The Husqvarna 965877502 350BT is a quality backpack gas leaf blower – it offers excellent power, a speed lock function and it’s comfortable to wear even for longer sessions.
Pros:
- Great power
- Comfortable to carry
- Starts easily
Cons:
- a few complaints (see below)
Key specifications:
- Air speed: 180 mph (adjustable)
- Air volume: 494 CFM
Comfortable To Carry
The 350 BT falls into the category of mid sized backpack blowers – units that offer very good power but their weight and price are still on a nice level.
The harness with shoulder straps and a hip belt distributes the weight really well and makes this machine comfortable to carry even for longer durations (several hours for example). Plus (compared to handheld gas blowers) there are no vibrations, the harness softens them nicely.
Using some ear protection is advised, however this model is not that loud when compared to other units in this range.
It requires some assembly, but nothing too difficult. Just use some lubricant when joining the tube parts, otherwise they can be quite difficult to put together. As you can see in the videos, they start getting loose after a few years so just use duct tape to prevent them from moving if this problem arises.
Great Power
The power of the 350BT is simply excellent – it can blow away all kinds of debris you may encounter on your yard, even wet leaves, sticks or twigs are no match for it.
For the right effect, one user recommended aiming 2-3 feet away from you (not at your feet) and just staying on one place instead of moving around. Aim it at the leaves and start lifting the tube slowly to blow them further and further away. Then shift it a bit to the side a repeat.
Starting and Regulating Power
It starts very easily, mostly on second pull, only the primer bulb could have been easier to access.
The throttle is easily accessible (mounted on the tube) and enables even slowing down for more delicate work (however handheld tools are still a lot more suitable for these tasks). And the cruise-control function is present as well so you can finish big jobs without having to regulate the speed all the time.
On the other hand, several users complained the off switch could have been designed better as you can accidentally stop the engine – and then you have to get it down from your back and start it again.
Negatives?
Are there any drawbacks besides the stop switch and tube parts we have already talked about?
Most customers were really pleased with the performance of this blower, only a few reported the unit stopped working after the first use and they had problems dealing with the Husqvarna customer support (you cannot return gas products on Amazon so you have to deal with the manufacturer).
Conclusion: If you are a professional landscape contractor, homeowner with a large yard (a few acres or less than an acre but with a lot of leaves) or if you just want the top power, the Husqvarna 965877502 350BT would be a great choice for you. Easy to start, comfortable to carry and equipped with a speed lock – we can definitely recommend it.
On the other hand, if you need a gas machine suitable even for lighter jobs and cleanup, check out the Hitachi RB24EAP or Husqvarna 125B.
>> Read more or buy the Husqvarna 965877502 350BT here
Specifications:
- Brand: Husqvarna
- Type: Gas powered, backpack
- Air speed: 180 mph (adjustable)
- Air volume: 494 CFM
- Vacuum:
- Weight: 22.5 lbs
- Warranty: 2-year limited
- Cycles: 2 stroke
- Cubature: 50cc
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 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.