ECHO hosted their annual POWER-ON-ATHON event on September 19th at their headquarters in Lake Zurich, IL. They invited a number of industry and media partners as they announced new products for 2025. This event included a factory tour, product release, and tool test.

Factory Tour

During the factory tour, Ryan Ladley, VP of Operations at ECHO, spoke about a few major focuses for their manufacturing of high end tools. They were safety, vertical integration, continuous improvement, and listening to feedback from their employees and customers. Let me break that down a little further.

Safety:

As ECHO has updated their manufacturing facility, they have made various changes to the assembly line. One of the biggest focuses for them has been the safety and health of their employees. They spend a significant amount of money to ensure that the team has an ideal quality of life and enjoys their work. Some of the improvements to the work line seem simple, but have prevented overuse or work related injuries for employees.

Vertical Integration:

This was a topic that Ryan brought up numerous times throughout the tour. COVID was a challenge for every vendor/supplier. ECHO felt the impact of material and part delays just like every other company. Their response was to bring more processes in house and improve the efficiency of their operations. In essence, they wanted to control their own destiny. This required keen attention to detail. ECHO brought an automation team, molding team, and maintenance team in house. All of this investment allows them to move towards a more self-sufficient supply chain.

Continuous Improvement:

The focus on improving their manufacturing operation was displayed in their quest for quality. For example, ECHO has invested heavily in automation. This investment allowed for improvements in the overall quality of their offering, reduced their scrap rate, and used new, innovative manufacturing methods. They even go as far as regrinding their scrap so that they can reuse the plastic. Today, ECHO has effectively eliminated all manufacturing waste.

Listening to feedback:

ECHO has implemented a few notable ways to gather high quality feedback. Externally, ECHO has implemented their User Advisory Group (UAG). The UAG members are end users (landscapers, carpenters, etc) that they rely on for feedback on their products and suggestions for future development. Internally, they host annual Kaizen events. During these sessions, they invite employees from various levels in the company to collaborate and determine what they can do to improve.

The tour ended with a walk through their warehouse. It was incredible how much product they keep on demand in order to stay ahead of demand.

Product Release

After the tour, the main attraction…the ECHO POWER-ON-ATHON product announcement. For 2025, a total of 10 new products were launched. This includes:

• 4 blowers (DPB-2610, DPB-5900T, DPB-7700T, DPB-2500LE)
• A rapid field charger
• 2 string trimmers (DSRM-225, SRM-2120)
• A hedge trimmer (DSHC-2600)
• A handheld pruning saw (DHS-3006)
• A gas mower (LM-2119SP)

Tool Test/First Impressions

Next up, we were able to test out the new products. Here are our first impressions!

Blowers:

ECHO continues to deliver on high quality blowers for the homeowner and professional alike. The 2610, 5900T, and 7700T are all part of the X Series. The DPB-2500LE is a limited edition blower in which ECHO partnered with Susan G. Komen. All of these blowers put out an impressive amount of power. ECHO’s 56V batteries produce an impressive run time in all of these continuing on the likes of the 5800T.

Rapid Field Charger:

The 6-port Field Charger was designed for commercial landscapers. This comes with awesome features like their trailer/wall mount. With electric tools becoming more prevalent on job sites, this charger allows you to charge 6 batteries at once, ensuring you’re ready for the next job.

String Trimmers:

ECHO’s Speed-Feed trimmer heads make reloading trimmer line a breeze. The DSRM-225 combines this technology with a light, durable carbon fiber shaft and battery power. This makes it a great option for homeowners looking for a low maintenance trimmer. The SRM-2120 utilizes gas and the Rapid-Loader head. And with an incredible price point of $199.99, this trimmer is an unbeatable value.

Hedge Trimmer:

Another addition to the X Series line is the DSHC-2600, however this time with a battery. ECHO designed this to incorporate a 7-degree angle which allows the operator to use the trimmer with added comfort. The blades are also designed to improve cutting efficiency, and the battery allows for quiet operation of a typically noisy tool.

Handheld Pruning Saw:

The DHS-3006 has a 6” bar and cuts through branches with ease. This new tool is one of the lightest, most powerful pruning saws on the market and is a great addition to anyone’s chainsaw collection.

Gas Mower:

Considering battery powered mowers consume a lot of juice, a gas powered saw was a nice return to conventional mowers. The LM-2119SP easily adapts to walking speed meaning you no longer need to fight the controls to find your Goldilocks setting. And the dual-blade design means you get a professional cut.

Recap

All of these great releases continue to improve on ECHO’s established reputation for quality in outdoor power tools. The ECHO POWER-ON-ATHON event was a great success! We look forward to getting our hands on these tools and seeing the ECHO line continue to grow. Check out the ECHO Press Release from the event for more info!

ECHO POWER-ON-ATHON 2024 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Echo DPB-5800T Battery Backpack Blower Review

eFORCE Battery Backpack Blower

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Echo
Model number: DPB-5800T
Price: $349.99 Bare Tool
Power source: 56V Battery System
Weight: 15.0 Lbs. Bare Tool

The DPB-5800T first debuted at the Echo Power Up and Power On media Summit at their US headquarters in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Members of our crew attended this event and participated in product demos.

Echo provided the Tool Box Buzz crew with a sample of the tool for testing. Additionally, our crew had the opportunity to visit Echo’s manufacturing facility in Lake Zurich, Illinois to see where the DPB-5800T is built. All Echo backpack leafblowers sold worldwide are manufactured in this facility!

