[krusej23]

I'll check it out, thanks! Have any of you tried the Ego backpack unit?

I have the LB6000-FC and it's fantastic. I had just a Dewalt 20v blower to compare it too but it will blow my mulch from the grass back into the beds which is really what I need it for. If you use the turbo button it will blow really hard but I don't have to use that very often.

How long does the battery last?

I only have a 2.5ah battery and I haven't run it dead yet. I've maybe used it at most for 20 minutes with trimming, edging, and blowing with the same battery.

 

[SCGrassMan]

Oh nice! That's not bad. And if its LiOn it should recharge pretty quick too. Maybe once or twice a year at leaf cleanup season I'd use it that much. But I'm REALLY debating the whole handheld vs backpack so the wife could use it too.

 

[dsc123]

I have the ryobi 40v backpack blower. For 3k sq ft it would probably be great. I have closer to 10k, and a TON of trees dropping leaves. Even with 4 batteries I can't do my whole property at once. Fewer leaves or a smaller yard it would be great.

 

[SCGrassMan]

Yeah, I gotta think for 10k I'm definitely getting a much bigger gas job.

 

[SCGrassMan]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-Power-Plus-56-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Battery-Included/1003130706

I've settled on this unit - for now. Primarily for financial reasons, as I have a pretty small yard (3k). I like this option because its the 56v, so it gets me into the "ecosystem" of these guys. I'm thinking as the Stihl equipment dies out, I might transition to their combo powerhead units.

 

[ionicatoms]

:thumbup:

 

[Lust4Lawn]

I'm not into the battery-powered equipment except for drills and stuff.

I have a bunch of Stihl stuff that is ~12 years old and I've only changed spark plugs with no equipment end of life in the near future. I cannot see battery equipment providing the longevity

I just bought the smallest Stihl handheld gas blower (BG 50 for $140!) for my 5' tall wife Summer 2020 by her request. She loves to keep the driveway and all of our walkways clean and uses it every 2 days on average all year round. She previously used our backpack blower (Stihl BR-380) which is overly powerful for the task, but the little handheld unit is perfect for a driveway that can park ~20 cars and ~200 feet of walkway that have some twigs, a bunch of pine needles and stray leaves, etc. When the leaves fall in Autumn here in NJ the handheld BG 50 will not clear a large area with a thick blanket of leaves but can still build mounds of leaves that I can rake onto a tarp and drag to my compost pile.

 

[SCGrassMan]

I'm not into the battery-powered equipment except for drills and stuff.

I have a bunch of Stihl stuff that is ~12 years old and I've only changed spark plugs with no equipment end of life in the near future. I cannot see battery equipment providing the longevity

I just bought the smallest Stihl handheld gas blower (BG 50 for $140!) for my 5' tall wife Summer 2020 by her request. She loves to keep the driveway and all of our walkways clean and uses it every 2 days on average all year round. She previously used our backpack blower (Stihl BR-380) which is overly powerful for the task, but the little handheld unit is perfect for a driveway that can park ~20 cars and ~200 feet of walkway that have some twigs, a bunch of pine needles and stray leaves, etc. When the leaves fall in Autumn here in NJ the handheld BG 50 will not clear a large area with a thick blanket of leaves but can still build mounds of leaves that I can rake onto a tarp and drag to my compost pile.

That has not been my experience at all. I'm spending $50-$100 a year to keep the Stihl kombi head running. They usually sell me a tuneup and a new carburetor every year when it stops starting easily.

 

[Lust4Lawn]

That has not been my experience at all. I'm spending $50-$100 a year to keep the Stihl kombi head running. They usually sell me a tuneup and a new carburetor every year when it stops starting easily.

Really? Do you run ethanol-free gas? Do you buy gas in too large of a quantity where it becomes stale?

Every time I have a hard time starting, I just pop a new NGK spark plug in the hole and they all come right back to life.

I run ethanol-free 90-91 octane with Amsoil Saber 2-stroke oil mixed at 60-80:1 on 4 pieces of Stihl equipment that have never had more than an air filter blown out or spark plug changed. Something doesn't sound right on your side.

