Husqvarna 150BT vs 350BT : How Do They Compare?

A common question people have, is : Husqvarna 150BT vs 350BT : How do they compare? What’s the difference? Which leaf blower is the right choice for your specific situation (and budget)? Knowing the facts about these two popular and very-well made blowers will ultimately allow you to make the smart decision. We believe that knowledge empowers consumers to choose wisely and so we always do our best to provide answers to your questions as well as provide a broad base of knowledge of things for you to consider before spending your money.

With that being said, let’s move on and discuss the Husqvarna 150BT and 350BT.

Husqvarna, A reputation for Quality

Husqvarna 150BT and 350BT — two quality leaf blowers from the same factory with mostly the same specs and a small price difference. Both are highly capable backpack leaf blowers for either homeowners or professionals, such as landscapers. Husqvarna products have a reputation for their longevity, reliability and overall quality. The company has literally been around for hundreds of years in different forms. lf you maintain these leaf blowers properly, they can easily last you for many years; 5 to 10 years depending on usage.

Most people know Husqvarna for their range of chainsaws — engineered for both homeowners and professionals who demand performance and tools they can depend on. The wonderful thing about Husqvarna is that all of their products are well-made and ergonomic, built for the people who use them. They don’t make junk like many other brands. Their starting point for any of their leaf blowers or other products is quite high but still reasonably priced.

The Husqvarna 150BT and 350BT are equally as good in terms of quality and customer opinions are unanimously high, so in all honestly, you can’t go wrong with either of these. The question is, how much power do you need?

The Husqvarna tradition dates back to 1689. It all started when the Swedish King Karl XI ordered the construction of a factory to produce muskets on the banks of the Huskvarna River. They selected that location because they powered the plant with water power, which they harnessed from the river. The Husqvarna factory remained in production ever since. The factory produced a lot of different products during that time, from wood stoves to modern kitchen appliances. Sewing machines, bicycles, motorcycles, chainsaws, etc.

Today Husqvarna is a leading manufacturer of forest and garden products. Quality was always their highest priority.

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Husqvarna 150BT vs 350BT

What’s the Difference?

The Husqvarna 150BT and 350BT are very similar in most technical aspects, therefore many are asking : “Which one is for me?”

• The 150BT is part of the Husqvarna homeowner leaf blowers for occasional use that combine high blowing power with ease of use. The 150BT is a well-balanced lightweight blower for homeowner clean-up needs.
• The 350BT Husqvarna is part of the family of commercial leaf blowers, powerful and designed for your demanding tasks. An effective fan design coupled with the powerful engine produces high airflow and airspeed. A commercial grade air filter maximizes the blower’s working hours. Also, the 350Bt has LowVib, anti-vibration technology built-in to make using it more comfortable. It also has cruise control, adjustable and offset handles for increased comfort and ergonomics. Overall, this is a superior blower in every way.

Interestingly, there is only a 12% difference in price between the Husqvarna 150BT and 160BT. I’m about to show that the two machines share so many features you can consider them equal in performance. Anyone of the two leaf blowers will satisfy your needs. The two leaf blowers are what you can expect from a respected company that strives to improve its product.

The main difference between the 150BT and 350BT is in the Control or Operating handle mounted to the control pipe. The 350BT has a different design to the 150BT, the 150BT handle has a dedicated stop switch which was replaced on the 350BT by a switch integrated with a cruise control. The handle on the 150BT is sitting on top of the tube not next to it like the handle on the 350BT. It can be adjusted up and down on the tube to suit your arm’s length. The rake of the handle is fixed on the 150BT and adjustable on the 350BT.

Another difference, is that the 350BT is packaged without a concentrator nozzle. This nozzle is an extension to the blower-pipe which is a standard issue on the 150BT. It seems to be an accessory to the 350BT; sold separately like the flat nozzle extension.

