Tackle Yard Debris and Seasonal Leaves With The Craftsman Backpack Leaf Blower
While many outdoor power equipment manufacturers are making the switch to battery-powered products, there are still some producing quality gas-powered equipment. I’ve got my hands on the Craftsman BP510 Backpack Leaf Blower to see how it performs so you can decide if it’s the best option for you!
Be sure to check out the Best Backpack Leaf Blower reviews of 2023!
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Comfortable padded shoulder straps
- Good vibration control
- Easy to start
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
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Craftsman Backpack Leaf Blower Performance
- Max Airflow: 600 CFM
- Max Airspeed: 220 MPH
- Engine Displacement: 51cc
- Noise Level: 95 dBA
This Craftsman backpack leaf blower houses a 51cc 2-cycle engine that produces up to 600 CFM and a max air speed of 220 MPH. That’s right in line with what we expect from a medium-duty residential blower.
Like most modern blowers, the BP510 has a variable speed trigger as well as a cruise control dial to give your trigger finger a rest during extended use. The pistol grip is also adjustable to match your arm length.
Obviously, since this is gas powered, our noise level is going to be a bit higher than most of the battery powered models we test. This blower clocked in at 95 decibels with a WOT (wide open throttle) from our operator’s ear.
Craftsman’s start-up procedure is pretty straight forward. First, slowly push the primer bulb 10 times until fuel is flowing visibly, then set the choke to position “1”. Next, put the cruise control dial to max power and pull the starting cord 5 times. After that, move the choke lever to position “2” and continue to pull the cord until is starts. Craftsman recommends letting the engine warm up for a minute or so for best performance.
Like we mentioned before, this model is mainly geared towards medium-duty residential applications. These are tasks like clearing seasonal leaves, blowing off driveways and sidewalks, and cleaning around patios and fences. Craftsman included a narrow concentrator nozzle that’ll come in handy with wet grass or matted debris.
Craftsman Backpack Leaf Blower Design Notes
- Model: Craftsman BP510
- Fuel Type: 2-cycle mixed fuel
- Fuel Mix Ratio: 50:1
- Fuel Capacity: 46 oz.
- Dry Weight: 20 lbs.
The Craftsman BP510 weighs in at 20 pounds, which is pretty good considering some of the battery powered backpack models we’ve tested have crested 30 pounds. Even with a full tank of gas, the total weight only comes up to 20.5 pounds.
Craftsman’s design team definitely had comfort in mind. The adjustable shoulder straps are heavily padded and are very comfortable, even during extended use. Plus, four springs between the engine and backpack frame help to isolate you from any excessive vibrations.
Assembling this blower takes a matter of minutes and only requires a flat-head screwdriver. The concentrator nozzle and blower tube have quick release buttons, so they’re easy to take on and off when you want to store the blower. Additionally, Craftsman includes a detachable storage clip so you can store the nozzle upright, giving it a much smaller profile.
Additional Features
- Includes 2.6 oz. container of 2-cycle engine oil to get you started
Craftsman Backpack Leaf Blower Price
The Craftsman BP510 backpack blower retails for $279 and comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
The Bottom Line
After some hands on time with the Craftsman BP510, I must say that I’m very pleased with the overall performance and design. This blower is very easy to start and has plenty of power for clearing yard debris after a weekend mow. Additionally, the soft padded shoulder straps and vibration isolation system make it very comfortable during extended use. If you’re a dedicated weekend warrior, but not quite ready to make the switch to battery-powered equipment, be sure to check out the Craftsman backpack leaf blower!