 

[SCGrassMan]

I do run ethanol free. I only run Stihl oil on Stihl equipment. I'm not sure if its still the case or if thats only Echo, but if they detect non-brand oil in a warranty repair they generally wont cover it.

I'm sure I could take better care of the equipment, use fresher gas, etc. but generally speaking, now that Im not doing it commercially, I don't want to mess with any of that, I just need it to run when I wanna use it, and I can't afford to keep spares and drop the other ones off at the shop to get fixed.

 

[Lust4Lawn]

I don't want to mess with any of that, I just need it to run when I wanna use it, and I can't afford to keep spares and drop the other ones off at the shop to get fixed.

Yep, stuff has to work when you need it to.

 

[spraying_and_praying]

EGO all the way! They make the best OPE in my humble opinion. I have a handheld and the backpack blower- and they are excellent tools!

https://egopowerplus.com/power-blowers/

 

[Getting Fat]

EGO all the way! They make the best OPE in my humble opinion. I have a handheld and the backpack blower- and they are excellent tools!

https://egopowerplus.com/power-blowers/

how strong is the backpack and how long does the 7.5 battery last using it? I have a big backyard with oak leaves and acorns I'd like to blow into the greenbelt behind my house.

 

[spraying_and_praying]

The EGO backpack blower will push your arm back when engaging the trigger if you're not paying attention! I have 5.0Ah batteries (not the 7.5) and they easily last for the size of my yard. Holding the button on full turbo would deplete them much quicker, but you only need that for a stubborn spot of debris. The unit is very powerful. I have 3 batteries and use the quick charger to charge depleted batteries, while using full batteries in my equipment. Works well for snow blowing!

 

[SCGrassMan]

EGO all the way! They make the best OPE in my humble opinion. I have a handheld and the backpack blower- and they are excellent tools!

https://egopowerplus.com/power-blowers/

What's OPE?

I got the handheld one that was normally $179 for $159. And did something I rarely do which is buy the warranty. Apparently on top of mfg, they give you 50% off replacement batteries.

 

[Lust4Lawn]

What's OPE?

Outdoor Power Equipment

 

[TulsaFan]

@SCGrassMan It seems like you got a good deal on the blower, battery, and charger for $10 more than just a 2.5 Ah battery. :thumbup:

Ego is made by the same company, Chervon, that makes Kobalt 24v tools. I love the cheap prices on Kobalt 24v batteries. However, the Ego batteries are $150-$350 at Lowes.

@Ware had one of those Ego handheld blowers. I wonder if he kept it to compliment his new BR800?

 

[Ware]

@SCGrassMan It seems like you got a good deal on the blower, battery, and charger for $10 more than just a 2.5 Ah battery. :thumbup:

Ego is made by the same company, Chervon, that makes Kobalt 24v tools. I love the cheap prices on Kobalt 24v batteries. However, the Ego batteries are $150-$350 at Lowes.

@Ware had one of those Ego handheld blowers. I wonder if he kept it to compliment his new BR800?

I still have it - I actually use it a lot. I also have a Stihl BR800C backpack and a Stihl BG86C handheld. While not as powerful as either of those 2-smokes, the Ego is great for quick jobs like blowing off the patio. I don't see myself getting rid of it.

Does a guy really need 3 different blowers? Probably not, but I would argue it's kind of like having 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive ratchets in your tool box.

That's interesting about Chervon also making Kobalt. I suppose that, among other things, influenced Ego's switch from Home Depot to Lowe's.

 

[Delmarva Keith]

That has not been my experience at all. I'm spending $50-$100 a year to keep the Stihl kombi head running. They usually sell me a tuneup and a new carburetor every year when it stops starting easily.

Have you tried any of the the pre-packaged "red gas"? Example: https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Accessories/Red-Armor/Product-Line/Fuel

It's expensive but if you don't use the equipment all that much and for stuff that sits in the off season, it makes a big difference. If you're having annual equipment issues, worth a try.

 

[bernstem]

Definitely use ethanol free gas in small engines. I have not had any carb issues in years running pre-mixed TruFuel from Home Depot.