Makita leaf blower

[GarethM]

I'm probably like most this morning and got an email about the latest Makita leaf blower.

 

An actual 4 stroke with an oil sump, on the one hand I think it's better than adding two stroke but isn't it just another thing for the user to forget or generally loose the filler cap ?.

[pleasant]

32 minutes ago, GarethM said:

I'm probably like most this morning and got an email about the latest Makita leaf blower.

 

An actual 4 stroke with an oil sump, on the one hand I think it's better than adding two stroke but isn't it just another thing for the user to forget or generally loose the filler cap ?.

From my experience of four stroke hand helds, the main thing that is overlooked is regular checking of the oil level in the sump. Even more critical in handhelds as they are thrown around at different angles, more so, than say a mower.

[GarethM]

That's kind of my point, I see the possible exhaust air quality argument but other than that I'll stick with the BR600 :).

[coppice cutter]

Screwfix had them on offer a few weeks ago.

 

Seemed a real good price and I was tempted but ended up going battery instead.

 

[pleasant]

21 minutes ago, coppice cutter said:

Screwfix had them on offer a few weeks ago.

 

Seemed a real good price and I was tempted but ended up going battery instead.

 

I always have them in after being purchased at screwfix......can't get any bits for them through my suppliers and technical support and info is zero, so I don't bother touching them

[coppice cutter]

Makita have made no bones about seeing the future as electrically driven rather than petrol, so that would be a concern for long term usage of anything so powered.

[spudulike]

7 hours ago, pleasant said:

I always have them in after being purchased at screwfix......can't get any bits for them through my suppliers and technical support and info is zero, so I don't bother touching them

Try L&S if you haven't already, they do stock and support Makita kit.

[marne]

I use their (Dolmar) backback blower since 2017 and it's been excellent. 

The fuel lines broke both but otherwise no complaints. 

Super easy to start, gobs of power, sips fuel, literally no smelly fumes. The engine sound is much more pleasent, not screaming. 

No oil consumption between annual changes.

If it breaks down today I would buy another in a heartbeat. 

Oh one downside: left it 2 weeks lying on the wrong side. Oil flooded the air filter, that was a mess. Could imagine that smaller units may suffer from this if not used weekly and just been thrown around. 

 

[Stere]

Heard good things about the makita 4 stroke strimmer also.

 

Power to weight ratio isn't as good as 2 strokes but alot less emissions and better fuel economy

[coppice cutter]

A friend has the Honda 4 stroke strimmer and swears by it, but they're getting very pricey.

 

I've a 52cc 2-stroke Ryobi strimmer, well over 20yrs old but still going like the day it came out of the box.

 

When it expires I'll probably replace it with either battery or 4 stroke.