Yeah, it's almost double your budget too, lol. Another thing to consider is your size and level of fitness/stamina. It's not going to do much good to get a big blower that you find difficult to use for any length of time.
I'm 5'2" 135 lbs, it won't be a problem.:weightlifter:
Just messing...6'1" 200 lbs...should be OK with the size. Still reading and debating. You're right about it being double the budget. I need to stop reading and thinking so much.
I would vote for the first one, the Echo. But if you decide to step up, consider the Stihl BR500 or the BR600 Magnum. I got the BR600 magnum a while back and it is incredible. I cannot wait till Stihl makes an ever more powerful blower!!
According to the Stihl rep we talked with this year at the outdoor show, there isn't any plan to go bigger than the 600 Stihl. They may come out with another strato-charged 2 stroke that would equal the 600, but they don't plan to go bigger anytime soon.
My Husky 570 is quite a bit more powerful than my BR600. I rarely use the 600 anymore.
I'm 5'2" 135 lbs, it won't be a problem.:weightlifter:
Just messing...6'1" 200 lbs...should be OK with the size. Still reading and debating. You're right about it being double the budget. I need to stop reading and thinking so much.
Just go to buy the biggest one in your price range, then end up actually going one size bigger and you'll be more than satisfied usually. Take a look at the Husky 560 too. It is almost an identical machine to the 570 Husky, but it doesn't have quite as much power due to its fan design, it has a different air filter, and it costs less.
I've almost convinced myself to get the Husqvarna 570. Everything is closed today, but I'll do some calling around tomorrow off the list off their website. I can't tell what's a store and what's not based off their listing.
Not in my experience. You may be able to buy one for less online, but I can't even say for sure on that. Besides, I prefer to buy from the same place that I would go to if I need service for anything.
I've used my 570 for just over a year, and it is an extemelt impressive blower, especially one you get it broken in good, which takes a few tanks of fuel at a minimum to do. I use Amsoil Saber mixed at 80:1 in all my hand held power tools except for my chainsaws (Saber is rated for 100:1 mixing), and I couldn't be happier with it in the Husky.
I got my 580 for $529 last year and I think they were $559 at that point. But I got mine from my rental yard that I do a fair amount of business with. They're also a Husqvarna dealer.
The problem with online sales from some manufacturers is that the warranty is automatically voided if the unit wasn't sold by an authorized dealer, assembled and fired up by them prior to delivery to the customer. Not sure if that's the case with Husky.
The 570 (and 580) are big heavy units but should last you a lifetime of residential use if treated well and stored properly when not in use. I don't think you'd be disappointed with the 350 and you'll be blown away by the bigger units, no pun intended, lol.
On a side note: The hip belt on my 580 is showing wear where the flexible portion of the blower tube rubs against it. I'm worn through the fabric to the stiffener in a spot about 1/2 inch long. I'll see if I have any more sail repair tape around...love that stuff for fabric repairs!
According to the Stihl rep we talked with this year at the outdoor show, there isn't any plan to go bigger than the 600 Stihl. They may come out with another strato-charged 2 stroke that would equal the 600, but they don't plan to go bigger anytime soon.
My Husky 570 is quite a bit more powerful than my BR600. I rarely use the 600 anymore.
Thanks for that info. I am no hurry since I just got my Blower a couple of years ago, but I love to upgrade!!
Anyhoo, Stihl will eventually build a bigger and better blower, basically just for what you said at the end of your post. Gotta keep up or get left behind.
Thanks for that info. I am no hurry since I just got my Blower a couple of years ago
However Stihl will eventually build a bigger and better blower, basically just for what you said at the end of your post. Gotta keep up or get left behind.
That's what I said to him, but he said that they felt that blowers have gotten about as powerful as is practical while still being portable on your back, because going larger in power also means going a bit larger in the size of the machine due to needing to have a larger impeller, so they are focusing on better fuel efficiency and ergonomics more than power now. He said if a person needed more than the top tier blowers offer now, they'd be better off with a walk behind model of one brand or another. Kinda makes me wonder if they have one of those coming somewhere in the not too distant future. Wouldn't surprise me one bit.
Im an Echo guy all the way, never had a problem. That being said I've also had a Husqvarna 130BT, which was great for cleaning up grass clippings after I cut. It's not made to be a commercial leaf blower by any means. You should be fine spending the $200 on the 130BT and spending a few hours every Fall to clean the leaves up.
If you buy one of those blowers, all you'll need need to start your lawn care business is some homemade brochures to put in bags along with some rocks to throw in people's driveways, a 25 year old 3.5 horse push mower you found on the curb, a couple of bungie cords to keep the trunk of your car closed and $50 for fuel and 30 pack of beer. Then you can call yourself "one of us." :laugh:
Hahaha. I've slacked more than I care to admit since moving here. There's been a couple times I've had a guy pushing a mower up the street ask if he can cut my yard for $xx. Always when I'm outside getting ready to finally cut. Then there is the guy with the Escort with a hitch and cooler-carrier, with the mower sitting on top bungie-corded down, literally.
I suffer from Tim Allen disease. I don't need this stuff. But I'd rather spend 10 hours learning about blowers, researching them etc. figuring out which blower to buy, than just taking the 3 hours to take my ass out there with a rake and get it done.
To be honest my early 80's Echo bp-300e is enough for blowing dry leaves and grass around at my home. I'm thinking the 300 means that its blowing roughly 300 cfm so pretty much anything by new would trueky blow it away. Posted via Mobile Device
Just all depends on how many leaves you have......I have 2 60' pin oaks plus a zillion other trees that drop multiple feet deep worth of leaves lol.......I blow them to my drainage ditch and burn them, so I will move massive amounts of leaves a long ways to accomplish this - thus I need all the power I can get.
Thanks goodness the wife fully understands what a pain in the butt they are. She loves the yard clean, so I get a big toy to do it with lol!
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