what's a good leaf blower?

[sasilverbullet]

I want to purchase a leaf blower, gas engine, not a backpack model. Can anyone make some recommendations? I want something that will last, and blows leaves! (and isn't too heavy) 2 stroke or 4?

obligatory BITOG statement - oh, and what OCI should I use?

 

[big_impact]

echo

 

[05ChevyI5]

Stick with a Stihl or Husky and you can't go wrong. Check out their websites.
www.stihl.com
www.husqvarna.com

 

[05ChevyI5]

Originally Posted By: big_impact
echo

Echo is good too. But not as much dealer support as the big two.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

A good leaf blower is one that is NOT RUNNING - noisy beasts they are! Noise pollution! I shoot my neighbor in the rrr s with my pellet gun when he runs his

 

[big_impact]

Originally Posted By: 05ChevyI5
Originally Posted By: big_impact
echo

Echo is good too. But not as much dealer support as the big two.

really? do explain.....

 

[DaHen]

I be happy with my Echo 21.2cc blower. Starts up every time on demand.

 

[greenaccord02]

I got a cheap poulan. It does great. 200cfm and it starts every time. Really moves some leaves. Amsoil Saber at 50:1 since new.

 

[Johnny]

I have both Echo and Stihl, and both are great machines.

 

[05ChevyI5]

Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
I got a cheap poulan. It does great. 200cfm and it starts every time. Really moves some leaves. Amsoil Saber at 50:1 since new.


Good oil. I also use it @50:1 w/SEF94 fuel in all my toys.

Husky 335XPT, 395XP
Stihl MS362PRO, BR550, HS75, FS90, HT100
Robin NB211

 

[The motor guy]

Buy you an echo and you'll be set for the next 25 years if it's residential use. Stihl is good too. I think that's how it's spelled.

 

[Hallmark]

I use a 220 mph ELECTRIC...starts every time, no fail; doesn't require expensive tune-ups; doesn't reguire gas/oil mix; doesn't require over-winter fuel treatment; doesn't require backpack; doesn't require solving the question WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS @#$%&! THING when it won't start; doesn't require...etc! And they're less expensive to buy and run. And the neighbors prefer them 8-to-one on weekend mornings. And they don't pollute the air we inhale. And the wife and grandkids aren't intimidated by electric...user friendly.

 

[Johnny]

It is a good thing you and ARCO are not living next door to me. On Saturday morning, I am in 2-cycle heaven. Lawn Mower, leaf blowers, trimmers, edgers, and hedge trimmers. Everything 2-stroke and I love it.

 

[05ChevyI5]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
It is a good thing you and ARCO are not living next door to me. On Saturday morning, I am in 2-cycle heaven. Lawn Mower, leaf blowers, trimmers, edgers, and hedge trimmers. Everything 2-stroke and I love it.

 

[Spazdog]

Against the advice of many who'll tell you you have to get professional grade Stihl or Shindaiwa, I bought the Husqvarna 125B from the Bix Box.

It was initially a little hard to start. No worse than my other two-strokes though.

It has broken in and become the easiest to start two-cycle I've ever had. Especially when it's already warmed up. No priming. No resetting the choke to half. Quick tug on the starter rope and a little blip on the throttle and it's running.

It's assembled in Nebraska. I can't say for certain that it is of US and Swedish components but they appear to be of better quality than the various brands MTB sells. But I do like the MADE IN USA sticker on the box.

I just looked. It's about $40 more now than when I paid for it last year.

Still less expensive than a Stihl and better by at least $50 than a Homelite.

My small engine shop guy recommended against Troy-Bilt. He said they are all MTD made and have a terrible warranty network. (while I was getting the gear drive on my Troy-Bilt string trimmer repaired)

 

[Nick R]

Honestly, the US-made Craftsman leafblower we have so far is decent. Moves lot of air (when you take the stupid nozzle off the end) and runs decently enough.

 

[Jjones]

I have a husky 125b starts on second pull every time.I have had it for three years now and no problems at all,seemed to be the best bang for my dollar when I was comparing.I already had a stihl trimmer and really wanted to stay with stihl,but I could buy one once I compared the lower priced blowers.I use mine strictly around my own home so it does not get a ton of use,so I can not comment on reliability when used daily.

 

[engineerscott]

echo

 

[123Saab]

I;ll go with Echo too, Love my Echo Blower/Vac

 

[pottymouth]

I picked up a used once or twice Homelite from a guy who was moving to a condo about 4 years ago. He told me he bought it, cleaned leaves a couple times then decided to hire a landscaper. Wish he had more stuff. It works well and starts easy but I get sick of holding the thing after a while.

Ended up buying a Husqvarna backpack blower and hardly touch the Homelite now. I still start it up a few times a year and use it here and there for small jobs.

You can get barely used tools like these for a song from people who didn't know how to maintain them. Most are an easy carb cleaning away from being a nice running tool. I suggest watching Craigslist and don't be too picky about the brand. For moderate homeowner use any brand name you recognize should be fine. If you have enough land and leaves to move that a Craftsman or Poulan won't last a while, you'll be miserable with a handheld unit anyway.