Looking for a hand held to do light cleanup. It would be added benefit if it work or easily modified for my Echo Yard shield mister. Two blowers on my short list are the Echo P-2520 and PB-255ln. Base on some review the PB-255ln seems better built and has a flared tube. I've also seen post recommending the Maruyama BL32, but not sure how easy to get parts for servicing.
Looking to buy Handheld Blower Echo PB-2520 vs PB-255ln or others ?
- Thread starter edge10
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i have a Makita that is great like ALL the other Makita tools that use the SAME batteries + cheaper gernerics are available!! be aware blowers use a lot of power, + having several batteries is great!! bought my first Makita tool, a chain saw 18V battery + charger tbat gets used with any of my other tools + bought several generic batteries from amazon at 1/2 the price that ALL work!!
My oldest brother has a Maruyama weed trimmer I've spoken of on here. Made in Japan and the quality is over the top. Dealers don't want to carry the brand if they rarely come back for service.
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My poulan backpack blower after 7 years of trouble free use decided to bite the dust went over it with a fine tooth comb only issue I found was deteriorated fuel lines. Has spark but maybe a weak magneto I’m ready to move into the battery world for a blower already have been mowing and string trimming on battery for the past 3 years. Done and over it no more blisters from pulling my guts out. Went with this blower from Lowe’s as a Lowe’s member out the door $99+ tax.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Gen...ower-4-Ah-Battery-Charger-Included/5002904975
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Gen...ower-4-Ah-Battery-Charger-Included/5002904975
I've had a PB-255LN for about 2 or 3 years now. It's been a great machine, always starts easily, good power to weight ratio.
Love my new Sthil; under $190 out the door with tax, a seasons worth of fuel and extended warranty.
A few ounces of fuel every other use; easier than charging a battery. Come fall if I need it for extended leaf duty it could run as long as needed. starts with very little effort. light enough. WAY more powerful than my Worx [corded].
Stihl BG50
A few ounces of fuel every other use; easier than charging a battery. Come fall if I need it for extended leaf duty it could run as long as needed. starts with very little effort. light enough. WAY more powerful than my Worx [corded].
Stihl BG50
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ETA: It goes without saying dealer support can make all the difference in the world. My Stihl dealer is a locally owned independent with their own shop. Always friendly, willing to help and good deals on rentals. I almost bought a entry level chainsaw last year; the guy asks me about my use then says, how about you just rent one: $40 for a brand new one for the whole weekend including fuel. (Never get that kind of service and support at a big box store)
Poing being: Residential equipment in this class is probably about the same. Strongly recommend going yo your local dealer.
Poing being: Residential equipment in this class is probably about the same. Strongly recommend going yo your local dealer.
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It may take some digging to find one, and it won't be cheap, but the Makita 4 cycle BHX2500 is the best yard equipment tool I've ever owned. It starts first or second pull every time, and it stinks way less than 2 stroke blowers. I see them still available for a little less than $300, but I'm not sure if they are actually in stock or I'd provide a link.
Makita BHX2500CA
I have the Echo PB2520 and have had it since 2020. Great little machine. All I've done is add fuel/oil mix and nothing else. Echo equipment is a little cold natured, so it might run funny till it warms up.
I got a Husqvarna 350iB battery powered recently to replace my light duty corded one for incidental stuff. It is excellent, well balanced, light, and has a "turbo" mode that produces up to a 200mph 800CFM blast. I chose that one because I have other toold that use the same battery system. This one came with a 40V 5 aH battery and a bonus extra one that was part of a factory special offer going on right now. Now, thats IF a battery one fits your needs/wants. If gas, can't go wrong with the PB-255 and would be my choice.
+1
My PB-255LN does take 30 seconds or so before it gives you full power, but I really can't complain because it starts SO easily. One pull on choke, take the choke off, and it starts the next pull, doesn't matter if it's 32 degrees out or 100 degrees out. I wouldn't touch a modern Stihl. I used to be a Stihl fanboy, now I no longer own any Stihls, and will only work on them for long time customers and family/friends if that tells you anything. I do have a great local Echo dealer where I've purchased a few machines, but haven't needed anything from them yet besides a can or two of the ethanol free fuel when they have a sale.
I converted to Echo after many Stihl products. I also bought a HC2020 hedge cutter a couple years go. It definitely takes a man to operate it, and I'm definitely not man enough. It will wear you out, but super portable and cuts well. Much better than dragging a cord around.
Nice! I have a super old HC1600, still starts first pull.
