Review: Echo PB-413T & PB-265 Backpack Blower

I've owned a handheld electric Toro blower for about 5 years. It's been a handy little device and great for cleaning up after mowing, pushing around leaves, etc. My friend kept some of his mowing equipment in my garage last summer and in it there was an older Echo backpack blower. I, of course, had to try it out. This machine literally cut 30 minutes off my weekly yard duties. Not having to drag extension cords around the house was half of the time savings. I could walk from the front of my lot to the back with the backpack and up on the porch without tripping over cords. The other main benefit was the power. So much more could be done, and from a farther distance. I was able to freshen up much, blow away grass clippings, dirt and tiny rocks. I was also able to blow a lot of dead grass up out of the lawn. I was sold. When my friend needed his equipment back, this was on the top of my list for summer.

Because his was a few years old, the model numbers werent exactly the same as what was available today. Home Depot carried two Echo models, the Echo PB-413T and the PB-265. The PB-265 was a less powerful model for about $60 less. Not being a commercial landscaper, I went for it.

PB-265 Review.
It blew, and not in the good way. First of all, it had a cheap plastic base that felt like it was going to break every time I tried to start it. It didnt have near the power of my friends model. Although the convenience of the back pack was there, the lack of power meant moving around at a slower pace and getting closer to objects to get the job done. After one day I returned this item.

Verdict: Do not recommend.

PB-413T Review.
Although $60 more, it was an entirely differnt machine. The construction was much better, no cheap plastic base and a lot more powerful. This was basically the same model my friend had. It was pricy at $319, but it was worth 30 minutes every weekend to me, and probably and hour worth of time savings with every fall leaf pickup. Although I love this device, I have a few dislikes. The throttle is controlled with a wand via your left hand, while your right holds the blower arm. My friends had a trigger on the blower arm, which seems more practical. Some higher models may still have this feature. Its kind of confusing to turn on. There is not true on/off switch, and the choke is cryptically labeled, so that you don't know what is choke on/off. There is also a bit of vibration as one would expect with such a powerful machine on your back. I will say that they have a good spring system that reduces it greatly.

Verdict: Highly recommend.

If you are a homeowner looking for a pseudo-commercial blower, this is definitely worth a look. There are numerous tasks you can perform with this blower that may make you life a lot easier in the summer and fall.