Specifications

• Voltage: 56V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Max Airflow Output: 795 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 195 MPH
• Newton Force: 17N (High Mode) / 25N (Turbo Mode)
• Weight: 15.0 Lbs. (Bare Tool)
• Tool Warranty: 5 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
• Battery Warranty: 2 Year Consumer / 1 Year Commercial

Echo eFORCE Battery Versatility

The eFORCE battery platform is Echo’s 56V powerhouse for cordless outdoor power equipment. We have covered several tools on this platform before in our reviews of the Echo DCS-5000 Chainsaw as well as our recent Best Top Handle Chainsaw Head-to-Head. Their batteries are available in 2.5 Ah, 5.0 Ah, and now 8.0 Ah sizes. The 8.0 Ah battery packs debuted along with the DPB-5800T. These larger packs are ideally suited for high-demand tools like a backpack blower.

The Echo battery backpack blower features three battery ports on the outside of the housing. Any combination of eFORCE batteries will power the tool. Whether it’s a single 2.5 Ah or three big 8.0 Ah batteries!

Controls

Controls on the DPB-5800T are intuitive and very user-friendly. Echo only offers this tool in a tube-mounted throttle configuration chiefly because all the controls are within the thumb’s reach on the control stick. An LED display provides the user with battery information. The number of battery packs inserted as well as the remaining battery life is prominently visible. My favorite feature of this display is that the fuel gauge shows the total available power remaining from all battery packs inserted. The tool draws from all batteries simultaneously and adjusts itself according to the size of the batteries.

The variable speed trigger is large and has an excellent curved shape that is very ergonomic. It is comfortable and easy to use even with thick gloves on.  A throttle lock-out lever keeps the tool at your desired speed. This feature is common on backpack blowers. For high-demand applications, the Turbo mode button is front and center. Pressing this button shifts the tool into its highest possible output mode. Although it must be pressed again each time the tool is shut off. The DPB-5800T will not default to Turbo mode.

Echo Power and Performance

Leaf cleanup still isn’t fun, but the lack of noise is greatly appreciated by my wife and our neighbors!

Echo’s published data on the 56V backpack blower shows a top potential airspeed of 195 MPH and output up to 795 CFM. These specs are comparable to most homeowner backpack blowers and some smaller commercial models. Overall during testing, I found the DPB-5800T to have plenty of power for small to medium cleanup jobs. While in Turbo mode the Echo will easily blast through heavy and wet leaves as well as move large piles. During our last New England Fall cleanup, the 56V Echo was an excellent complement to a larger gas-powered blower. It was wonderful to use a tool so lightweight, quiet, and fume-free compared to my PB-9010T.

Battery Runtime

Due to the large variation in battery pack configurations for the DPB-5800T, it is hard to quantify the run-time for the tool. Echo posted the following specs on their website:

• 3x 8 Ah Batteries: 45 Min. Run-time on Turbo / 80 Min Wide Open Throttle (WOT)
• 2x 8 Ah Batteries: 30 Min Run-time on Turbo / 55 Min WOT
• 3x 5 Ah Batteries: 26 Min Run-time on Turbo / 50 Min WOT
• 2x 5 Ah Batteries: 20 Min Run-time on Turbo / 35 WOT

Overall these numbers matched my experience during use. Where the Echo excels in run-time in my opinion, is in support of other 56V tools for small sporadic cleanups. For example, I work with an arborist who uses multiple Echo 56V products daily. At the completion of the job, or after the chipping is done, we clean the roadway and property. Having the freedom to grab any combination of charged batteries and plug them into the ports of the Echo blower is a huge benefit. Landscapers on the Echo 56V battery platform will benefit similarly. The power of the DPB-5800T is well-suited for cleanups like these.

Currently, Echo offers this tool as a kit option with two 5.0 Ah batteries. This configuration provides 35 minutes of continuous run-time, however sporadic use will be far longer. Two 5.0 Ah batteries allowed for multiple days of sporadic cleanup use during my testing. Echo will be offering the DPB-5800T in different kit configurations in the future. This will include the new larger 8.0 Ah batteries.

Overall Impressions

The first time I saw the DPB-5800T I was blown away by the slim and svelte profile of it. Picking it up and experiencing the lightweight design of it was another  “Wo!” moment. The power and performance this tool provides is outstanding. Combined with the ease of maintenance and elimination of excessive noise and fumes, this tool is a great addition to Echo’s 56V lineup. The shoulder harness is comfortable and the controls are easy to reach. Furthermore, the throttle control position and tube length can be adjusted to an individual user’s preference.

I do not think this is a complete replacement for gas-powered backpack blowers. While the DPB-5800T has impressive performance, it cannot keep up with its large high-output gas-powered cousins for large cleanups and all-day use. It would be a logistical nightmare to maintain that many batteries. However, it excels for small cleanups and is an excellent complement to gas-powered blowers. Furthermore, it fits right in with commercial users already on the 56V eFORCE battery platform. I see the DPB-5800T as a solution for pros who may be hamstrung by gas-powered bans and noise level restrictions. Residential neighborhoods, large office buildings, and even interior work are all possible thanks to the quiet battery performance.

The DPB-5800T is currently available for $349.99 as a bare tool and $699.99 as a kit with two 5.0 Ah batteries. Overall I think this represents a good value, but I would prefer a kit offering with larger battery packs or even three total batteries and an additional charger. This would be a true one-stop solution for a pro user.

Follow the Buy Now link below to purchase an Echo DPB-5800T backpack blower from our friends at ACME Tool!

Echo 56V Battery Backpack Blower Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Kress Commercial 60V Cordless Backpack Blower

Kress, a long established and well respected tool brand from Germany made a splash at the 2022 International Equip Exposition with its North American introduction of its Kress Commercial Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) lineup.  There exists an ever-growing pressure in commercial landscaping to switch from traditional gas powered equipment to battery powered alternatives with many local municipalities and even entire states intending to ban certain gas powered landscaping equipment. Kress intends to insert itself directly at the front of the electric powered OPE movement.

