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Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower Review

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Tidying up your garden after trimming can be an exhausting job when the only available equipment you have is a rake. Come Fall, you'll probably spend more time raking your yard than staying indoors for warmth. If this has become a daily dilemma for you, then you should check out the Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower. It's an excellent solution to your problem. 

There's plenty of brands and models on the market today, but looking at the best leaf blowers that customers swear buy is a great way to start your search. One of these is the Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower. It's a handheld gas-powered leaf blower with a very reasonable price tag.

Hitachi RB24EAP 23.9cc 2-Cycle Gas Powered 170-mph Handheld Leaf Blower Review


Performance wise, this compact leaf blower has impressed many users and it's been a consistent top-pick for the best leaf blower on the market. If you'd like to find out why, our Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower Review will cover all the features and specifications to help you decide whether it's the right blower for you.

 

Product Showcase

[amazon box="B003VYC31Q"]

Unboxing Video


 

Manufacturing

Hitachi was orginally a Japanese company which manufactured all sorts of consumer and commercial products, and in order to market their power tools line within the United States, in 1980 the Hitachi mother company founded Hitachi Power Tools USA Ltd.

Through a series of acquisitions and restructuring, Hitachi Power Tools is now known as Metabo HPT, and they proudly remind their customers that even though the name has changed, the quality of tools has not.


Technical Specifications

Model: Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower

Weight: 8.6 lbs

Engine: 23.9cc Two-stroke Engine

Power Source: Gasoline

Tank Capacity: 17.6 fl. oz.

Maximum Speed: 170 mph

Air Volume: 441 CFM

Dimensions: 17.30 x 10.50 x 15.0 inches

Warranty: 7 Years

Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Powered Leaf Blower, Handheld, Lightweight, 23.9cc 2 Cycle Engine, Class Leading 441 CFM, 170 MPH, Commercial Grade, 7 Year Warranty
 

Price

Considering the amount of power the Hitachi RB24EAP Handheld Leaf Blower is capable of delivering, this blower is very reasonably priced. It has plenty of satisfied owners and offers excellent value. If you're looking for a well-made blower that's build to last, this product delivers.

Puchasing Online

The Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower has been officially discontinued by Metabo HPT and is not available directly through their website. However, it is still available under the Hitachi name and can be purchased through Amazon. In fact, Hitachi Power Tools even has an official Amazon store front where you can find this leaf blower and other Hitachi tools.


 

Warranty and Customer Support

The RB24EAP Leaf Blower has an impressive seven-year consumer use warranty. The seven-year consumer use warranty ensures that any repairs you need after prolonged use will be covered, and you won't need to worry about wasting money on unauthorized repair shops who may charge you more for inferior work.

It's also worth mentioning that by providing a long warranty period, Hitachi guarantees every customer that their products are built to last. Simply put, a product from a reputible company with a solid, long term warranty is making a commitment to their customers that they stand behind their produts and expect them to perform well.

As for customer support, Hitachi Power Tools (Metabo HPT) provides service through their website. You can register your new leaf blower; order parts; find a local repair center; or contact a tech support specialist. 

Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Powered Leaf Blower, Handheld, Lightweight, 23.9cc 2 Cycle Engine, Class Leading 441 CFM, 170 MPH, Commercial Grade, 7 Year Warranty
 

Hitachi RB24EAP Design

Because the Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower only weighs 8.6 pounds it is quite easy to carry. The powerful motor makes it particularly ideal for working on garden trimmings and debris removal, and for those who haven't owned a leaf blower before, they'll soon understand the convenience of having one available.

The fuel cap is located on the right side of the blower and the fuel container is translucent which will allow you to easily check your fuel level without opening the container itself. One thing to note, is that the air intake is on the left side of the blower.

Power Source

The Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower is gas-powered and has a 23.9 cc, 1.13-horsepower commercial-grade two-stroke engine. This allows you to move freely as you work and not be tethered by an electrical cord or worry about recharging a battery.

You can anticipate that the 17.6 ounce fuel tank will deliver 25 to 30 minutes of continuous operation between refueling, which should allow you to clear roughly up to 1 acre.

The throttle switch is conveniently located at the top of the blower allowing the operator to "push and release" it by using your fingers. This design gives the user the ability to make easy changes to the speed control. Although, adding the cruise control feature would have been a nice addition. 

Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Powered Leaf Blower, Handheld, Lightweight, 23.9cc 2 Cycle Engine, Class Leading 441 CFM, 170 MPH, Commercial Grade, 7 Year Warranty
 

Operation

Operating the Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower is easy to learn and the owner's manual provides clear and detailed instructions. You can expect the blower to deliver excellent performance regardless if you are using it for home purposes or for commercial-grade jobs.

The engine is easy to start and typically engages after a single pull. But like most gas powered engines, you'll need to push the primer purge bulb on the front of the unit a few times before starting the unit up. This process will remove the air from the carburetor and ensure that the gas and oil mixture is rich enough to assist the cold start.

