My choice, Stihl 800x backpack blower.

[Cujet]

For my TN property, I needed a great backpack blower with epic velocity to get wet maple leaves out of the rocks that form my home's perimeter. My Stihl BG86 hand held blower would not even move the leaves. I searched carefully and know the Echo products are among the most powerful in newtons. But in the end I picked the Stihl 800x Magnum 4 mix blower for it's real world velocity. About 20MPH more than the Echo, both in specs and in real world testing. Plus, the Stihl is 5 pounds lighter and way more comfortable/smoother. I was able to try the Redmax, Echo and Stihl. It's funny how the one I had no interest in ended up being best suited for the job.

The engine is a 4 stroke, 80cc, 4.4HP semi-self supercharged unit that really runs strong. You know what I mean, the engine does not struggle at all, it runs to full RPM (about 8800) and engine performance flat out rocks. The engine does use a con rod bushing at the piston pin instead of a roller bearing, and the crankcase is lubricated by the 50 to 1 fuel/oil mix, which might be not ideal for a bushing. First tank is the Stihl motomix fuel 50 to 1. Also of note, the 600 and 700 versions are known for piston troubles. The 800 is more reliable and with good oil will do 600 hours per year for up to 7 years in commercial use.

Since it uses 2 stroke oil, I'm thinking about using a EG-D/FD oil mixed with some form of race fuel (I typically use VP Racing C9) at 32 to 1 like all my other two stroke stuff. But maybe I'll step up to a VP racing fuel that is oxygenated with MTBE (adds about 5% more HP) and yes the carb is adjustable. As my TN property is at 2100 feet, so there is a 6% power loss up there. Should be interesting.

At nearly 240mph, this is the highest velocity blower around. This is due to the small nozzle. People put an adjustable nozzle on it which results in higher CFM/lower velocity which closely matches the other big boys.

 

[JHZR2]

Good luck with it! I had considered that one but went with the big Husquvarna instead. I don’t think you can go wrong.

 

[crashz]

I have the 800 and love it! Mine has run very well and does an amazing job. Nothing like that sound either. Its not like other blowers. Its like strapping a V8 to your back and hitting the gas.

 

[thastinger]

Guess I'll keep slumming it with my BR600.

 

[User_19876]

Guess I'll keep slumming it with my BR600.

Nah. I’ve been rocking my BR600 since they first appeared. It’s great for what it is. My RedMax EBZ 8560 is a true screamer, though.

 

[spasm3]

I looked at the 800x, i went with the echo 9010 for the power. The 800 is probably 7lbs lighter though.

The Stihl is definitely a great blower! good choice.

 

[Brian123]

Plus, the Stihl is 5 pounds lighter and way more comfortable/smoother.

Awesome, that is what matters!

the engine does not struggle at all, it runs to full RPM (about 8800)

Amsoil Saber Pro, 3 ounces to 1 gallon of fuel, which is 42.66 to 1

 

[Cujet]

Awesome, that is what matters!

Amsoil Saber Pro, 3 ounces to 1 gallon of fuel, which is 42.66 to 1

That's prob a great oil choice for this engine. Or maybe even the Amsoil Dominator. I still have a quart of the old Mobil 1 Mx2t. Maybe I'll use VP racing T4+ fuel and the 32 to 1 Mobil 1 for now. Ya never know with me. Any way you slice it, this thing runs strong.

 

[Inked]

I have the 800 C-E and couldn’t be happier with it’s performance.

 

[super20dan]

i found tru years of leaf clean up experience that the 4 stroke blowers scoure wet leaves better than 2 cycle blowers. some how my br600,s have lasted since the first models came out in early 2000,s. i only use them for leaf season so dont get year round use. i started using twc3 oil in both of them and they ran just fine on it. bbefore i used amzoil-mobile 2t and stihl ultra. only in them. this is my last year in biz so i dont care about them so much anymore. run mix at 40/1

 

[Cujet]

i found tru years of leaf clean up experience that the 4 stroke blowers scoure wet leaves better than 2 cycle blowers. some how my br600,s have lasted since the first models came out in early 2000,s. i only use them for leaf season so dont get year round use. i started using twc3 oil in both of them and they ran just fine on it. bbefore i used amzoil-mobile 2t and stihl ultra. only in them. this is my last year in biz so i dont care about them so much anymore. run mix at 40/1

I know people here get wrapped around the axle with regard to TCW3 in air cooled engines. However, there are air cooled engines that spec TCW3 (snow blowers and some lawn mowers for example) and they have none of the claimed problems. Racers have been using TCW3 for years in high concentrations with great results. Pennzoil makes a TCW3 multip purpose oil that works very well in air cooled aircraft engines. Zero deposits, low wear rates etc.

And despite the endless cautions, I've used the marine only Pennzoil premium plus semi synthetic in various engines with good results. 32 to 1 always. That is good stuff.

 

[Inked]

I know people here get wrapped around the axle with regard to TCW3 in air cooled engines. However, there are air cooled engines that spec TCW3 (snow blowers and some lawn mowers for example) and they have none of the claimed problems. Racers have been using TCW3 for years in high concentrations with great results. Pennzoil makes a TCW3 multip purpose oil that works very well in air cooled aircraft engines. Zero deposits, low wear rates etc.

And despite the endless cautions, I've used the marine only Pennzoil premium plus semi synthetic in various engines with good results. 32 to 1 always. That is good stuff.