At the core of it’s strategy, Kress introduced a brand new and exciting battery platform and charging solution.  The Kress 8-minute CyberSystem has an unprecedented 8 minute charging time from 0 to 100% battery when its DC-DC CyberTank charging solution is used.  The CyberTank is essentially a massive battery and charger that can be transported to the jobsite in a truck or trailer.  The rapid 8 minute charge time means crews can finally rapidly swap battery throughout the day and stay on top of productivity as much as a gas powered platform.

The team here at ToolBoxBuzz has received several of their OPE tools including the Commercial 60 V 16.5” Line Trimmer, the Commercial 60V 21” Self-Propelled Lawn Mower and the Commercial 60V 16” Chainsaw.  Here in this review we are taking a look at the Kress Commercial 60V 35N Backpack Blower.

Specifications:

• Voltage: 60V MAX, 54V nominal
• Battery Size: 11Ah, 660Wh
• Max Air Speed: 190.1 mph
• Max Air Volume: 899.9 cfm
• Blowing Force: 35 Nm
• IPX4 waterproof rating
• Noise: 62dB at 49 ft
• Weight: 32.2 lbs (Blower and Battery)

Build Quality

Batteries are heavy and OPE manufacturers have a challenging engineering problem with trying to incorporate enough battery power to compete with gas powered tools but also keep overall weight of a tool down.  Oftentimes thinner materials are used and plastic pieces can feel flimsy and delicate.  With the blower and battery weighing in together at 32 lbs,  Kress clearly decided to take the hit on weight in exchange for quality and durability.  The 60V 35N Backpack Blower has thick and durable components from the frame down to the tip of the metal reinforced blower nozzle.

To compensate for the extra weight, the blower incorporates a very well designed harness.  The traditional shoulder straps are there but the bulk of the weight is supported on the hips thanks to a sturdy and comfortable waist belt.  When the blower harness was adjusted appropriately we found the weight to distributed very well and felt very minimal fatigue on the shoulders.

Easy to Operate Controls

The blower has all its controls located on a joystick style tube mounted control grip.  To activate the tool a power button on the grip below the LCD screen needs to be depressed and the grip mounted variable trigger depressed.  The maximum speed can be controlled at 4 different levels with two large + and – buttons.  The final remaining button is a cruise control button that will lock in the current throttle value until pressed again.

The LCD screen icons are simple and show the current battery charge remaining, Bluetooth connected symbol, Cruise Control Enabled symbol and a standard warning triangle.

Performance

The Kress Commercial 60V 35N Backpack Blower has its performance rating right in the name.  A value that the company is clearly proud of.  This 35 Newton force rating is an indication of the amount of overall thrust and power the airstream coming out of the nozzle can do.  The peak velocity is rated right at 190 miles per hour and a cubic feet per minute (CFM) volume of 890.  This blower is the strongest electric blower on the market and is only outperformed by the largest and loudest premium gas blowers available.

We were very impressed with the power of the blower, oftentimes running at 50-75% throttle to prevent damage to the lawn and landscape.

Battery Run-Time and Performance

At the heart of the Kress Commercial OPE line is their 8-Minute CyberSystem battery.  We tested the blower with the 11Ah CyberPack KAC810.  This 660 Wh battery weighs in at whopping 17 lbs., 2 lbs. heavier than the blower itself.

Below is a chart of the measured stream velocity of the blower over time.  This test was designed to gain an understanding of the battery performance throughout the drain of the battery.  We performed a similar test in this year’s consumer electric blower head to head.  Its important to not only determine how long the battery will power the tool, but also understand what that performance looks like over the course of the battery discharge.  We found that many battery powered OPE tools saw drastic difference in blower performance when comparing the first 20% to the last 20% before the battery drained completely.   For reference the results can be found here,  Best Handheld Blower 2023

The Kress 60V Backpack Blower was mounted with a pitot tube anemometer placed 125mm from the opening in the center of the blower stream.  Power was set to the highest setting and the data was recorded at a 1Hz sample rate. The blower ran for 13 minutes and 20 seconds before cycling off with a low battery indicator.

The graph shows great performance especially when compared to previous blowers tested.  We measured a very slight dip and rebound roughly two thirds of the way through the discharge.   The last minute of performance measured is  >96% of the first minute.  This shows a fantastic level of consistent performance over the drain of the battery.

Charging

The Kress KAC810 has impressive performance when paired with Backpack Blower.  However, discharge performance is only part of the equation when considering the the validity of an OPE battery platform.  The 8-Minute CyberSystem gets its title from the 0 -100% charging time the battery battery platform experiences when using the CyberTank DC-DC charger.  The CyberTank is essential a very large battery, 5040 Wh or 7200 Wh depending on model, that can quickly charge the the smaller 4.0Ah or 11.0Ah multiple times throughout the day.  The DC-DC charging is extremely efficient and fast as the energy requires no conversion and a large amount of power can be transferred from one battery to another quickly.  The CyberTank gets charged typically overnight from an AC power source that takes 4-6 hours.

Kress also has an AC-DC charging solution with their KAC840 Kress Commercial 30A AC Charger.  We tested this unit along with our battery and blower.  While the AC charger is not as fast as the 8-minute DC-DC charge, the KAC840 is still able to charge the 11Ah CyberPack battery in under 25 minutes and the 4.0Ah battery in 12.0 Minutes.  This is still unbelievably fast compared to other industry leaders.  By comparison the 11Ah Cyber Pack is 660 Wh and the new Milwaukee MX Forge 8.0 Ah Battery is 576 Wh.  The new Milwaukee Supercharger can charge that battery in 45 minutes compared to the Kress at just 25 minutes!

Rapid charging is typically not great for the long term health of a battery.  Despite this, Kress guarantees 3000 life cycles (charge and discharge) on the CyberPack batteries.

