Backpack blower, why?

[BestImpressions99]

Yeah I really like last years BR600. That nozzle on the front seems to really sap the power it has.

[tgzzzz]

Originally Posted by BestImpressions99

Yeah I really like last years BR600. That nozzle on the front seems to really sap the power it has.

Have truer words been spoken?

[Ridin' Green]

Originally Posted by BestImpressions99

I used to have nothing but a tank (Shindaiwa back pack) and and Echo (echo, echo, echo) hand held. My dad swears by Stihl BR600's. I agree that what you need it for but really when you think about it I'm not using it for anything more than what any lawn care company would need a blower for. You have to blow off driveways, sidewalks and curbsides.

Yes, there IS THAT much difference in a handheld blower and a backpack. Air velocity is what you want to look at. Both are professional grade. Handheld (359 or 459 cfm - round or flat tube), backpack (712 or 1012 cfm with the narrowed nozzle or without it). Yes the backpack is 11lbs heavier but I beleive they've made it very well balanced.

I have the non-Magnum version (previous model with the standard tube, not the narrowed nozzle style of the Magnum) and a few months ago and my churches spring cleanup it started to rain pretty hard while in the middle of blowing the parking lot (mind you small rocks, mulch and water). I was able to (spending a bit more time that it would have been if it was dry) get all the rocks, mulch AND standing water off the parking lot. Something to ponder if you ask me.

Now, don't get me wrong, we are considering a handheld for small quick jobs for our next blower purchase so handhelds are NOT bad by any means.

The "old" BR600 and the Magnum version have identical specs according to Stihl. The 1012 CFM is not taken at the narrow nozzle either. It is taken at the blower housing like any other manu does when showing maximum cfm performance of the fan itself. The 712 cfm is at the tube end where real performance counts. They both have very similar sized exit holes in the two different nozzle designs. The "narrow" new design is mainly to allow for tube end wear. I have both types of nozzles to compare performace with, and there's little real world difference between them.


I have an old SH85 hand held blower that will keep pace with many mid sized BP's quite easily. It is quick and handy for certain appplications, but it does get really heavy after a while. I mainly use it for tight areas, or cleaning gutters these days.

I say it's best to own at least one of each type of blower. They both have their place in the lawn care game. You can cut a 1 acre lawn with a 21" WB, but it's far from the best choice. So it goes with blowers. Use the tool that's most appropriate for the job at hand.

[BestImpressions99]

That's where the difference lies Ridin', you mentioned MID-Sized Back packs. Full size back packs are different. Also I just put the CFM and air speed numbers from the stihl website. Also, I've used both versions and I can tell a difference from the Magnum and non-magnum version. Sorry to have a difference of opinion with you on this. But I will indeed agree with you Ridin' that handheld blowers DO have their place on the trailer.

[mowerman90]

I prefer "full sized" backpacks. They'll blow most anything off driveways, including small cars.

[Groomer]

my wife uses a handheld for a hair dryer.

[StanWilhite]

Originally Posted by cgaengineer

He's using a walk behind blower strapped to his back.
Posted via Mobile Device

[milkie62]

I have an echo handheld and a husky backpack.I bag alot so not many clippings.99% I will grab the handheld.Now for leaves and cleanups---backpack all the way.

[tjlco]

I didn't read all the replies but I've often wondered why a guy would spend a minimum of thousands on a zero turn mower, edger, and whips, all to get the job done fast and correct. Then buy the smallest blower possible because it's light, and spend twice the time blowing a property. My 770's can blow dirt and clippings from one side to the other of a two car drive. That means my guys make one trip up then one down the drive. In most cases less than a minute. (not long driveways of course)