Stihl BG86 Leaf blower review

[Pete (Premo)]

OK, so over the last 6 years I have gone through 2 Craftsman Leaf Blowers. The first one lasted 3 years and just blew up one day. It wasn't bad. the second one I got was a pain in my ass since day 1. It vibrated like crazy to the point your hands hurt, the kill switch quit working (I fixed it finally, pinched wire broke) it was hard to start and you had to let it warm up for 15 minutes before it would run wide open. I cleaned the carb, tried everything it just ran crappy.

Well finally the pull cord bound up and came off the spool so I took it apart again for the 10th time, and I can't get the spool off because it requires a special spanner wrench so it sits in a giant pile on my bench.

So today I was down at Carroll's getting tractor stuff and noticed the Stihl display. Knowing I was going to need the leaf blower and the Craftsman is on my bench in pieces and I was likely going to say screw it and buy a new one I decided to just bite the bullet. I couldn't decide if I wanted to get another Craftsman or pay $70 more for a Stihl. I mean it blows air, whats the big deal?

Let me tell you it was WORTH it.

1. It is light, WAY lighter than the behemoth Craftsman.

2. It is so smooth! Virtually no vibration at all. It was AMAZING.

3. It is quiet. The Craftsman was deafening, this thing is 1/4 the sound level.

4.The controls rock, the Craftsman had a paddle for a throttle and you had to hold it open, not this one.

5. The Craftsman had a decal that said 205MPH for the air velocity, the Stihl says 190MPH. If the craftsman was 205MPH my name isn't Pete. The Stihl blows it away. I tried it out when I got home and it was even blowing heavy wet leaves.

I am done with sears and Craftsman. My 10 year old string trimmer is on its last legs. when it goes I am getting a Stihl.

[smilin]

Originally Posted by Pete

OK, so over the last 6 years I have gone through 2 Craftsman Leaf Blowers. The first one lasted 3 years and just blew up one day. It wasn't bad. the second one I got was a pain in my ass since day 1. It vibrated like crazy to the point your hands hurt, the kill switch quit working (I fixed it finally, pinched wire broke) it was hard to start and you had to let it warm up for 15 minutes before it would run wide open. I cleaned the carb, tried everything it just ran crappy.

Well finally the pull cord bound up and came off the spool so I took it apart again for the 10th time, and I can't get the spool off because it requires a special spanner wrench so it sits in a giant pile on my bench.

So today I was down at Carroll's getting tractor stuff and noticed the Stihl display. Knowing I was going to need the leaf blower and the Craftsman is on my bench in pieces and I was likely going to say screw it and buy a new one I decided to just bite the bullet. I couldn't decide if I wanted to get another Craftsman or pay $70 more for a Stihl. I mean it blows air, whats the big deal?

Let me tell you it was WORTH it.

1. It is light, WAY lighter than the behemoth Craftsman.

2. It is so smooth! Virtually no vibration at all. It was AMAZING.

3. It is quiet. The Craftsman was deafening, this thing is 1/4 the sound level.

4.The controls rock, the Craftsman had a paddle for a throttle and you had to hold it open, not this one.

5. The Craftsman had a decal that said 205MPH for the air velocity, the Stihl says 190MPH. If the craftsman was 205MPH my name isn't Pete. The Stihl blows it away. I tried it out when I got home and it was even blowing heavy wet leaves.

I am done with sears and Craftsman. My 10 year old string trimmer is on its last legs. when it goes I am getting a Stihl.

Amen.
I did the same thing with two chain saws before getting a Stihl. Amazing power, starting and longevity.
Good choice.

[Pete (Premo)]

Originally Posted by smilin

Amen.
I did the same thing with two chain saws before getting a Stihl. Amazing power, starting and longevity.
Good choice.

I had a cheapo Poulan I cut a ton of wood with. Last year I finally got a Stihl chainsaw. It is a BEAST!

[DoWhat]

Originally Posted by Pete

when it goes I am getting a Stihl.

I still have a Craftsman lawn tractor.

[Pete (Premo)]

Originally Posted by DoWhat

I still have a Craftsman lawn tractor.

I do too. It has served me well but recently it had had a problem. I haven't had time to tear it down. It will start and run for a few minutes, then start sputtering and shut down. I need to clean the carb. Then I might sell it. Since I have the John Deere and the 54 inch mower I can do my whole place in 30 minutes

[DoWhat]

Originally Posted by Pete

It will start and run for a few minutes, then start sputtering and shut down.

I have the same problem.

[belvak (Premo)]

All Hubby's toys are Stihl! Milt smiles when he sees us!

[DoWhat]

Originally Posted by belvak

Milt smiles when he sees us!

Stihl good.
I have a chain saw, trimmer, and back-pack blower.

All are awe-some.

[Pete (Premo)]

Originally Posted by belvak

All Hubby's toys are Stihl! Milt smiles when he sees us!

Shhhhhhhh I didn't get this one at Milts. Don't tell him.

[Pete (Premo)]

Originally Posted by DoWhat

Stihl good.
I have a chain saw, trimmer, and back-pack blower.

All are awe-some.

Backpack blower! :mangrunt: