning up which doesn't take all that long so I don't see comfort as a big concern to them.  They want reliability and power to get the job done and get it done quickly.  If there are large areas to clear, they tend to use walk behind blowers and fihish up with backpacks.

I guess you need to consider how long you will be weaing it as well as how it feels when it's on.  If you plan on using it for an hour straight, I'd still rather be carrying the weight on my back than holding it in a hand.

Also, don't just look at MPH.  CFM really tells how much air the machine will move.  Theoretically, you can get air blowing 250 MPH out of a straw but it won't move that much material.

LL

I have the Husqvarna 225B hand held. I have two yards that have long drive ways and sidewalks  I have never had a problem with the weight.

we sold a couple of the 60 cc husky back pac blowers and i tried them out of course.

well if i could have strapped them both on at once and gotten the right nozzle im sure i could have launched myself.

they really do have some power.

if i was going to purchace one i would consider that its not so much the weight of the thing on your back for a couple hours ...its the controling the nozzle end for that much time ...its pushing against you with considerable force and you are holding it trying to maintain some control .

the weight on your back that is pushing you foreward is counteracted by the the blowing of the nozzle.

i know it sounds stupid the way i try to explain it but just think about it a little .

later chris  

Chris,

Sounds like you've achieved spacial equilibrium!

LL

Kevin, good question. My ES-2400 (23.9cc) has a steel impeller but the model below it didn't. This was about 5 yrs ago, the current models, I'm not sure about.

Vangellis wrote:
Seems good so far. I used it today and was really hard on it...it  was about to rain and I wanted to get done. I left the throttle wide open for much longer than I like too. No problems. I really like this little machine.

Well, this is what I own...Please Click Here I have owned that blower for at least 2 years now and it works great. Here is my review...Please Click Here

Well, it's a moot point now. I just picked this up on E-bay and think I got a good deal. New in box, not reconned, $133 and $15 shipping. It may be the smaller unit at 25 cc, but it's only 13 lbs. It should take care of most of what I have to do. I wasn't planning on getting one this morning, But the price was at $102 this morning and that caught my eye. I've seen them go for $180-$219. So at that price, what the heck. I'll be sure to let you all know how it does. My wife is out of town but called when I was placing my bid and was cool about it. Man, shes got something up her sleeve for me.  LOL  OPE Madness strikes again.
                                                                                                                                     Kevin
Husqvarna 125BT

125BT

	Cylinder displacement	1.6 cu.inch / 25.4 cm³
	Power	0.95 hp / 0.7 kW
	Cylinder bore	1.3" / 34 mm
	Maximum power speed	7800 rpm
	Maximum recommended engine speed	7800 rpm
	Type of carburator	Walbro
	Air speed	116 mph / 52 m/s
	Air flow in housing	10.9 m³/min / 384.9 cfm
	Air flow in pipe	8.8 m³/min / 310.8 cfm
	Fuel tank volume	1 US pint / 0.5l
	Fuel consumption	690 g/kWh
	Vibrations idling right handle min/max	1.2 m/s² / 1.2 m/s²
	Vibrations top speed right handle min/max	1.2 m/s² / 1.2 m/s²
	Sound level, min/max	92 dB(A) / 92 dB(A)
	Sound level at 15 m (ANSI B 175.2)	67 dB(A)
	Noise emission, LWA	102 dB(A)
	Weight	13.0 lbs / 5.9 kg

Looks like a dandy Kevin. Let us know how you like it, I think you will really like it! Congrats. Oh yea, can't beat that price!

Vangellis,

The 125BT was my first choice along with the Echo 260L until I got a good buy on the 145BT (although I think you got a better deal).  If you don't have one, send an email off to Husqvarna through their website and they will email you a .pdf parts manual.  I received mine in about a day.  I also asked for a service manual but they told me they only provide those to authorized dealers.

LL

Hi LL. Thanks for the heads up on the parts manual. I just went in and DL'ed the operators manual and sent an E-mail for the parts manual. I got a good deal if the units in one piece, LOL. Another unit like mine went for $184 with shipping on E-bay last night. As long as the parts you need are free, You got an excellent deal at $179. The 145BT was my first choice, until I put the 21 LB Echo on my back at HD. They are the same weight and I felt that was a little too much. At 13 LBS the 125BT should do the job and be more comfortable to work with. I guess we'll find out. Did you get the last part you need for yours yet?
                                                                                               Thanks,   Kevin

Glad to hear you got what you wanted @ the price that's good to you.  I'm sure you will enjoy playing with it. 

eBay is a funky place.

Some things go for a great price when the identical item goes for a lot  more the next day.  I recently won a $250 watch on an $88 bid (free shipping too!).  Go figure.

I think it all depends on who's looking at the time and who's bidding on the item.  Some people just hate to lose and will continue to bid the price up long after the value is gone.

Final blower parts are "scheduled" to arrive Wednesday.  I'll keep you posted.

LL