Which backpack blower. Echo Or Stihl

[gosselin142258]

Here's the story I have a chance to buy either a echo 403t blower or a stihl br340 blower the stihl is $50 more then the echo. but is it truly worth the extra money? I'd appreciate all opinions. Also both are in good working order.

[cgaengineer]

$50 is not much money...which has better dealer support? I have the BR600 and no complaints.

[Turf Commando]

Stihl............

[weeble67]

I've had the BR340 for a few years now. I love it. Never any issues.

[BUCKEYE MOWING]

Stihl............

ECHO or Stihl ...Which one do you like the best ?? They both work well. We use ECHO and have no complaints.

[BurkartLandscape]

I have the echo 750 T something. The biggest one. it works great and blows over a House. I like stihl also. I guess it comes down to which one you like most... Sorry for not being any help

[landscaper22]

Echo or Stihl....Ford or Chevy, it is a matter of choice. I have an Echo 750 T and an older 603 model. Both have been great units. I don't think the 403 is a commercial unit though. I know they sell it at Home Depot. I have never had a till backpack, only a handheld, but I have plenty of other stihl equipment. No problems with the quality or either brand.

[razor1]

How much money are we talking about total. Last year you could get the Echo 750 for $429., no tax & free shipping.

[Turf Commando]

ECHO or Stihl ...Which one do you like the best ?? They both work well. We use ECHO and have no complaints.

Stihl, Echo went down hill, when stihl goes the same way, I vote shindaiwa ...

[abclawncare]

definitely stihl have the 340 and the 380 both are great, i have a friend who has an echo blower and dosen`t like it, didn`t last.

[SchultzLawnCare]

ECHO!!!! i love mine!

[Penscape Landscaping]

If you look at it alot of the time commercial products that get in to the big box stores usually lose the quality. this is because they have to get the prices down and they do that buy using cheaper parts. (echo, Husq, toro, and john deere) Its whatever you like personally i like the older stihl better(not 4mix)

[Happy Frog]

Users are reporting more problems with Stihl (valves) than with Echo...
Both have plenty of power (BR600 and PB-755) and most users say the Stihl is more powerful... :drinkup:

[02DURAMAX]

Stihl, Echo went down hill, when stihl goes the same way, I vote shindaiwa ...

Thats ECHO now since they are joining now..

[gosselin142258]

i j/ bought the stihl for 180 + $20 shipping

[Atlantic Lawn]

Stihl and the bigger the better.

[OldTermite]

I bought an Echo 403 about two years ago, and it has been a royal pain in the ass. I bought it at the Depot as part of a package deal, no interest purchase, and have regretted it ever since. It ran OK the first couple of times I used it, then I put it up for the winter. When I needed it in the springtime, the carburetor was bunged up (maybe full of crud, cause I didn't completely drain the tank) and had to go in for repairs. Got out pretty cheap considering, about $40, used it two or three times, emptying tank each. Got it out on Monday for some pre-BBQ cleanup and cranked and cranked and cranked and cranked. Even at its best it has been hard to start, and the backpack straps are poorly designed, not comfortable after ten-fifteen minutes. Maybe the commercial models are better, but I'd be reluctant to even try them. On the other hand, a good friend has a new Stihl, upper end model, and it starts easily and blows like an Oklahoma twister.

My next one will be a Stihl or Red Max.

[Turf Commando]

Thats ECHO now since they are joining now..

Thats just speculation nothing more.

[ARGOS]

We use the Stihl BR600. I am very pleased with its performance. We have a couple of the BR550 and the jump to the BR600 is huge. I don't pick up our echo blower ever (and I try and avoid the BR550).

Blowing can be time consuming. I was amazed at the time we saved moving up to the 600. Bigger is better in this case. I have never run the numbers, but I bet we pay for the more expensive machine in a matter of months.

[oceanonepro]

So far Stihl all the way

Never problem with a few dozen of them

Used Echo only as back up when they came with a company we bought and even then they are considered semi home/pro/

Look at it this way, if you can buy it at HD its not really totally pro..how many echo dealers out there vs stihl who can repair it on the fly???? if something ever goes wrong??

Here in Fl at least a dozen to 1...