Whatever you do, stay away from Craftsman. i also recommend Echo or Stihl.
what's a good leaf blower?
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I bought an Echo ES-210 Shred N Vac around five years ago. Starts easy, is light and powerful. Works great as a blower and a vacuum. Use it all year round. Blow snow off the steps in the winter, grass off the driveway in the summer and vacuum up leaves from flower beds and lawn in the fall. It's still running like new. I can use it continuously for an hour when bagging leaves with it. I don't find it fatiguing and it's not particularly loud.
What more could one ask for?
What more could one ask for?
Originally Posted By: boraticus
What more could one ask for?
Someone else to do it for ya?????? lol
On a serious note. I do find it relaxing to do the yard work. Your at home, no boss (usually, except for whats-her-name) looking over your shoulder, you can take a break anytime, etc. etc. etc.
What more could one ask for?
Someone else to do it for ya?????? lol
On a serious note. I do find it relaxing to do the yard work. Your at home, no boss (usually, except for whats-her-name) looking over your shoulder, you can take a break anytime, etc. etc. etc.
Originally Posted By: DaHen
Originally Posted By: boraticus
What more could one ask for?
Someone else to do it for ya?????? lol
On a serious note. I do find it relaxing to do the yard work. Your at home, no boss (usually, except for whats-her-name) looking over your shoulder, you can take a break anytime, etc. etc. etc.
+1000!!!
and there's the sense of accomplishment, and if you do screw up on a section of hedges, they're your hedges....etc...
Originally Posted By: boraticus
What more could one ask for?
Someone else to do it for ya?????? lol
On a serious note. I do find it relaxing to do the yard work. Your at home, no boss (usually, except for whats-her-name) looking over your shoulder, you can take a break anytime, etc. etc. etc.
+1000!!!
and there's the sense of accomplishment, and if you do screw up on a section of hedges, they're your hedges....etc...
Originally Posted By: 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 @#$%&! THING when it won't start; doesn't require...etc! And they're less expensive to buy and run. And the neighbors prefer them 8-to-one on weekend mornings. And they don't pollute the air we inhale. And the wife and grandkids aren't intimidated by electric...user friendly.
I have a Toro electric handheld. It's supposed to be the "most powerful" handheld. I can't really tell if it's significantly more powerful than my Husky.
The zipper on the bag ripped immediately and the rotary dial is a little loose.
I can tell when my neighbor is using his electric blower. It has a distinct high pitched whine that carries further than any high frequency sound should.
In fact, of all his electric stuff, only his mower is really quiet. His B&D battery powered trimmer runs for what seems like 30 min to edge a section I can do with my gas trimmer in 1 min
I use a 220 mph ELECTRIC...starts every time, no fail; doesn't require expensive tune-ups; doesn't reguire gas/oil mix; doesn't require over-winter fuel treatment; doesn't require backpack; doesn't require solving the question WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS @#$%&! 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.
I have a Toro electric handheld. It's supposed to be the "most powerful" handheld. I can't really tell if it's significantly more powerful than my Husky.
The zipper on the bag ripped immediately and the rotary dial is a little loose.
I can tell when my neighbor is using his electric blower. It has a distinct high pitched whine that carries further than any high frequency sound should.
In fact, of all his electric stuff, only his mower is really quiet. His B&D battery powered trimmer runs for what seems like 30 min to edge a section I can do with my gas trimmer in 1 min
Best selling is the stihl bg55 or bg56. Its 50 to 1 powerfull, and if you buy a 6pack of there ultra the dealer will now give you a 4 year warranty. these blowers sell from 149 to 199. No shame in saying im a stihl fan. Im also the manager of an echo and stihl service dep. I have been a sthil and echo tech for about 12 yrs. If you want something that will last for 5 yrs go for the sears. If 20+ is more your style stick with the big names.
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I recommend the Echo. I currently have the Husky 125B and kick myself for not going echo. Echo does not manufacture "consumer" equipment, it is all commercial grade. Great warranty. Tune up kits are sold at the local Orange Box. Love my Echo trimmer, My neighbor has the 255 Echo blower, very quiet for a gasser.
Stihl is good stuff too, just hard to find parts lists, etc.
Dave
Stihl is good stuff too, just hard to find parts lists, etc.
Dave
Polluters all of you! But im sure the EPA will ban these oily rackety disgusting beasts soon. They took my '71 Suzuki T500 road bike away ;(
What problems have you had from the husky blower?
Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I recommend the Echo. I currently have the Husky 125B and kick myself for not going echo. Echo does not manufacture "consumer" equipment, it is all commercial grade. Great warranty. Tune up kits are sold at the local Orange Box. Love my Echo trimmer, My neighbor has the 255 Echo blower, very quiet for a gasser.
