skip to main content

Stihl BG55 or Redmax HB250 Handheld Blowers

14 years ago

Does anyone have either of these blowers and which in your opinion is better. I know the Husky 125B is the same as the Redmax so if anyone owns one of them as well, any info would be great.

Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

yungman
14 years ago
They both are good. Stihl BG55 has the same engine of the higher model commercial unit. Somehow they detuned for just a little lower hp for reason I don't even care to know!!!

Stihl is a two ring engine and Husky is one ring if that matter to you. Stihl use the HomeScaper engine that is on a lot of their trimmers and Yardboss. It is their bread and butter engine, so if I have to, I'll put my bet on the Stihl. I have this old engine and open it up. It really look good inside except the connecting rod is a little thin in the middle......not that there is any known breakage ever, just a comment.

Isn't it true Stihl is more expensive? I know both Husky 125 and Echo are cheaper. Echo is going to single ring Vortex engine that have very good reputation also.

There you are, not making it easier for you, just a little more info.
gsars5
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the input. The Stihl is actually 10 bucks cheaper than the Redmax but the same as the Husky at $150. I did notice the 2 rings on the Stihl but don't know if that matters. I already own a Redmax trimmer and that's why I'm considering it. My neightbor has nothing but trouble with his Stihl trimmer but I don't know how well he takes care of it.
Related Discussions
Stihl or Echo Blower and Trimmer
Q
Comments (9)
Hi I am going to say something you might not like. I would go a little higher to get the real commercial trimmer and blower. I use to get the middle of the road stuff and I am in the process changing to the commercial even I am only a home owner. The Echo GT-200 and PB 251 is the lower line which have only one compression ring. Also the GT-200 is a curve shaft trimmer. Make sure you try the position. I paid $200 for a Troy Bilt, which is middle of the road. Now I bought a Honda. It work so much better, it is so much more comfortable to use. If you are tall, it is particular important. I bought the HC-151 which is the low line Echo. It really don't cut that well. It just don't cut through and the cut is very uneven. I did not realize until just today, I drove by a saw a gardener trimmer the bushes with a hedge trimmer, it just go through the branches like butter, look so straight!!!! The 21.2cc Vortex engine is not as easy to start. The Stihl you mensioned are home owner version only. I hear complain on the forums. From the posts, they are absolutely not the same as the higher line. Go check for sales, this is a good time. I live in San Jose area, I just went to a store and find out Stihl FS90 for $249!!! I know good old Home Depot have Echo SRM 260 for about $269. These are real pro model. For about $260, you have a lot more good ones to choose from. Redmax, Echo, Tanaka. I still won't go for the Shindaiwa home pro series. You use the equipment for 10+ years, don't try to save $60. It will pay off. I am a perfect example. You don't know how big a difference is. I was totally surprised. For blower I'll choose Echo PB230 which has the 2 ring engine. I personally would get a bigger one. I paid $259 for my Shindaiwa EB3410, 34cc 4 cycle. I know Home Depot sell Makita hand held blower for $200. It is a 25cc 4 cycle engine. It is a Robin blower. These are the low end commercial equipments. I would not go below this. I personally like Redmax and Echo over Stihl just because the 4 Mix engine need more routine maintanence than regular 2 cycle engine. Just my 2 cents. Wait for more replies here and good luck.
...See More
Leaf Blower options
Q
Comments (15)
I agree with one of the post above. Have your wife go down to the dealer with you and try them out. Definitely get one that that can be serviced at the local dealer. No point getting a Redmax etc if your dealer only sells and services stihl. If all you want it for is to clean off the drive way, get an electric one. There light and pretty powerful, yet no maintainence. My sears wet/dry vac has a removable blower. It has more than enough power to clean a driveway of clipping etc. It blows at 210 mph, however, it doesn't have enough volume to push alot of leaves in the fall. I have a Stihl BR550 backpack blower for that. This blower has awesome power and is more than enough to move some serious leaves around. It can actually move some good sized rocks around too. Starting it is a breeze. Prime the bulb a few times, turn the choke to full and pull once. Move it to half choke and pull and it starts. I let it run for a few seconds at half choke then turn the choke off. In the summer you probably won't need to use the full choke. It really is that easy plus its fun to use. The stihl 4 mix engines have great power.
...See More
Handheld Blower Recommendations
Q
Comments (3)
I can comment on two blowers - the Stihl SH55 and the Shindaiwa (don't know the model but it was a CA handheld). My experiences reflect the CA models. The SH55 has enough power for what I need it for. From your description, it sounds like your needs and mine are similar. My only gripe is that it has been harder to start than my other 2 or 4 stroke machines. It is not impossible, just a bit finicky compared to my Shindaiwa trimmer and mowers. The Stihl is kinda loud too, but I wear ear protection. I did get to give the Shindaiwa handheld a spin. It was nice. Seemed to have more power and started easily. BUT, it was considerably more expensive. I forget how much, but it wasn't insignificant. I've been told by others and by people on this board that the carb on my SH55 is junk and that's the source of the more difficult starts. I found it is something I can live with though.
...See More
leaf blower best one???
Q
Comments (22)
Don't buy anything made by MTD. They don't support their products. Conntry Side Lawn and Garden by me in Illinois wants a $35.00 deposit just to look at it even know it's still under waranttee. What a joke! Believe me, they will find a way to get that deposit. They told me I had bad gas and they had to clean it out. If that didn't fix it had to be in the carb. and that it would be my expense. He also stated the machine wasn't worth putting that amount into it! It's been used 1 season!
...See More
yungman
14 years ago
Every brand do have complains, it is like crab shoot!!!

To complicate your decision, let me put in my 2cents. If I were to get a hand held today, I would get the Maruyama:

http://www.maruyama-us.com/products/default.aspx?id=832

I found online:

http://www.turfeagle.com/products/product1293.html

THis is the strongest hand held and really good price. I have the Shindaiwa EB3410 which as very strong. But for blowers, you want to get as strong as possible. BL3100 is 459cfm and 180mph at the tube, stronger than ALL others by quite a bit. The engine is 30cc 2 cycle and 1.4hp. It has a 5 year commercial warrantee, the longest in the industry.

All commercial brands are very close in quality, this is a true commercial blower also. I found my blower not strong enough so I did get a Maruyama BL8100 bp. Maruyama is a very known brand also, might not be as popular as Stihl, Redmax, Echo and Shindaiwa, but they are all good. Also, for hand held blowers, you better pay attention to the weight. Mine is very heavy. I won't exactly recommend mine either.
gsars5
Original Author
14 years ago
Unfortunately the Maruyama isn't even an option, there aren't any dealers around me and I don't want to deal with an online company in case of problems. I guess the next thing to do would be to go and check the Stihl, Husky and Redmax out in person and see how they feel and sound.
yungman
14 years ago
For $200 equipments, one service is half of the cost or more. I really don't think about warrantee because there are cases that they deny warrantee and you get charge, happened to me!! I pretty much prepare to fix it myself.

0

Sponsored

Rodriguez Construction Company

1 Review

Industry Leading Home Builders in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

How to build utility room on slab under piling house?

25

drain valve for fuel

1

Chain saw won't run... battery problem for SURE?

11

chipper not starting

1

Storage shed foundation question

3