In the following Makita bhx2500ca review, you will learn all about this four-stroke blower’s specs and highlights. We’ll also tell you what we found out about how this yard tool performs in the real world and any problems we discovered.
This Makita gas blower incorporates the latest 4-stroke engine design, producing a gas tool with much lower emissions than the average 2-cycle engine. Read on to learn more about how well this blower works and who can benefit most from buying one.
Contents
Makita 4-Cycle Leaf Blower: Pros and Cons
Makita bhx2500ca Specs and Highlights
This Makita 4-cycle leaf blower runs on a clean and fuel-efficient 4-stroke engine compliant with EPA regulations. In addition, the unit comes with a selection of nozzle tips and a tool kit for engine maintenance.
- 24.5 cc 4-stroke engine
- Fuel tank 17.7 ounces for extended run time
- Easy start engine
- Dry weight 9.8 pounds
- Top air speed 145 mph
- Maximum air volume 358 cfm
– Makita bhx2500ca Blower Review
The Makita bhx2500ca leaf blower is small and compact, and it produces moderate airflow that’s sufficient for many big and small home cleanup jobs. The maximum air speed and volume of 145 mph and 358 cfm are averages for a small gas blower like this one.
The innovative feature of this blower is the 4-stroke engine. The use of 4-stroke engines in gas-powered yard equipment is promoted by EPA regulations for lower emissions and higher fuel efficiency in gas-powered tools. This Makita model is one of only a few 4-stroke engine gas blowers available.
4-stroke engines do not require fuel mixed with oil as 2-stroke engines do. Instead, the 4-stroke engine in this Makita leaf blower has a separate compartment for adding regular motor oil. The gas needs to be 89 or higher octane unleaded fuel.
We discovered multiple reports of operational problems with the engine in this blower, and this might be due to it being a product line that still needs engineering refinement. For example, some of the issues with the machine appear related to the oil system. Some people report smoke coming from the blower smokes when it’s tipped side to side or up and down while running.
The oil port holds 3 ounces of fluid, and it’s easy to overfill it due to its location and size. In addition, the dipstick is hard to read. Overfilling the oil could be a factor in some of the problems people have experienced using this blower.
Other reports concern vapor locks developing in the fuel line after using the machine for an extended time. It’s important to note that not all buyers experienced these problems, especially those who are only using the tool for short durations on small cleanup tasks, and the device is covered by warranty.
The power of air coming out of the tube on this blower is adequate for regular cleanup on small and medium-sized lawns, pathways, decks, and patios. However, it is not strong enough for more significant leaf blowing jobs on large properties, and it seems underpowered for regular commercial work. 4-stroke small engines are generally less powerful than 2-stroke engines with the same displacement, which is one of their drawbacks.
The blower comes with a printed manual, but the translations are not good, and many buyers report problems understanding it. Nonetheless, we found the assembly of this blower straightforward and uncomplicated.
Given this tool’s low weight, low noise levels, and simple start-up, this gas-powered Makita blower might be handy for construction worksites, in businesses that need occasional, light-duty dusting and blowing, and in residential settings. A cruise control switch and variable-speed throttle give the machine versatility for multiple blowing tasks.
This garden cleanup tool has the advantages of low weight, easy-start-up, and low noise levels, but it does not seem up to big leaf blowing tasks and extended use. Therefore, its most significant value is for light and medium-duty residential or commercial applications.
Makita Hand Held Blower Main Product Features
– 4-Stroke Engines
4-stroke engines in yard equipment like leaf blowers, chainsaws, and lawnmowers are not as common as 2-stroke engines, although 4-stroke is standard in cars, trucks, and many outboard motors. One crucial difference in a 4-stroke engine is that it uses plain gas not mixed with oil, required in 2-stroke engines.
2-stroke engines are lighter and more powerful for the same engine capacity due to their design. However, they are also noisier, less fuel-efficient, more polluting, and they vibrate more than 4-stroke engines like the one in this Makita blower.
The 4-stroke engine design in this tool is approximately 60 percent cleaner-burning than the average 2-stroke engine, producing fewer emissions and pollution. It also gets about 20 percent better fuel use efficiency.
When first breaking in the engine, the manufacturer recommends operating the tool for about 20 minutes, turning it off for about an hour, rerunning it for another 20 minutes, and then changing the oil. You might notice that fuel efficiency is significantly lower on the first tank of gas than later on when the engine is fully broken in.
4-stroke engines often need an adjustment when used at altitudes over 5,000 feet. The adjustment is simple to do and the manual explains it. However, using the engine when incorrectly adjusted for the current altitude results in decreased performance, excess fuel use, and potential engine damage.
– Makita 4-Cycle Leaf Blower Engine
The engine in this blower has a displacement of 24.5 ccs, putting it in the small engine category among leaf blowers. In addition, the power of this blower is only about one-half the power of a 2-stroke engine of the same displacement. However, it is much more economical on fuel use and far lower on emissions.
As mentioned above, the 4-stroke engine in this blower shows signs of a design issue or use limitation with the oil compartment. Unfortunately, the engine is not branded, so we don’t have any further information about engine design problems except a warning in the manual that overfilling the oil compartment can cause smoke and a fire hazard.
