ROK 25cc Petrol Leaf Blower

[Dean]

In the market for a basic petrol leaf blower for around the house.

Note BigW has ROK brand which looks like a generic branded Chinese 25cc model. Anyone used one? I have had good luck with a few other cheaper 2-stroke garden tools in the past out of China (52cc chainsaw and a pole trimmer) and repaired others.

While I'm all for having a Stihl blower, the budget may not stretch for it, and its only for very occassional use. The old man has a Stihl 26cc. It's nice, but my old McCulloch blower actually performed far better (over its 12 year lifespan). I find the Stihl doesn't have the air speed the McCulloch did. You could turn the rotors of a massive wind turbine with it.

Also, if anyone has used one of the Makita 4-stroke blowers, would appreciate your opinion. These do look good, but 4-stroke motors don't like high-revs, something which a good blower usually needs.

[Dean]

Problem solved!
For just a little more than the cost of a Rok or Ryobi or other standard big-box store blower, I found a great deal on a Hitachi trimmer and blower combo at Masters - $198.00 for both (less $25 off that price courtesy of a EDR coupon). Didn;t really need the trimmer, but essentially it's a freebie!

Got the blower out today and ran it in for a little while. Even at 1/2 throttle its got some grunt and runs quite smooth.
Worth grabbing at that price, especially if you could use a trimmer as well!

Did up an unboxing and overview video for the Hitachi Blower -

[Sebastiaan56]

8:00AM Sunday mornings will never be the same

[Dean]

8:00AM Sunday mornings will never be the same

Very true
At least the grass clippings don't have to be laying all over the road and driveway again either!

[Dean]

And here is part 2 for anyone interested.