Pricing and investment

The Kress 60V Commercial OPE lineup is truly impressive with an unbelievable power system at its core.  The tools and their battery system really impressed the ToolBoxBuzz crew.  The products are intended for lawn-care professionals looking to invest in a longterm battery powered solution. As a result, the cost of the Kress Commercial line, particularly the batteries and chargers is steep. The Kress Commercial 60V 35N Backpack Blower is currently prices at $499.99.  The KAC810 11 Ah CyberPack battery is $1,399.99 and the KAC840 30A AC Charger is $779.99.  To see the true potential of the 8-Minute charging capability, the 5 kWh CyberTank Portable Power Station can be purchased for $10,499.99.

The full Kress Commercial Lineup and current pricing can all be found here at  https://www.kress.com/en-us/8-minute-cybersystem/

To protect the investment in Kress Commercial system, Kress offers a tiered Warranty system depending on the equipment and use. Most tools see a 2 or 3 year warranty while the batteries have an extensive 6 year or 3000 cycle warranty.

To help determine if this investment is right for you, Kress offers a Return on Investment (ROI) calculator that can be found here. https://www.kress.com/en-us/roi-calculator/

Kress Commercial 60V 35N Backpack Blower Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper Series Jet Fan Leaf Blower – Model RY404100VNM

The Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper Series Cordless Jet Fan Leaf Blower Kit

5/5

Manufacturer: Ryobi
Model number: RY404100VNM
Price: $299.00
Power source: 40V
Weight: 9.7 LBS

Some of our crew got to attend a Ryobi media event back in February where they showed us the RY404100VNM 40V brushless cordless jet fan blower kit. We were “blown away” and just recently received one of them to review. Let’s take a closer look at the Ryobi RY404100VNM Cordless Blower Kit!

Ryobi RY404100VNM Specifications

• Air Volume: 730 CFM
• Speed Tips: 160, 175, or 190 MPH
• Max Air Speed: 190 MPH
• Noise Rating: 57 dB
• Voltage: 40V
• Onboard Integrated LEDs for Fuel Gauge

Ryobi RY404100VNM Kit Components

• 40V Brushless Jet Fan Blower
• (2) 40V 4.0Ah Batteries
• 40V Rapid Charger
• 2 additional speed tips

Whisper Series Blower

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. The Ryobi Jet Fan Blower is called the Whisper Series because it operates at a mere 56 dB without sacrificing any power. OSHA requires employers to use hearing protection when noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over 8 working hours. In the photo below you will see us wearing hearing protection while using. This is because we went from mowing the lawn to blowing the clippings and we like to listen to tunes while we work!

2 Tips | 3 Speeds

Two speed tips (nozzles) from the Ryobi RY404100VNM kit can be shortened to the desired speed. These tips are two-tiered, so if you reduce the first tier, your blowing speed will be 175 MPH. Second-tier reduces your speed to 160 MPH. If you don’t change the tip, your top speed will be a chilly 190 MPH. When you cut these rubber tips to control the wind speed, they become permanently set to that speed because they are rubber.

• Tier 1 – 160 MPH
• Tier 2 – 175 MPH
• As is – 190 MPH

Auto Locking Cruise Control

One of the most impressive features of this blower is the auto-locking”cruise control” feature.  The cruise control knob works by turning it which will automatically engage the trigger lever to start the blower. You can set the throttle to your own desired speed. In the photo below the cruise control is set to the highest setting and you can see the trigger lever is pressed all the way up.

Turbo Button

Rockets engaged! No seriously, when using the turbo button the additional air blast is like a rocket taking off.  So much power you really have to be wary of items you could potentially blow over. Lawn furniture, signs, or other objects can become projectiles. You become more comfortable with the turbo mode the more and more you use it and you can “feather” the button.

Using the Ryobi Jet Fan Blower while on turbo mode you will chew through your batteries rather quickly. Having the extra 40V 4.0Ah battery charged and ready to go will give you zero down-time. Switch batteries and go. This blower on two full batteries is more than capable of handling the average property. As of 2019, the average property size was 2300 SQFT.

Overall Impression

The Ryobi RY404100VNM 40V Brushless Whisper Series Cordless Jet Fan Leaf Blower packs a mean punch with a max 190MPH blowing speed. Ryobi has set the bar high and continues to develop professional-grade outdoor power equipment at an extremely affordable price. This blower will blow your socks off not the money out of your wallet!

Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper Series Jet Fan Leaf Blower Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

FILPOW B8 Pro Leaf Blower Review

The folks at FILPOW recently approached me and asked me to review their FIILPOW B8 Pro Leaf Blower. I’ve seen this blower pop up on my Amazon feed, but up to this point have only really reviewed major tool manufacturer blowers.

So we took the FILPOW B8 Pro Leaf Blower into the yard and job site to see if it was worth the investment.

Specifications

• Voltage: 20V MAX
• Battery Capacity 4.0Ah
• Air Volume Range Low:300CFM / High: 380CFM / Turbo: 450CFM
• Blower Force (N)12 N
• Weight5.3 lbs. (Bare) 6.7 lbs. (With Battery)

Favorite Features

At 6.7 lbs. with the battery this B8 Pro blower is well-balanced and is easily operated in one hand. It has a couple of features we’ve come to expect in a leaf blower such as:

Variable Speed Trigger

I’ve always appreciated having trigger control for delicate, precise blowing or full-on. As a carpenter, I use a leaf blower in my yard at home but also on the job site to clear sawdust and debris and clean off woodworking tools.

3 Modes

The blower features variable airspeed and volume, Select LOW, HIGH, or TURBO MODE via the speed dial and turbo button for different needs of cleaning works. While using the blower I tested this feature but always found myself keeping the blower set to HIGH, on TURBO mode, and either locked-on or “feathering” the blower by using the trigger to control the airflow.