Lady across the street bought a Stihl BG50 from Ace is the Place recently. Saw her struggle to start it and went to help. Tried all my 2-stroke tricks to get it started. After a bazillion or so tries it finally came to life and ran ok. I told her it just needs to be broken in and it should be ok. That was a dozen or so uses ago, and she came and got me to start it each time after she couldn't. Still took an arm numbing number of pulls. I told her to take it back and have it serviced for a carb adjustment. Ace is the Place looked at her blankly and said they didn't service them. Directed her to local landscape supply dealer (that ironically has combined businesses with 3 Ace stores in the area) for service. Guy asked her if she liked the blower and she bluntly told him that it was the biggest POS she ever bought. She told me the guy just smiled at her and then walked her over to the Echo machines. She is now the happy owner of a PB-255LN that she starts on her own in 1-2 pulls AND has a really good place to service it if needed.. She did, however, give me a few 6-packs of some tasty IPA for my troubles.
I don't know why, but newer Stihls have become very troublesome to start. Maybe running leaner for emissions? Quality control? The older Stihls were great, they would run forever and were well made. The last "newer" Stihl I had was still within warranty. Had a new coil installed by the dealer, new carburetor, vacuum tested okay, good compression. Still a bear to start, took dozens of pulls. The dealer even chalked it up to "some are like this". I didn't enjoy the dealer only parts either.
Husqvarna is somewhere in between. Some are great, especially the commercial stuff, some are so-so. Parts can be hit or miss depending on if it was a popular model. I own a Jonsered chainsaw, and it's been great.
The Echo stuff does feel a bit "plasticky", especially the cheaper models, but I really can't argue with how easily they start and just don't give me grief. The last thing I want after working on other people's stuff is to reach for my own equipment and have it fail to start.
I own both of the blowers you are asking about. I would hands down get the PB-255LN as the power-to-noise ratio wins! I would not recommend ommiting ear plugs, but it is so quiet and produces a low tone, it is able to be used briefly should you forget them.
The PB-255LN does have a much improved air filter over the PB-2520. Also a big negative is the PB-2520 has a fused gas tank that is part of the blower housing and cannot be replaced should it spring a leak. The PB-255LN has a replaceable fuel tank. I say this as sometime accidents happen, like it takes a 2 hour ride in the back of your truck and something rubs a hole in it.
I can confirm with jeepman3071 that the echos have ALWAYS started the easiest of any brand of OPE. Stihl is super hard to start, and Husky / Johnsered seem to develop starting issues with age.
The PB-255LN does have a much improved air filter over the PB-2520. Also a big negative is the PB-2520 has a fused gas tank that is part of the blower housing and cannot be replaced should it spring a leak. The PB-255LN has a replaceable fuel tank. I say this as sometime accidents happen, like it takes a 2 hour ride in the back of your truck and something rubs a hole in it.
I can confirm with jeepman3071 that the echos have ALWAYS started the easiest of any brand of OPE. Stihl is super hard to start, and Husky / Johnsered seem to develop starting issues with age.
Also a fan of Makita BHX2500CA, paid $170 with tax,shipping some years ago and would buy another one
Currently testing out this, so far so good
Also using a DeWalt 20v cordless with some hesitation due to battery demand
Currently testing out this, so far so good
Also using a DeWalt 20v cordless with some hesitation due to battery demand
Go for a backpack blower if you are doing anything more than a small driveway or sidewalk. I have a Husqvarna and it will get oak leaves out of my St. Augustine. I use a cordless Milwaukee 18V handheld for the small stuff (sidewalk and driveway).
I have 2ea Stihl BG86 blowers, one with muffler mod. Also an Echo 21cc blower that is going on 125 years old, well maybe just a quarter century. Also have various electric ones including an EGO 650.
The Stihl BG86 for my house needed some mods to work correctly and have enough power to be effective at the house. The Echo just runs and runs. In fact it gets new hangar duty this week. The EGO runs out of battery in 10 minutes now. Not enough to finish a hangar, nor does it have the velocity to move pebbles off of the semi smooth hangar floor, the EGO battery also self discharges when I'm away for a bit. The Echo, while less powerful can move pebbles and will run for 45 minutes. Starts every time too.
They all do different jobs, and in the end the modified BG86 Stihl is the most powerful.
The Stihl BG86 muffler with internal baffle drilled through.
The Stihl BG86 for my house needed some mods to work correctly and have enough power to be effective at the house. The Echo just runs and runs. In fact it gets new hangar duty this week. The EGO runs out of battery in 10 minutes now. Not enough to finish a hangar, nor does it have the velocity to move pebbles off of the semi smooth hangar floor, the EGO battery also self discharges when I'm away for a bit. The Echo, while less powerful can move pebbles and will run for 45 minutes. Starts every time too.
They all do different jobs, and in the end the modified BG86 Stihl is the most powerful.
The Stihl BG86 muffler with internal baffle drilled through.