Ryobi’s backpack blowers, sprayers, and battery carrier packs redistribute weight to reduce fatigue and back strain during long or demanding jobs.
Ryobi makes all kinds of home improvement and related equipment, but it’s probably most well-known for its huge catalog of power tools that can replace your hand tool setup. This is especially true for its cordless, battery-powered tools, which have come to dominate the market in recent years as battery technology has advanced enough to balance power and size in a more practical way. Between the necessary motor and battery, a power drill is obviously going to be heavier than a screwdriver — that’s one of the trade-offs if you want to save yourself time and labor and use a power tool.
This is especially the case for the most powerful of Ryobi’s cordless products. For some devices, especially larger equipment like lawn mowers and chainsaws, batteries still need to be pretty sizable to match the power of traditional gas tools, and it’s tools like these that make up the bulk of the brand’s 40V cordless line. The smallest Ryobi 40V battery weighs around 2.5 pounds, while the largest is nearly 6 pounds, and some Ryobi tools use more than one at a time.
Because of the weight added from 40V batteries or powerful gas engines, some Ryobi products have a backpack design, allowing the user to distribute the load across their back and shoulders. Not only can this reduce fatigue and make them easier to carry around, but it can also make them easier to maneuver and apply with more precision. For example, if the bulk of a chemical sprayer is carried on your back, it means it’ll be a lot easier to move and aim its nozzle. Here are six Ryobi products with backpack designs that may literally save your back.40V HP 850-cfm Whisper Series Backpack Blower
Of the several models it produces, the most powerful Ryobi leaf blower is its 40V HP 850-cfm Whisper Series Backpack Blower (model RY40HPLB02K). The thing is an absolute behemoth, with its blower tube several feet long, but advanced technology enabled Ryobi to build it 40% lighter than the previous generation. Between the beefy motor and the two sizable lithium-ion packs that power it, the device could weigh over 30 pounds when fully assembled, making it a great candidate for a backpack tool. By keeping most of the weight behind you, the tool can be easily maneuvered one-handed, despite its size.
In this case, size matters, as the cordless tool can deliver more power than a 58-cc gas blower and produce up to 180 mph air speed. That should be enough force to move damp leaves and compacted grass. Plus, it runs 83% quieter than gas. Able to reach full throttle in under a second, the blower is equipped with two modes — one that prioritizes power and another that prioritizes runtime. With two active battery ports, it can run for over two hours when powered by Ryobi 40V 8 Ah batteries, and the massive batteries can be recharged in under 80 minutes.
Ryobi’s backpack blower is controlled by an ergonomically designed, variable-speed trigger and features an LCD display that shows power mode and battery life. Cruise control can be enabled to make it easier on your fingers, while the backpack has a contoured harness and adjustable straps. Just like the tool and batteries, the blower’s price isn’t small either — the Ryobi 40V HP 850-cfm Whisper Series Backpack Blower Kit is $629 and includes two 40V 8 Ah batteries, a 40V Rapid Charger, blower tubes, and a speed tip.