In the technical data, another difference between the 150BT and 350BT is the equivalent sound pressure level at the operator’s ear. The sound pressure level of the 350BT is 2 dBA more than the reading of the 150BT. Although that does not sound like a lot it will be noticeably noisier. The noise level of the 350BT is 96 dBA, which is likely to damage your hearing if you use the blower for 8 hours or more. But using any blower without ear protection will damage your hearing. While using the 150BT or 350BT, when wearing hearing protection you will not notice a noise difference between the two.

With only the blower nozzle mounted, the air delivery of the 150BT vs 350BT is an interesting comparison. The airspeed of the 350BT is 180 mph while the 150BT delivers 215 mph. That’s a difference of 35 mph, which is significant. The air flow of the 350BT with the blower nozzle mounted is 494 cfm while the 150BT delivers 434 cfm. Considering that the two blowers use the same engines, you can see the impact of the changes to the design of the fan. The 350BT delivers more air at a lower speed than the 150BT. There is little difference in the effective blowing power though, the 150BT is 1 Newton stronger than the 350BT. A Newton is a force needed to accelerate 1 kg of mass at 1 m/sec2 or 0.2248 pound-force. The 150BT delivers 21 Newton (4.721 pound-force).

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Husqvarna 150BT

50cc gas engine. One of the best backpack blowers for the money. A consistent top seller for years and a high rating from consumers.

Features :

• X-TORQ ENGINE: The X-Torq engine design reduces harmful exhaust emissions by up to 60% and increases fuel efficiency by up to 20%
• HIGH AIR VOLUME AND VELOCITY: Powerful clearing performance featuring 434 CFM Air Volume and 251 MPH Air Velocity
• LOWVIB: Dampeners between the engine and chassis effectively reduce vibrations
• AUTO RETURN STOP SWITCH: Stop switch automatically resets to the ON position for easier starting
• CRUISE CONTROL: Variable speed throttle with cruise control can be set for easier handling

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Husqvarna 150BT.

Overview

The 150BT does not have the same features as the 350BT. It does not have what the company refers to as cruise control. You cannot set the fan speed on the control handle; therefore, you must control it with the throttle. The ability to change the fan speed enables you use just enough force to do the job. In doing so, you avoid blowing away mulch and things you do not want to blow away. You also reduce the noise levels and save some fuel.

Both leaf blowers share the Air Purge bulb feature. It’s that little bulb you press repeatedly until fuel fills the bulb. You need not fill the bulb completely, only until you can see fuel in the bulb. It removes air from the carburetor and fuel system for easier starting.

All the controls to start the Husqvarna blowers are well grouped and easy to access. The control direction control handle on the Husqvarna 350BT differs completely from the handle of the 150BT. They mounted the handle of the 150BT on top of the blower pipe, not next to it. The design of the top end with the controls and switches, also differ from the 350BT.

The blowing tube length is adjustable by inserting or removing blower pipe extensions. It differs from the 5-series which has adjustable pipes. Blowing close to the ground near the bottom of the leaves achieves the best results. Being able to adjust the tube makes it easy to adapt the tube to your specific needs.

The blowing tube length is adjustable, shorter means you have more airspeed because you reduce the friction in the tube but the gain is marginal. Blowing close to the ground near the bottom of the leaves achieves the best results. Being able to adjust the tube makes it easy to adapt the tube to your specific needs.

For owners of a property with large land areas the mid-size Husqvarna 150BT backpack blower is an excellent choice. The 150BT is suitable for large areas even though the Husqvarna 150BT is meant for more occasional use. A homeowner with a large property, will not use his blower every workday for a full day and only stop for refuels, like a professional. As a homeowner you will only use the blower occasionally. If you feel that your property may be too taxing for a homeowner machine you may opt for the 350BT. It may be more suitable to an area with large piles of leaves that you have to clear almost daily.

The Husqvarna’s feature a powerful X-Torq 50.2cc, 2.1 horsepower engine. When first released the engines boasted with decreased harmful exhaust emissions by up to 60% and increased fuel efficiency by up to 20%. It still proves they designed the engines to be efficient and environmentally conscious. In line with that is the spark arrestor screen in the muffler that eliminates sparks from the exhaust system.

