Stihl Backpack blowers

[lehman live edge slab]

The only thing Stihl does better vs the echo 9010 is the auto return kill switch. The 9010 easily wins otherwise.

Definitely personal opinion and preference it’s not always about blower performance ect. Theres certain areas without echo dealers and or they suck also some people find the Stihl more comfortable to wear. Also my br 600 has done everything I’ve needed just not as fast as an 800 or the echo 9010 would. 600 was bought by my dad new when they first came out to blow leaves at his cabin that was to rough to rake ect. Still runs great and while I should have done it the valves have never been adjusted.

 

[pbillyi69]

i have a br600 that i have been running 32:1 mix in for years with zero issues. the only thing it didnt like is 100ll fuel.

 

[Merkava_4]

Have you ever run a 9010? Almost without fail, when I let a customer run one a few minutes, they walk out the door with it. It's like having a dirt bike on your back.

I have one. The first generation swivel cuff used to pop out of joint. They have since came out with an upgraded version. The unit still has a very stiff corrugated elbow that is cumbersome to move around. The runtime is only about 40 minutes on wide open throttle. Most of the time it sits in storage. For everyday use I prefer my STIHL BR600.

 

[FergusonTO35]

My new FS-91 gets VP synthetic 40:1 with an ounce of fuel stabilizer and premium gas, same as all my other mixed fuel engines. So far it runs great on the stuff, we shall see over the long run. I'm planning to adjust the valves periodically.

 

[r7000]

I went by the store and tried on both the Echo and the Stihl. I was going with the Echo, (that’s what they recommended) and the counter was going to order me a hip strap but after some research that’s not available in the US from Echo.
The Stihl was more comfortable with the hip strap on my back and for me a little better.
But I would have to agree, the Echo is more powerful and moves around leaves quicker. It maybe a better machine overall, but I had to get the one that fit me. I’m sure the Stihl will be good enough for my needs on the farm.

 

[lilspenny]

I see the Stihl line up of backpack blowers (br600 and above) use a 4 cycle “mix” engine. I was reading it needs a 50:1 of Stihl ultra oil and only that due to ash that can build up on the valves.
First off I hate Stihl ultra oil in chainsaws. I feel It doesn’t provide adequate oil in the crankcase, and very little oil on the cylinder walls. I prefer red armor at 40:1 because of the FD rating, better cleaning, cleaner burning, a little thicker and it pools down in the crankcase providing a little more protection.
Basically I want one mix for all my 2 stroke equipment. Will a 40:1 mix be bad for the design of the Stihl 4 cycle mix motors causing damage to the valves due to “extra ash”.
One of the few issues with the BR600,700 and 800 is the crankshaft failure from a copper bushing, which I’m hoping the 40:1 will help prevent this.
If this is a concern, should I be looking at the Echo 9010 that has a conventional 2 cycle engine?

Had a 4-mix fs100rx since 2005 and it runs great. I've run all kinds of oil, mostly 40:1, no guard, .105 string. Just like any other brand, watch excessive heat. I have used that thing in all conditions, even with a blade cutting everything smaller than my pinky. Also.... I am a low rpm trimmer. Adjusted the valves in 2025 for the first time, and they were barely out of spec. So, there. I've broken rule after rule after rule and that thing still runs great. I have always done my own maintenance. 10 of those years were commercial use.

 

[lilspenny]

I see the Stihl line up of backpack blowers (br600 and above) use a 4 cycle “mix” engine. I was reading it needs a 50:1 of Stihl ultra oil and only that due to ash that can build up on the valves.
First off I hate Stihl ultra oil in chainsaws. I feel It doesn’t provide adequate oil in the crankcase, and very little oil on the cylinder walls. I prefer red armor at 40:1 because of the FD rating, better cleaning, cleaner burning, a little thicker and it pools down in the crankcase providing a little more protection.
Basically I want one mix for all my 2 stroke equipment. Will a 40:1 mix be bad for the design of the Stihl 4 cycle mix motors causing damage to the valves due to “extra ash”.
One of the few issues with the BR600,700 and 800 is the crankshaft failure from a copper bushing, which I’m hoping the 40:1 will help prevent this.
If this is a concern, should I be looking at the Echo 9010 that has a conventional 2 cycle engine?

Someone either wants you to buy Stihl Ultra, some other brand equipment besides Stihl, or who knows because they don't know. I've got an fs100rx that I bought new in 2005. 10 years of heavy commercial use and 10 years of personal use. Valves adjusted once and that was in 2025. They were very close to spec and did not need adjustment. The rope was hard to pull and that was a displaced rubber grommet that was caught in the flywheel, not tight valves. That machine has had a diet of various oils but about 1/5 Ultra which was in the last 5 years. When I opened it up and inspected the cam it was so dirty I said "no more" concerning Ultra. Black oily film. I recently tried VP, Saber, HP2, and Red Armor. Those, imo, are better than Ultra. The cleanest of the bunch is VP but imo it should be 40:1. Many Stihl models do not have needle bearings on the wrist pin. It's not typical for them to seize unless the air filters don't catch all of the dirt, or the machines are run without oil. In a model with needle bearings a new engine might be needed. Stihl 4-mix engines are fine machines but just like Toyotas, they are not for everyone.

 

[EFSM]

I have one. The first generation swivel cuff used to pop out of joint. They have since came out with an upgraded version. The unit still has a very stiff corrugated elbow that is cumbersome to move around. The runtime is only about 40 minutes on wide open throttle. Most of the time it sits in storage. For everyday use I prefer my STIHL BR600.

They are excessive for small jobs. I wonder how soon it will be until we see twin pipe blowers. Echo toyed around with that many years ago but didn’t pursue it past the prototype stage. Two smaller, more maneuverable tubes would make the 9010 a lot more practical.

 

[Merkava_4]

When I opened it up and inspected the cam it was so dirty I said "no more" concerning Ultra. Black oily film. I recently tried VP, Saber, HP2, and Red Armor. Those, imo, are better than Ultra.

I think it's the 40:1 that's killing you.

 

[EFSM]

I think it's the 40:1 that's killing you.

You’re in the minority. Not a lot of love for Ultra around.

 

[lilspenny]

I think it's the 40:1 that's killing you.

Could be, but the machine has lasted 20 years, ten if which was hard commercial, but run solely by mwa.