The ways the leaf blowers available commercially have been improved to generate more power than their predecessors may be considered plain: more horsepower, less weight, or both. We have no objections to an effective design, but since we have more than a passing interest in lawn and garden maintenance tools, we find it refreshing that some companies, like Ryobi Tools, are pushing the envelope creatively. To give you a glimpse into the future of leaf blowers, we present you the Ryobi Backpack Leaf Blower.
RYOBI RY08420 42cc Gas Powered 2-Cycle Backpack Grass/Yard Leaf Blower 185 mph
To be fair to the rest of the leaf blowers currently available in the market, the Ryobi Backpack Leaf Blower’s design comes with the same power-to-weight ratio seen in most lawn and garden maintenance tools nowadays. It weighs only 22.2lbs, which is surprisingly light for a backpack leaf blower, but it comes with a 42cc 2-stroke engine, which is more than enough power for moving debris—even tough-to-deal-with debris like matted leaves—around, or out, of your property. Indeed, it delivers air up to 510 CFM, at a maximum speed of 185 mph.
The similarity of the Ryobi Backpack Leaf Blower to the other leaf blowers ends there. While their engines and impellers are vertical, those of the backpack leaf blower are horizontal. This design improved its power-generating without changing it in size or weight.
To be sure, the backpack leaf blower isn’t just an innovative powerhouse. It comes with even more features that make it a truly effective lawn and garden maintenance tool. The notables one are: variable speed trigger with cruise control, which gives you full control over it; contoured shoulder back harness, which enables it to lie against your back without causing you undue strain; throttle control handle tube, which enables you remain in full control over it even if used for a long period of time; and assembly tool, which makes putting it together a breeze.
Although it has a state-of-the-art design, few consumers have complained about Ryobi’s customer service. It’s less than helpful, according to them. The backpack leaf blower, however, has received a rating of 3.8 stars out of 5 on Amazon.
You should buy your leaf blower on Amazon and here is why:
- All the reviews are like having hundreds of really good friends give you their personal experience with the leaf blower, then taking all of that personal experience and giving it a star rating. You’re buying quality when there are 100′s of fans of the blower.
- A friendly UPS driver will deliver it right to your door. No waiting in line, no hauling it in your car. No sore muscles or achy back the next day.
- Amazon has the best price 99% of the time. Amazon constantly watches competitor pricing and makes sure you get the best deal. They do a ton of business and take advantage of economies of scale, which means you get the savings!
- FREE shipping. Enough said.
- Returns are easy. Amazon recently shipped a car, and they ship a ton of large items, all day, every day. If they can ship a car, rest assured, you will get your leaf blower in perfect condition. BUT if for any reason it comes damaged, it is super easy to return. Just print out a UPS label, slap it on the box and a friendly UPS driver will pick it up, free of charge. This is way easier than waiting in a return line at Home Depot and talking with a bored, angsty teenage sales clerk.
Hot features of the espresso machine:
- Contoured back/shoulder harness and adjustable fit for less user fatigue
- Unique engine position for maximized air flow ; Large 42cc engine for optimal clearing power
- Variable speed and cruise control for convenient operation
- Special downward angle design for user comfort
- Engine Displacement: 42cc ; Velocity:185 mph ; Volume:510 cfm ; Weight:18 lbs
Just because a machine works well doesn’t mean there won’t ever be a reason for improving it. As we hope to have proven you through the above review of the backpack leaf blower, continuous innovation results in benefits from even the most unlikely places. Doing so may be difficult, but the gains will be worth it.
Hey Brandon:
I concur on this Ryobi BP42, used it 8 hrs this fall so far. Observations:
Pro:
1. Very comfortable to wear.
2. Nice powerful blast. Eqiv to Echo PB500
3. Innovative design yet affordably @ $200
Con:
1. Louder vs Echo. Solved w/ noise cancelling headset. (Shooting model)
2. Excessive heat on users back, due to minimal clearance design, etc.
3. Engine “mis-tuned” from factory: runs too lean & hot for comfort & best usage / engine life.
Ok, Cons 2 & 3 are related & were fixed by just obtaining & using a “2 cycle-small Engine carb mixture screwdriver set” (‘pac-man’ screwhead type on this carb), and turning the H high dpeed screw 1/3 turn to the L – CCW to Richen the too lean mixture.
Viola, engine now runs cooler, has perfect throttle response, doesn’t quit upon idling & restarts fine when hot.
So, resolving con #3 fixed #2, mostly.
I’d still advise Ryobi that this unit could be perfect if they:
– Add a heat pad insulation layer behind backplate
– Add some sound deadening, somehow
– Tune them richer on the H side
But, this is a great unit even given all this. On Home Depot reviews many report these virtues but are very frustrated by the “mistuned too lean” engine, with a huge # of folks returning them to Home Depot.
Which is a shame as its a very simple carb adjustment that fixes things.
A good local Pro Saw shop sedvice counter can usually do this “mixture screw adjustment” for a nominal $10-20.
For example, our local Echo / Stihl shop does it free for units purchased there or $15 if purchased elsewhere- very fair deal.
Appreciate this article & your site overall –
Over & out, David in East Texas
Per my comments above, on carb adjustment, I should add:
On the carburetor on this Ryobi BP42 Blower, there are two mixture adjustment screws, like all small 2 cycle engines. (Most of what I say will also apply to gas chainsaws, weedwackers or other below 100cc 2 cycle engines.)
L screw = Closest one to engine – controls the Idle fuel circut.
If unit won’t start at all, or idles badly, chances are this screw needs turning L or out to richen the mixture.
(It’s also possible it’s to the L to far, and needs turned in.)
H Screw – Furthest from the engine – controls the High speed or ‘throttle on’ fuel circut.
If engine hesitates when given throttle is given & is reluctant to rev up, runs very hot or won’t start when hot, this screw is turned “IN” to the R, clockwise, too far, which cuts off the fuel.
Resolve this by turning incrementally to the L, Counter Clockwise, about 1/3 to 1/2 turn, then restarting & testing engine,
This has the effect of feeding more fuel vs air. Careful not to overdo this though, you will know as the opposite issue occurs if ‘too Rich’ a mixture is present: engine emits visible smoke, usually blueish in color and engine can’t operate smoothly – eventually you’ll ‘foul’ a spark plug.
A dead giveaway to the ‘overly Rich’ mixture is the smell of unburnt fuel / poor fuel economy.
So, each engine requires just a bit of ‘fine turning’ to find it’s preferred setting.
(Another example of why it’s totally goofy for the EPA to require mfrs to put ‘tamper proof’ mixture screws on these small engines. Heck, they ought to have big knobs for easy adjustment access…..!!!)
One more thing: on this engine, you have to work a bit to push the fuel tubing away, and the path to the screws is a bit hidden between the engine & air filter housing, using a light you can see them easier, they face up.
Love to hear any feedback from Brandon or anyone who find this helpful.
(I didn’t see a checkbox to ask for responses to be sent, but assume they will be….)
Merry Christ-Mas to one & all,
David in East Texas
Same issue. Would get it started and then bog down when throttled. Had to keep the switch between start and run, and that was a pain. Did this with a stick. Got the pac man tool on Amazon for a few bucks. Turned the L screw 1/4 turn and problem corrected. What a difference. With the engine running I was able to fine tune the idle speed. Thanks for insight and expert advice.
I have the bp42 and will not start I took out plug and couldn’t find any spark so I put in new module and still no spark it has never been used.in cannot return the blower to where I bought it what else can I do