The engine incorporates a mechanical decompression device for making it easier to pull the recoil cord without encountering resistance as the engine compresses. This feature is a distinct advantage for anyone with little experience using a gas-powered garden tool because sometimes, the recoil cord can be a challenge to pull on some equipment.
The two-part air filter has a washable pre-filter in front and a paper filter behind it to keep the engine clean and reduce maintenance needs. The filters are easy to access without any tools.
Maintenance for this engine includes cleaning and replacing air filters as needed, checking the spark plug seasonally, and changing the oil at least once per year. A spark plug wrench comes with the blower.
One advantage of this 4-stroke engine is quieter operation. In combination with the large muffler, the noise level is only 67 dB, making it a good choice for noise-sensitive locations like dense neighborhoods.
4-stroke engines are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to lower fuel emissions for the planet and themselves while using their leaf blower. In addition, the quiet, light design of this engine is an advantage for anyone needing a blower in a residential setting for light or medium-duty cleanup.
– Fuel and Fuel Tank
Most gas-powered yard tools are still 2-stroke designs and require a fuel/oil mix. The engine in this Makita blower runs on straight, unleaded gas of 89 or higher octane with 10/30 motor oil added in a separate compartment.
The fuel tank holds a generous 17.7 ounces of gas, resulting in a runtime of over an hour. When you stop to refuel, it’s essential to check and top off the oil level as well as filling up the gas tank. Also, let the engine cool before refueling, and read all safety instructions in the manual before fueling the machine.
– Air Flow and Air Volume
The top air speed on this Makita blower is 145 mph with a maximum air volume of 358 cubic feet per minute (cfm.) These ratings are average for small gas leaf blowers, and they are not sufficient for many large-scale leaf blowing jobs.
You can buy a narrow nozzle for the tube to concentrate the air flow and add an extra boost of power for hard-to-clean spots such as cracks in rock walls and pavement, spaces between deck boards, and sticky cobwebs around window and door frames. You can also operate the blower with only one or both of the two tube sections in place, depending on how far you want to reach with the tip of the nozzle.
The nozzle sections do not hold together as well as they should, and some buyers have resorted to using a small screw to keep them from coming apart. This problem seems like another design issue for the manufacturer.
The air intake vent is on the left side of the machine, and as a result, the operator’s clothing can get pulled against the grill, blocking air to the engine and creating an overheating potential. Not wearing loose clothing and keeping the tool away from contact with your body can prevent this from happening.
The air speeds and volume on this machine are an advantage for anyone with average leaf blowing needs. It’s powerful enough while still being easy to carry and use for many medium-duty cleanup jobs.
– Weight, Size, and Noise Level
The overall dimensions of this tool are 16.6 inches high, 14.8 inches wide, and 11 inches long without the blower tubes installed.
The dry weight is 9.8 pounds, and a full tank of gas and oil adds approximately 21 ounces more.
The noise level of 67 dB is low compared to other gas-powered blowers. This tool is quiet enough to be acceptable in most homeowner associations and municipalities that have tight restrictions on acceptable noise levels for gas-powered garden equipment.
Even with the low noise level, you might still want to consider wearing ear protection because it reduces stress and fatigue from the loud sound.
This blower’s compact, quiet nature makes it a suitable choice for many homeowners and apartment dwellers with light-duty leaf blowing needs.
– Ergonomic Features
The handle on this Makita hand-held blower is made with a soft-grip material easy on your hand and fingers while carrying the blower single-handed. Wearing work gloves adds more protection against vibration and helps you maintain a safe grip on the tool.
A cruise control button is another ergonomic feature on this tool, letting you set the air speed and volume you want and then keep it there without fatiguing your hand by holding the trigger in place. This feature is beneficial when using the tool for long periods.
This blower does not have mounts for a shoulder strap, but the low weight is easy enough to manage with the single-hand grip. If you need an even lighter blower, consider the Makita XBU05Z Lithium-Ion Cordless 18V LXT blower that weighs under five pounds.
Warranty
The warranty on this tool is backed by the manufacturer and extends for two years on emission-related parts and one year on all other parts. Follow the warranty registration instructions that come with the unit for the best warranty service, in case you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can the Makita BHX2500CA be used for snow removal?
Yes, the Makita BHX2500CA can be used for snow removal as it is a powerful handheld blower that can handle light to moderate snow clearing tasks.
2. Can the Makita BHX2500CA be used for blowing debris off of roofs?
Yes, the Makita BHX2500CA can be used for blowing debris off of roofs as it has a powerful engine and a compact design that makes it suitable for tight spaces like roofs.
3. Does the Makita BHX2500CA have a variable speed control?
Yes, the Makita BHX2500CA has a variable speed control that allows the user to adjust the airspeed to suit the task at hand, making it a versatile and user-friendly tool.
Conclusion
In this Makita bhx2500ca review, we discussed the benefits and drawbacks of this four-stroke blower. We explained how the unbranded engine has some reported problems with smoking and vapor locks in the fuel line, primarily if the machine is not held horizontal when in use.
Despite these drawbacks, this blower has sufficient power for smaller cleanup jobs at home or business. The low emissions and quiet operation are pluses for anyone with intermittent needs for a leaf blower.
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