Comparing Back Pack Blowers

[joed]

Aftering filling out the poll, any thought or comments on any of the four blowers surveyed would be very welcome. It seems like Stihl has fallen behind Echo, Shindaiwa and Red Max. Does any one know if they plan to introduce a new blower in the near future? Thanks

[Eric ELM]

The Redmax EB6200 has about the same specs as the EB7000, but it's lighter. Our EB6200 has been a good blower.

[a1 lawncare]

checked out the echo pb650 the other day, good piece of equipment, i'm a stihl person, trimmers, edger, and chain saw, my stihl blower is an older model, but the echo seems alot less noisy, right now i'm leaning towords the echo pb650

[Davis TLC]

I have the same blower as Eric, the EB6200, great blower. BTW, Stihl has a new BP blower out this year the BR420, supposed to be an improvement over the BR400.

[dhicks]

I gots the RedMax EB7000 and it's the one piece of equipment that I lock up. Great blower and it's my pride and joy.

[Keith]

Either a Shindaiwa or a Redmax, depends on the dealer. After using Stihls for 8 years and the Shindaiwa for just over a year, I wonder how Stihl even sells a blower anymore :)

[casey]

Joed,
Where you going to get a Redmax blower in Toronto??

[EJK2352]

I've got the Redmax EB7000 and it kicks butt. It's the most powerful back pack blower I've ever used!!! I highly recommend this unit. Used to use a Stihl BR 400 at my last employer and it's a toy compared to my Redmax!! ;) ED

[joed]

Casey,

The Red Max EB7000 is available at Current Power Machinery in Mississauga and Halton Grounds Care in Milton. E-mail me for information like price etc. What model are you presently using?

[JJ Lawn]

I don't see the Maruyama brand blowers in this pole. They're blowers are top of the line around here.

Jim®

[turfquip]

My EB6200 rides beside me in the truck, seat belted in of course.

Man's best friend :-)

[wallzwallz]

I use echo everything, for yrs that was all that was readily available locally, after 15 yrs of running them i have a small collection of tired + broken trimmers + blowers for parts,so i seem to stick w/ echo, anybody else do this? Has anybody run all 4 of these blowers? I don't use echo chainsaws though, Husky all the way

[a1 lawncare]

good to see the input on redmax stuff, but i haven't had my hands on any of there equipment, soon as i locate a dealer i'm going to check them out, the lighter weight would be a big plus.

keith

[Martino]

Some thoughts on the poll:

-I doubt that anyone who voted for the Stihl has ever run either the Red Max EB7000 or the Echo PB 650.....the Stihl doesn't even belong in this poll when you compare it to the power of the other two. Just goes to show how companies can use marketing to overcome shortfalls in technology and design.

-The Shindaiwa has a Red Max engine.....why wouldn't a person just buy the Red Max???

-I personally like the tube mounted throttle as opposed to the throttle next to the hip...one handed operation allows picking up cans, bottles, etc. This would affect my buying decision.

[65hoss]

I run Stihl everything. I have never had 1 problem from the BR400.

[AltaLawnCare]

Originally posted by Davis TLC
I have the same blower as Eric, the EB6200, great blower. BTW, Stihl has a new BP blower out this year the BR420, supposed to be an improvement over the BR400.

Does anyone know if thats the one which will convert to a sprayer.

Does anyone make one that would convert to a gas powered sprayer?

[KirbysLawn]

I'm surprised that with all the info about Shindiawa & RedMax the BR400 is leading the poll.:confused:

Keith, EJK2352, & Martino are correct. I also used the BR400 for years, it's gone after using the EB630, it's a joke compaired to either the Shin or RedMAx. Martino, I own both the Red Max & Shindiawa blowers, overall I like the Shin better, the flexable throttle control is easier to work with and it has a little more power in my opinion. When on job sites everyone grabs the Shindiawa first & the RedMax second, however both are awsome!

As for "The Shindaiwa has a Red Max engine.....why wouldn't a person just buy the Red Max???", some may not have a RedMAx dealer, some may like the throttle control better, or some may have got a good deal. Sorta like people buying a Mercury Mountieer, same as a Ford Expolorer but they sell'em both.

RAy

[EJK2352]

All you guys that are voting for Stihl BR400's need to do yourself a big favor and demo a Redmax EB7000 or Shindiawa EB630, before you buy another blower in the future. You will be amazed in the difference in the air output. I know I was and bought the Redmax. :) ;) :) ED

[Keith]

As Ray mentioned, the flex control is why I prefer the Shindaiwa too.

Ok. Here's a few more reasons I like the Shindaiwa over the Stihl.

1. Clearly more powerful
2. I thought I would hate the throttle control on the left side opposite the pipe....I was wrong, I prefer it after using it. It also gives you the option of using the pistol grip or holding it by the tube itself.
3. The Stihl has a habit of driving the discharge pipe toward the ground, at least all 5 of ours have. You have to keep constent upward pressure on the Stihls pistol grip to keep it from heading down and backwards. That combined with pulling the trigger tends to tire your forearm. The Shindaiwa doesn't, likely do to the larger outlet pipe.
4. The Shindaiwa doesn't leak fuel. At least 4 of our Stihls have, even after the caps were recalled and replaced.
5. The larger pipe on the Shindaiwa allows you to clear the average driveway much quicker. Give two guys a blower they have never used. Give one a Shin and one a Stihl. I bet the guy with the Shin finishes first :)