Homeowner blower

[Jim Z]

I have an old Giant Vac blower that I use on my yard but it's useless for garden beds and many places you just can't get into with it. I'd like to get either a backpack blower or handheld unit that is good quality but keeping in mind that while it isn't going to be seeing any commercial use I don't like to buy junk. I don't think I need a super high powered one but don't want to be underpowered either. Any suggestions for a solid homeowner unit?

[Triplex]

Try looking on Craigslist for a used commercial one; with the economy as rotten as it is there are probably plenty of landscapers going under. If you can spare the cash for a new commercial-grade machine, keep in mind that it'll probably be cheaper in the long run than a new consumer-grade blower because it'll last forever under homeowner use.

[Shasta Lake Landscaping]

Husqvarna 150bt , $300+tax

[Triplex]

If you decide to go with a commercial one, generally anything a mower shop / outdoor power equipment shop sells is directed at landscapers. The big-box stores do sell some commercial-grade blowers, but I've seen overpriced homeowner crap masquerading as professional equipment in the mix at those places. For example, I've seen Poulan Pro (a crappy homeowner brand) backpack blowers in the low $300s - the same price professional backpack blowers start at! One advantage of buying from a small shop instead of a big-box store is that they can do warranty work and repairs, and will prioritize repairs on equipment purchased from them ahead of work on equipment sold elsewhere.

The best brands of 2-stroke equipment have been debated ad infinitum here without a consensus. Check out a few mower shops in your area and see what they carry.

[Jim Z]

Thanks for the info everyone.

[Alan0354]

Husqvarna 150bt , $300+tax

I second the 150Bt or Redmax EBZ5100 which is the same blower. You like red or you like orange to match your clothing?:laugh:


If you have a small yard that is under 2000 sqft, I would consider a commercial hand held blower also. Maruyama BL3100 or newer BL3200, Stihl BR86 are strong candidates. Hand held is a lot more useful for other things. You can blow dry your cars after wash particularly if you have a dark color car, it does not leave water stains. Also blow the dust off garage and others. Blow dry windows after washing. I own both back pack and hand held. Back pack are not good for blow dry cars and windows at all because it is hard to manuver. Back pack only good for one thing....blowing leaves!!!

I thought I can get rid of the hand held after I bought the BP, end up I still use the hand held more except the leaf season which is right around the corner.

[WH401]

If I were you I would go straight for the Stihl BR600, that is if you don't have a problem dropping the $500 on it. You can always use half throttle for light stuff, and you'll still have more power in reserve if you need it. The 600 is a commercial piece and is probably the most widely used and popular BP blower on the market.

[Jim Z]

Thanks again.
If I didn't have a push blower for my 40,000sq I'd go straight to the BR600 for sure. I'm looking for something to get into the ground cover areas and other areas that just won't work with it. I was looking at the Stihl BR86 which also comes with in a model with a vac attachment. If that didn't compromise the blower aspects it might be really good for the 150ft x 4ft area of ground cover between my stone wall and the road itself. That area is impossible to do with the push blower and hard to do even with a handheld as the leaves would be blowing into the road and cars etc. The vac option on that one might be just the ticket but I think it's new and haven't heard anything about them. Leaning toward Stihl because of the dealer support too. Anyone have any thoughts on that model? Specs seem to be the same for the non vac model.

http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/SH86CE.html

[Alan0354]

Thanks again.
If I didn't have a push blower for my 40,000sq I'd go straight to the BR600 for sure. I'm looking for something to get into the ground cover areas and other areas that just won't work with it. I was looking at the Stihl BR86 which also comes with in a model with a vac attachment. If that didn't compromise the blower aspects it might be really good for the 150ft x 4ft area of ground cover between my stone wall and the road itself. That area is impossible to do with the push blower and hard to do even with a handheld as the leaves would be blowing into the road and cars etc. The vac option on that one might be just the ticket but I think it's new and haven't heard anything about them. Leaning toward Stihl because of the dealer support too. Anyone have any thoughts on that model? Specs seem to be the same for the non vac model.

http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/SH86CE.html

I think the SH basically the same as BR internally. I think a lot of the other brands' hand held have option of VAC. For your size of area and the fact you have a WB, you don't want a bp. The hand held is very very useful as I described before.

[Superior L & L]

Go buy something by Echo from Home Depot. Now im sure everyone is going to start talking bad about them but they are a great lower end commercial product. Would last a homeowner for ever.
In the old days id go buy 2 $219.99 weed whips a year. each crew would get one new one and last years would be there standby. 2 years use for just over $200 .....you cannot beat it! Same with there blowers

[Jim Z]

Picked up the Stihl SH86. Same as the BG 86 with the easy start. Only $20 more to go to the Vac option so best of both worlds. Picked up from the local John Deere dealer who seems better than many others at least up front. We'll see if it comes to service.

I just did the first go round with leaves which are about half done now in my yard. Used the vac a bit but mostly in the blower position. Worked just great and will complement the walk behind and the z. I actually haven't even fired up the walk behind as the z seems to do a great job and in my yard I am surrounded by park/woods etc and all I have to do is get it off the lawn and not worry where it goes.

Thanks for the advice.

[rob7233]

I'd say a Stihl BG85 or lower, new or used, whatever your budget is comfortable with. This handheld will give you the power or a smaller BP with the manuverabilty and ease of use. Smaller package to store too. I'd search your local Craigslist. I've seen some like new ones (BG85) for way less than $200.00