Stihl Electric Start Backpack Blower Now an Option for at Least One Model
Stihl backpack blowers are a common sight on professional lawn maintenance crews and the company has just given us another reason to love them. The Stihl BR 450 C-EF now features a battery operated electric start. The battery is stored onboard and is charged while the unit is running. No more idling around or removing the backpack to restart the blower when you’re covering multiple yards close together.
I’m pretty impressed that the upcharge for the Stihl Electric Start Backpack Blower model is only $100. Power tool batteries can easily cost more than that, so the fact that you’re getting the battery plus an ignition system is nice. Granted, it’s not going to be using a 6 amp hour 18 volt battery, but it doesn’t need one either…
Both the Stihl BR 450 and Stihl BR 450 C-EF pack 63.3 cubic centimeter displacement with speeds up to 186 miles per hour and volume up to 642 cubic feet per minute. These power ratings put them squarely in the center of performance in Stihl’s pro line of blowers. Weight is at the top of Stihl’s line at 23.4 and 25.4 pounds, respectively. It’ll increase some (about 4 pounds) with the nearly half gallon fuel tank filled up.
Editor’s Note: Check out our best backpack leaf blower article to get our top picks.
Stihl Manual vs Electric Start
The only real difference you’ll find between the Stihl Electric Start Backpack Blower and its manual-start brother is 2 pounds of weight and the convenience of electric starting. The other specs are identical.
“Both units combine performance and comfort to help pros and homeowners complete large property maintenance with less fatigue. The BR 450 and BR 450 C-EF have powerful blowing forces rivaling our top-rated backpack blowers.”
Stephen Meriam, director of sales at STIHL Inc.
Stihl Electric Start Backpack Blower Key Features
- Newly designed telescopic tube adjustment that allows the user to quickly adjust the length for a variety of user heights and cleanup applications.
- STIHL Easy2Start for a simplified starting procedure and semi-automatic choke offer smooth, easy starts with a reduced chance of flooding.
- A toolless control handle allows each user to easily adjust to their most comfortable control handle position without the use of an additional tool.
- Comfortable design with large straps, a backpack pad and a soft rubber grip on the throttle come standard for optimal control and support comfortable operation.
Stihl BR 450 Specifications
- Air velocity: 83 m/sec. (186 mph)
- Air volume with tube: 1090 m3/h (642 cfm)
- Weight: 10.6 kg (23.4 lbs.)
- Fuel capacity: 1700 cc (57.5 oz.)
- Engine power: 2.9 kW (3.9 bhp)
- Displacement: 63.3 cc (3.86 cu. in.)
- Loudness: 77 dB(A) SPL (measured per ANSI B 175.2)
- Power source: Gas
- Price: $449.95
Stihl BR 450 C-EF Specification
- Air velocity: 83 m/sec. (186 mph)
- Air volume with tube: 1090 m3/h (642 cfm)
- Weight: 10.6 kg (23.4 lbs.)
- Fuel capacity: 1700 cc (57.5 oz.)
- Engine power: 2.9 kW (3.9 bhp)
- Displacement: 63.3 cc (3.86 cu. in.)
- Loudness: 77 dB(A) SPL (measured per ANSI B 175.2)
- Power source: Gas
- Blower force: 28 N
- Price: $549.95
