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#1
11-18-2012, 09:02 PM
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~$300 backpack blower for homeowner, 3/4 acre
Have it narrowed down to the following choices. Can't really go much more than this amount of money, as my wife is already looking at me like I'm lazy/crazy for "needing" one.
Specs are all fairly similar. Any input on these models? Other features which would put one above the other? Are the specs close enough to be considered a "wash"? I am on 3/4 acre, backed to the woods. I can just blow everything over to the woods line which would be verrrry nice.  Thanks. Echo PB-500H/PB-500T (any input on hip vs. tube mounted throttle?) $329 CC: 50.8 MPH: 195 CFM: 465 (w/ tube) MPH x CFM = 90675 Stihl BR350 $369 CC: 63.3 MPH: 168 CFM: 441 (w/ tube) MPH x CFM = 74088 Husqvarna 350BT/350BH (frame vs. tube controls) $319 CC: 50.2 MPH: 180 CFM: 494 (w/ tube) MPH x CFM = 88920 Husqvarna 150BT (bit lower class than above I gather) $299 CC: 50.2 MPH: 251 (see below, I assume in housing, not tube?) CFM: 710 (in housing, I assume this is not tube) - Dave
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Toro Super Recycler SR4 Echo SRM-225 Husqvarna 570BTS Husqvarna 435 Super crappy yard 
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#2
11-18-2012, 09:08 PM
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Which ever one you get take the muffler off.
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#3
11-18-2012, 09:16 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Toro Super Recycler SR4 Echo SRM-225 Husqvarna 570BTS Husqvarna 435 Super crappy yard
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#5
11-19-2012, 12:30 AM
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If I could find a quality landscape/lawn person who would do a good job and not rake me over the coals, that'd be one thing. But I'm getting quotes of $700 for pest control, $3500 to run a skidsteer for a couple days etc. Maybe the lawn business is different though.
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Toro Super Recycler SR4 Echo SRM-225 Husqvarna 570BTS Husqvarna 435 Super crappy yard
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#6
11-19-2012, 12:57 AM
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Have you looked into the cost of the chemicals to do pest control yourself? They are not cheap and people don't want to work for free. Same on the skidsteer. If you think you can do it rent one yourself. Around here you can rent one from CAT for $240 a day or $700 a week but you better have a truck and trailer that can haul cause that don't include delivery and pickup. You homeowners look at this stuff and don't think about what we have to pay to be legitimate businesses. I'll give you an example. In WV, just my 5x12 open trailer is $92 a year in property taxes. What do you suppose taxes on a skid steer and a trailer big enough to haul it are? We also are to pay for wear and tear, fuel, wages, payroll taxes, etc... So if you want to do it yourself just do it. Don't come to the pro forum and ask for advice then complain about prices. The blower you are looking at is not nearly big enough from a guy who does this for a livings POV. If you want to do it yourself at least buy a top of the line BP blower. Husky 570 or 580 Stilhl Magnum, Redmax 5700 or 5800 Echo 700 just search youtube for big BP blowers and you will find them all.
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#7
11-19-2012, 08:48 AM
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Now you come in here ask us what we think... You need $500 for a decent backpack blower. That's what I think. People will hem and haw over it, but this, but that, blablabla, they all want the best for less, it never ends with the cheapness. A Backpack blower is designed to last 20 years, this assumes the operator takes care of his equipment, it assumes nobody ever runs straight fuel in it, it assumes the equipment will see some kind of regular maintenance, all in all that is assuming a lot but for $500 and a bit of maintenance and annual upkeep they really do last a long, long time. Save $$$ here and get a $300 blower, trying to save a dollar you still won't have what you need. For a backpack blower, you need to spend $500. In the meantime ... You could always rent a 8 to 10 hp push blower and be done in 1-2 hours, take you half a day running it back and forth to the rental place but all in all you should come out just south of $100 and that takes care of the leaves this year. Then, start saving $$$ for next fall. Last edited by herler; 11-19-2012 at 08:57 AM.
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#8
11-19-2012, 12:33 AM
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Not everyone can afford a top end blower, and of the ones he listed I would definitely go with the 350. I don't belive they even make the 150 now, but they do still have the specs on their site. The main difference in them is that the 350 is a strato-charged engine (like all their pro grade blowers are), which means better on fuel and lower emmisions.
For the size place in that pic, a 350 would be more than enough blower.
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#9
11-19-2012, 06:40 PM
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If it were me Id buy the best that Shindawia now makes, and buy a new truck to bring it home in. Make sure the truck has a loud radio.
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#10
11-18-2012, 09:27 PM
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The waist belts on the Husqvarna blowers are nice for taking the weight off your shoulders. I used hip mounted throttles for 10 years but now that I have a tube mounted one I prefer it...free us the other hand for picking up sticks or whatever you want to do with it.
Not really sure what the difference is between the 150 and 350 but the 350s are a pretty decent and reliable unit.
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