Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Need a new leaf blower, Which one Stihl BG-86 or Echo PB-255?

I am guessing that the 50 CFM advantage the Stihl BG-86 has is noticeable. I will be having a lot of leaves to deal with in the fall and a back-up style blower would be a plus but i don't want to go that route yet, because the rest of the year a hand held is what will work best.

I like the idea of the 5 yr warrenty on the Echo, if the Stihl had the same it would be a no brainer.

Any one have an opinion one these? balance, operation, reliability?

[/URL][URL="http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/BG86.html"]Stihl BG-86 (http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/BG86.html)

ECHO PB-255 (http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=PB-255&Category=POWERBLOWER)

Thanks

Bill

I've worked for a company that was a Stihl Authorized dealer and can tell you that the Stihl blowers are extremely good machines with great reputations and solid performance.The BG-55 which is the smaller of the hand helds is considered by most consumer testing companies and the like as the best hand held blower on the market especially for the money.

In the 3 years I was around them we never not once had a return.

tough call. i would not buy either unless it was from a servicing dealer though.

I have both. They are both great machines but my problem is. the Stihl is over 10 years old and runs like new. The Echo is maybe 4 years old and has got to the point where it is a pain to keep running. I haven't really dug into it to figure it out so it may be something stupid.

I bought the Stihl BG85 in 2007 and it has needed no maintenance. It was a bit finicky to start when new but as it broke in it got easier to start and ran more smoothly and seemed to make more power. After two years it still starts easily and reliably hot or cold.

I am guessing that the 50 CFM advantage the Stihl BG-86 has is noticeable. I will be having a lot of leaves to deal with in the fall and a back-up style blower would be a plus but i don't want to go that route yet, because the rest of the year a hand held is what will work best.

I like the idea of the 5 yr warrenty on the Echo backpack blower (http://echobackpackblower.com/), if the Stihl had the same it would be a no brainer.

Any one have an opinion one these? balance, operation, reliability?

[/URL][URL="http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/BG86.html"]Stihl BG-86 (http://www.stihlusa.com/blowers/BG86.html)

ECHO PB-255 (http://www.echo-usa.com/product.asp?Model=PB-255&Category=POWERBLOWER)

Thanks

Bill

I'm using ECHO PB-255 and really satisfied with it. So I recommend Echo.