Posts tagged Compliant)

Weed Eater FL1500LE 23cc 2-Cycle Gas Powered 150 MPH Blower (Non-CARB Compliant)

Without doubt, this is the most bizarre review I’ve ever written on any product because not only did I not purchase this leaf blower from Amazon — I picked it up for free at the local landfill. Here’s the story:

A couple years ago I purchased a Poulan Pro BVM200LE and it ran perfectly until it’s untimely death after what I consider to be moderate use. (Click above on the “See all my reviews” link and scroll down to my Poulan Pro review titled “Worked GREAT until it DIED.”) I decided not to replace my dead Poulan with another Poulan, so thus began my search for the “perfect” leaf blower.

After reading various reviews here, on other sites, and in some consumer magazines, I narrowed my choices to a couple of brands in the 5-200 range. I almost pulled the trigger on a purchase, but first I had to haul out a load of trash to the local landfill before closing time. That’s where I spotted what appeared to be a leaf blower among other discarded items.

The landfill regs clearly state “No Scavenging” but when the site manager looked away I made a quick dash, and dug out a Weed Eater FL1500LE leaf blower. Water was running out of the tube as I carried it to the van, so I wasn’t too hopeful it would work. A closer look revealed a lot of corrosion on the few visible metal parts, so that told me my “prize” had probably been left outdoors for some time.

After I got home and had some time to play with this thing, I gave it a once-over visual check. The exterior seemed to be okay — no parts missing and no cracks in the plastic. There was even some gas in the tank. It took some effort to pull the cord even half-way, but then it wouldn’t retract. I had to hit the plastic casing a few times to get the cord to retract. I tinkered with it a few more times, and finally got it to work more or less okay.

Now it was time for the real test. I primed the bulb, set the choke & throttle, then pulled. It gave indications of wanting to live again. On the next pull, it started! So, I immediately went to work blowing off the driveway until the gas in the tank was gone. I put in fresh gas (mixture, of course) and continued blowing the driveway, shrub beds, etc. etc for at least a half-hour or more. It ran just fine. For the past several weeks, it continues to start and run just fine.

Here is how this model Weed Eater compares with my Poulan Pro while it still worked:

Flimsy construction. Comments here about the handle are accurate. It’s a plastic handle bolted to the plastic housing and it feels like it’ll break off at any time. The Poulan has a sturdy, rock-solid feel.

Harder to pull start. Both the Weed Eater & Poulan start on either the first or second pull, but the Weed Eater takes more effort to pull. (Higher compression ratio maybe?) I could place the bottom edge of the Poulan on my knee and easily pull the cord to start it. Can’t do that with this Weed Eater. It has to be held firmly on the ground with one hand on the handle, then pull the cord hard with the other hand. My wife could easily start the Poulan; it’s very difficult for her to pull the Weed Eater cord.

The Weed Eater is a lot louder than the Poulan. If you value your hearing, wear good ear plugs if you purchase/use this Weed Eater.

Blowing power is about the same. This Weed Eater is rated to be 150 mph; the Poulan is rated at 205 mph. Frankly, I can’t tell the difference. Now, I only use a leaf blower on hard surfaces: the driveway, sidewalk, shrub beds that have decorative rock on top, the roof and gutters. For this type of use, this Weed Eater has plenty of wind power. I don’t blow leaves across the lawn — raking is faster. My guess is that the Poulan would do better than the Weed Eater blowing leaves off a lawn.

The Weed Eater has considerably more vibration than the Poulan when running at mid- to high speed.

Since I have no idea how this Weed Eater FL1500LE ran when new, or why the previous owner tossed it in a landfill, the above comparisons may not be valid. However, considering I paid nothing for it, and it runs just fine even after apparently being left outdoors for some amount of time, then tossed on the junk heap, I think 4 stars is fair rating.

If this one lasts for a couple of seasons, I might even consider buying a Weed Eater leaf blower.

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Overview

At only 7.5 pounds the Weed Eater 23 cc gas blower is powerful enough to do all the clean-up around the yard, while remaining featherlite and easy to handle. Great to use around the pool and to clean-up after mowing the grass, or use the powerful blower to push leaves to a yard tarp. The blower delivers and air speed of 150 mph as well as 300 cfm volume of air movement. Other features include a 2-speed control, low-emission 2-cycle engine, and a reduced vibration handle. This gas blower is backed by a 2-year warranty.

Feature

• 23 cc gas blower is a powerful blower designed to help with yard clean up
• Air speed of 150 MPH; air displacement of 300 CFM
• Feather-lite at only 7.5 pounds
• Low-emission 2-cycle engine
• 2-year limited warranty

Customer Reviews

Chinese Quality – Demolition Man – Kentwood MI
Very interesting, the warranty is 2 years, mine lasted 19 months. Even if you buy repair parts and fix it yourself you’re splitting hairs on being cost affective.
Like most posters, I had problems from day one in the recoil starter. You have a 50/50 chance of it coming back LIKE IT SHOULD!!!
A low price is not a cost savings if the product never works good. Spend some extra money and avoid this product!

Second one died, too – S. Carpenter – Georgia
I believe in second chances, but this one didn’t deserve it. Just like it’s predecessor, the pull cord has seized and the machine is not worth the repair bill even though it’s only about a year old.

Weedeater Featherlite is too quality to purchase – don’t do it! – Mike Karnes –
I only use this blower a few minutes a week, and within the first season of use the engine would sputter and die. It would do this at random and not restart until it completely cooled-off. Now the pull cord will not retract, so there is no way to start it. It’s junk!

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See Also : Vacuum Blower Review