It’s tough to mistake the iconic yellow and black color combination that identifies Cat products at a glance. They have a history in the realm of heavy equipment that goes back to the 19th century. Of course, the company has also entered the OPE market, where they’re producing gear like the 60V Cat 800 CFM Blower (DG651). That’s a pretty big number for a handheld unit, which piqued our interest. So, we got our hands on one and put it to the test.
Does this blower measure up to its name? To help you decide if this is the right tool for you, explore what we thought based on our experience.
Don’t miss our Best Leaf Blower Reviews and Best Backpack Leaf Blower Reviews lists!
Cat 800 CFM Blower Background
Beginning with the heart of this tool, the DG651 has a brushless, inline motor, powered by a 60V lithium-ion battery. Incidentally, this pack is compatible with all Cat outdoor equipment products.
Going back to the motor, you might be wondering what benefits accompany an inline design.
To keep things simple, an inline motor is more compact and, therefore, touts several advantages. It’s comparatively quiet, responsive, long-lasting, and lighter. The latter is particularly important on a handheld model like Cat’s 800 CFM blower. (You’ll see why later.)
Cat 800 CFM Blower Specs
- Model: Cat DG651
- Brushless motor
- 60V (5.0Ah) battery
- 3A charger
- Blowing force: 175 mph, 800 CFM
- Weight: 11.2 lbs
Moreover, the folks at Cat had told us that this motor is 40% more powerful than competing traditional brushless systems.
And the DG651 has other performance features that pair flexibility with function. Specifically, this model gives the operator the ability to switch between high volume and high power.
What’s the difference, you ask? We discuss that at length in our article on MPH vs. CFM, but essentially, volume equals coverage and control, while power involves your ability to move and dislodge.
And that brings us to how this blower performed in the field.
Cat 800 CFM Blower Performance
Power
Naturally, we have to start with power. To be blunt, the DG651 is a beast.
With the power dial set to the max (at 3), this tool had absolutely no trouble moving debris of just about any kind and amount. We’re talking about stuck-on leaves, stubborn cobwebs, large clumps of mulch, and wet clods of grass clippings.
Now, a lot of brands toss around CFM figures rather liberally, but with this model, you really feel it. Indeed, it’s unmistakable. The amount of coverage and control that this Cat blower puts out is every bit consistent with 800 CFM performance.
In one of our tests, we used a tractor to discharge ground-up grass and leaves along the driveway. What we saw pleased us.
In spite of a 12-mph headwind, the DG651 not only made quick work of the mess but also enabled us to guide the debris as if we had reigns on it. No doubt, you’ll appreciate that kind of performance when you’re removing leaves from your yard in the fall.
The bottom line here is that this tool’s power will not disappoint.
Battery
You know the old saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Take one look, and you’ll see that this blower’s 60V (5.0Ah) battery is big, and it’s heavy–nearly 7 pounds. (Try to imagine a lithium-ion patio paver.)
But, it’s also powerful and darned long-lasting.
As we do with all the equipment we test, we ran the DG651 at full blast for the entirety of almost every session. That’s about 20 minutes, cranked up to 3, our thumb smashing the Turbo button. On average, this abuse consumed less than half of a full battery.
This, in itself, paints a decidedly stark picture of real-world runtime.
Handling, Ergonomics, and Control
When it comes to handling, the Cat 800 CFM blower is something of a paradox. Like we said, the battery is notably heavy, accounting for roughly three-quarters of the tool’s 11.2-pound assembled weight.
Even so, this is perhaps one of the most comfortable, well-balanced handheld models we’ve tested in a long time. In spite of its beefy stern, the unit naturally drops to the perfect angle (about 30 degrees, nozzle down).
In fact, we were able to wield the DG651 with unexpected ease. And this went for the author’s 11-year-old son, who, likewise, gave the handling a resounding thumbs-up.
In terms of comfort, we experienced minimal wrist, elbow, or shoulder fatigue. This was due to both the balance and the handle design. The latter features contoured edges and a rubber overmolding that, together, greatly enhance grip.
Additionally, the controls were accessible and seamless; especially the Turbo button and trigger, which Cat positioned just right for the thumb and index finger.
The Bottom Line
As much as we like the DG651, there’s always room for improvement. Specifically, we’d prefer to see a variable speed trigger on future iterations.
All the same, this tool is a force to be reckoned with. Simply put, Cat built a blower that delivers true 800 CFM performance. Hands down.
That said, there’s no getting around the fact that the DG651 is hefty. The scale doesn’t lie. Nonetheless, its balance and ergonomics offset the weight, almost to where we didn’t notice it. (This is a relative point, so keep in mind that we’re speaking from our experience.)
In short, we can confidently say that this model has, in our estimate, reset the bar for high-performance handheld units. If you’re in the market for a replacement or an upgrade, the Cat 800 CFM leaf blower is worthy of your attention.
Cat 800 CFM Blower Price
The DG651 retails for $349.99 and comes as a kit that includes a 60V (5.0Ah) battery, and a 3 amp charger. Cat backs this tool with a 5-year limited warranty.
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