Earlier this year, I had the chance to demo a Husqvarna 350BT backpack blower. I had used a Husqvarna blower when I first got in to the lawn and landscape business over ten years ago, but I had not used one since. It was great timing, though, since I was in the middle of doing spring leaf cleanups. I was able to see what the blower was really capable of.
I was also excited to give it a try since it was a backpack blower. When I’m on the job I almost always use a backpack blower, as opposed to using hand held units. That’s not to say there are not quality handheld blowers, but for me, it makes more sense to use a heavy-duty, gas powered backpack blower. I wanted to also see if it would live up to all the great reviews it had received from people who had purchased it.
Husqvarna 350BT Backpack Blower Features:
- 22.5 pounds
- 79″ x 19″ x 19″
- 21 hp X-Torq engine
- 42 ounce gas tank
- Hip belt
- Wide backpack straps
- Wind speeds up to 180 mph
- CARB Compliant
- 2 year limited warranty
- Read more…
If you’ve never done a spring leaf cleanup before, you should know that it can often be more work than cleaning up leaves in the fall. The leaves have been gathering for months and they are often damp from the winter snow and rain. This makes the leaves more difficult to maneuver. I usually use my Stihl backpack blower, which has always worked great for me. But, I wanted to try out the Husqvarna 350BT to see if it could perform under these difficult circumstances.
I was impressed by a number of different aspects of the Husqvarna. For starters, it was relatively quiet compared to other backpack blowers I had used before. It was also easy to start, usually starting on the second pull. But the thing I liked best is that it had plenty of power. I was easily able to move heavy piles of damp leaves and debris. It had almost as much power as my Stihl, but it costs around $200 less, so I was more than satisfied in that regard.
Another thing that I liked about the Husqvarna 350BT was that it was comfortable to use. When I am doing leaf cleanups, there are times when I will use a backpack blower for 2 to 4 hours at a time. If the blower is poorly made, then it can become very uncomfortable after just a short period of time. That wasn’t the case with this blower.
I used it for a couple hours straight and my back and shoulders did not hurt after I finished.
I could only find one small issue with the blower and I am probably nit picking. I might not have noticed it had I not read another gentleman’s review online. The primer bulb is in an awkward spot and a little difficult to get to. But, I rarely had to use it anyway. So calling that an issue is a bit of a stretch.
The Husqvarna 350BT gas powered backpack blower is professional grade and a great choice for someone with a large yard and /or who is serious about their lawn work. It is also a good choice for someone with a lawn and landscape business.
