New Echo PB-770T Backpack Blower

[Hedgemaster]

I knew I'd be needing to pick up a backpack blower and I was debating the pros and cons of buying used vs new. The other day I tried to fire up my chipper shredder (that I purchased last year used) and the thing was leaking gasoline all over the place. :mad:
That settled that - I'm buying a NEW backpack blower! LOL!

Picked it up this morning. :)
Echo PB-770T

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/IntegrityLawnCare/Lawn%20Care/Equipment/Blowers/DSCI0092.jpg


As always, here are a crapload of pictures for your viewing pleasure...


http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/IntegrityLawnCare/Lawn%20Care/Equipment/Blowers/DSCI0088.jpg
(^^^ Note the card holder on truck and lawn sign along curb in the distance)

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/IntegrityLawnCare/Lawn%20Care/Equipment/Blowers/DSCI0085.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/IntegrityLawnCare/Lawn%20Care/Equipment/Blowers/DSCI0087.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/IntegrityLawnCare/Lawn%20Care/Equipment/Blowers/DSCI0086.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/IntegrityLawnCare/Lawn%20Care/Equipment/Blowers/DSCI0084.jpg

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/IntegrityLawnCare/Lawn%20Care/Equipment/Blowers/DSCI0082.jpg



Reg price - They sell these all day long for $499.
Driving by the other day my wife saw a sign - "Leaf Blower Sale!" so I stopped in later, but they were about to close. I asked a guy what was on sale and he said "Depends on what you want". I told him what model I was interested in and asked when the sale ended since they were closing in a few minutes - "I'll be back up in a day or two", I said.
"We're running them for $469 and you can have it for that price for the next couple of days", he said.

I stopped in today to get it. Fortunately the owner was in - it's always better to talk to him when you're going to be buying something other than parts or supplies - HE'S the one who gives you a deal, or throws in some extras. I waited patiently as he took a few phone calls and it was worth the wait.

While they unboxed a new unit and began assembling it for me, I asked what the total was going to be. I explained that I had stopped in because of the "sale" and asked what he was ringing it up for.
(punches in some numbers on the computer) "Best I can do is $435", he said.

:D

"That works for me!"
It pays to avoid the staff and deal with the owner. He treats the lawn care guys well and it keeps us coming back.

I tried it out a little today, but didn't do any major leaf work. I'll post my thought after I use it a few times. The only two things that jumped out at me were the fact that it's heavy (doesn't help that my back has been bugging me) and the "cooling slots" on the back pad are awesome! You can really feel the air moving on your back when you throttle up.



Specs:
Type........................................Backpa ck
Engine Displacement (cc)............63.3
Carburetor (w/Purge Pump).........Rotary-Valve Diaphragm
Starting System........................Standard
Fuel Capacity............................68.3
See-Through Fuel Tank...............Standard
Helper Handle...........................Standard
Average Air Volume (cfm-pipe)....756 :cool:
Maximum Air Speed (mph-pipe)...234
dB(A).......................................73
Dry Weight (lbs)........................23.8
Consumer Warranty....................5 years
Commercial Warranty.................2 years

Features:
• 63.3 cc Power Boost Tornado engine
• Convenient tube-mounted throttle with cruise control
• Side-mounted, heavy-duty, dual-stage air filtration
• Padded backrest and shoulder straps
• Exclusive vented back pad for user comfort in hot weather
• Leaf guard

[JeffK26]

Good going! My ex boss in lawn care purchased one for this years leaf cleanup, he loves it... no complaints from him and he's picky.

Ya know, those leaves in the pics look a little staged...too perfect, like ya spent time putting them in place for the photo! haha :D

[Hedgemaster]

Good going! My ex boss in lawn care purchased one for this years leaf cleanup, he loves it... no complaints from him and he's picky.

Ya know, those leaves in the pics look a little staged...too perfect, like ya spent time putting them in place for the photo! haha :D

Ummmm... funny you mention that because I DID take a handful of those leaves home with me with the intention of taking a few shots of the blower at home and laying a few leaves near it. :D


In the limited research I did prior to purchasing, it seemed like this model gets a lot of favorable reviews.
As I told the guy who was unboxing it for me, I started the season with a Craftsman handheld blower, progressed to an Echo PB 251 handheld, and knowing I'd need a backpack for fall, I figured if I'm spending THAT much money, I may as well just spend it on the best one Echo has to offer - "Go big or go home, as they say". He laughed and said, "I was just going to say the same thing!"

I had about $150 set aside in my "blower fund" and a credit card with 10 more months interest free, so it was a no-brainer - get the good 'un!

[mark123]

:-) I just bought the same blower 2 Weeks ago. It sucks down the gas but it moves some leaves! If you want a laugh put a brick on the driveway and use the 770 on it. You'll have to chase it! :D

[Martywdx]

Nice piece of equipment. :) Makes me jealous. Been wavering on buying a back pack for several years. Hand held blowers seem to fit my mode of operation. I really cant justify the cost. I mostly blow around the house and tight areas. Then mulch and pick up the lawn after.
Its best for me to have the leaves lay as they fall. Easy to mulch with the lawn tractor.

[Hedgemaster]

:-) I just bought the same blower 2 Weeks ago. It sucks down the gas but it moves some leaves! If you want a laugh put a brick on the driveway and use the 770 on it. You'll have to chase it! :D

My driveway is gravel, so that could prove interesting - and dangerous! LOL

[Steve]

And when leaf season is over, you can turn it into a hovercraft.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3hHWDIaeZq0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Hedgemaster]

Made my first $15 dollars today with the blower. LOL!

One of my "regulars" who has grass that doesn't grow asked if I would be able to blow the leaves from the driveway. It's a steep one and the leaves make it slippery. "Can you get them off - it's pretty wet?" she asked. "You don't have one of those big ones that you put on your back, do you?"
"As a matter of fact, I do!" was my reply. :)

Didn't even have to haul them away, just cleared the short driveway of leaves and I was done.

OH, and when I finished, a neighbor came over and asked for a quote to stop by and blow the leaves out a few times over the next month.
:D

[Steve]

That is fantastic! What is next on your equipment purchase wish list?

[Hedgemaster]

That is fantastic! What is next on your equipment purchase wish list?

Wish list? Well, that's a pretty long list, so I'll stick to the one item I'm most likely to get.
I haven't made up my mind yet, but I need to get a wide deck walk behind or a small zero turn mower. As much as I'd like a Z, a walk behind will probably be more practical.

[Steve]

That sounds like a great plan.

[Hedgemaster]

I used the blower today on a lawn that had too many leaves to mow. I guess that's the point where you're supposed to charge the client for a leaf cleanup, but since I needed the practice, I just went ahead and did a "mini leaf cleanup" so I could get a feel for moving large amounts of leaves. I didn't have to haul them away - just blew most across the street into some woods - otherwise I wouldn't have done it for free.

Me likey. :)

Doesn't seem overly loud either. My earplugs broke, so I ran it without hearing protection and it didn't seem "unbearable". That said, I have nothing to compare it to either, as this is my first backpack.

Shoulder straps... any tips for how to adjust them?
I tried snugging them up so it was "secure" when wearing it, but when it came time to slip it off, I had a hard time getting it OFF of me. :o If anyone was watching, I'm sure they found it amusing.
I guess that's why I always see guys sling them over one shoulder - at least for quick jobs.

[mark123]

I used mine on my worst leaf lawn. I believe it cut the cleanup time in half but it used a full tank of gas in 1.5 hours. That's a bit disheartening.

[Hedgemaster]

I used mine on my worst leaf lawn. I believe it cut the cleanup time in half but it used a full tank of gas in 1.5 hours. That's a bit disheartening.

I got more time out of a tank on mine today, but I wasn't running full throttle for all of it.


Made my first "big loot" today. :cool:
$180 over six relatively tiny properties and one larger one.
No hauling needed ( :) ), just blow to street for the boro to vacuum up tomorrow.
I'm so mad - I forgot to take a photo of the pile of leaves running along the street!

I discovered that for some locations, it's easier to blow them into a huge pile, then rake them onto a large, blue tarp and just drag them to the street.
Moving huge piles across an open area is a breeze with this blower, but when trying to move them through a narrow area (such as a driveway) is more difficult if you are trying to keep the leaves from going onto the neighbor's property. (the larger job has a shared driveway between the lawns)

I like this blower, but my shoulders are not so sure about it. ;)

[Steve]

I like this blower, but my shoulders are not so sure about it.

It is something to consider for others when buying a backpack blower. What may feel like an OK weight at the store may become a lot heavier as you have to keep it on your back all day as you are blowing leaves.

[Hedgemaster]

I'm really happy I bought this beast. :)

I used it today to move leaves into a huge pile, then I raked them onto a tarp (about 7'x9') , and dragged them into the woods. It took about 7 trips with the tarp filled up. Thank God they were DRY because I had to drag them UP a small hill!


The ability to "move leaves" with this thing becomes much more apparent after using the hand held blower in some of the tight spots... switch over to the backpack and all the crap that wouldn't budge with the small blower threw up it's hands and surrendered!

[mark123]

I'm happy with mine, too. It's fantastic!

I think I'm making less money with it though because the jobs aren't taking as long and I didn't schedule more than last year. A job that took 4 hours last year took 1.5 this year. I don't think there are less leaves. :D

[Hedgemaster]

I believe it. I quoted a client $60 assuming it would take an hour and a half. That's exactly how long it took! (i usually underestimate the time)

Woo hoo! Love it when I guess it right!
I took pics I'll post when I get a minute.

[Hedgemaster]

Here's a teaser...

http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/IntegrityLawnCare/Lawn%20Care/Leaf%20Job%20Forest%20Hills/IMAG3026.jpg


The rest of the pics can be viewed here:
http://www.gopherforum.com/showthread.php?p=97000#post97000

[Hedgemaster]

I used it to clear 3" of powdery snow from my driveway and a client's driveway today! :D

Some guy in an SUV slowed down and looked at me like I was crazy. :p

[mark123]

... Some guy in an SUV slowed down and looked at me like I was crazy. :p Was he wrong? :D

[Hedgemaster]

Was he wrong? :D


Ummm... not entirely.


:D

[JeffK26]

Send some of that snow here to St Louis!

December had days...DAYS i tell you in the 50's! a couple in the 60's!

so far in Jan, 50's too, yesterday was 66, I actually took the dog out last night around 10pm in shorts and a tshirt and sandals.

Long range looks to be the same...50's and more of the same.

The bad part is....I'm dead in the water in the Heating & Cooling because the temps are so mild nothing is having to work hard....and my lawn care is dead because....no snow!

But at least i get to spend time with my wife and dog.