seeking advice on a good backpack blower

[JayC]

I have a Stihl BR500 - I don't know what they cost, but I traded an XR50 for it and a '67 Wheelhorse 10HP tractor. It works great and is very quiet.

The BR500-600 all use the same motor, but tweak around with the carb/exhaust and fan/tube configurations, yielding the differences in performance. The BR500 is the least powerful (3HP vs. 4HP) and also the heaviest by a pound, simply because the exhaust can is BIG and heavy. The payback for the extra pound is a 65dB noise rating, vs 75db for the others. 10dB is a huge difference at over 3 times reduction is sound pressure. It sounds like a sewing machine - no need for muffs and guaranteed to NOT generate a neighborhood mob showing up with torches and pitchforks.

JayC

 

[JOE.G]

I don't think Either the BR 550 or 600 are loud, They seem to very smooth running.

 

[Ric]

I don't think Either the BR 550 or 600 are loud, They seem to very smooth running.

We run the 380 and the 500 models and I'm like you there not that loud, the Echo's are a lot louder by far.

 

[ksgrassguy]

Got the BR550 and love it, now I never have to sweep dirt or shovel snow.

God I love this machine.

note: 1st blower I ever bought and used

 

[JOE.G]

You should enjoy it, If you don't mind how much did you pay for it?

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Got the BR550 and love it, now I never have to sweep dirt or shovel snow.

God I love this machine.

note: 1st blower I ever bought and used

Congratulations! If you have any pictures of it please post some! I would love to see it!!
I am guessing you don't get that much snow there because if you get like a foot of snow you won't be able to use the blower...unfortunately. But for a light fluffy snow it will work good!

 

[jekjr]

Instead of a back pack I use a 25cc Poulan Pro. 200 MPH and 430 CFM. I bought mine in early August and have run several tanks of gas through it with 0 problems. Starts easy and moves some air. I have used it to blow driveways, sidewalks, and moving leaves our of fences and so forth to be mulched with my mower. Just a thought. Several people told me that Poulan stuff was cheap junk but if it does the job and lasts it is worth looking into. I caught mine on sale for $89 although they are like $119 I think now in most places.

 

[djdicetn]

Instead of a back pack I use a 25cc Poulan Pro. 200 MPH and 430 CFM. I bought mine in early August and have run several tanks of gas through it with 0 problems. Starts easy and moves some air. I have used it to blow driveways, sidewalks, and moving leaves our of fences and so forth to be mulched with my mower. Just a thought. Several people told me that Poulan stuff was cheap junk but if it does the job and lasts it is worth looking into. I caught mine on sale for $89 although they are like $119 I think now in most places.

jekjr,

Is that Poulan fairly light(in case my wife wanted to use it for blowing grass clippings off the driveway & sidewalk)? Also, being in Tennessee, we don't have much need for clearing snow but I am interested in getting a "gutter kit" for blowing the leaves out of the gutters on my house & garage which is a major chore for me now using the "ladder/manual" method!! I've been told that these are more designed for the hand-held blowers versus the backpack blowers but don't know that to be a fact. And like you, I don't see any need for me to spend $300-$400 for a fancy backpack blower when a $120 handheld will do the job(s) I need a blower for. I do want something that will last, is easy to use(lightweight for the wife) and will get the job done. The main reason I was considering the backpack-type blower was for the wife. Any more advice/suggestions for what will meet my needs?????

 

[Ric]

jekjr,

Is that Poulan fairly light(in case my wife wanted to use it for blowing grass clippings off the driveway & sidewalk)? Also, being in Tennessee, we don't have much need for clearing snow but I am interested in getting a "gutter kit" for blowing the leaves out of the gutters on my house & garage which is a major chore for me now using the "ladder/manual" method!! I've been told that these are more designed for the hand-held blowers versus the backpack blowers but don't know that to be a fact. And like you, I don't see any need for me to spend $300-$400 for a fancy backpack blower when a $120 handheld will do the job(s) I need a blower for. I do want something that will last, is easy to use(lightweight for the wife) and will get the job done. The main reason I was considering the backpack-type blower was for the wife. Any more advice/suggestions for what will meet my needs?????

You may want to check out this thread, I just bought this one for the wife a Stihl BR 200.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

You may want to check out this thread, I just bought this one for the wife a Stihl BR 200.

View attachment 11460

Did you forget to include a link to the thread? I think this is the thread you are talking about: http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/commercial-residential-lawn-mowing/13094-stihl-br-200-br-blower.html. (Most of the info about the blower after Ric purchased it is on pages 2 and 3.)