Shindaiwa Power Tools

An absolute beautiful piece of machinery – I've been running a garden maintenance business for over 25 years now and used pretty much all of the well known/high end brands when it comes to… Read more

outdoor power equipment. The Shindaiwa EB-240 is an absolute stand out and I would have to say, one of my favourite hand held blowers that I have ever owned. Extremely light weight, fuel efficient, powerful and super quiet. I purchased mine in late 2017 and spent a little more than what I usually would for a hand held (around $470) but all I'd heard was great reviews from other gents working in the same industry, so I thought I'd give one a go. I couldn't be happier!

Excellent advice from Mac – Like most people, I have had many brands of leaf blowers. Some good - some awful. But thanks to Mac from Melbourne who has been in the garden… Read more

maintenance business for 25 years, I was impressed by his comments. I went straight out and bought a Shindaiwa EB252 – Leaf Blower - Wind 76 m/s - Air 768 cm/h.

Wow, he was right!

I have had this blower for only a few days and already have cleared the 1 kl road on our property that is also acts as our fire-break, which was smothered in leaves. Boy oh boy, I have never been able to do this before.

Like Mac said, this is a professional quality blower, yet light weight, well made and easy to start. Its already my “go to” blower out of the collection of other blowers we have. Money well spent.

Thanks Mac.

Good Mid-Range Commercial Saw – I decided to upgrade the chainsaw for my gardening business in July 2023, as I didn't expect the cheap saw I had previously would be up to the task… Read more

of commercial use. As I'm a Horticulturalist (not an arborist or Forestry tradesman), I opted for the Shindaiwa 501SX because it was good value for money for my needs. I'm not using it every day (in fact its only just had between 5-10 hours use so far), and so far it meets my requirements. I've cut a variety of things with it, including dry spotted gum and bottlebrush. Its got a semi-chisel chain for balance between cutting and sharpness retention. Its got a little weight to it, but that's to be expected with a commercial saw (and some people say it helps when doing cross cuts, as you can get the same result with less effort). Its made in Japan, and they're known for quality engineering and manufacturing.

Attached are a few examples of my use of this chainsaw.

Great value brushcutter with U handles – This is the best value brushcutter with U shaped handles, it's 2 stroke and made by Yamabiko Corp (same model as the Echo SRM-222ES/U although that… Read more

one doesn't appear to be available for some reason).

I got this model after extensive research and it doesn't disappoint for my use case to cut reasonably tall grass/weeds. Yes it's only 21.2cc so it's the baby model but it's stronger than all but the biggest cordless/electric models in my view. It's also very light weight.

It's a straight shaft brushcutter and comes with a very basic harness that does the job, could be an item to upgrade in future though. It only comes with a 3 point blade (but does include a second guard for a nylon head). I fitted mine up with an Echo SpeedFeed head straight away, 375 variant and it's flawless with 0.080 line.

It's assembled in China (I know...but only the pricey models are Made in Japan) but I suspect the engine parts are actually Japanese. Fit and finish is good, plastics are good, metal bits seem nice (either they're shipped from Japan or the QC is up to scratch in the Yamabiko China factory). Only the harness looks and smells of typical Chinese junk.

In closing, I really do recommend any Echo/Shindaiwa whipper snipper and especially in the value category, you cannot go any better (in fact you can do a lot worse). In the pricey commercial category then you have more options from Stihl and Husqvarna as well, but their homeowner models are crap.

Best I've Used – This machine isn't without its drawbacks: - it's heavy - similar machines from other brands (eg Stihl, Efco, Husky etc) are lighter. - the blowing… Read more

tube is made up of 3 pieces; 2 tube lengths and a tip or end piece. If using 1 tube length and the tip it can feel a bit short and if using both tube lengths and the tip it definitely feels long and awkward to use.

- the off switch doesn't automatically reset to the "on" position as with Stihl products.

- it's large and so takes up more room in transit.

- the tube/nozzle is made up of interlocking lengths and if not locked in properly they fly off when in use and when locked in properly they're sometimes difficult to take apart.

Now for the good:

- this machine is right up there in the power stakes. If you're going to use a backpack blower you don't want something that's lacking in blowing ability. In my opinion and of the machines I've used (top end Efco, Kawasaki, Stihl and Husky) only the Efco blows harder, but there aren't many Efco dealers around.

- the throttle lock is easy to use and effective. There's no accidental switching off of the machine (as with Stihl backpack blowers) when all you wanted to do was disengage the throttle lock.

- the blowing tube when using both tube pieces is awkward but you do get used to it and it lets you blow under cars, get into corners or tight spots etc with ease. The tube is also light compared to the heavy Stihl backpack blower.

- so far the machine has started easily and hasn't been troubled in extreme heat (as with Stihl)

- the shoulder straps are well padded and comfortable.

- the grab handle is robust and not prone to cracking, for example, as with the Stihl backpack blower.

- fuel tank is 2 litres I believe.

- Shindaiwa have a large dealer network.

- Japanese made = good quality

After using equivalent Shindaiwa machines on and off over the last 7 years, and having my own for the last 7 months, I wouldn't purchase anything else.

Not 5 stars but very satisfied with this machine.

Update Jan 2018

The blowing tube flies apart where it fits into the section that's joined to the engine. This has happened quite a few times (even though there is a steel O ring(?) supposedly holding the tube in place. You have to stop get a screw driver, undo the O ring(?) re-engage the tube and re-tighten the O ring(?).....very frustrating. To stop this I've driven in a couple of short screws through the tube. Problem fixed.

I said "Japanese made = good quality". Seems this is no longer the case and especially with Shindaiwa. I've heard many complaints re quality from my employers and stores; probably why some stores have ditched Shindaiwa? So far my Shindy gear has been OK. Same with Makita.....they have turned to China for some of their equipment.

Delicate and Fragile – The B450 certainly looks like it should be tough, the body of the brushcutter is all metal construction and everything has a solid feel to it. But… Read more

... the head supplied with the B450 is a weak and flimsy thing that cannot tolerate any sort of impact. As soon as it hits anything, the head flies apart shooting the internal guides and springs everywhere.

I previously owned a Shihl FS200 for 10 years, which would cut grass, weeds and Lantana on our property with ease.

The problem with the B450 is that it cannot even be used on long grass ... if there is a small rock or twig in among the grass, the head will fly apart on contact.

I've discussed with the dealer (The Mower Place in Brisbane), but they're not interested. The most infamous comment from the Mower Place was that "I was using it wrong". They were unable to clairfy how the use of the B450 differs from a Stihl.

There is only one head that will fit the B450, so there are no alternatives. I'm now on the third head, and they're all the same.

The only thing this "Brushcutter" can be used for reliably is lawn edging, but I could have bought a cheap whipper snipper for that.

I've now purchased a Stihl FS240 as a replacement brushcutter, and it is brilliant.

Don't consider using the B450 for anything heavier than light trimming work. As a brushcutter, it is useless. All metal construction, seems to be built to last Weak and flimsy head means it cannot be used as a brushcutter