STIHL BR600 Durability Test: Did the Best-Selling Blower Survive? 🔥
The STIHL BR600 is known as the best-selling backpack blower on the market. But is it just powerful, or is it genuinely tough? Chip and Stu from Main Street Mower decided to find out. They subjected this popular blower to a series of insane tests designed to simulate years of hard use in a single afternoon. From being dragged behind a truck to being submerged in a pond and beaten with sledgehammers, no torture was off-limits. Could the BR600 handle it all? Let's dive in and see what happened. You can also visit the Main Street Mower website for more information.
The BR600: A Landscaper's Workhorse?
This blower isn't just for homeowners. Landscapers rely on the BR600 day in and day out. Many expect it to last five to six years, withstanding rain, sun, and constant use. The goal of this test was to mimic that kind of wear and tear in a few short hours. So, what exactly did this involve?
Here's a quick rundown of the challenges:
A grueling three-mile truck drag down a dirt road
Complete submersion in a muddy lake
A brutal beatdown with sledgehammers and other heavy objects
A trial by fire
Test #1: Three Miles of Dirt Road Mayhem
Imagine the worst dirt road you've ever seen. Now picture dragging a brand-new backpack blower down it for three miles. That's exactly what Chip and Stu did. The road was covered in "gnarly, gritty clay" designed to get into every nook and cranny. This "truck drag" test simulated the constant bouncing and jostling a blower experiences in the back of a work truck. The violent ride threatened to damage the trigger, choke, and other vital components. See the beginning of the abuse at [02:14 Truck Drag].
Initial Assessment: Uh Oh, It Sounds Bad
After the truck drag, the BR600 wasn't sounding too happy. "That don't sound good," someone said. The engine was clearly struggling. Despite the initial damage, the team pressed on, determined to see just how much this blower could take. As Stu said, "Imagine we're going to be doing this every test but we'll get her back."
Back on the Bench: A Temporary Respite
The team quickly got to work trying to fix the battered blower. They managed to get it running again, but the damage was evident. The tubes were dented, and the plastic had split in places. Still, the BR600 was functional. Time for the next test.
Test #2: Lake Submersion – Going Deep
Next up: a dip in the lake. Chip and Stu completely submerged the BR600, dragging it through the water and mud. This was a serious test. Water can wreak havoc on an engine, causing irreparable damage. Would the BR600 survive this aquatic assault? Watch the underwater test at [10:08 Blower Underwater]. Surprisingly, the straps held up perfectly during the ordeal, a testament to their build quality.
The Puddle Test: A Sign of Things to Come
Before the full submersion, the blower had a run-in with a puddle. The engine bogged down, indicating that water was getting in. But even after this watery gulp, the BR600 kept going. The straps remained intact, and there were no signs of plastic cracking.
Lake Drag: Scraping the Bottom
Not content with a simple swim, the team decided to drag the blower along the bottom of the lake. This meant even more mud, debris, and potential damage. It seemed like a cruel and unusual punishment for a poor, defenseless blower. But, after pulling it up, it was surprisingly cleaner.
Post-Submersion: What's in the Air Filter?
The next step was to inspect the air filter. As expected, it was full of water and debris. However, the inside of the filter was relatively clean. This showed that the air filter was doing its job, even under extreme conditions.
It's worth mentioning that Main Street Mower has a history of torturing lawn equipment. In a previous string trimmer video , they poured sand directly into the engine! This BR600 test was even more brutal.
Carburetor Design: A STIHL Advantage
One key factor in the BR600's resilience might be its carburetor design. On STIHL blowers, the carburetor is well-protected. According to Chip and Stu, other brands like Redmax, Husqvarna, and Echo have carburetors that are more exposed and vulnerable to damage. They believe that if they had performed the same truck drag test on one of those blowers, the carburetor would have been knocked right off. You can see other brand tests on the MOST POWERFUL Stihl Leaf Blower video.
Back to Life: A Little "Miracle Juice"
After the lake submersion, the BR600 was definitely in rough shape. The team drained the water from the tank, replaced the fuel, and cleaned the spark plug. They even sprayed some "miracle juice" (brake cleaner) into the cylinder to help remove any remaining water. Despite their unconventional methods (which they admitted they weren't supposed to do), they managed to get the blower started again.
Service Parts
She Don't Need No Filter!
With the air filter removed, the team fired up the BR600 once more. It was still running. Someone joked that it didn't need a filter anyway!
Test #3: The Beatdown Begins
Now for the final act: a good old-fashioned beatdown. Chip and Stu unleashed their fury on the BR600 with sledgehammers and sticks. The goal was simple: find its breaking point. This was a brutal display of destruction, and you can see it all at [15:31 Blower Beatdown].
The Breaking Point: It Finally Gives
After repeated blows, the BR600 finally started to give way. Holes were punched in the plastic, and a plate was broken. However, even after all of this abuse, the straps were still working! And incredibly, the blower was still running.
Fire Test: Going Out with a Bang
As a final send-off, Chip and Stu lowered the battered BR600 into a fire. It was a fitting end to a truly epic durability test. See it burn at [18:03 Total Destruction].
The Verdict: Tough, But Not Indestructible
So, did the STIHL BR600 survive the ultimate torture test? The answer is a qualified yes. It withstood an insane amount of abuse, far beyond what any landscaper would put it through in normal use. However, it eventually succumbed to the combined forces of blunt-force trauma and fire.
One of Our Favorites, Hopefully 22 More
Despite the destruction, the team at Main Street Mower still considers the BR600 one of their favorites. It's been around for 22 years, and they're hoping for 22 more. What do you think?
Rest in Peace, BR600
In the end, the STIHL BR600 gave its all in the name of science. It had a good life, albeit a short and painful one.
Who is Stu?
Stu is a key member of the Main Street Mower team. He's an expert in all things landscape equipment and is a familiar face in their many videos. Stu has been instrumental in the company's success since its beginning.
Who is Chip?
Chip is also a vital part of Main Street Mower. Like Stu, he's an expert in lawn care equipment. Chip also stars in many of their videos, sharing his knowledge and expertise.
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