Leaf Blower

I like the small hand-held blowers since I don't really use them much. I'm fully converted to Stihl, but I'm sure most reputable brands are good enough for light cleanup.

I will say this: I used to have a Stihl BG65 (now the BG66, I believe). When I replaced it, they were out of that one so I had to choose between the 55 and the 85 (86?). I was already dropping a load of cash on some saws, so I went with the 55. Oh, how I wish I could take that back.

The 55 works fine, but it's a little anemic. It also lacks the "cruise control" lever so you have to hold the trigger down to use it. Sounds like a silly thing to complain about, but if you try both, I think you will want the cruise-control version.
 
used the BG86 for nearly 2 years now and it's perfect. before I had a BR600 but my car got smaller and the BR600 was to big for my new landrover defender to fit in between loads off climbing gear ;-)

go for the BG86 and it will do fine !
 
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used the BG86 for nearly 2 years now and it's perfect. before I had a BR600 but my car got smaller and the BR600 was to big for my new landrover defender to fit in between loads off climbing gear ;-)

go for the BG86 and it will do fine !

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I'd say climb light and easy make room for the BR600 or get a bigger car :-)I had both of the blowers for a little while, sold the BG86 and never looked back (But the BR600 does take anoyingly lots of space)
 
My choice is a compact hand held - not backpack sytle.

The best bang for the buck for like 10 years were the Homelite blowers. I'd just skip the vacuum bag or buy the ones without it. The air velocity was not real high, but pretty good. And they lasted for years. Maybe $79. Just had to toss the spark arrest screen, as with any other brand.

Then I had trouble finding one, one day, and needed something right away. So I bought a Husqvarna. Turned out to be an irritating machine to use. Was never pleased with it.

Lately, I bought a small Stihl for about $130 and it's been the best so far, although I could have bought two Homelites almost. But I think I'll buy a Stihl again in a few years. I like the start-up, wind speed and light weight. Very compact.
 
BR600 here for the 95% of the jobs. Usually don't even have to rake it's so powerful. It sleeps on the chipper so space isn't an issue.

I also have a BG55 hand held, bored out the exhaust and it's a little ripper. Cheap too.
 

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guys, we have used stihl backpack blowers in our landscaping company for years. we currently have 2 br500's and one br600. we have gone through about 2 br500/600 in 3 years. they are not really reliable.from our experience, echo and shindiawa blowers are verry powerfull and far more reliable and cheaper stihl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFALIC18msE

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What makes them unreliable? That is a blanket statement......

Stihl BR600 is most powerful blower made....end of story. Sorry to burst the bubble.
 
I'm with you Bull. I have a Br600 and it blows the redmax away! Use the right fuel mix and you will have no problem (ultra oil by Stihl). Besides the new ones have been tested and are tried and true, a few bobbles in the earlier models but not now. It takes only a few minutes to adjust the valves if needed and they are the lightest around ( power to weight ratio).
 
Br600 blows everything away ... not just leaves ... branches, gravel, small dogs, and ...

4340850982_325c9aa9de.jpg
 
I actaully sold my BR600 and got the earlier 2 mix BR380 back in place for it. In my car there's allways the BG86 and for the bigger gardens I just put the BR380 on the trailer.

I love my landrover and heaps off climbing gear that much that I just do with less blower action, also gives me some more quiet raking time ;-)

The old BR600 (i bought about the first here) had a lot of problems....now it seems like a good working horse, but it just takes to much space.
 
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