What’s more important in a leaf blower MPH or CFM?

They are both important and distinct metrics. A higher CFM will help you clear a larger area and push leaves further. A higher MPH will help you better lift wet leaves and debris.

The Turbo mode delivers 450 CFM of air volume at 120 MPH, maximum air power. I found that this was a decent amount of airflow and was able to clear wet leaves, and other stubborn debris faster.

I also used to clean up on my carpentry job sites. It was great for cleaning driveways and walkways of sawdust and for blowing off my tools before storing them in the van. I really like that the air intake is not on the side of the tool, like some competitors, which sucks in your jacket or pants and stalls the blower.

Runtime

The FILPOW B8 Pro Leaf Blower battery will last approximately 28 minutes runtime for low-speed mode, 15 minutes for high-speed mode via their 2.0AH battery with an LED power display.

In general, most battery-powered leaf blowers will last 20 to 30 minutes per charge. However, there are several variables that will affect how long a cordless leaf blower lasts. The turbo feature on the FILPOW is one of them which will give you only 7 minutes of “full-throttle,” runtime. When using the blower on leaves I found myself using the Turbo mode exclusively, it’s the only way to roll!

Improvements To The FILPOW B8 Pro Leaf Blower

The battery charging 2hrs 20 minutes, you need more than one battery if you want to any real leaf blowing. The unfortunate thing is that FILPOW doesn’t offer a second battery. I hope they change that.

This coming December FILPOW is going to offer the B8 Pro +40V Leaf Blower
with two 20V batteries producing 550 CFM. As of now, there does not seem to be a plan to offer additional batteries.

How Much and Where To Buy?

The FILPOW B8 Pro Leaf Blower usually sells online at Amazon,  but there is a holiday sale offering it at  $109.99 if you use my discount code TOOLBOX10. 

Deal price: $109.99 (Get $40 off coupon on Amazon page and add discount code TOOLBOX10)
Start date: 12/21/2021
End date:  01/02/2022

FILPOW B8 Pro Leaf Blower Video Review

FILPOW B8 Pro Leaf Blower is a post from Tool Box Buzz

ECHO Model PB-9010T Backpack Blower Review

PB-9010T Backpack Blower

5/5

Manufacturer: ECHO
Model number: PB-9010
Power source: 2-Stroke Gasoline Engine
Motor size: 79.9cc
Weight: 26.7 Lbs.

ECHO PB-9010T Backpack Blower Specifications

• Engine Brand: ECHO
• Starting System: Recoil Pull-Start
• Engine Cycle: 2 Stroke
• Engine Size: 79.9cc
• Fuel Tank Size: 0.65 Gallons
• Fuel Mix: 50:1
• Volume of Air: 1,110 CFM
• AirSpeed at Nozzle: 220 MPH
• Weight (Dry): 26.7 Lbs.
• Consumer Warranty: 5 Years
• Commercial Warranty: 2 Years

Standout Features

Intuitive and Ergonomic Controls

My preference with backpack blowers is for tube-mounted controls. The PB-9010T features an excellent tube mounted control handle. The control handle itself has a large trigger that can be locked in any throttle position. The engine control switch has positive locking detents for both on/off as well as the throttle settings.

The control handle is customizable to the individual user, who can set the handle at their preference and ride height. There is about 6 1/2″ of adjustment available on the tube body itself for user arm length.

Easy Start

Even at a whopping 79.9cc’s, the PB-9010T is easy starting. The manual pull cord start does not give tremendous resistance. The user controls the choke with a single rotating lever with no added primer bulb. Starting the blower in sub 20° New England temperatures, was simple and easy.

Spring Vibration Dampening System

ECHO used a series of stiff springs in the housing design to absorb the vibration of such a large engine. There are coil springs located on the base of the backpack housing and rear fan shroud. The springs do an excellent job of reducing the felt vibration and make the blower very comfortable for extended use.

Easy Access Air Filter

The air filtration system housing is front and center on the top of the PB-9010T. The filter compartment is easy to access for cleaning or replacement. The ease of access is ideal for maintenance in the field or when wearing gloves.

ECHO designed a 2-Stage filtration system to keep dust and debris from getting into the wrong places. Because they located the filter system on the top of the housing, this position helps direct the air through the filter and separate debris more efficiently. The fan intake circulates cool air across the user’s back to keep you cooler in warmer months.

Reinforced Posi-Loc Tube

The Posi-Loc system from ECHO is a series of twist locking indents along the tube body sections. When positively seated into place, the system keeps the tube pieces secure and in position. You can also select the position that best meets your desired tube length. ECHO included a metal reinforcing ring on the nozzle of the tube to help reduce wear over time. The nozzle tapers down to about a 3.75″ opening where the max wind speed is measured at 220 MPH.

Output and Performance

The specs alone on the PB-9010T are pretty staggering. When you combine them all together, it gives the full picture of just how powerful this blower is. The 79.9cc engine combined with ECHO’s internal fan design creates a total of 48 Newtons of force. Roughly the equivalent of 10.79 Pound Force. All of that force propels the air coming out of the end nozzle at 220 MPH – a speed that is faster than a Class 5 Hurricane wind. Moving air at this speed gives the PB-9010T an Air Volume rating of 1,110 CFM. Imagine a small vacuum-sealed house utterly void of air. The ECHO blower would be able to fill most of that house with air in less than a minute.

Unfortunately, my testing of this blower is taking place after the cleanup season here in New England. The recent cold temperatures mean the ground and leaves are frozen solid. In spite of the frozen conditions, the PB-9010T was capable of breaking loose frozen densely packed leaves. The performance necessary to do that is a clear indicator that this blower will excel when performing routine cleanup projects.

