Outdoor Power Equipment Guide - Buyers Guide

Flower & Garden Magazine, March, 2000 by Robin Pendergrast

Turn-of-the-century operators will notice one thing in particular about their new blowers--they are quieter, much more quieter, than their predecessors. Blowers have come under attack in recent years, not just because some people think they are loud, but because the noise they make is also objectionable. After all, it's not just the engine making the noise. A machine that produces airspeeds in excess of 200 mph and generates air volumes that range from 300 to 600 cubic feet per minute or greater has many noise sources, including the muffler, air intake and air cleaner, engine fins and blower fan. Some manufacturers have worked to reduce the noise and sound levels on many fronts without taking away power and performance. Depending on the brand and model, look for these new blowers to be constructed of special sound-absorbing material, feature silencer systems in the air intake and have redesigned mufflers.

Echo's low-noise blowers have really led the way in noise reduction. The PB-46LN backpack blower for commercial operators was introduced two years ago. It has a sound rating of 65 dB(A), a rating that represents an approximate 50 percent reduction in noise from other models that are in the 70 dB(A) range. Homeowners can enjoy the same low-noise technology in the company's handheld blower and in a new lightweight backpack model PB-260L. This blower is still quieter than the PB-46LN and weighs a mere 14.5 pounds, which is substantially less than other backpack models and not much more than handheld models. Maruyama's BL-4500 and Stihl's BR-320 are examples of other lighter weight commercial models, each weighing about 18.5 pounds.

Whether you select a handheld or backpack model depends on the application. Most backpack models are designed for many hours of use and hence are the favorite of commercial operators. Handheld blowers don't generate the air volume and speed of their backpack counterparts, yet they still pack plenty of punch to push leaves and other debris. They also have the advantage of easily being converted to vacuums.

HEDGE TRIMMERS

Hedge trimmers are changing shape just like the bushes and hedges they're trimming. New models have built-in features that deliver more trimming flexibility and have handles which are getting longer, so trimming tall hedges can be done while the operator is standing safely on the ground. Of course, the traditional hedge trimmer with single- or double-sided blades is still available and very functional for homeowners and professional users alike with more traditional hedge-trimming applications than ever. Cutting bars can range from 18 to 40 inches, and units tend to weigh anywhere from 10 to 15 pounds for most professional quality trimmers.

One of the more interesting new features on these units is a rotating rear handle. Stihl's Model HS 80, for example, features a 180degree swivel rear handle that makes vertical trimming easy and fast. Echo's HCR-1500 features a five-position rear handle, again designed to facilitate trimming at different angles and to enhance the sculpting process. Husqvarna promotes a three-position handle on its 225H hedge trimmer. John Deere's model H20S features double-reciprocating blades which make for more efficient trimming, and with a weight of only 13 pounds, it makes yard and garden work more comfortable.