Backpack blowers

[Mick Dempsey]

2 hours ago, David Cropper said:

Just bought an Echo PB770 this morning, priced at €660 but my mate owns the store and dropped 10% off. Will be using it on Monday, got around 6 biggish, around 1 metre,  stumps to grind so looking forward to seeing if will do the business clearing the chippings. I've got one of the basic handheld  Echo, used it all the time for the last 6 years, it's never missed a beat but time to use something more powerful and easier on me. I really like the Echo range, two saws and now two blowers. Still got a Husky 15inch saw, absolute piece of crap, never felt comfy using it, Stilh Kombi, which I do like but for me Echo is my tools of choice.

They’re ok for grindings, but compacted stuff that you run over with the machine is too stubborn.

One of those rubber flapper things for the Kombi tool is a more effective clearer upper, then finish with a blower.

Just my 2c.

[rapalaman]

Just started my new 8010 this afternoon for the first time - feels very good and smooth. Will get to use it properly next week so will see how it goes 👍

[David Cropper]

7 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

They’re ok for grindings, but compacted stuff that you run over with the machine is too stubborn.

One of those rubber flapper things for the Kombi tool is a more effective clearer upper, then finish with a blower.

Just my 2c.

I did think about one of the rubber broom things a few years ago but decided against it. Looked on Utube and was quite impressed. I tend to use the blower after I've pushed the chip/soil.mixture back in the hole then blow the top layer of chips away leaving soil on top. In theory!

[Mick Dempsey]

Clearing grindings is a logistical pita.

 

 

[openspaceman]

4 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Clearing grindings is a logistical pita.

 

 

Air spade and cyclone over bulk bags? Would work out quite expensive compares with a pitch fork and shovel.

[Mick Dempsey]

I mean it’s doable, I use the Multione if I can get it in or on it’s on the job anyway.

Its just that the stuff isn’t useful, the sawmill that takes my chip doesn’t want it. Some of it you need a fork to move, some of it you need a shovel, it’s heavy.

 

If you can leave it in situ it’s worth discounting the job.

[David Cropper]

33 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

I mean it’s doable, I use the Multione if I can get it in or on it’s on the job anyway.

Its just that the stuff isn’t useful, the sawmill that takes my chip doesn’t want it. Some of it you need a fork to move, some of it you need a shovel, it’s heavy.

 

If you can leave it in situ it’s worth discounting the job.

I always leave it , most people just say not to bother, they'll shift it or just push it back in the hole, firm it down, job done. I can't remember when someone asked me if I remove the chip. I did a quote for 100 stumps ranging from 40 to 130cms for the council, manager said don't even bother trying to level afterwards, their team would sort it. The previous grinding I've done for Communes was the same, had their workers sort it out afterwards, either take it away to use as mulch in the village or level with a tractor and blade. Makes life easier! Most of the commune work has been pops, horrible chip but fairly easy to grind as most are on flood plains and have weathered a lot. Just waiting for the ground to dry to do a job 5 minutes away, the ponyman who's going to be extracting the timber has said we need to wait a while before he even attempts to get onto site. Can't wait to see this in operation.

[skyhuck]

12 minutes ago, David Cropper said:

I always leave it , most people just say not to bother, they'll shift it or just push it back in the hole, firm it down, job done. I can't remember when someone asked me if I remove the chip. I did a quote for 100 stumps ranging from 40 to 130cms for the council, manager said don't even bother trying to level afterwards, their team would sort it. The previous grinding I've done for Communes was the same, had their workers sort it out afterwards, either take it away to use as mulch in the village or level with a tractor and blade. Makes life easier! Most of the commune work has been pops, horrible chip but fairly easy to grind as most are on flood plains and have weathered a lot. Just waiting for the ground to dry to do a job 5 minutes away, the ponyman who's going to be extracting the timber has said we need to wait a while before he even attempts to get onto site. Can't wait to see this in operation.

Stumpbusters who are a national franchise over here, never remove any grindings, as you say "makes life easier".

[JaySmith]

A guy I do some days for has a new BR800 and it’s an absolute beast. He has it as he does some grounds care as well as tree work so suits his needs. For me I find it too heavy and on full chat spins me around but I am relatively light, sure if you are bigger it wouldn’t be an issue. It is heavy on the back and may stifle to get into some tool lockers. For large takedowns and stump grinding it is a game changer, however if you are doing multi jobs in a day or small gardens it could be a bit of overkill. At a previous firm we used the BR380 which for me was a good compromise as it was lighter, easier to transport but way ahead of a hand held BR86 for example

[Mick Dempsey]

It would be nice, but some clients won’t have it.

 

(in reply to @skyhuck)

 

Edited February 14, 2021 by Mick Dempsey