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The Hitachi RB24EAP is a popular gas leaf blower – compact and easy to use. Its power enables harder blowing tasks while the weight and small size makes it perfectly suitable even for lighter jobs and cleanup.
Pros:
- Great power
- Compact, not heavy, easy to use
- Starts easily
- Warranty
Cons:
- fuel line problem
Key specifications:
- Air speed: 170 mph (adjustable)
- Air volume: 441 CFM
- Weight: 8.6 lbs
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Gas Powered But Compact and Not Too Heavy
The Hitachi RB24EAP (also produced under the name Tanaka RB24EAP) is an interesting and popular gas leaf blower – not a classical heavy, bulky and noisy machine you might imagine at first, but a surprisingly compact unit. With 8.6 pounds it’s quite light, almost on the level of some electric blowers. It’s easy to use and maneuver and thanks to its size also to store.
The noise level is reasonable as well, only it vibrates a bit but that is expected. Of course, it comes with the disadvantages of gas powered tools like mixing fuel and performing a little maintenance. But on the other hand you get great power without any limitations of battery run time or extension cord.
Another plus is that Hitachi offers an extra-long, 7-year warranty for consumer use. However, it is advisable to check out for authorized repair centers at your location first – you don’t want to drive two hours or pay for shipping if anything goes wrong. Some users also reported a long response time of the customer service.
Both For Cleanup and Heavy Blowing
The RB24EAP offers plenty of power and produces a substantial air volume which makes it very effective for collecting or removing leaves from all kinds of surfaces. Don’t expect the oomph of backpack blowers but it can manage even wet leaves and debris.
But there’s more, the size and weight make this model suitable even for cleanup and light jobs like removing grass clippings from sidewalks, cleaning gutters or empty trailers or drying your car after washing. It starts easily so you just pick it up and use – like a cordless sweeper.
The kill switch and large trigger
The only small drawback is the air intake located on the left side – when holding with right hand, sometimes you block the vent a bit. So it’s better to hold it away from your body (which gets tiresome after a while) or with your left hand.
Large Trigger Offers Great Control
Users are really pleased with the throttle design. It doesn’t feature a speed lock but its large size (for 2 fingers) makes it comfortable to hold and offers great control, even when working on delicate areas like flower beds for example.
Fuel Line Issue
There is a common problem that many users mention – the fuel line pulling gas out of the tank can get disconnected easily, preventing the unit from starting. However, fixing that is quite easy (see the second video above).
Conclusion: If you need a powerful blower for your yard but don’t want to deal with a heavy or bulky unit, the Hitachi RB24EAP would be a perfect choice – it’s compact, lightweight (for a gas machine), easy to use and can be used both for cleanup and more difficult tasks. We can definitely recommend it.
>> Read more or buy the Hitachi RB24EAP here
Specifications:
- Brand: Hitachi
- Type: Gas powered, handheld
- Air speed: 170 mph (adjustable)
- Air volume: 441 CFM
- Vacuum:
- Warranty: 7-year consumer use
- Cycles: 2 stroke
- Cubature: 23.9cc
Frequently asked questions:
What kind of fuel is required?
The machine is 2-cycle so a mix of gas and oil (50:1) is required. We recommend using a non-ethanol high octane gas and for example this oil or the Tanaka oil which enables easy measuring of the ratio.
Or to make things easier, you can get a premixed fuel.
Are there any accessories I should buy?
Besides the gas and oil, none.
Is there any maintenance needed?
Gas powered leaf blowers require some additional upkeep like cleaning the air filter or adding stabilizer to the fuel for winter storage – please read our guide (it focuses on string trimmers but most of the points apply to blowers as well) or refer to the user manual for more info.