Stihl is good stuff too, just hard to find parts lists, etc.
Dave
Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I recommend the Echo. I currently have the Husky 125B and kick myself for not going echo. Echo does not manufacture "consumer" equipment, it is all commercial grade. Great warranty. Tune up kits are sold at the local Orange Box. Love my Echo trimmer, My neighbor has the 255 Echo blower, very quiet for a gasser.
Stihl is good stuff too, just hard to find parts lists, etc.
Dave
Originally Posted By: Jjones
What problems have you had from the husky blower?
Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I recommend the Echo. I currently have the Husky 125B and kick myself for not going echo. Echo does not manufacture "consumer" equipment, it is all commercial grade. Great warranty. Tune up kits are sold at the local Orange Box. Love my Echo trimmer, My neighbor has the 255 Echo blower, very quiet for a gasser.
Stihl is good stuff too, just hard to find parts lists, etc.
Dave
id take a husqvarna blower over a stihl, but echo over both
What problems have you had from the husky blower?
Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I recommend the Echo. I currently have the Husky 125B and kick myself for not going echo. Echo does not manufacture "consumer" equipment, it is all commercial grade. Great warranty. Tune up kits are sold at the local Orange Box. Love my Echo trimmer, My neighbor has the 255 Echo blower, very quiet for a gasser.
Stihl is good stuff too, just hard to find parts lists, etc.
Dave
id take a husqvarna blower over a stihl, but echo over both
Originally Posted By: boraticus
I bought an Echo ES-210 Shred N Vac around five years ago. Starts easy, is light and powerful. Works great as a blower and a vacuum. Use it all year round. Blow snow off the steps in the winter, grass off the driveway in the summer and vacuum up leaves from flower beds and lawn in the fall. It's still running like new. I can use it continuously for an hour when bagging leaves with it. I don't find it fatiguing and it's not particularly loud.
What more could one ask for?
I've had the same machine for 4 years, just as happy as listed above. Starts on the first or second pull everytime.
I bought an Echo ES-210 Shred N Vac around five years ago. Starts easy, is light and powerful. Works great as a blower and a vacuum. Use it all year round. Blow snow off the steps in the winter, grass off the driveway in the summer and vacuum up leaves from flower beds and lawn in the fall. It's still running like new. I can use it continuously for an hour when bagging leaves with it. I don't find it fatiguing and it's not particularly loud.
What more could one ask for?
I've had the same machine for 4 years, just as happy as listed above. Starts on the first or second pull everytime.
I've got an older Echo blower. It still works perfectly. I'd purchase another in a heartbeat.
However, I must admit that it's not the worlds most powerful unit. The backpack ones are far more powerful.
However, I must admit that it's not the worlds most powerful unit. The backpack ones are far more powerful.
Originally Posted By: Jjones
What problems have you had from the husky blower?
Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I recommend the Echo. I currently have the Husky 125B and kick myself for not going echo. Echo does not manufacture "consumer" equipment, it is all commercial grade. Great warranty. Tune up kits are sold at the local Orange Box. Love my Echo trimmer, My neighbor has the 255 Echo blower, very quiet for a gasser.
Stihl is good stuff too, just hard to find parts lists, etc.
Dave
The build quality is just not up to Echo or Sthil. Plus it is pretty loud. I do like the fact that the intake is away from my leg ( I am a righty). Starting and running are okay, the throttle "cruise control" only works for WOT, anything inbetween drops back to idle. There is no way to tighten the cruise either.
What problems have you had from the husky blower?
Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I recommend the Echo. I currently have the Husky 125B and kick myself for not going echo. Echo does not manufacture "consumer" equipment, it is all commercial grade. Great warranty. Tune up kits are sold at the local Orange Box. Love my Echo trimmer, My neighbor has the 255 Echo blower, very quiet for a gasser.
Stihl is good stuff too, just hard to find parts lists, etc.
Dave
The build quality is just not up to Echo or Sthil. Plus it is pretty loud. I do like the fact that the intake is away from my leg ( I am a righty). Starting and running are okay, the throttle "cruise control" only works for WOT, anything inbetween drops back to idle. There is no way to tighten the cruise either.
I want to thank everyone for all the inputs! I purchased a Echo PB-250 from HD yesterday. Filled it up with a fresh mix of the Echo oil it specified. Used it for a few hours and it seems to work just fine for my purpose.
btw, it came with a 5-year manufacturer warranty...
btw, it came with a 5-year manufacturer warranty...
