ECHO PB-9010T Backpack Blower Review

The ECHO PB-9010 Backpack Blower Passes Our Newton Force Test

Whenever we hear a tool claim to be the most powerful, we have to take it into our hands. This time, ECHO PB-9010 Backpack Hair Dryer, it has exceeded our expectations!

advantage

• The strongest blower we've ever tested
• 1110 CFM, 220 MPH, 48 Newton rating (spoiler: it hit higher numbers in our tests)
• 83.8 oz large fuel tank
• Comfort back pad with active airflow

shortcoming

• beltless

ECHO PB-9010 Backpack Blower Performance

ECHO started with a 79.9cc engine and tuned it to deliver a monster of 1110 CFM and 220 MPH. In certification testing, this translates to a force of 48.0 Newtons.

Our tests did not yield the same value. It is higher. That's a full 4 Newtons higher, peaking at 52.0 Newtons on our gauge. Keep in mind that environmental conditions can affect blower power, we don't have a controlled setup in a lab. But whether you want the rated 48.0 or our 52.0 Newtons, it's the most powerful backpack blower we've tested to date.

For comparison, Stihl's impressive BR 800 Magnum managed just 41.0 in our tests. That's still great, but the ECHO's 52.0 N is much higher.

You can actually do basic cleanup at much lower than full throttle, and the ECHO's cruise control helps with that. You can motivate it to move more easily when it comes to wet grass and leaves or caked soil on asphalt and driveways.

As you'd expect from any gas blower, there's some noise from the power, and you should reach for ear protection. At lowest throttle, we measured 83 decibels at the ear (A-weighted, sluggish response). WOT (wide-on-throttle) kicks it up to 103 decibels.

ECHO PB-9010 Backpack Blower Design Notes

ECHO PB-9010H vs. PB-9010T

This blower is available in two models. We tested the PB-9010T which includes trigger throttle control. The PB9010H puts the throttle on your left hip.

PB-9010T Startup and Control

If it's been a while since you last started the blower (or it's the first time you're using it), find the red choke switch above the gas tank and push it down. Press the lower primer bulb a few times to get the fuel flowing and push the cruise control down to the low throttle/start position. Pull it a few times and it will come back to life.

When you pull the throttle trigger or push the cruise control further down, the choke automatically engages so you can get to work without worrying about resetting it.

Once it's in continuous service, you can skip the choke and just set the throttle to start, pull the power cord and go. Based on our experience so far, it is the preferred launcher.

fuel and tank

ECHO specifies gasoline with an octane rating of 89 (intermediate) or higher. 10% ethanol is fine, but 15% is not. You need to mix fuel to two-stroke oil in a 50:1 ratio. Even better, run on pre-mixed premium fuel for a cleaner run. It's more expensive, but you should have fewer problems over the life of the blower.

The tank itself holds 83.8 ounces, and its translucent design makes it easy to keep an eye on your oil level.

Harness

The harness features padded shoulder straps with plenty of adjustment and an additional adjustment point on the back. We were a little disappointed that there was no hip belt to reduce the shoulder blower's 26.7-pound dry weight. That might make a difference if you're maintaining a large campus rather than a much shorter span of residential lawn care.

On the other hand, the back pad is very well developed. The padding is dense enough to keep the air passages from clogging, and you can actually feel the air intakes pulling air across your back as you work. It's also still soft enough to be comfortable on your back.

air filter

ECHO conveniently places the air filter above the engine. Two latches secure the cover on. It is very easy to check at the beginning of each day and replace as needed.

Additional features

• Metal ring reduces nozzle wear
• Posi-loc design ensures secure pipe connection

ECHO PB-9010 vs. PB-8010 Quick Comparison

As you can see from the chart, the two blowers are very similar. You add a few pounds dry weight for higher performance. The PB-8010 is already a very powerful blower, so you probably don't need to upgrade right away. But having said that, the stronger the better , so…

ECHO PB-9010 Backpack Blower Price

Look for both versions of this blower, which retails for $629.99. Commercial users are covered by a 2-year warranty and consumers are covered by a 5-year warranty. Finding products online from some of the larger Echo retailers is a bit difficult. Be careful with Amazon though. Some sellers have them but charge hundreds of dollars MSRP.

the bottom line

The ECHO PB-9010 Backpack Blower claims to have top-notch power, and it didn't disappoint us in our tests. In fact, it exceeded our expectations. If pristine blowing power is your number one priority, then this is the hair dryer for you without a doubt!

ECHO PB-9010 Backpack Blower Specifications

• Model: Echo PB-9010T
• Fuel: 50:1 gasoline/oil blend
• Engine Displacement: 79.9cc
• Nozzle Air Volume: 1110 CFM
• Maximum Air Velocity at Nozzle: 220 mph
• Carburetor: Diaphragm
• Noise: 80 dB(A)
• Boot System: Standard
• Dry Weight: 26.7 lbs.
• Fuel Capacity: 83.8 fl. ounce.
• Transparent fuel tank: standard
• Auxiliary handle: standard
• Newtons at nozzle: 48 N
• Warranty: 2 years commercial / 5 years commercial
• Price: $629.99

Learn more about ECHO blowers here.