Overall Size and Weight

At roughly 27 pounds dry, the PB-9010T is a large and heavy machine. However, comparing the weight of the ECHO blower to its performance paints a much different picture. Prior to this review, I used a Stihl BR700 as my go-to blower. While not the largest blower Stihl makes, the BR700 is a common and popular model. The BR700 has a 64.8cc engine, weighs 23.4 Lbs, and produces 912 CFM air volume.

In comparison, the PB-9010T smokes those numbers while only weighing about 3.5 Lbs more. While not an apples-to-apples comparison, this is a good representation of how the ECHO stacks up against one of the country’s best selling blowers.

The overall size of the PB-9010T is very large. The blower tube does not telescope or fold for storage so be aware that it will have a larger overall storage footprint.

Price and Availability

ECHO debuted the PB-9010T in December, and they were already en route to ECHO dealers across the country. Many local and online vendors have this new model in stock now. The current MSRP is $599.99. This blower has become ECHO’s flagship model and ECHO designed it to stand up to long-term professional use. The premium features and performance do come at a cost. But when comparing the astounding output and power of the PB-9010T to other models in its class, the ECHO is a great value.

If you are interested in purchasing a PB-9010T, I would highly suggest stopping at a local ECHO dealer and having a conversation with the people there. Yes, you can buy this tool online, but I have never regretted purchasing a pro-grade piece of OPE from a local shop. Buying from a local shop sets the groundwork for a possible long term relationship for service or other future purchases.

Overall Impressions of the ECHO PB-9010T

When I was a kid, I watched my father fall off our roof while using my grandfather’s handheld ECHO blower to clear some leaves. The blower hit the deck and burst into pieces. Dad was in one piece. We duct-taped the blower back together, and the blower and Dad still worked as before! ECHO has a long-standing reputation for building durable and high valued OPE. While I am not planning on throwing myself or the PB-9010T from a roof any time soon, I trust its durability and quality.

We talk a lot about cordless tools here at ToolBoxBuzz, but there are some tools where gas-powered is still king. A backpack leaf blower is a prime example of this. Leaf cleanup needs to get done as fast and efficiently as possible. That applies to pros trying to make a decent profit and homeowners who would rather be doing something fun. The ECHO PB-9010T is comfortable to wear and puts out an obscene amount of airflow and power. It is an outstanding overall option for any landscape professional but would be well suited to a homeowner with a large yard or heavy leaf cleanup every year. Don’t settle for whatever your big box store has on the shelf. A professional-grade tool like the PB-9010T is an excellent long term tool investment that will put a smile on your face the first time you open up the throttle

ECHO PB-9010T Backpack Blower Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

HART Tools 40V Brushless Turbo Fan Blower Review

HART sent me their new 40V Turbo Fan Blower Model #HLBL031VNM for this latest tool review. Over the last year HART has really hit the ground running with their cordless tool options. Their lines of 20V and also 40V cordless tools is ever expanding. Tool Box Buzz has been fortunate enough to wring out man of these offerings. Therefore I was excited to check out this new piece of outdoor power equipment from HART.

40V Brushless Turbo Fan Blower

4/5

Manufacturer: HART Tools
Model number: HLBL031VNM
Price: $197.00
Power source: 40V Battery
Weight: 7.85 Lbs.

HART tools are a great mix of value and performance. The turbo fan blower is another well executed product from HART that lives up to that ideology. While it may not pack the power of a commercial grade blower, the Turbo Fan is infinitely useful at home or while cleaning up a jobsite.

Features and Specifications:

• Air Volume: 550 CFM
• Air Speed: 125 MPH
• Brushless Motor
• Turbo Button for Extra Power
• Variable Speed Trigger
• Weight: 7.85 LBS.

Standout Features of the HART Turbo Fan

Ergonomics

The turbo fan blower is well balanced and comfortable in hand. The handle is positioned over the motor housing and is over sized. The grip features rubber over molding for traction and the variable speed trigger is large enough to get a couple of fingers on. The handle also features a cant to it that allows the blower to hang at a comfortable angle during use.

Power

A Power Boost button is located on the top of the handle. While holding the variable speed trigger all the way down and then simultaneously pressing this button, the turbo fan really…blows! Power Boost achieves the full potential of the HART brushless motor and generates the 550 CFM power that is advertised. The turbo fan had plenty of power for clearing the driveway after mowing, moving small piles of leaves, or cleaning out the shop floor.

Staring down the business end of the Turbo Fan

Battery Life

HART includes a 4.0 Ah battery pack with the 40V turbo fan. This battery pack uses a simple slide charger system like all HART batteries. The 40V platform also thankfully includes a push button battery charge level gauge. This is a feature that is missing from some of the smaller 20V packs. My 40V battery pack was more than sufficient for general around the house use.

Pricing and Availability of the Turbo Fan Blower

HART currently only offers the turbo fan as a kit for $197.00. Which includes the blower, charger, and a single 4.0 Ah battery pack. As with all HART tools, this model is exclusive to Walmart. As of writing this article the blower is available online and in stores. Click the buy it now box below to purchase directly from Walmart.

Pricing on this model is good, but not great. Ideally I would like to see it come down slightly to put it more in range of it’s cousins being sold at big orange box stores. But it is incredibly convenient being able to purchase this tool from a mega retailer like Walmart.

Overall Thoughts on the HART HLBL031VNM

This latest offering from HART really impressed me as powerful and well balanced tool. The Turbo Fan blower has become my go-to option for cleaning up my garage floor as well as my shop. The ease of use and power of the 40V system also have me leaving my gas powered backpack blower in the corner and relying upon the HART more and more often.

Overall this tool is well suited for the homeowner looking to do small cleanups as well as contractor looking for virtually maintenance free option for site cleanup. If HART was able to lower the retail price slightly, I think this would be an absolute blowout. Pun unashamedly intended.

