Gas Leaf Blower for Snow Removal?

[Jim 5]

Anybody doing this?

My neighbor has a service that shovels his driveway. On days where there's around one inch of snow, they don't bother with snowblowers, they just use the leaf blowers. Problem is, I've never checked with them to see what size units they use.

I have also seen car dealerships using these for removing snow fallen on cars on their lots.

The question is, can you get by with a 21cc blower for this purpose, or do you need to go with the bigger backpack style in the 30- 40 cc size?

Stihl and Echo makes a larger model that only makes 64dba's of noise, which is a consideration for neighbors.

Anybody have any advice here?

Thanks.

 

[JTK]

Quote:

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My neighbor has a service that shovels his driveway. On days where there's around one inch of snow, they don't bother with snowblowers...

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Hehee.. That's a great contractor if they'll touch an inch of snow! Most in my area wont do a thing for less than 5". I dont see why the leaf blower thing would not work provided the snow is light enough and you have space to blow it. Good idea!

Joel

 

[Jim 5]

Well we don't get the heavy wet snow like you get in buffalo. It's usually a fair bit colder and drier here. The snow we get is light and fluffy and a typical night would be 1/2 to 3 inches at most.

In my university days I spent many a friday night with buddies in buffalo. We'd drive down from London, Ontario for a sabres game or an evening at Frank and Teresa's Anchor bar. I can remember plenty of good times spent in your city!

 

[ELS]

Well, we get wet snow here usually unless it's one of those weird occasions were it is very cold and we get a dry powder snow.

My advice to you is NO, steer clear of the 21cc handhelds.
Instead spring for one of the following backpack blowers...

RedMax 8000
Shindaiwa 8510
Echo PB-751
Stihl BR 600
RedMax 7001

Any of those are top teir when it comes to blowers. There are differences between them. But most folks do OK just choosing from personal preference such as...

Availability in the area
Favorite power equipment dealer
Personal brand preference
Comfort preferences between units

 

[Jim 5]

I've got a good stihl dealer. This past year I bought a stihl MS 250 chainsaw and a JD JX75 lawnmower from him.

The local home depot has the Echo backpack blower, and I have some gift certs for HD, so I might go there.

 

[ELS]

You might want to go to the stihl dealer for the BR600.

Unless your home depot is different than mine, they carry some Echo backpacks, but nothing near this caliber of blower, such as the Echo PB-751 or PB-755. Here most of what they have are the handhelds made into backpacks. Putting them in backpack form doesn't make them blow harder. I have an Echo handheld in the same class as these backpacks, and while it is handy... it ain't doubling as a snow blower.

Matter of fact, you have to go to the 600 series of Echo backpacks to surpass the power of the older stihl BG85 handheld blowers. (495cfm 183mph at the pipe)The new BG85D versions are not this strong.

 

[Stooge]

I have an Echo 46LN back-pack blower. It's fantastic in snow removal, especially from cars, gutter cleaning, car drying and, of course, blowing leaves. It's powerful and lite. Stay away from the hand-helds for snow removal.

 

[Jim 5]

Good advice from all. Thanks very much!