Husqvarna 125B 28cc 2-Stroke Leaf Blower Review

KEY FEATURES

Below are some of the main features that the Husqvarna 125B has to offer:

1. Powerful 2-Stroke Motor​

Back in the day, Husqvarna was famous for making some amazing 2-stroke motorcycles. They have since carried over their expertise into the lawn equipment business. The 1.1hp engine on the 125B is capable of redlining at 8000 RPM, and create wind speeds more than 170 mph. At such high speeds, you can also expect larger volumes of air out of the tube, with CFM ratings close to 425. That kind of power straddles the line between light and medium/heavy duty leaf blowers. The engine burns fuel at a rate of 575 g/kWh. Combined with a 16.91oz fuel tank, that enables the leaf blower to function for hours on a full tank.

2. Compact & Ergonomic Design​

All that power is hidden behind a very slim design. At just 10 ounces shy of 10 lbs, this Husky model falls within the category of lightweight leaf blowers. The handheld design is also optimized for continuous use. The fan is housed towards the right, and the air stream is directly in line with the handle of the blower for improved control and ease of use.

3. Advanced Control Options​

4. Adjustable Blowing Tube​

Adjusting the length of the tube enables you to reach tight corners and nooks in your lawn/property more efficiently. You also have the option to change the nozzles of the blowing tube. There are two variants to choose from. A round nozzle for normal use, and a flat nozzle when you need a more concentrated blast of air.

Husqvarna 125B Review

Above, you can see the Husqvarna 125b in action. On paper, the "Husqvarna 952711925 125b 28cc 2-stroke 170 mph gas powered handheld blower" does sound quite impressive. In real world usage, the performance aspect does stay true to those impressive numbers. But some key points do rob this particular Husky off a stellar rating. Let's see what those are in detail:​

Performance

There is quite a lot of power available in this compact package; there is no denying that fact. Gas powered blowers have that advantage over their electric counterparts. If you want to handle heavier debris and not just leaves, the Husqvarna leaf blower 125B is a competent tool for the job. Leaves are simply no match for this blower.

Even heavier stuff like sticks and pine needles can be swept away effortlessly. You might even have some fun with it blowing light snow away in the winters.But all that power does come at a significant cost. And it is an entirely predictable one at that too. Two stroke engines are notoriously loud, and the Husky rates in at a not too shabby 94 decibels close to the operator's ear.

You know what that means if you plan to use it, get some ear plugs. And if you live a community where homes are not spaced far apart, expect noise complaints from your neighbors! There are some minor quirks though. The master control panel is neatly arranged and easy to reach. However, the choke placement could have been a lot more intuitive. It is quite easy to miss it, the way it is placed at the back.

The location of the fan unit does make it a fantastic option for right-handers while making it harder to use for southpaws.

Forgiveness

The unit is quite easy to start, and when properly maintained and fueled, should start with three or four pulls. That sub-10lbs weight and slim profile mean that it is quite comfortable to hold. And as promised, there is little to no strain on the wrists, thanks to the positioning of the fan.

But it's time to look at some of the major issues that plague this unit. A lot of it has got to do with the 2-stroke engines and fuel mixtures. Now, the optimal Husqvarna 125b fuel mix is 50:1, as mentioned by the manufacturer. That means you need to 2.6 ounces of oil for 1 gallon of gas. That is also specified by the manufacturer. They also mention the need for high octane fuel (minimum 87). Below, a video of this leaf blower's common problems and solutions:

But what is not explicitly mentioned is that any gas with ethanol in it, (which is what you find pretty much everywhere these days) your fuel lines will get rotted away in next to no time. Take a good look at the scores of negative reviews this unit has received online, and pretty much all of its revolves around "low-quality fuel lines." The ones in this Husky uses plastic tubes for economy and lightweight, and the only way to prolong their life is to ensure that you only use the manufacturer specified fuel.

Beyond that, the engine may start to sputter a bit after some months, or a year. There are even reported instances where it happens right out of the box. Now, your chances of being dealt a lemon are quite slim, but be prepared for some tinkering in future to keep this Husqvarna 125B in top shape. The carburetor is usually the culprit.

In all honesty, the main issues plaguing the Husqvarna is prevalent in most 2-stroke engines. But by using sub-par quality fuel lines, they may have exacerbated the issue somewhat. Either way, despite its near flawless performance, the 125b blower is not very forgiving and does require constant attention regarding the type and quality of fuel used.​

Build Quality

We found no major issues in this department, save for the issue above related to the fuel lines. The Husky uses a lot of plastic, to keep things light obviously, but that hasn't detracted from the overall sturdiness of the unit.

Look & Feel

Compared to some of the other gas powered handheld leaf blowers in its class, the Husqvarna 125B looks positively petite. And it does look good in the bright orange and black. There are no major design flaws as far as looks are concerned. Except maybe that it looks deceptively small and weak, so be prepared to be taken aback by that powerful 2-stroke motor!

With such compact dimensions and light-weight, the 125b is a very family-friendly machine. Even teenagers and senior citizens can get this thing up and run in no time. It feels comfortable to hold and work with. There is no strap provided with the package, but you can install one if you feel the need.

Price

The Husqvarna 125b is available online for under $200. The price may be lowered by discounts as well. In a sub-$150 range, this leaf blower is a good option, especially if you have a large property to maintain. It could also make sense if you want to buy it for professional use. The only real concern is regarding the use of the right type of fuel.

How does it compare?

You can design the best leaf blower in the world and still fail in the market if you don't consider your opposition. And the Husqvarna 125B certainly has some tough competition, from other established brands in the lawn equipment market. Let's compare our highlighted product with its main rivals to see if it makes the grade. For the sake of fair comparison, we will only use gas powered or cordless electric blowers.

The air speed rating of 150 mph might seem not too shabby in comparison to Husqvarna's 170 mph, but that is in fact quite misleading. The volume of air involved is much less in the electric blower, with a CFM rating of only around 140, which is nothing compared to the 425 of the 2-stroke blower. If you have a lot of heavier and wet debris and live away from neighbors, the Husky is probably is a great choice.

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And to make things even better for the Hitachi, it also has a better decibel rating close to 70, which makes it quieter than the Husqvarna. Add a longer consumer warranty period, and the RB24EAP looks like a much better choice than the Husky 125b. Sure it has all the flaws you can expect out of a 2-stroke blower, but it still has better specs than the 125b. Unless you are a fan of the Husky brand, the Hitachi may be a better choice if available at the same price.

The Makita is a full $50 pricier than the Husqvarna, even with discounts. But it would be a better option if you are more environmentally conscious, or do not want to worry about the common issues of 2-stroke engines. On the other hand, if you need the extra airspeed and power to handle heavy debris, the Husqvarna 125B might be the better choice, and the cheaper one too.