Performance

The specifications of the RB24EAP Leaf Blower indicate that it has a 441 CFM and 170 mph motor, which is an impressive figure considering the size of the product. Typically, handheld and compact leaf blowers fall under the 200-400 CFM range, and for the RB24EAP to exceed the 400 mark indicates that it's powerful enough to match the performance of larger leaf blowers.

As a general rule of thumb, if your property is an acre or more, you'll most likely want a leaf blower with a CFM between 400 to 700. Although, the RB24EAP is on the low end of this range, it should definitely be able get the job done.

Noise Level

The Hitachi Leaf Blower delivers 69 decibels of noise, but it should be noted that the noise the user will be experiencing is higher and in the range of 90 to 100 dbs. When compared with other gas powered leaf blowers, even the electric ones which are generally quieter, the RB24EAP is considered to be in the quiet range. However, you should still be wearing ear protection to safeguard your hearing. Here's a few comparisons if you'd like to get a better idea of the noise level.

Maintenance

Gas powered leaf blowers require more maintenance than their electric powered counterparts. So, as you'd expect, the Hitachi RB24EAP requires regular maintenance to keep it running at peak performance and reduce repairs. The owners manual covers all of the details for this specific blower, but the video below provides a good overview on the maintenance required for gas blowers in general.

Watch the Video

Fueling the Hitachi RB24EAP

When refueling two-stroke engines, always remember that you'll need a mixture of gas and oil. You can use a 25:1 or a 50:1 gas-to-oil ration and mix the fuel yourself, by using "2.6 oz of perfect mix 2 cycle oil in every 1 gallon of 89 octane gas that has no more than 10% of ethanol or lower".

Be careful not to use a fuel with a different gas-to-oil ratio as it would not be compatible with two-stroke engines. This is a common mistake and can drastically affect the performance and lifespan of your leaf blower.

Many owners prefer to purchase a pre-blended mix to simplify the process. You can pick up the TruFuel 2-Cycle 50:1 Pre-Blended Fuel and not need to worry about measuring.

Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Powered Leaf Blower, Handheld, Lightweight, 23.9cc 2 Cycle Engine, Class Leading 441 CFM, 170 MPH, Commercial Grade, 7 Year Warranty
 

Design Features

If you don't mind not having any vacuum functionality for leaf mulching, then this leaf blower is a practical choice. It also don't feature any anti-vibration capabilities, however, you can pick up a pair of anti-vibration gloves inexpensively which will avoid fatigue when the blower is used for an extended period of time.

The single handle configuration of the leaf blower works because of it's lightweight and balanced design, and for a little extra control you can simply place a hand under the nozzle. Still, a secondary handle grip would be a benefit.

One handy feature is the "feet" on the blower. If you need to put the Hitachi Leaf Blower down you'll be able to leave it running. This can be particularly helpful for clean-up jobs when you'll need to be moving more than just leafs!

Emissions

Compared to four stroke engines, a two stroke engine is inferior when it comes to emissions. However, PureFire Low-Emission technology is designed to combat this disadvantage, so it can deliver a more efficient combustion process (mixture of gas oil mix with air) for the production of lower emissions and more power output.

Because the Hitachi RB24EAP is equipped with a two stroke engine, it has been outfitted with PureFire Low-Emission technology. And it should be noted that this blower meets the US (EPA Phase3) and European (Stage 2) emission standards and is CARB Tier III compliant (California Air Resource Board) allowing it to operate in California which has strictor standards than other states.

Accessories

The Hitachi Leaf Blower comes with a tapered nozzle, which, compared to a circular tube, can make it easier to focus on enclosed areas and corners. There are also optional accessories available, such as a spare premix fuel container and a shoulder strap. In addition, there are plenty of replaceable parts available directly through Amazon.

Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Powered Leaf Blower, Handheld, Lightweight, 23.9cc 2 Cycle Engine, Class Leading 441 CFM, 170 MPH, Commercial Grade, 7 Year Warranty
 

Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower Review Summary

At a Glance:

  • Gas-powered engine with a 17.6 ounce fuel tank capacity.
  • 25-30 minutes of continuous operation between refuelings.
  • 441 CRM and 170 mph.
  • Weighs 8.6 pounds.
  • 23.9 cc, 1.13-horsepower commercial-grade two-stroke engine.
  • 7-year consumer warranty.

Pros:

  • Durable and lightweight design, but very powerful
  • Decent fuel efficiency
  • Starts easily, typically on a single pull
  • Eco-friendly
  • Tapered nozzle for increased precision

Cons:

  • No cruise control on the throttle switch
  • Does not vacuum/mulch leaves
  • No anti-vibrations features

If you're looking for a lightweight leaf blower for your home, that is powerful enough to compete with larger leaf blowers, you can't go wrong with the Hitachi RB24EAP Leaf Blower. It's a handy machine for cleaning up your garden after mowing and piling up leaves from your yard.

Considering the quality build, the generous seven year warranty, and the positive feedback from those who own this leaf blower, we highly recommend the Hitachi RB24EAP and feel it is definitely worth the price.

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