They designed the harness to be comfortable during long hours of use. They use an integrated harness that’s ventilated, and wide shoulder straps help reduce the load on your shoulders. A hip belt that’s shaped to fit the contours of your hips supports some weight and improves your balance when wearing it.

It’s no surprise that the fuel tank on both Husqvarna’s are the same. Its capacity is 2.6 US pints or 42.27 ounces. The fuel consumption is 455 g/kWh. There is no information available that indicates how long a tank of gas will last.

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Husqvarna 350BT : Backpack Leaf Blower

Designed with ergonomic features making it comfortable to use for extended periods of time. A great combination of power, ease-of-use (offset & ergonomic handle) and fair price. A popular choice with consumers for good reasons — it’s an excellent leaf blower.

Features :

• X-Torq engine design reduces harmful exhaust emissions by up to 60% and increases fuel efficiency by up to 20%.
• Air Purge : Removes air from carburetor and fuel system for easy starting.
• Utilize full blow force with minimal arm strain : The offset handle makes the blow forces easier to control by preventing the arm from being pulled downwards
• Adjustable handles for superior comfort.
• Anti-Vibration : Dampeners between the engine and chassis effectively reduce vibrations.
• Ergonomic harness system : Padded harness and hipbelt is shaped to fit the contours of the operator
• Cruise control : Fan speed can be set for easier handling.
• High blowing capacity : The powerful and easy to start X-Torq engine in combination with efficient fan design delivers high air speed and air flow.
• Ergonomic handle : The handle can be adjusted to fit the operator and has rubber inserts for a comfortable grip.

✓ View or download the MANUAL for the Husqvarna 350BT.

Overview

Husqvarna designed the 350BT blower for professional use. The blower and fan are different to what Husqvarna uses on the 150BT and they also mount the control handle on this machine differently. The mounting is such that the handle is lower down, next to the blower pipe. It also has a cruise control feature on the control handle, so you do not have to control the fan speed with the throttle. Changing the fan speed not only helps to reduce the noise levels and save some fuel. The ability to manage the fan speed without holding on to the trigger reduces fatigue for contractors who work all day.

The Husqvarna 350BT uses the same fuel purge bulb that you press repeatedly until fuel enters the bulb. These bubs purge all air from the fuel line and the carburetor. When you start the engine, you do not have to pull the cord many times to remove air first.

VIDEO | Features Overview — Husqvarna 350BT

Husqvarna designed this blower for those that earn a living as professional landscape contractors. The 350BT is not the biggest in the range, but the mid-sized Husqvarna blower in their professional backpack blower range. The Husqvarna 350BT is well suited for large open areas and clearing grass cuttings from the road and paving. Yet, this blower is powerful enough to clear large piles of leaves. The blowing tube length of the 350BT is also adjustable by adding or removing pieces to allow you to adapt it to your elbow’s height off the ground.

The Husqvarna 350BT feature a powerful X-Torq 50.2cc, 2.1 horsepower engine. They designed the engines to be efficient and environmentally conscious. Its large air cleaner is effective in a dusty environment, but should the dust become extreme you can treat the filter with filter oil. The spark arrestor screen on the muffler eliminates sparks from the exhaust system making it safe under these conditions.

They design the harness of the 350BT to be comfortable and more robust to last during the long hours of commercial use. They integrate the well ventilated harness with the frame to make it easy to get onto your back. The design, combined with the wide shoulder straps help reduce the load on your shoulders. Husqvarna spent a lot of time developing the harness to fit you well and be comfortable. A correctly adjusted harness and machine significantly facilitates the work and reduces fatigue.

The fuel tank capacity is 2.6 US pints or 42.27 ounces and will force you to make a refuel stop every 36 minutes. 36 Minutes runtime is quite an average for blowers, but its fuel consumption of 25.13 fluid ounces per hour is good. The cruise-control function that maintains a constant fan speed, aids in saving fuel. The 350BT’s fuel consumption is still roughly half the consumption of more powerful blowers on the market. Using a machine that saves fuel cuts your running expenses, making it worth considering as an alternative to bigger blowers.

