As a practicing landscape gardener, I have an array of tools at my disposal. However, my most used tool is a handheld blower that I use daily to help clean up any debris and rubbish after mowing lawns and other jobs.
I currently use a STIHL BG56 petrol two stroke handheld blower. Up to now I have not been tempted to go battery powered as I believed that they were not as powerful as their petrol driven counterparts.
However, a recent trial of the EGO LBP8000E backpack blower convinced me that the latest range of battery powered leaf blowers are now equally as powerful as any of their petrol driven equivalents.
I found the LBP8000E easy to use and sat comfortably on my back. It was simply the case of attaching the two 56V 5.OAh ARC Lithium™ batteries and away you go. This battery-powered backpack blower features a brushless motor that delivers power equivalent to a 60cc petrol engine.
Users can alter the performance of the blower via its tailored digital controls, which include a battery level indicator and speed control with turbo lock on the blower’s adjustable handgrip and tube.
These digital controls are the major highlight for me. Give the trigger a light pull, and the display comes on. Immediately, you see a battery level indicator which I found extremely helpful.
The trigger can vary the speed of the blower, moving you up through four distinct power levels. If you’re working for an extended period, the button on the left locks the power level in. Just pull the trigger to the level you want to work in and press that button to set it. You can still hit higher power levels with the trigger if you need them. Once you let go, it returns to the level you set.
I, and fellow work colleague John, had the chance to try out the blower on several of our customers’ gardens during last autumn and found it to be powerful and easy to use. As for battery life, its two batteries kept us going all morning without having to recharge. Using an EGO CH5500E rapid charger we were able to recharge each battery in less than 40 minutes.
I also lent the blower to Rob, a neighbour, to try. He was equally impressed with its performance, using it to clean up his lawn. He liked the turbo feature and the fact that it was relativly quiet, powerful and comfortable to use.
The build quality of the blower was robust. The turbo button enables you to deliver more air speed if you need it to blow wet leaves etc. With the manufacturer claiming the blower delivers 1360m3/h, with air speeds up to 190 mph, and 26N push force, there was more than adequate power for our needs.
Finding points of criticism, for me the blower was quite large and cumbersome to lift and transport - however, once in position on your back the padded harness comes into play, making the blower a comfortable fit and easy to use.
The variable speed controls enable you to decide what power outputs you want to use, for given work requirements. I certainly noticed the blower to be comparatively quieter than my petrol blowers - with hand vibration also less noticeable.
The ability to be powered by two batteries enhances the power and running time of this blower. Also, because you can use different powered batteries, it gives you longer running times.
All in all, I believe EGO have produced a powerful and professional backpack blower that can provide commercial gardeners and landscape contractors with a reliable robust tool that is environmentally friendly and competes excellently with any petrol powered equivalent.
Specifications:
EGO LBP8000E Premium Cordless 56v Back Pack Blower 1360m3/h
Air flow max. 1360m 3 /h
Air flow speed "BOOST": max. 260km/h
Force at nozzle exit (N): max. 26
Speed Control: Variable
Motor power: 1100w
Engine type: 56V, carbonless
Noise level 83dB(A)
Operating time - 2.5 Ah battery - 7 - 60 min.
Operating time - 5.0 Ah battery - 15 - 120 min.
Operating time - 7.5 Ah battery - 20 - 180 min.
Operating time - 10.0 Ah battery - 30 - 240 min.
Charging time - 2.5 Ah battery. Fast charger - 30 min. Standard - 50 min.
Charging time - 5.0 Ah battery. Fast charger - 40 min. Standard - 100 min.
Charging time - 7.5 Ah battery. Fast charger - 60 min. Standard - 145 min.
Charging time - 10.0 Ah battery. Fast charger - 70 min. Standard - 190 min.
Weight without battery 6,2kg
Harness: padded, double-armed
