Rodney,

I've owned a BG86 for a few years and don't like it. It is tough to start and restart. I keep it around for the gutter cleaning attachment. Kind of heavy too.

I also own a SlickDeals special Hitachi RB24EA. Purchased as a refurb for $55. Members of SlickDeals love this blower and so do I. Same power as the Stihl but way lighter. Starts on the first or second pull. Used it just the other day for an hour or so with the leaves.

Bruce

 

You should have bought the EZ start version Bruce. BG 86 C-E is the model. My mom has an EZ start stihl. Silly easy to pull over and fire.

 

I have no idea if I have the easy start or pull ten times before it starts. To my mind, all equipment should be easy to start.

It's my last piece of Stihl equipment though. My experience coupled to what I read everywhere, not everyone is a fan of the brand.

Bruce

 

I had much better luck with my past Husky than my Stihl. Maybe I should listen to my own experience too. I'm leaning towards Echo for the split shaft setup...

 

My dad has access to a 131 kombi Stihl at work. He's brought it it home a few times for me to use as a pole saw. I certainly have a few observations from running it. It sounds odd, I guess thats got to do with the 4 mix. I do feel it vibrates a lot compared to similar sized 2 stroke stuff. It's a handful with the extension, and that may be an understatement. Very awkward and off balance. Need something to set the shaft on to start it. Though I doubt anything as long as it would balance well regardless of brand. All that said its always gotten the job done, and I have no hard feelings sending it home. I'll keep my 2 stroke Echo weedwhacker, don't think I'd want that thing as a weedwhacker.

Been sick for 2 weeks and finally got to the doctor and got some drugs, feel much better tonight than I have in weeks. Wahoo! Still hacking but my sinuses are draining finally.

 

Echo it is fellas. The more I read and think, the more I am going with plan A...

Feel better Scott...

 

Since everybody likes machine ****, and we're talking woods stuff, today I got texted a picture of this from my tree guy buddy.............Watch the first video, this thing is slick.

Arborists & Arboriculture - SENNEBOGEN

I then got a picture of him from my factory sales rep buddy at Sennebogen a minute later. We carry these but have minimal to no logging customers despite the size of the lumber industry in PA. The scrap version of them was my bread and butter when I was in the service truck. Love these machines. Buddy is bidding a 900 tree removal job and is going to demo one if he gets it. Fingers crossed!

 

 

That Sennebogen unit is pretty darn cool!

 

Today is the day I almost jumped off the ledge and bought the Husky 580BTS. I blew the whole front yard with my handheld Echo blower...............leaves were soaked and heavy, and it struggled. It's good for 165 mph and 390 cfm. Got the leaves al in the trailer finally and went to Husky dealer. He had the unit in stock but owner wasn't there. Woman that was wouldn't move from MSRP. Jobs done for the day so I left.

Texted Rodney for the name of his guy that will ship and he hits me that Echo recently released one that beats the Husky. More CFM, lighter, higher max speed. Hmmmmmm. I'll have to go see my Echo dealer now.

All this while the zero turn and bagger sit in the shed. Its poured every Friday night in the last month to the tune of over 2" of rain each time. The yard is so wet the zero turn just isn't an option, and I don't see it being an option this year. Yard already looks like I did nothing.

To add to the fun, the dump trailer jack is dead and the cylinder is leaking pretty good. Guess that needs a little money too. Lol.

 

I couldn't find anyone down here to buy the new Echo from, so I settled for the 580 BTS. Several online reviews have shown me that there isn't much performance difference between the two, and I got the 580 with the ebay coupon a while back. Shame they won't move off of MSRP, but my guess is that has to do with it being leaf season.

I've had very good luck with Echo and had I been able to find the new Echo in stock, I would have bought it. The 770 is very nice, but not in the same league.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Husqvarna-5...53.m2749.l2649

I got it from these guys. I think they had it in my hands in 3 days, ships from the midwest. I ordered the extra fuel cans too on the same receipt to extend the warranty.

 

If they had it at that price, it would be in my garage now Steve. My breaking point was $500. Then Rodney tossed the Echo wrench in. I'll check out the Echo this week.

 

I don't even need one but I want one...

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Blowers/PB-8010T

 

I didn't need one that powerful either, but man the look of jealousy from my neighbors sure do make it worth it! They sound like a small dirt bike on your back.