Stihl BR600 Back Pack Blower

This has to be the noisiest machine I've ever used. The only way to compensate for it's immense racket is to have your MP3 playing in your ears with ear defenders worn over that. One deafened bystander suggested it may be suffering from piston slap. Stihl are really trading on their reputation with this one

This is the most delightful piece of equipment. It is light, easy to start and quiet. It is so powerful that you can really do a lot of work very fast. In addition, it is likely to last a very long time if you use it sensibly. I have had previous Stihl blowers and they have been totally reliable; the only reason I had to buy the BR600 is that my sons twice (yes twice!) used my older Stihl blowers and put plain petrol into them. Plain petrol destroys the chromium lining of the cylinders in about 5 minutes and wrecks the compression of the engine. Repairs are possible but cost almost as much as a new blower. That is two new blowers!

Weaknesses? The accelerator cable is on the blower arm and, as you lift it up it can accelerate the engine a little. Not a big problem but a flaw.