Check out the HART website for more information or Walmart to purchase directly. This would make an excellent companion tool to HART’s 40V Cordless lawnmower as featured in our recent Head-2-Head article.

HART 40V Turbo Fan Blower Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Craftsman V60 Outdoor Power Equipment

By Ben Carmichael

As a homeowner, I take pride in maintaining my property. Part lawn, part garden, with a healthy
amount of woods and bushes along the perimeter, I have always looked for outdoor power equipment
that meet two simply requirements: they don’t require an extension cord, but they deliver reliable
power.

That’s why I’ve enjoyed working with new Craftman v60 line of outdoor power equipment for
maintaining my property. They have proven to be strong, effective, and reliable over my time of
testing. Plus, I think they look good too — which, given my house is on the corner of two busy
roads, is a welcome plus!

Craftsman V60 Overview

All of the tools I tested were on the new Craftsman v60 system, relying on rechargeable lithium
ion 2.5 AH batteries. These tools are new for 2019, and include:

• V60 Cordless Brushless Axial Blower
• V60 Cordless 16 inch Brushless Chainsaw
• V60* Cordless 15 inch Brushless Weedwhacker String Trimmer with Quickwind Kit

Initial Impressions

Upon unboxing, I had two initial impressions of these Craftsman tools: they are light, and they
look great. The former is more important than the latter, of course, but still: you want to use
something with confidence, and design matters.
The only tool that required any assembly was the string trimmer, and that was a breeze.
Initial impressions upon unboxing were very strong.

Testing in the field

Ergonomically, all of these tools feel good and well balanced in the hand. The handles all come
equipped with a soft rubber that feel good when handling, and dampens some of the vibration.
The weedwacker is extremely well balanced, for instance, as is the chainsaw — both handled
easily, and without trouble.

This might see like a small note, but the shape of the handles themselves are also quite well
thought out. They are shaped to fit your hand in a way that reflects considerable thought and
design. I give kudos to the team on this front.

I also found the tools in this entire new suite of V60 to be very light and yet sufficiently powerful
for my uses. For instance, the Brushless Axial Blower cleared leaves leftover from the fall from
around my stonewall with a breeze. It was strong enough to lift them out of the stone wall itself
as well. In other words, these tools don’t sacrifice power in exchange for weight.

Craftsman V60 Improvables

After using these tools for a few weeks, I found the improvables to be only in the details.
For instance, on the axial blower, there is a small dial on the side that is labeled “Hi – Lo”. When
you turn it, you find it’s actually simply a cruise control setting — one that allows you to take your
finger off of the trigger. This is a great feature, and could only be improved by labeling as it as
what it is.

I also found the shape of the weedwacker guard to be an odd shape — and one that, when I was
using it, didn’t give me a lot of confidence it was going to do the kind of blocking and tackling I
would hope. A slightly larger guard wouldn’t add considerable weight but would add peace of
mind — at least, it would to mine.

I did time how long the 2.5 AH battery lasted, and in using the blower non-stop it lasted
approximately 15 minutes. This could be improved by upgrading the battery, which Craftsman
offers. They offer 2.0, 5.0, and 7.5 AH batteries.

Final thoughts

For my needs, these are a perfect fit. We have a large yard, and growing gardens. They have
helped me maintain the lawn edges, remove trees, and clear debris easily. They are light
enough to keep fatigue at bay, powerful enough to do what I want, look good, and are made by
an American company with almost a century of experience under their belt. That’s all I possibly
ask for.

Where To Buy

Specifications:

Craftsman V60 Cordless Brushless Axial Blower

• Air Speed: 110 MPH
• Air volume (cubic feet per minute): 600 CFM
• Brushless
• Weight. 5.6 lbs

Craftsman V60 Cordless 16 inch Brushless Chainsaw

• Bar Length 16 in
• Tool-Free Chain Tensioning YES
• Oiling Automatic rpm
• Weight 12.4 lbs
• Weight without Batteries 9.8 lbs
• Chain Pitch 3/8 in
• Guage 0.043
• UL Safety Listing YES
• CSA Safety Listing YES

Craftsman V60 Cordless 15 inch Brushless Weedwacker String Trimmer with Quickwind Kit

• Rpm 0 – 5200 / 0 – 6200 rpm
• Cutting Swath 15 in
• Line Diameter .080/.095 in
• Feed Type Bump Feed
• Number of Speeds 2
• Number of Lines 2
• Weight 10.2 lbs
• Weight without Batteries 7.6 lbs
• Replacement Accessories CMZST260H
• UL Safety Listing YES
• CSA Safety Listing YES

Craftsman V60 Outdoor Power Equipment is a post from Tool Box Buzz

New Stihl Products For 2018

Every year at the Green Industry Expo (GIE), outdoor power equipment manufacturers show off their latest and greatest products to dealers and industry professionals. In 2016, we got a sneak peak at their battery powered systems at the first annual Stihl Summit. This year we had to wait until GIE to get updates on everything new Stihl but it was worth the wait.

