I've been stringing along my 8 year old Poulan Pro ppbv25 for a few years. It finally became so hard to start I've given up. It was actually a great blower for the money, albeit heavy and hard to start sometimes. I have to have at least 5-600 hours on it over those years. I use it mainly in the fall to clean up the laves from the 5 big trees on my property and clean the gutters a few times a year.
Last year I purchased a Stihl BG-86CE in the fall when the Poulan started having real issues. I sold it to my neighbor for almost what I got it for after using it for a bit. For how much it cost, I just wasn't impressed with its long warm up times for full power as well as its power once up to full power.
SO, now i'm on the hunt again. my requirements are:
- Ideally Intake on the right side as I'm a righty and can't stand when my pants etc get sucked into the intake. Hated that on my Poulan.
- Cost isn't a huge factor but maybe in/under the $200-250 range.
- No vacuum function needed, I don't think they ever work well.
- Gas powered, takes a hour or two in the fall every weekend to get all the leaves together.
Let the experiences fly!
Last year I purchased a Stihl BG-86CE in the fall when the Poulan started having real issues. I sold it to my neighbor for almost what I got it for after using it for a bit. For how much it cost, I just wasn't impressed with its long warm up times for full power as well as its power once up to full power.
SO, now i'm on the hunt again. my requirements are:
- Ideally Intake on the right side as I'm a righty and can't stand when my pants etc get sucked into the intake. Hated that on my Poulan.
- Cost isn't a huge factor but maybe in/under the $200-250 range.
- No vacuum function needed, I don't think they ever work well.
- Gas powered, takes a hour or two in the fall every weekend to get all the leaves together.
Let the experiences fly!
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