Yard blower

[BrokenBackJack]

Thinking about getting a yard blower for blowing off the sidewalk and patio. Also use it around the camper to blow the pine needles away and off the rug outside the door. Always had Stihl for chainsaws and like them.
Don't want to go with the big backpack blower if i can help it as with my back and neck problems don't think that would be wise. Is the handheld Stihls any good? Also has anyone tried the battery operated ones? Don't think they would put out much wind but maybe.
Any thoughts, ideas, or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Davey Crockett]

For durability I'd say it would be hard to beat My 3 year old grandsons Ryobi battery powered unit that he thinks this is the best toy ever invented. He puts on his safety glasses and blows dirt, rocks , snow water or anything else he can find to blow. He also thinks it's funny to put things inside and see if it will blow out or just bounce around in there and make noise. His little ride on airplane scooter has a propeller that he gets spinning to the point of beyond dangerous. Beach ball in the vortex is another one of his favorites, He just can't get enough of it. If it can hold up to a 3 year old it must be tough.

 

[raider]

i've got a makita 18v cordless we used for cleaning up spray foam... works good... got my mom one for christmas one year she uses to blow light snow off the patio and grass off the sidewalks after mowing... she got 1 for my brother to use on light snows on some steep steps...

nice add on if you run makita... bout $100 for the bare tool, and a 3ah batt lasts bout 20 minutes on high...

 

[svnmag]

I see what you're doing here...

 

[Davey Crockett]

I see, said the blind man as he peeped through the hole in grandpa's wooden leg.

 

[Joe]

I have a backpack Husqvarna 150bt, cleans up to three inches of snow off a 20x30 driveway in about 30 minutes. Actually kind of fun, since the alternative of using a broom and shovel sucks and can never get the driveway 100% clean like a blower can. They're also no heavier than maybe a bag of two or three text books.

 

[Captain Ahab]

I used the heck out of a Stihl handheld when I had an asphalt sealcoating business. It worked and ran very well for the light to medium duty cleaning. If you want to really move snow and other heavier debris, look a Billy Goat push blower(I had one with a 12 or 13hp Honda). No stress on your shoulders and back with blowing volume that will make any backpack or handheld look like a toy.

 

[JayKay]

Have a 2 stroke Troy-bilt blower/vac, which works great on the blower end of things. The vacuum is so-so.

Same problems though, as with the trimmer. Noisy, mixing gas and oil, choking, sometimes a bear to start. I'm going to buy the DeWalt bare tool blower, that accepts the 40V lithium ion 4.0 maH battery that came with my trimmer. I'll be looking to sell the troybilt at that point.

 

[martinslanding]

STIHL and don't look back.

I lucked out and bought a used stihl I think the BG 50, he was upgrading to the blower/vac model...I have had it for about a year now and use it for just about everything...cleaning garage floor, pick up box , gutters, general sidewalk blowing, I have lots of fun blowing leaves around in the fall too...doesn't save anytime over raking other then it's less back breaking...I bought it because it was a good deal now I don't think I would ever not have one

 

[johnr]

Wondering if any of you fellas use a Milwaukee blower. I have a few battery tools from them now, and like not smelling of the gas of a Stihl.

Let me know your reviews.

 

[TakItEz]

Wondering if any of you fellas use a Milwaukee blower. I have a few battery tools from them now, and like not smelling of the gas of a Stihl.

Let me know your reviews.

I have the Milwaukee blower. It is great for the garage/shop and sidewalks. You need the 8-9amp or higher batteries. The 5 amp and below dont last long.....

 

[guywhofishes]

I have had one for several years. Works fine, lightweight, simple and reliable.

But I suspect a gasser is gonna put it to shame for wind velocity/volume.

Yes, bigger batteries help - but if you have a fleet of 5's it's no big deal to swap out. Besides - they're lighter.

 

[risingsun]

I have had one for several years. Works fine, lightweight, simple and reliable.

But I suspect a gasser is gonna put it to shame for wind velocity/volume.

Yes, bigger batteries help - but if you have a fleet of 5's it's no big deal to swap out. Besides - they're lighter.

You have read his posts for years. He is definitely a gasser+

 

[NodakBob]

I bought a Dewalt 20v brushless blower for my wife to use for dusting off the deck/patio furniture…works good enuf for that…hearing protection not needed, less weight, stink and vibration. That said my Stihl SH 86c blower vac kicks ass on the small Dewalt, especially with more than a dusting of snow or leaves. I wore out the predecessor Stihl after 20 years, and I get two semi loads of leaves every year. Dewalt does make a stronger blower, but the little one I have would be just fine for camping.

 

[Obi-Wan]

Wondering if any of you fellas use a Milwaukee blower. I have a few battery tools from them now, and like not smelling of the gas of a Stihl.

Let me know your reviews.

That's a first, a greasy biker not liking the smell of exhaust fumes. what's next being disgusted with the smell of burnt gun power ?

 

[johnr]

That's a first, a greasy biker not liking the smell of exhaust fumes. what's next being disgusted with the smell of burnt gun power ?

I ran home for a bit this afternoon, decided as long as I was there I would blow the driveway off, as we had a dusting of snow this morning. After using the Stihl and clearing the drive, and sidewalks, I climbed back into my running pickup, and could noticeably smell the stink of the exhaust on my NDSU hoodie, which of course was appropriate for work today, and I didn't like having that smell on me. It has now dissipated, but didn't like walking past my receptionist with the scent of a home project on my attire.

Thought maybe a battery one would have blown the skiff off the drive, and been quiet and scent free.

 

[risingsun]

Thought maybe a battery one would have blown the skiff off the drive, and been quiet and scent free.

You and odorless in the same sentence?

 

[Mike Fretty]

I have a backpack stihl. To me, the backpack gets the weight on your hips and is easier to use than a handheld. Plus you move a lot more air

 

[shorthairman]

Bought a Milwaukee blower a year ago and it works great…I would think you would be fine for light to medium duty jobs. Also, I use the larger batteries with it as others have mentioned. 5 amp and up.

 

[Retired Educator]

I have both the Stihl and EGO battery powered blowers. EGO might have slightly more power. Like all electric tools I like that they start every time just by squeezing the trigger. Both work fine for a dusting of snow, an inch or two, but still use the shovel if it's much deeper or even the snow blower and then clean up with the other two.