walk behind blowers!!

[lawnboy]

Have any of you used the walk behind blowers. I rented one this weekend, and it was a cheap one, it sure did move some leaves. We did a resort which usually takes us 2.5 days, and by using this blower and mulching the leaves, we knocked our time down to 1.5 days. How expensive are some of these blowers? Our the worth it in the long run? I think if I was to make an investment like that, I would have to change from hourly clean up rates to job rates, do to how effecient it is.

[guntruck]

Not real sure on this topic but i would think you would want to have a substantial amount of large commercial properties to justify owning one, for space reasons along with cost, which im not sure of. But we use bp blowers and they work just great but then again we have no really big commercial properties either.

[bob]

Walk behind blowers have a lot more power than backpack blowers. However they aren't as monuverable as backpacks. Large areas would benifit from a walk behind.

[CCLC]

We have a little wonder 8hp blower. It is awsome. It will blow leaves like crazy. On really big jobs we rent a little wonder from Home Depot or a local rental store. These are really handy. Back pack blowers are awsome but just can't blow the quantity of leaves.

[Cutter1]

I have a little wonder 5 hp walkbehind blower. Wouldn't do leaves without it. It is so nice to have for big areas and parking lots. It is awkward and heavy to move around, but it is well worth it. I think it cost me $500, plus $100 for the front wheel kit. THe front wheel has a bigger tire and it swivels for easier manuevering.

[lawnboy]

how much was the 8hp little wonder?

[thelawnguy]

An 8 hp walkbehind was one of my first purchases. I have never used anything but (except for a handheld job) once you get the hang of it, its fine for postage stamp and estate lots as well.

[Runner]

Mine was $805.00 out the door with the 8 hp Industrial engine last year. 5 yr. warranty. When I bought it, I did ALOT of comparison. I already had a Billy Goat, which is a great machine by the way. At the dealer, we took the Little Wonder and a brand new Billy Goat, both with 8 hp. out in the lot and stood some bottles up to test them. Well, I ended up buying the Little Wonder.:)

[jeffyr]

I had a regular 8HP little wonder, and traded up to the high output this year.....what a difference !
Go for the High output, and if you can, get the Honda 9 or 11 hp.
Everyone in my area uses them along with backpacks. You can't beat the time saved clearing (not talking about mulching hear). When you get a pile 4 ft high and you turn that blower into it (providing you don't have a breeze) look out !
The high output uses a turbine instead of a fan. It is quieter as well. The larger engine sizes have larger fans...One word of caution-if you have the 8hp briggs, check the oil frequently and change every 25 hours.

jeffyr

[thelawnguy]

Jeffyr hit it on the head, stay away from the briggs and scrapiron engines on these blowers, you will need to add oil at every fillup, and the vibration will shake every nut and bolt loose. I wish I sprang the extra 150 for the Honda.

[Evan528]

For years i was using a old 5 hp little wander push blower and thought it was the best.... last year i bought the new 8hp high output little wander! Holly sh**... whatta diffrence. I can blow a house away with this thing. I have heard that on the new high output little wander that the 8hp's are equivelant to an old style little wander 11hp. Best $720 ive spent!

[CCLC]

As I said earlier I have the 8hp Briggs Little Wonder. I think that it is the greatest...But... I have heard that the new 8hp just rocks. Next year we will probably add one to the arsonal of equipment. I too have to add oil all the time to my Briggs. If you have a lot of vibration check your impeller. It might be slightly bent.

[bondlawn]

All of my properties are commercial except for one. I can't get along without a walk-behind. I use it even on my one residential. I started out with an 8HP Little Wonder and now own it and a 13HP Little Wonder.

Shy away from the 8HP Briggs. They have a history of problems according to the shop that does most of my work. There is something about the 8 horse engine and the blower impeller that causes vibration that causes the engine to blow up (according to the boys in the shop). Of the 12 machines that my shop has sold, they have had to replace 7 of the engines. They will not sell an 8HP now.

When my 8HP had to go in the shop (carburator problems, not major problems) I bought a 13HP Honda. The shop didn't have a 9HP Honda and they sold me the 13 for the price of a 9hp ($1069.00) since they'd had the 13 on the floor for several months. It is unbelievable how much more air the 13 moves when compared to the 8. The Honda engine also cranks so much easier than the Briggs.

[mdb landscaping]

8 hp briggs giant vac. $800 best purchase i ever made for leaves. next year its going to be time for a debris loader.

[landscaper3]

We have a Billy Goat with an IC10 HP motor with ajustable shoot (new model) and got the JRCO blower mount and have it installed in seconds on one of our Walker mowers. Big big time savings with the blower buggy installed on front of mower. We use it for spring and fall cleanups and to clean up winter maintenance (sand and salt). We picked up the new QB1004 model 10 HP Industrial motor which has the new ajustable shute cost us $729.00