New Stihl for Pros

New Stihl BR700X Backpack Blower

Coming in 2018, is the most powerful backpack blower Stihl has made to date, and it’s made in America. It is a 64.8 cc engine with 34 newtons of blowing force. That translates to 901 CFM with a max air velocity of 193 mph. No question this is a serious tool meant to do serious work. Other notable features are a semi-automatic choke to reduce flooding and offer smooth, easy starting. $549.95

New Stihl TS 440 Cut-Off Machine

The newest Cut-off machine comes with an innovative adjustable guard and a brand new sensor-activated wheel brake. These two features paired together allow undercutting of pipes and other items to be much easier and safer. The new Stihl Quickstop wheel brake can stop a spinning blade in fractions of a second in a kickback situation. Other notable features include electronic water control and an almost maintenance free air filtration system. 14″ blade capacity and 4.4 bhp this saw is sure to be a hit with pros. $1279.95

New Stihl for Homeowners

New Stihl HSA 25 Battery Garden Sheers

This is a new lightweight, one handed trimmer for trimming ornamental grass and shrubs. It comes with two styles of blades, one grass trimmer, one hedge trimmer that can be swapped in without tools. It has a pod style battery we haven’t seen before. It makes me wonder if there are any other tools in development that will use the same battery. 1.8 total pounds tool and battery with up to 110 minutes of run time. Kit price of $119.95

New Stihl iMow

A brand new tool to the Stihl line is coming in the form of 2 robotic battery powered mowers. A small unit (RMI 422 P) with capability up to 1/4 acre and a larger one (RMI 632 P) with capabilities up to an acre. They aren’t fast though, it takes the small one up to 17 hours to mow a 1/4 acre and the large one up to 40 hours to mow an acre. The beauty of it is that they can mow on their own time, mornings, at night, when you’re at work. They work off of a perimeter wire setup by the local servicing dealer. When they’re low on charge, they drive back to the base station and power up. When it starts raining, they motor back to the base station and wait until it’s dry and then continue on their way. If someone picks it up the blade automatically stops. Great feature if you have kids running around.

About the only concern I have is about theft. If someone steals the mower, it’s locked out by a security pin and won’t take a charge either. That’s all well and good but a thief won’t know that until the unit has already been stolen. They’ll just dump it in the ditch when they find out it won’t work. Something to deter them in the first place would be helpful as well. I know if I spent $1,300-2,000 on a robotic mower, I’d be watching it mow just to make sure no one walked off with it. In that regard, what good is a mower that can mow automatically if you have to guard it. Maybe the units need gps on board for theft recovery, or even a ridiculously annoying alarm.

New Stihl MSA 140 C-BQ Chainsaw

Stihl has 3 battery powered chainsaws (We tested all 3!) in their Lightning Battery System currently with 2 in the AP series and 1 in the AK series. They are now introducing another saw in the AK line that uses a new AK30 (180 Wh) battery. In our Stihl FSA 56 String Trimmer Review  we used both the AK10 (60 Wh) and AK20 (120 Wh) batteries. This gives this new chainsaw a runtime of 45 minutes. That doesn’t sound like much until you consider that run time is only when the chain is running. Between cuts, a cordless chainsaw is essentially off.

The saw is available as a bare tool for $269.95 or as a kit with one AK30 battery and charger for $349.95. It comes with a 12″ bar with 1/4″ picco chain. High-torque brushless motor and a quick chain adjuster means it’s really easy to get a lot of work done, fast. This new saw and battery combo claims 80 percent longer run times over the MSA 120 C-BQ with the AK20 battery.

New Stihl RMA 460 Mower

Another new tool for the AK line is the RMA 460 mower. It is a 19″ wide mulching/bagging mower that automatically adjusts motor speed depending on load. This is similar to the RMA 510 we tested at the summit. It worked very well on that model and I bet it works just as well on this one. This mower is capable of mowing 2,475 sqft on the AK20 and 3,440 on the AK30. What’s really great about a mower like this isn’t just the fact that you don’t have to worry about gas and oil, it’s the quietness of the motor. You can mow while the whole neighborhood is still asleep.

Along with it’s diminutive decibels, it sells for a promising price. Only $299 bare tool or $429 with the AK20 battery or $449 with the AK30. The bare tool price is nice but the AK20 battery has a $130 up charge. If you bought a BGA56 blower (at my dealer), the up charge for the same battery and charger is only $70. So the kit pricing is a little suspect and I would expect that to be lower when the product is released. At least it should be.

New Stihl Products For 2018 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

RYOBI Backpack Blower Model BP42

RYOBI BP42

4/5

Manufacturer: RYOBI
Model number: BP42
Price: $199
Power source: 2-stroke engine
Motor size: 42 CC
Weight: 18 pounds

Things I really like

First, it’s really light. It’s only 18 pounds where comparable models are about 4 pounds more. The well-formed backpack harness makes it feel light as well. I’ve worn it a couple times for about 40 minutes each and I wasn’t fatigued.

Second, it’s easy to start. Granted it’s a 2-stroke engine so it’s pretty foolproof already but RYOBI wanted to make it even easier. They printed starting instructions right on the air cleaner. More gas powered lawn and garden equipment should do this. The sticker is nice and big.

Third, the motor is isolated from the backpack frame. The motor is set up on 3 springs that decouple it from the backpack. The springs handle the vibration and torque twist instead of your back. It’s a great feature that contributes to its overall comfort.

Room for Improvement

The only issue I have with this tool so far is that you have to remove the backpack to start it. It isn’t a big deal when you’re first getting started but if you have to stop in the middle to move a garden hose or some other obstacle, the backpack has to be removed to start it again. If you’re out in the yard working with someone else they can always come over and restart it though. I’d like to see the recoil snaked out to the sides of the pack so I can restart myself. In a motion like a knight drawing his sword from his belt.

Quick Walk-through

Here’s a short Youtube video so that you can see the tool up close. I’ll post another video later in the fall so you can see it in action.

Giveaway

If you want to win this blower visit Facebook, Like RYOBI Outdoors, and enter the Power Your World giveaway. You have until 9/30/13 to enter. Click here to visit RYOBI Outdoors on Facebook.

Where to Buy

The RYOBI Backpack Blower BP42 can be found in store or online at the Home Depot for $199.

• Ryobi 185 mph 510 CFM Gas Backpack Blower

RYOBI Backpack Blower First Impressions is a post from Tool Box Buzz