seeking advice on a good backpack blower

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
 
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
 
ksgrassguy said:
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
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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!
 
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 said:
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.
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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?????
 
djdicetn said:
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?????
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You may want to check out this thread, I just bought this one for the wife a Stihl BR 200.

BR-200 007.jpg
 
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