Originally Posted By: sasilverbullet
I want to thank everyone for all the inputs! I purchased a Echo PB-250 from HD yesterday. Filled it up with a fresh mix of the Echo oil it specified. Used it for a few hours and it seems to work just fine for my purpose.
btw, it came with a 5-year manufacturer warranty...
Good choice. The Echo PowerBlend X oil is a very good oil. The warranty will probably not be needed. HD also stocks the "repower" tune up kits at a reasonable price. Stick with the NGK plugs and follow the maintenance schedule. It will last for years.
Dave
I want to thank everyone for all the inputs! I purchased a Echo PB-250 from HD yesterday. Filled it up with a fresh mix of the Echo oil it specified. Used it for a few hours and it seems to work just fine for my purpose.
btw, it came with a 5-year manufacturer warranty...
Good choice. The Echo PowerBlend X oil is a very good oil. The warranty will probably not be needed. HD also stocks the "repower" tune up kits at a reasonable price. Stick with the NGK plugs and follow the maintenance schedule. It will last for years.
Dave
Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
Originally Posted By: sasilverbullet
I want to thank everyone for all the inputs! I purchased a Echo PB-250 from HD yesterday. Filled it up with a fresh mix of the Echo oil it specified. Used it for a few hours and it seems to work just fine for my purpose.
btw, it came with a 5-year manufacturer warranty...
Good choice. The Echo PowerBlend X oil is a very good oil. The warranty will probably not be needed. HD also stocks the "repower" tune up kits at a reasonable price. Stick with the NGK plugs and follow the maintenance schedule. It will last for years.
plug is a BPM8Y, and any jaso fd oil will fit the bill for this fine blower.
Dave
Originally Posted By: sasilverbullet
I want to thank everyone for all the inputs! I purchased a Echo PB-250 from HD yesterday. Filled it up with a fresh mix of the Echo oil it specified. Used it for a few hours and it seems to work just fine for my purpose.
btw, it came with a 5-year manufacturer warranty...
Good choice. The Echo PowerBlend X oil is a very good oil. The warranty will probably not be needed. HD also stocks the "repower" tune up kits at a reasonable price. Stick with the NGK plugs and follow the maintenance schedule. It will last for years.
plug is a BPM8Y, and any jaso fd oil will fit the bill for this fine blower.
Dave
I have a Craftsman 2-stroke blower. I use any oil designated for small motors that's at least semi-synthetic.
Well, I purchaced my first leaf blower in Sept.'10.
It is a Craftsman. I was looking for the strongest, highest output blower for the best price w/discounts etc.
I ended up at SEARS(against my better judgement)as usually everything I buy there is junk(lawn mowers, garbage disposals, tools, gas grills etc.)
But, when looking for a leaf blower, I went to Lowes, HomeDepot and Sears and the guy at Sears was the only one that knew anything and answered all of my questions plus, gave me the best price. Well, not gave me the best price, he told me to wait til 6:00 pm Sunday and come in for the "Friends & Family discount on top of the already on sale item.
This Craftsman EZ Start leaf blower starts first pull and turned over heavy wet leafs in piles @>200mph and blew them into the wood behind my home. And it's a vacuum too! I only want it for leaf blowing.
It was the least expensive($126.00 after tax), largest,(easy to control and light wgt) strongest and most powerfull hand held(non back packed) leaf blower I found that day. Cheapest only by about $20 bucks. Came w/2yr warranty IIRC. I expect it to be junk after about 3 years so I selling it and getting another new one cheap before I have to put any money into it.
Did not purchace any extra warranty.
It is a Craftsman. I was looking for the strongest, highest output blower for the best price w/discounts etc.
I ended up at SEARS(against my better judgement)as usually everything I buy there is junk(lawn mowers, garbage disposals, tools, gas grills etc.)
But, when looking for a leaf blower, I went to Lowes, HomeDepot and Sears and the guy at Sears was the only one that knew anything and answered all of my questions plus, gave me the best price. Well, not gave me the best price, he told me to wait til 6:00 pm Sunday and come in for the "Friends & Family discount on top of the already on sale item.
This Craftsman EZ Start leaf blower starts first pull and turned over heavy wet leafs in piles @>200mph and blew them into the wood behind my home. And it's a vacuum too! I only want it for leaf blowing.
It was the least expensive($126.00 after tax), largest,(easy to control and light wgt) strongest and most powerfull hand held(non back packed) leaf blower I found that day. Cheapest only by about $20 bucks. Came w/2yr warranty IIRC. I expect it to be junk after about 3 years so I selling it and getting another new one cheap before I have to put any money into it.
Did not purchace any extra warranty.
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