Buying Advice Need Some Advice About Buying A String Trimmer And Backpack Blower For Next Year

[DPuro329]

Hi everyone,
I have one season under my belt with my Husqvarna ride on mower, but because I spent so much on the mower I made do with a cordless battery operated Ryobi trimmer which did maybe half the yard before the battery died and an electric corded Toro hand held blower. Both items are grossly underpowered and while they were fine for our old townhouse, they are essentially useless in our new yard. As much as I would love to get an Echo or Stihl or Husqvarna trimmer and blower, I can't justify $200+ for a trimmer I'll use for a half hour twice a month or $400+ for a backpack blower I'll use for a few times in the fall. Sorry for the complaining and rambling, anyway I was at Tractor Supply recently before Christmas and they had Cub Cadet trimmers on clearance. They had a 25CC 2 cycle straight shaft one for $99.99. Would it be adequate or is it garbage? They also had a 50.2CC backpack blower from Jonsered that got to 191mph and 667cfm for $299.99. Is that one any good? I've never heard of Jonsered, is it a house brand? If I was going to splurge on a better brand for one of the items, which is more important a good trimmer or blower? I would rather buy from as dealer over a big box store but I also need to keep my finances in line. I also wanted to mention that I want a trimmer only not one of those head and shaft combos that you can attach a million different tools to.
Thanks for your help in advance,

Dave

 

[Carscw]

Hi everyone, I have one season under my belt with my Husqvarna ride on mower, but because I spent so much on the mower I made do with a cordless battery operated Ryobi trimmer which did maybe half the yard before the battery died and an electric corded Toro hand held blower. Both items are grossly underpowered and while they were fine for our old townhouse, they are essentially useless in our new yard. As much as I would love to get an Echo or Stihl or Husqvarna trimmer and blower, I can't justify $200+ for a trimmer I'll use for a half hour twice a month or $400+ for a backpack blower I'll use for a few times in the fall. Sorry for the complaining and rambling, anyway I was at Tractor Supply recently before Christmas and they had Cub Cadet trimmers on clearance. They had a 25CC 2 cycle straight shaft one for $99.99. Would it be adequate or is it garbage? They also had a 50.2CC backpack blower from Jonsered that got to 191mph and 667cfm for $299.99. Is that one any good? I've never heard of Jonsered, is it a house brand? If I was going to splurge on a better brand for one of the items, which is more important a good trimmer or blower? I would rather buy from as dealer over a big box store but I also need to keep my finances in line. I also wanted to mention that I want a trimmer only not one of those head and shaft combos that you can attach a million different tools to. Thanks for your help in advance, Dave

The cub cadet trimmer is junk if you only want to spend a &100 get a ryobi I know you said you don't want a combo unit. I use a ryobi about 10 hours a week. It is a good cheap unit.

Have never used a jonsered blower but have not heard anything real bad about them.
You can get a good husqvarna for the same price.

For what you need I would get a handheld blower and get a better trimmer.

 

[Parkmower]

You can get a Stihl bg-55 hand held blower for $149 and a fs 45 trimmer for like $189. Top of the line Brand's residential equipment line. best bet.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

If you can handle holding a handheld blower I would suggest that, because buying with a small budget, I think you could get more quality for your money with a handheld.

For example:

For $200....

-This Yard-Man backpack blower :thumbdown:
Shop Yard-Man 27-cc 2-Cycle Heavy-Duty Gas Backpack Blower at Lowes.com

-This Echo handheld blower :thumbsup:
ECHO 65dB(A) 191 mph 354 CFM Low Noise Gas Blower-PB-255LN at The Home Depot

 

[Ric]

If you can handle holding a handheld blower I would suggest that, because buying with a small budget, I think you could get more quality for your money with a handheld.

For example:

For $200....

-This Yard-Man backpack blower :thumbdown:
Shop Yard-Man 27-cc 2-Cycle Heavy-Duty Gas Backpack Blower at Lowes.com

-This Echo handheld blower :thumbsup:
ECHO 65dB(A) 191 mph 354 CFM Low Noise Gas Blower-PB-255LN at The Home Depot

Out of the two blowers you have posted the yard man is a more productive blower, it moves 455 cfm or cubic feet per minute at 145 mph VS the Echo which only moves 354 cfm at 157 mph, the speed or velocity difference between the two you probably wont notice but the Yard man with over 100 cfm more air volume you'll move more debris.

 

[wjjones]

Out of the two blowers you have posted the yard man is a more productive blower, it moves 455 cfm or cubic feet per minute at 145 mph VS the Echo which only moves 354 cfm at 157 mph, the speed or velocity difference between the two you probably wont notice but the Yard man with over 100 cfm more air volume you'll move more debris.

But the Echo warranty is better than anything I know of. I am partial to Echo but I looked at Stihl, and Echo, and the warranty is what sold me. I am not sure what type of warranty yard man carries?

 

[Ric]

But the Echo warranty is better than anything I know of. I am partial to Echo but I looked at Stihl, and Echo, and the warranty is what sold me. I am not sure what type of warranty yard man carries?

Stihl and Echo both carry a two year commercial warranty, the consumer warranty is of no use to me as a commercial operator. As far as reputation I think Stihl has a better Reputation of standing behind there products and that made the difference to me and like I've said before I don't like a company that misleads people with the ads.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Out of the two blowers you have posted the yard man is a more productive blower, it moves 455 cfm or cubic feet per minute at 145 mph VS the Echo which only moves 354 cfm at 157 mph, the speed or velocity difference between the two you probably wont notice but the Yard man with over 100 cfm more air volume you'll move more debris.

But Yard-Man vs. Echo....which is going to last longer.

 

[Ric]

But Yard-Man vs. Echo....which is going to last longer.

To say how long either will last is something you can't say. How long each will last will be determined by the person using the equipment and how well they maintain the equipment.

 

[MRCo.]

The Jonsered blower is a Redmax 5150 with a different sticker. Great blower, full pro build will last you many, many years - if you look after the fuel.

I'd pony up an extra $100 today with respect the trimmer. In the long run you will be very glad you did. I recommend the Efco (not Echo!) DS2200' light, good power, 5 yr warranty, good little grass trimmer.

As regards previous posts, my experience is that Echo have better homeowner stuff than Stihl.