Is Stihl still offering to extend the factory warranty if you buy their Motomix 50:1 at the time of purchase?

 

[Cujet]

Is Stihl still offering to extend the factory warranty if you buy their Motomix 50:1 at the time of purchase?

They did not say anything about that. But at $24 per quart locally, that's $100 per gal fuel.

However, they did fill the tank with the Motomix fuel. And the exhaust smells terrible. Not like a real two stroke.

I won't continue to use that fuel. It does seem the Sthil Ultra oil may not be that great either. With a few reports of excessive carbon buildup, sticking rings and clogged exhaust ports. Whether that's the fuel choice or the oil, who knows? Some here call it the silver bottle of death!! Hahaha.

I've only used the blower for an hour and already the muffler's discharge is loaded with hard carbon. That in itself is weird.

 

[martinq]

They did not say anything about that. But at $24 per quart locally, that's $100 per gal fuel.

However, they did fill the tank with the Motomix fuel. And the exhaust smells terrible. Not like a real two stroke.

I won't continue to use that fuel. It does seem the Sthil Ultra oil may not be that great either. With a few reports of excessive carbon buildup, sticking rings and clogged exhaust ports. Whether that's the fuel choice or the oil, who knows? Some here call it the silver bottle of death!! Hahaha.

Yes, if you a gallon of MotoMix (about $45 CDN) or a six-pack of oil with the tool, Stihl will double your warranty. Absolutely no problems with Stihl MotoMix or their basic 2-stroke oil in any of our tools if they're tuned and run properly. MotoMix burns exceptionally clean and is rated at 93 octane.

 

[Inked]

They did not say anything about that. But at $24 per quart locally, that's $100 per gal fuel.

Wow! My local ACE has it for $40.00 per gallon which is still expensive. I bought my blower last year and if you bought 4 Quarts of the Motomix at the same time, Stihl extended the warranty.

I wasn’t aware that a 50:1 mix may not be ideal due to the type of bushing.

 

[lilspenny]

For my TN property, I needed a great backpack blower with epic velocity to get wet maple leaves out of the rocks that form my home's perimeter. My Stihl BG86 hand held blower would not even move the leaves. I searched carefully and know the Echo products are among the most powerful in newtons. But in the end I picked the Stihl 800x Magnum 4 mix blower for it's real world velocity. About 20MPH more than the Echo, both in specs and in real world testing. Plus, the Stihl is 5 pounds lighter and way more comfortable/smoother. I was able to try the Redmax, Echo and Stihl. It's funny how the one I had no interest in ended up being best suited for the job.

The engine is a 4 stroke, 80cc, 4.4HP semi-self supercharged unit that really runs strong. You know what I mean, the engine does not struggle at all, it runs to full RPM (about 8800) and engine performance flat out rocks. The engine does use a con rod bushing at the piston pin instead of a roller bearing, and the crankcase is lubricated by the 50 to 1 fuel/oil mix, which might be not ideal for a bushing. First tank is the Stihl motomix fuel 50 to 1. Also of note, the 600 and 700 versions are known for piston troubles. The 800 is more reliable and with good oil will do 600 hours per year for up to 7 years in commercial use.

Since it uses 2 stroke oil, I'm thinking about using a EG-D/FD oil mixed with some form of race fuel (I typically use VP Racing C9) at 32 to 1 like all my other two stroke stuff. But maybe I'll step up to a VP racing fuel that is oxygenated with MTBE (adds about 5% more HP) and yes the carb is adjustable. As my TN property is at 2100 feet, so there is a 6% power loss up there. Should be interesting.

At nearly 240mph, this is the highest velocity blower around. This is due to the small nozzle. People put an adjustable nozzle on it which results in higher CFM/lower velocity which closely matches the other big boys.

Could you explain the "semi self supercharged" or provide a link? I really think you should limit your octane to 93 and if you are going to change from Stihl Ultra try to find an oil that is similar in viscosity at 40°c, 100°c, and 200

Awesome, that is what matters!

Amsoil Saber Pro, 3 ounces to 1 gallon of fuel, which is 42.66 to 1

Have you run that in a br800 at that ratio or are you suggesting it based on what other people say or have you run it in non br800 machines and therefore recommend it for the br800 at that ratio?

Edit....

I have tested multiple oils. HP2, Motul 800 off road, Motul 710, VP ope, Stihl Ultra, Maxima Super M, Super M Injector, Crosspower 2t, Red Armor, k2, Saber, and one other I cannot remember. The thicker the oil the harder to tune and it takes longer for it to get hot. Crosspower 2t between 40 and 50. Saber between 50 64, k2 50, Red Armor 50, Ultra 50, 710 45, VP 45, HP2 50, Dominator 50:1. More oil than 40 to 1 is a bad thing. You need a carb tool. 5910 890 2314. The best running oil in my br800 is Crosspower 2t. Cleanest VP. Best smelling Crosspower 2t. I have measured rpm and temp on all of these oils. Dirtiest Super M.

 

[martinq]

Running Stihl oil at 50:1 mix with 91+ octane gas is a very safe bet but I think it's too rich. I'd suggest thinning it out ( 60:1? 70:1? ) but I don't have the resources to properly test. Rest assured that the mfg is leaving a comfortable safety net in their recommendations, 50:1 is definitely safe.