Ryobi Leaf Blower (2-Cycle Backpack)
There are many different types of leaf blowers on the market. These include those more geared for commercial use, as well as residential models built for those looking to clean up a large yard or outside area. The Ryobi gas leaf blower that we are about to review, falls into the category of the residential light commercial.
This powerful Ryobi backpack model has many different attributes and features, which you can read more about in the post below.
Ryobi Gas Leaf Blower Review – 2 Cycle Backpack
This Ryobi gas leaf blower has a powerful 38cc engine. With the ability to provide a combination of high air volume and airspeed, this machine provides formidable power for cleaning up even the toughest garden debris and leaf litter.
Because it has a gas engine, you will need to start this leaf blower manually through a pull-start process. This model comes with detailed instructions that outline how to operate it step by step. So, by following each step of the process, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get it started – even if you haven’t used one of these types of leaf blowers before.
As opposed to a handheld blower, this model is a backpack style leaf blower. This means that you carry the weight of the machine on your back. With padded straps and contoured support, you can operate the machine comfortably for extended periods of time. This is especially helpful if you have a large area to clean, or need to navigate through tough debris for longer.
While there might be some engine technicalities to learn when it comes to operating this type of 2 stroke leaf blower and fuel-powered blower, we’ll outline some more of its main features in the next section. Hopefully, this will help you get a better understanding of the product and what you can expect when operating it.
Stand Out Features
High Air Volume
To move stubborn garden debris, you need to make sure that the leaf blower you use can provide a high volume of air in order to actually move the leaves in your yard or outside area. With 760 CFM, this Ryobi gas blower guarantees a significant amount of air volume.
High Air Speed
Combined with air volume, a high airspeed allows you to propel the amount of air necessary to untangle and move any leaf litter or debris. As this leaf blower provides 175 MPH of airspeed, this machine packs a serious punch with Ryobi’s signature CROSSFORCE Fan Technology. Especially in combination with its 760 CFM of air volume.
In fact, this dual-intake fan technology not only combines high air volume and airspeed but also provides greater efficiency through its innovative design.
Comfortable Harness
Ryobi backpack leaf blowers are very convenient and easy to use. They provide the ergonomic support you need to carry a fairly heavy device for a long period of time. With a contoured harness, breathable fabric, and adjustable shoulder straps, this product can be adapted for multiple different body types.
In addition to the shoulder straps, there is also a chest strap for extra support and distribution of weight.
Variable Speed and Trigger Control
When you’re busy blowing leaves, it would be inconvenient and impractical if you had to stop what you are doing and remove the leaf blower from your back every time you needed to change the settings. It has built-in variable speed and trigger controls that are easily accessible.
Changing to various modes and speeds is simple as you can just use the hand you are guiding the equipment with. This includes being able to shift from idle to start/quiet and then to full power instantly, with a cruise control trigger setting in between.
Cruise Control
In addition to being able to change the speeds with a simple click, this fan blower also allows you to operate at a standard air speed for an extended period. This is great for when you’re working over a longer time frame to really clear up some tough garden debris. Also, check this husqvarna bt350 for comparison.
Anti-Vibration
One of the downsides of using a very powerful device like this Ryobi gas leaf blower is that there can be a lot of vibration from the engine. These vibrations can lead to a lot of discomfort in your body, especially after using the machine for a while. Luckily, this leaf blower comes with anti-vibration measures to help lessen this effect.
Noise Control Mode
In addition to anti-vibration, there is also a combined start/quiet setting on the handheld operational trigger. This helps to lessen the noise of the device slightly so that you don’t bother your neighbors.
What We Like
- Convenient and easy to carry for extended periods
- Powerful gas engine with high air volume and airspeed capacity, namely a 2 cycle 38cc engine with 760CFM and 175MPH
- Easy to adjust settings and speed variations as they are easily accessible on the handheld lever that guides the direction of the blower tube
- Comfortable and adjustable backpack harness with contoured support and straps makes this device wearable by many different body types
- Backed by a three year manufacturer warranty
Minor Drawbacks
- Since this is a gas-powered leaf blower, you will need to take certain protocols into account. For example, maintaining the machine properly and making sure that there is a desirable oil to fuel ratio and lubrication
- This powerful product, while easy to carry, might not be appropriate for those with limited mobility or back problems
- Gas-powered blowers can be quite noisy
How To Use This Ryobi Gas Leaf Blower
If you’re accustomed to using electric or battery-powered devices, this machine might take a bit of getting used to, but once you get used to following the set of steps required, you’ll be grateful for the additional power that this Ryobi backpack blower can provide.
Step 1: Check the fuel
After setting up the device out of the box and placing it down in a safe area, the first step is to check that the right ratio of oil to fuel mixture is placed into the fuel tank. Note that you will also need to place a mix of ethonal protection additive into the fuel tank, to prevent the engine from malfunctioning.
Step 2: Allow fuel into the machine
To make sure that enough fuel mixture goes into the machine to start it, press the allocated button ten times, then place the designated startup lever to “choke”. This allows just the right amount of fuel to get you going.
Step 3: Warm up the engine
With the engine in the choke position, pull the start cord a few times until you hear the machine start to work. This process is just the first part of getting the machine going.
Step 4: Run the engine
Once you can hear the engine start to run and the machine is ready to go, adjust the lever setting to “run”. Then lift the device carefully onto your back while the engine is idling. Depending on your exact model, you might need to pull the start cord again while the machine is in “run” mode to get it going.
Step 5: Adjust the harness
Once you’ve lifted the machine onto your back, you can adjust the straps. Then all you need to do is place your hand on the trigger and vary the settings accordingly. This includes adjusting the settings from idle to start/quiet and full power.
Benefits
Once you’ve got the hang of this startup procedure, you’ll no doubt start to enjoy the power and maneuverability at your disposal. This type of gas leaf blower can easily provide these things – especially in a residential setting.
Similar on the Market
There are many similar machines on the market similar to this backpack Ryobi gas leaf blower that you can take a look at in order to get a comparison.
One of these devices is the Echo PB-580T Backpack Blower, which has many similarities to the Ryobi blower that we have reviewed above.
Apart from the fact that they are both gas-powered machines, the Echo Backpack Leaf Blower PB-580T has a slightly more powerful engine. More specifically, a 58.2 cc 2 cycle engine as opposed to the 38cc of the Ryobi model. This product also offers a slightly higher amount of airspeed at 215 MPH.
However, it must be noted that the Echo blower is slightly heavier than the Ryobi blower, which is something to take into account when choosing a device. So, whether you want something lighter or more powerful just depends on the size of the outdoor area you want to clean.
Final Thoughts
In this post, we’ve given a comprehensive overview of the 38cc Ryobi gas leaf blower. By outlining some of the main features, we’ve also helped to enlighten you about what comes with operating this product, check out 125bvx for comparison.
To get some perspective on this Ryobi backpack model, we have also compared it to the Echo Backpack blower. While similar in specifications, the Echo blower might be more appropriate for larger-scale applications as it is heavier to carry.
Overall, this Ryobi gas leaf blower in a backpack version is certainly geared to provide impressive power, air volume, and airspeed for residential applications. It will certainly help to move even the most stubborn garden debris and leaf litter.
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