The spark ignition system used by the X-Torq engine complies with the Canadian ICES-002 standard. Husqvarna backs the 150BT and 350BT leaf blowers with a 2-year limited warranty.

VIDEO | How to Safely Operate A Backpack Leaf Blower

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Fuel and oil — Leaf blower engines

Always use high-grade gasoline mixed with 2-stroke oil, minimum 87 RON (research octane number). The Husqvarna Group also recommend that you run the X-Torq engine on unleaded gasoline. I saw feedback from many disappointed users who complain that their 2-stroke engines failed while using ethanol fuel mixes. They blame the manufacturers because the engines could not survive on low quality ethanol blends and even four stroke oils.

To prevent knocking noises in the engine that shortens its life and can cause serious damage to the engine, the lowest recommended octane rating is 87. If you run the engine on a lower octane rating than 87, the engine temperature increases, which can cause a serious engine breakdown.

It may happen that you continuously use the blower at high revs for extended times, like clearing a large leafy area. For these conditions Husqvarna recommends a fuel with a higher-octane rating than 87. They also recommend a good quality unleaded gasoline, and never with ethanol blends higher than E10. It will create a lean running condition which can cause engine damage.

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A 3rd Option : Husqvarna 360BT (Ultra-comfortable & Powerful)

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Why ethanol fuel is bad for your blower engine —

Ethanol fuel is everywhere. The gasoline you pump from almost every gas station contains a blend gas and ethanol. The E number show the percentage of ethanol blend in the fuel. E10 means the gas mixture contains 90% gas and 10% ethanol. Ethanol fuel will not harm most automobile engines. But the same is not true when you’re using gas with ethanol mixture in your outdoor power equipment. You risk engine damage and incurring costly repairs.

Many manufacturers of lawnmower and outdoor power equipment like chainsaws, trimmers, and leaf blowers approve using E10. However, they do not recommend using gas with higher concentrations of ethanol. As always, I recommend reading your owner’s manual; you will find a section on handling fuel and the fuels approved for your device.

Manufacturers may approve E10 fuels for the small engine equipment, but if you read on you will find they do not recommend using it. Ethanol absorbs water over time, E10 gas absorbs up to 50 times more water than standard gasoline. Besides this Ethanol separates from the gas while stored in your gas tank. Although the 2 stroke oil remains bonded to the gasoline, it does not bond to the ethanol. Thus, the ethanol and water part of the mixture contains no oil for engine lubrication. I recommend shaking the container or even the blower to mix the gas and Ethanol, and the water. But you can see that his leads to poor lubrication, performance issues, and costly repairs.

I also recommend that you empty the gas in your fuel tank after using the blower to avoid alcohol and water-related engine issues. The best solutions to all this are to purchase ethanol free gas, and premix it with good quality 2-stroke oil. But always keep your fuel fresh! Never buy and store gas for more than a 30 day supply.

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Oiling the air filter in your leaf blower

When using the blower in very dusty conditions its best to oil the air filter. The oil helps to keep the air intake clean but we must follow the correct procedure. A special filter oil is available that you should use. You should avoid skin contact when using filter oil because it contains a solvent to make it disperse evenly through the filter. Never use common engine oil, it will not bond with the filter. It will drain through the filter quickly and collect in the bottom.

I’m not a fan of plastic bags but in this case, I recommend that you put the filter in a plastic bag. While in the bag, pour the filter oil over it and knead the plastic bag to distribute the oil. With the filter still in the bag squeeze the excess oil out of the filter. Save the excess for later use or discard as recommended by the manufacturer.

Two-stroke oil

For obvious reasons, Husqvarna urges you to use their two-stroke oil. It will protect you when making a claim as they use an oil specially formulated for Husqvarna two-stroke engines. However, you may use any good quality two-stroke oil of 1:50 (2%) mixture that is intended for air cooled engines. Be careful when selecting the oil, never pick two-stroke oil intended for water-cooled outboard engines. These are also referred to as outboard oil.

**Never use four-stroke oil intended for four-stroke engines such as the oil used in your vehicle.