After all the hype, I bought one today...

[65hoss]

I've been waiting until leaf season to buy another backpack blower. The time had arrived and I've been researching them for about a week. My Stihl's have always done the job, but this time I kept an open mind. All the writeups about Shindawa, Redmax, Echo 650, Kawasaki, etc, I decided to go try all of them today. My main dealer carries Stihl, Shin, Redmax and Echo. Lesco carries Kawasaki. The new Kawasaki --700 is a pretty bad dude. Pretty nice piece. Left there and went to check out the others. The only Shindawa was a step down from the best avaliable, so it was good, but who knows about the next one up. It was kinda uncomfortable to me.

Next was the big bad Echo 650. This thing is big and bulky. Tried it on, and man was the thing very very uncomfortable. The throttle control and the tube were very stiff. The padding on your back was terrible. I knew right away it would have to perform awesome for me to want it since it was already on my bad list. And talk about heavy. Anyway it performed pretty good. Better than the Shindawa I tried.

Next the Redmax. Surprisingly comfortable. Tube and throttle very smooth. The same weight as the echo, but because of better padding it was less noticable. Talk about power! This thing did much more trash moving than the other 2. I immediately fell in love and bought it. The price was really right.

Prices:
Shindawa ? $439
Echo 650 $499
Redmax eb7000 $445

I used it on my leaves this afternoon, and was I impressed. Does better at 1/2 throttle than the Shihl BR400 does at full power.

The helper will only be allowed the Stihl. I plan to keep the Redmax to myself.:D

[JJ Lawn]

I got a new one today also, but I stuck with the Maruyama brand. I have had good luck with them in the past. But we don't really have a lot of choice around here. John Deere, Sthil, and whatever brand they sell at Lowes.

This model BL6500HA weighs in at an even 20 lbs and has a 59.2cc Kawasaki engine. 521cfm, at 223mph. Supposed to be able to move a brick accross the yard. :)

Will find out tomorrow, I just got it on the way home tonight.

Jim

[GLS]

I was just at the Maruyama site, and after looking at the BL5400, I thought it looked a lot like the poulan pro I saw at Lowes. The throttle control looks exactly the same.

http://www.maruyama-us.com/lcbmod2.asp

[Turf King]

I have an echo backpack and I agree they are verey heavy.We do not have anyone around here who deals with redmax, I wish we did Ive heard alot of good things about them.

[EJK2352]

Congrats hoss,
I too have a Redmax EB7000. I love that baby!! I've had it for almost a year now and zero problems. Hope you have the same luck with yours.:) ;) :) ED

[hustlers]

bought the big shindaiwa $500

it works great but is heavy and uncomfortable
and burns twice the gas of
my stihl br400- 2gallons=1.5 hrs

[Lawn-Scapes]

I tried the 7000 a couple of months ago and liked it. Maybe next year.. My EB431 still works great.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Hoss I hope your girlfriend doesn't get jealous. She now has to share you with the Red Max. And I always get to break in the new piece of equipment.

[HOMER]

I was quoted $529.00 for the Shindawa today................what's up with the priceing?

Woopps................you were quoted the EB500 weren't you?

After demoing the 630 last year I know that's the one I'll get when my Brrrrrrrrrrrr 40000000000000000000 finally blows up.

The Echo (AKA Big Heavy) doesn't see a whole lot of use anymore, I use it to add weight to the back of the trailer.:cry:

[KirbysLawn]

I'm sure you'll love it. I had a 50lb bag of fertilzer laying on my tailgate today, the EB600 blew the bag across the gate.

[65hoss]

Hey Ray, Mine blew 2 50 lb bags stacked on each other from the ground to the back of the truck. haha:D

[SCAPEASAURUSREX]

From what ive seen and heard the Red Max eb7000 and the big Shin are almost identicle except for the air filtration ?? I have the old EB 431's and they are still kickin.. So no new blowers for me yet , But I am headed for the EB 7000 when I do.. I know a few guys with them and they are more powerful then my Little Wonder 8hp push blower.. But the RED s do use alot of fuel..

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I tried doing that but it blew the truck and trailer up the road to. The truck was in park and the engine was off.

Once the EB7000 blew a dump truck over and over.











Sorry a Tonka dump truck.

[Double D]

I have the eb7000 and I love it! How about that filter--looks like it belongs on a small car.

[Barkleymut]

The Kawi is $444 at Lesco during a new promotion. I've been looking at the Echo and Kawi (no Redmax or shindy dealers close by). Anyways I'll just continue to use the BR 400 and Echo PB60 until they die. By the way Homer I about had to get back surgery after lugging the Echo around all day yesterday. My Stihl wasn't running right so I had to use the Echo. I hate that Echo but it always always starts. Maybe I'll put it on Ebay and see if someone wants the 50 lb. beast and then go buy the Kawi.

[HLC]

Hoss,
I went to the Redmax site and compared the EB6200 to the EB7000, on paper there doesn't look like there is much difference. Did you demo the 6200? If so, what were your thoughts and what was the $ difference? I'm not sure if there is a dealer in my area. Tried doing a search on their website but kept getting an error message. Sent the company an email requesting dealer info......no response. I'm in the market for a good blower for next year and would like to give them a shot. Thanks..Joe

[awm]

i suspect you are right ORYAN. look the same to me.

[rixtag]

This is all making sense now... the other day I saw this guy spinning around in circles and I couldn't figure it out..he was trying to blow leaves but the blower was so powerful that he just started spinning...looked like the tasmanian devil from the cartoons.... it's all coming back now
:D :D

[jaybee]

I have the Red Max 6200. I think it is terriffic. I used it for 2 years before I realized I would do much better if I had another extension on the tube. The tubes it came with just wern't long enough to get good control of where you want to blow the leaves. It is now awsome. If I'm not mistaken I think the 7000 is a replacement for the 6200. I'm gonna add another blower to my equipment and it will be the EB 7000.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

The Red Max EB6200 is the exact same as the EB7000 spec wise.

The 7000 they added a larger air filter, fuel tank and a debris screen to cover the intake. They also redisgned the thottle controls. Other wise it is the same blower. Also about a $20 price increase too.

Maby that guy with the CFM and MPH tool can measure the diff between the 2. It seems the 7000 is just a hair more powerfull. Maby with better breathing it is.

[stslawncare]

once i was blowing leaves with my craftsman handheld blower and i blew a dumptruck over also!!!!!!!!!



however it was just hotwheels one :-)))))

[65hoss]

While doing the leaf job today, I decided to blow the trees and house out of the way. After I finished I blew them back.:D



The blower did awesome. BUT, it uses a huge amount of fuel. Probably for regular cutting grass, I will use the Stihl for fuel consumption reasons. When I need real blowing power I will get the big boy out.

[wildbilly1113]

The Echo 650 Rocks! The weight is no problem.You guys are wussies.

[65hoss]

It also feels like a rock on your back.


BTW, welcome.

[little green guy]

I have a eb6200 and 7000, i've compared the two side by side and the 6200 has more power, the echo is defintly more powerful than both though, we've tested them all. my dealer also did a test between the echo, redmax, shidawia and stihl with gauges and stuff, i can't remeber the exact results but the echo was the most powerful, i think the shidawia was next then the redmax. The new redmaxes defintly aren't as powerful as the old ones. I personaly like the 6200 the best and I'm realy pissed they stopped making it. The 6200 is alot light than the 7000 too.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

See Scottie, Yours did a small Matchbox and my Red Max did a BIG TONKA.

HAA HAA haa haa lol:D

Yes high power = more fuel consumption. But well worth it in the less time spent on the job.