What do you think of the new stihl br550's

[Dunn's]

What do you all think of the newer stihl br 550 back pack blowers. We where thinking of picking up to used machines this week and just wondering if they had good power also if they are reliable.

Thanks again for all replies in advance?

[lawnman_scott]

I saw on here that they were kind of a disappointment, but the 600s were good. I have 3 br600s and couldnt be happier. I never had a 550, just what I heard, and I heard it here, so take it for what its worth.

[freddyc]

I could swear I saw a recall on them but please research it yourself--- I just seem to remember there was some issue but that was a while back. I never had one myself, I just remember reading it somewhere.

[Armadillolawncare]

I have used one now for close to three years with no problems and good results. I have never heard of any recalls and my dealer is good about letting us know when there is something like a recall.

[packey]

I can't speak for the br550 but the br600 is great.

[jaghr]

I've Had Mine For 3 Years And No Problems. There Was A Recall In 05 But It Pertained To Certain Serial Numbers.

[bamaone]

awesome, as soon as I can get more, I will. blows away are 400 series

[lawnbarber54982]

We have a 550 and a 600. The 550 is a good blower however the 600 is even better. We do a lot of spring and fall clean ups and the 600 is always pulled out of the trailer first. If you are getting a good deal on the 550s I would have no problem buying. Good luck.

[NC Greenscaper]

I have had a Br600 for awhile and just purchased a br550 for about $100 less. The 550 is a good blower but the 600 does much better with the leaves and large areas like parking lots. If you are doing sidewalks, driveways, etc.. the 550 will be more than enough.

[topsites]

Do yourself a favor and skip the 550 in favor of the 600.

It's strange, you would think that 420 - to - 550 -to- 600 that the 550 is close to the 600 in power, but it's not.

The 550 is closer to the 420 than it is to the 600, odd but true, here are the specs:
420 - (172 mph) (518 cfm)
550 - (199 mph) (530 cfm)
600 - (201 mph) (712 cfm)

In my book 518 and 530 is the same, as is 199 and 201.
The special font (bold/italic) used to highlight the actual difference.
From 420 to 550 the only thing that improves is the speed.
And from 550 to 600 it's the volume that gets better.

Taken literally, the 550 is only about 10-20% more powerful than the 420.
But the 600 comes out ahead with close to a 40% improvement over the 550.
It's just not that much of a difference from 170-200 mph, but 500-700 WOW!
And that's about how it feels in the field, too.

I know, I have one of all three :laugh:
I don't even use the other two at all, too slow for me, get the 600 and no regrets.

[schunklawn]

i run the br550's and love them...like was said before, they are more than enough for mowing uses and i haven't had a problem with them for leaves either...they aren't my primary piece of equipment for leaves, but they do a great job when i need them...

No Bunk

[hackitdown]

I have a 420, and loved it...until I got the 600. It is really, really good, and runs perfect so far. I plan to get another 600 next fall. My friend/competitor just sold his 550s to get 600s.

I'm guessing the guy selling the 550s is upgrading to 600s, too.

[cmrgrounds]

I have two of the br600's and I hate them. First chance I get, I am going to retire them. I've had nothing but problems out of mine. A friend of mine and also a competitor has three of them and he claims he is having problems out of his too. Both of them within a year have lost about half its power, one of the blowers my dealer has had to replace the motor with a short block (under warranty luckily). When you run them for more than like 20 mins and then cut them off they always tend to diesel for about 5 or 6 secs before they shut off. Also when the fuel gets down to half a tank they run out and you have to refuel them. Half of the time when I cut them off and then try to restart them, its takes about 10 or 12 pulls to get them to start. Like I said my friend/competitor is having the exact same problems out of his so I know its not something i am doing wrong. I've had husky and echo blowers and never had any problems until I decided to try out the stihl's. Both blowers are only a year and a half old and when spring comes around I will probably switch back to echo or maybe try out the redmax blowers.

[hackitdown]

Also when the fuel gets down to half a tank they run out and you have to refuel them.

Come to think of it, mine does this, too. It seems to help if I adjust the straps so that the gas tank is slightly tilted toward the fuel line.

[RedSox4Life]

Also when the fuel gets down to half a tank they run out and you have to refuel them

I have this problem also. I remember reading a post a little while ago that the fuel filter is too light and tends to float in the tank. Apparentley stihl has a heavier filter that will sink, although I haven't looked into it yet being winter.

Hope this helps.

[joesimoes2]

RedMax Strato-Charged™ BackPack Blower EB8801


Dry Weight kg (lbs) 11.3 (24.9)
Fuel Tank Capacity liter (fl. oz) 2.3 (77.7)
Engine Type Air cooled 2-cycle gasoline engine
Piston Displacement cm3 (cu. in) 71.9 (4.39)
Air Filter 2-stage fresh flow filter system
Carburetor (Diaphragm) valve type Rotary
Ignition System C.D.I
Spark Plug Champion RZ7C (Noise-proof)
Muffler Spark arrester equipped
Operating Engine Speed rpm 2000 to 7100
Fuel Consumption liter/h (fl. oz/h) (64.3)
Average Air Volume (w/std Pipe) cu. m/min (cfm) (688)
Maximum Air Volume (w/o Pipe) cu. m/min (cfm) 943)
Max. Air Velocity m/sec (mph) (203)
Durability Period hrs. 300
Noise Level (50 Feet ANSI B175-2) dB(A) 77


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[Dunn's]

Well all we got the br550's and they are plenty powerful for what we needed. They blow our Br340's and echo 400 series out of the water.

Plus it is nice having the quitness of the 4 mix.

It also help that we bought to for about the price of a echo 260.

We have one question though. Anyone know why they have that white plastic ring in the tube connected to a cable?

All replies greatly appreciated.