Makita 4 stroke garden vac

[Paddler]

Are these any good? How do they compare to the Stihl 2 stroke models? I like the idea of the Makita as it is 4 stroke so should be easier/quicker to start and cheaper on fuel.

 

I would want to use it as a vac, not a blower. Has anybody used both the Makita and the Stihl? Which would you choose? In theory the Makita should be cheaper to maintain and run, but does it have sufficient performance?

 

Thanks

[Thesnarlingbadger]

Not sure about the vac but the makita 4 stroke hedge cutters are the dogs nuts. Really good build quality it seems. I don't own any but I sub for a guy who uses them and I would consider buying them over sthil when mine come to an end.

[shavey]

I've sold three Dolmar versions too customers and have one myself and they are good machines very economical mine is run on aspen and they've all been trouble free and if your religious with the engine oil changes at regular intervals as the sump only holds 80ml

 

Reports from people say they aren't quite as powerful as the stihl equivalent but the engine speed probably wouldn't be the same but they will do the job and are quiet and vibes are good

[maria warwick]

I use the Makita BHX2501 , had no problems yet....

It picks up leaves OK , obviously doesn't like the bigger bits of twigs.

I could mention blow jobs , but that would be pushing it !

[departed]

Echoing the above comments.

I had one as a vac but it I couldn't get along with it, it kept clogging and twigs were a nightmare.

As a blower it was reliable and good on fuel, but always seemed a bit underpowered and heavier than a two stroke motor.

I ran it for two years with no problems at all, doing the usual garden maintenance jobs - grass/hedge clippings and leaves on the autumn.

 

Sion