Further down the page, you'll find some explanations regarding the key similarities and differences between the Stihl BGE 61 and the Stihl BGE 71.
But before checking out these explanations, here's a table that summarizes the main pros of each of these 2 leaf blowers:
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Common specs comparison
Make & handling
- As the BGE 61 and the BGE 71 are both Stihl blowers, they benefit from the same level of quality and attention to detail.
- These two products are handheld blowers and therefore provide you with superior mobility.
- Both products are powered electrically and will therefore provide you with a more user and environmentally friendly experience.
CFM & MPH
- The two blowers have an identical CFM of 285. By providing you with the same volumes of air, both units should allow, on a hard surface, to move the same amount of dry leaves per minute.
- These two products have an identical MPH of 148. By providing you with the same air speeds, they should both be as efficient when blowing leaves on grass or lifting wet leaves and debris (acorns, etc.).
Weight & Noise rating
- Both devices weigh 6.8 lbs. Thus, they will be similarly tough for you to operate.
- Both devices have a noise rating of 64 dB. They should therefore be equally demanding on the ears.
Other features comparison
Vacuum ability
Unlike the Stihl BGE 61, the Stihl BGE 71 can be used as a leaf vacuum – A convenient and less messy method of leaf disposal, which you may find handy when dealing with piles of leaves.
TL;DR
| Stihl BGE 61 | Stihl BGE 71 |
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I have a Stihl BGE71 leaf blower and it does have vacuum leaves capability using the optional-at-extra-cost cloth leaf band and input tube. However, I was vacuuming leaves and I didn’t notice that there were a few pieces of tree limb “chunks” about golf ball size. When they were sucked up into the unit they broke off many of the impeller blades. I’m trying to order a new impeller, we’ll see how that goes. It’s an excellent blower but I should have been more careful.
I think that the only difference between the BGE61 and BGE71 is that the BGE61 only has 1 motor speed, the BGE71 has 2 speeds controlled by the switch on the handle.