what brand of backpack blowers

[littlepopelp]

Right now i have a one year old POS john deere BP40 backpack blower. The thing rarely starts, always shuts off, goes through spark plugs...ect. It just went out of warranty even though they never fixed the prblem, they just kept replacing spark plugs. I would say it is a lemon.

Im looking to get a new bp blower that is extremely powerfull, will last me a while, and will start always and run good. Price is really no object. SO im wondering what you would recomend that is top of the line, and that you like from experience. The one im looking at is the redmax Backpack EB7000.

Thanks for any input

[dlandscaping]

well the stihl br400/420 is by far the most popular here and i have 2. they cost about $420 including tax and work well and i havent had a real big problem that wasnt fixed in under 10 min under warranty. if you are looking at the ed7000 from redmax i know that echo has a similar one the pb 650? i believe and that is about $450 as well as the new kawaski available at lesco. both these blowers are almost identical to the redmax. find a good dealer and try these backpacks out, wear them for a while, look at engine and fan accesibility, gas tank size and where it is located throttle assembly(tube or other side). there are many choices out there,but these are the most powerful. the stihl 420 is lighter, cheaper and works pretty well and it has a tbe mounted throttle which is a must for us. shop around. also do a search on backpack blowers because there were 3 about 4 weeks back. good luck with your purchase and go blow some leaves.

[Kent Lawns]

Geez, we buy our Stihl BR 420 for $318.00 including tax in the Chicago area.

Even locally at the hardware storem they're listed at $ 359.00.

~Good blower.


I "still" prefer an Echo 650. More soup.

[Eric ELM]

Here is a search on Backpack with 40 threads in the results, so you have some reading to do here. ;)

http://www.lawnsite.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=44540&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

I use the Redmax EB6200 which is almost like the EB7000. It has been a good one so far for the past 4 seasons.

[crazygator]

I have the Redmax 7000 and it is a blast...LOL! I am not a small guy and it fits me just fine. Not too heavy either. Also starts first pull, runs purrrrrrfect, and it really puts out the air. Good size gas tank. Of course I got an awesome deal on it and wish I could find another like it for what I paid. I am looking into the Solo just for a backup blower. We only have a hand held for backup and want another backpack. I will probably just save my penny's and get another redmax. I hope this help you with your desicion.

[Green Care]

Well I can say I have both echo an stihl 400 blowers
I like the SSSSSSSSSSStihl the best more stronger.

[BerksLawn]

We run a poulan pro b/p blower the model is br400 i belive and its the one at Lowes and it has a kawaski engine. Boy this thing is powerful compared to the homelite backpacker.

Steve

[littlepopelp]

also the redmax claims it is 730cfm- is that with or without the tube?

thanks

[gogetter]

I use a Poulan Pro unit also. Got it new on e-bay for $200 shipped!
Can't compare it to anything as I haven't tried any other BP's, but I can say that it does what I need it to, and it does it just fine.

Crazygator, not sure what the Solo units go for $, but if you're looking for a less expensive back up unit, you might want to consider the Poulan Pro.

[mdb landscaping]

stihl br400

[Dochere]

I use Tanaka 505's, and I love them (about $475). They are powerful and never quit. If I were to switch, priced over $400 I would go with redmaxes big boy; under $400 I would use the solo.

[lee b]

Stihl br420, I love mine.

[GreenQuest Lawn]

Red Max EB6200

[GLS]

Why doesn't someone make a poll, I would but I don't know how :(

[luv of green]

all of these responses are good but there is no reason to waste money STIHL BR340 has all the power you need and can be serviced just about anywhere plenty of power with consistant 1 or 2 pull stars every time take a look at one

[Mark]

When im useing a backpack blower i expect to get the most power at the pipe end possible, its much easier to stand and blow a drive from 25ft than 10, Right now im using the Echo PB601 58.3cc and 535cfm at tube end. I demoed the 650 the power was unreal but the tubeing was awful stiff and im used to throttle on tube the hip thorttle was a little hard to get used to but its the strongest blower ive demoed. 1100cfm at housing and 650cfm at tube end. I also would say that the shins and redmaxs are a great blowers. Eb6200 and the redmax 7000 and the 650 Echo are the three of my choise. Marks Mowing Service

[bam]

We are running the 6200 and the 7000. Before that we bought echo's I think the 400 model.

We have about 14 redmax now and have had very little problems, mostly the choke plate assembly broke on the 6200 and was under warranty. The 7000 has the choke in a different location and has not been a problem.

Air flow is awesome on both the models and a sign. increase over the old echos.

Shop around and find a good price on one.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Many EB7000 red max's

[strickdad]

echo 603s and a old dayton model

[65hoss]

I have both Stihl BR400 and Redmax eb7000. For big jobs or leaf jobs the Redmax is much better. But, for regular grass season the redmax will be a backup on the trailer. We will use the Stihl ONLY. The fuel consumption of the redmax is unbelievable. It goes thru more fuel in 1 day than all my Stihl's do in a week. I mean all my Stihl's combined. Trimmers, blower, stick edger, chain saw. The Stihl will do the job easily for grass. It does ok with leaves, but the redmax does handle the leaves much much better. Stihl is the way to go for me with grass, redmax for leaf season. Keeping cost down and investing in what works best for you is the name of the game in this biz.



http://lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=21691&highlight=bought+one

[Robert Doubrava]

Go with a Stihl. They are very reliable. I've been around the local repair shop and the mechanic said that the Stihl blowers are great.

[G.Williams]

Personal preference is Shindaiwa. We've had stihl and while nothing wrong with stihl, Shindaiwas seem to have more "pop". IMHO

[littlepopelp]

thanks, i think stihl has one of the best names out their. Now im just debating between stihl and redmax. I will probally go with redmax's eb7000. Does anyone know what the cfm on the eb7000 is...with the pipe, i see that it is 740 but it does not say that that is with or without the housing???????
thanks alot
ryan

[LAWNGODFATHER]

http://lawnsite.vbulletinhosting.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21498

Here is a lot of info you requested.

[joed]

Here are the specs someone requested for the various blowers

Brand CFM (At Pipe) Air Speed (MPH)
Stihl BR400/420 476 185
ReMax EB7000 585 204
Shindaiwa EB630 613 201
Echo PB650 650 210
Echo PB603 535 190

This data comes right from the manufactors, who e-mailed it to me. I hope it helps in making your decision.

[XOFMOT]

What's the story with these FRADAN B/P blowers? Theres a couple on EBAY right now selling for $269.00 New in the box. They sure look heavy duty, but I also herd they are on the heavy side (around 24 pounds wet). Who here has and uses them? Just looking for a good BACKUP blower I already have a REDMAX EB7000, but just can't justify spending another $525.00 on one that will sit on the trailer most of the time.....HELP!

[Kent Lawns]

Stay away from FraDan.

FraDan is a couple guys in NY, Frank and Dan, who build power equipment from various outsources. Motor from here, carb from there, shaft from yonder, trimmer head from someone else.

They are Heavy Duty.

They tend to be problematic and their customer service is terrible.

A Stihl BR420 is 318.00. That's the route I'd go if it were a budget deal.

[casey]

CFM ------ Air Speed(MPH)

Originally posted by joed

ReMax EB7000 585 204
Shindaiwa EB630 613 201
Echo PB650 650 210


Looks like Shin & RedMax have to play some catch-up.