Echo has put a lot of hard work into designing and producing a series of less noisier gas blowers. I was impressed with the sound levels made by the 260 series using a 25.4 cc power plant. However, I am stunned that they have managed to do it again with this much more powerful version of their backpack blowers. In fact the PB 460 Echo backpack blower only produces 65db of noise using a 44 cc engine and for this reason it must be the quietest on the street. This is precisely the same level as the less powerful 260 version. The PB 460 uses particular noise attenuation mechanisms to lower the noise down to this remarkable level. Even at full throttle it still produces only the same amount of noise. It makes this blower very suitable for neighborhoods where keeping the noise down is very important. Even so, you should still check your local regulations to make sure that this machine agrees with the law.
As for capability: the 44 cc 2 stroke engine produces an air speed of 175 miles per hour. This is comparable to the STIHL 420 blower which gives roughly the same air peed but with a much larger 56.5 cc engine. Air speed is important if you want to be able to blow heavier bits of debris or break up matted sticky, wet leaves and heaps of damp grass clippings. The volume of air moved is 380 Cubic Feet per Minute. This is measured at the end of the tube. This amount of air is less than the STIHL 380 model which comes in at 465 CFM. However, the engine in the Echo is smaller than the 56.5cc of the STIHL model. One should therefore expect it to be less able to keep the debris moving and a bit more difficult to deal with further way objects that need clearing up.
As with all Echo products this machine uses the easy start pro fire ignition system. There is a cold start position on the choke mechanism and a pump primer bulb to get the fuel flowing. It should start within 5 short pulls of the recoil starter handle. The electronic ignition system makes starting this blower very easy. It has a 1.9 Liter transparent fuel tank which uses a standard 50:1 2 stroke mixture of gas and oil. It has a heavy duty commercial type air filter which is easy to replace and prevents dirt and air debris from getting into the engine.
As far as ergonomics, this model has a padded backrest and shoulder straps that are easy to adjust. The design of the frame also helps with comfort, because it is really a light weight roll cage which is made from durable high impact plastic. This also makes servicing the machine easier as access to the main parts is easy compared to other backpack machines. The overall weight of the tool is 26.4 lbs and so it could start to feel a little heavy if you work with it for long amounts of time. There is a hip mounted throttle control for easy and accessible operation.
This is a professional orientated backpack leaf blower that has a light weight and quiet operation. It has a low noise output and produces a fast air speed that will easily cope with most leaf and grass blowing jobs. If you are searching for a machine that is comfortable to use and has the power to do most jobs then you certainly should consider the PB 460.
A leaf blower is for working and not resting in the corner of your garage broken or useless. Making the right choice is therefore important. For full details on leaf blower choices and the ratings that are important you should take a look at TJS Vincent�s web site. You should then be able to choose your leaf blower with confidence
Echo backpack Blower
