Backpack blower, why?

[32vld]

Originally Posted by OakNut

Ummm... Mine does. I wouldn't have lied about it to strengthen my "argument". I'm not going to repeat the process, but if you read it again, you'll see that there are more "steps" involved in getting my backpack in action than there are for my handheld.
Some people can't seem to grasp the concept that not everyone uses the same equipment, nor works on the same lawns.

I don't HAVE a "rack", so yes, it IS harder to deal with. I don't know how many more times I can clearly state that a backpack is NOT easier 95% of the time for MY application. Yours may differ.

I have a part time job three evenings a week. Every week a guy separate from the mower guy comes and edges, weeds beds, trims hedges. He comes in a full size Dodge PU. Everything he needs fits in the bed of his truck.

He is of the only back pack blower school.

When it's time to start up his BPB he places it on the tail gate, puts one hand against the blower so that when he pulls on the rope the blower dosent's move and it starts up on the first pull. He then grabs the straps puts the blower on as if it was a jacket and off he goes. Seems pretty simple and very easy.

I have never seen a hand held that has the power to blow leaves for a fall clean up.



Edit to add a simplified view. A dump truck can carry more then a pick up. It's higer price is not justified when a the pick up can handle the job. All equipment purchases need to be thought out. Need vs want.

[hackitdown]

This is like comparing a 50cc scooter to an Escalade. They both have merit, they both have negatives. They both can get you to the store and back. But the difference in capabilities is clear.

[MOturkey]

Prior to starting my own business, I helped a friend of mine for a couple of summers. His only blower was a bp, and I outweighed my him by about 80 pounds and have 5 or so inches on him, which means that if the straps were adjusted for him, I could barely fit an arm through the straps, and if adjusted for me, it swallowed him. We had a couple of places where the bp was nice, but most of the time, it was more hassle than it was worth.

When I started my business, I bought a new Stihl handheld, and used it exclusively for about 3 seasons. Eventually, as my money situation improved, I bought a BR600. I could get by with the handheld, but the 600 saves a lot of cussing and time on larger areas, especially if the wind is a factor. I still use my handheld quite a bit for smaller jobs, and carry both with me, which I think is prudent, because you have an automatic backup in case of mechanical problems with one or the other.

It is no different than say having a 36 inch walk-behind, and a 60 inch Z on the trailer at the same time. You might have some jobs where the 36 is more practical, but it is unlikely you are going to unload it if you roll up to a place that is 3 acres.

[Penncare]

Well said MO, we all handle different accounts, grasses, weather, physical abilities and a slew of other factors. When starting out smaller is "usually" better to keep overhead low. I would guess most lcos today carry the following equipment daily:
1. Full size zero 52-61
2. Smaller stand on or walk behind 36
3. One 21 incher
4. Two blowers, usually at least one bp
5. two to three trimmers, edger and other hand tools like a shovel, rake, etc.
The point I am making is that this is typical, not necessary. If you are doing what you love, earning what you want to, and providing an honest quality service, you are a success even if you only have a 21, handheld blower and trimmer.

[macgyver_GA]

The reason is time, efficiency, and fatigue.

I can blow off a driveway with my backpack blower in half the time it would take with a handheld. Less time & less walking = less operator fatigue = more production in the same amount of time.

I also like the comment about the wet situations. I had a random popup thunderstorm come through in the middle of servicing an account on Tuesday. I just finished mowing and was about to start trimming when the bottom fell out. I had to trim and blow everything off when it was soaking wet. The power of the backpack blower blew all of the clippings off the wet pavement with no problems.

Plus I find much less fatigue from carrying a backpack blower on your back than carrying a handheld that vibrates your hand to death and starts to get pretty heavy after a while. A BP blower distributes the weight across your shoulders and back. If it's bothering you, then you probably don't have the straps adjusted properly.

Also, try starting it in the back of the truck, put it on the wheel well of the trailer, or on the rack. I put mine up on the wheel well of the trailer to start it.

[weeze]

i thought the same thing until i got a backpack blower. backpack is way better and faster. really comes in handy on those wide driveways since you can blow it off without having to walk over from edge to edge. you can walk down the middle or one side and blow everything off the other side. they will blow it off from 20ft away or more.

[ed2hess]

Originally Posted by macgyver_GA

The reason is time, efficiency, and fatigue.

I can blow off a driveway with my backpack blower in half the time it would take with a handheld. Less time & less walking = less operator fatigue = more production in the same amount of time.

I.

We use our mowers to blow off driveways and sidewalks ..and we use trimmers to edge. Hand blower fine for most jobs and a wb blower for real jobs not a sissy back pack. I find that when we put big back packs on the crews they blew off every little bity piece of gravel...net took longer with back pack. Yes it was a better job with back pack but guess what they didn't pay any more.

[tgzzzz]

Originally Posted by Penncare

[discussion of lco tools] The point I am making is that this is typical, not necessary. [If you are doing what you love, earning what you want to, and providing an honest quality service, you are a success even if you only have a 21, handheld blower and trimmer[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/I].

Man that is such a wonderful comment. Didn't take long to want a rider or to get one.

[mjlcare2]

Originally Posted by Kelan

This may be a silly question, but I'm sure somebody here has a good answer.

Why do so many people use backpack blowers? Are they any better or faster than a good "normal" residential style blower? I'm about to get a second blower, but right now I use a Stihl "normal" blower and can't see how blowing could be faster any other way. Do guys just feel big, bad, and professional with their backpack blowers or is there a real good reason to use them?

Thanks!

You guys know your in the Commercial thread right.. so assuming you all do commercial work? with handheld blowers??? whatt?? are you kidding me.. do you still use push mowers too.. or does a zturn just make us big, bad, and professional.. Have you ever blown off a 50k sq ft parking lot.. good luck with that handheld.. we use a... hold on you might want to sit down for this.. a walk behind blower!!!!! with a 13 hp engine on it!!! that and a couple of backpack blowers..

[Rasor]

If anything get a small back pack blower. Your only looking at 10-12 lbs for a small one and 15-17 lbs for a bigger one. If you cant carry that then you must have back problems and shouldnt even be using handheld.