Greenworks GBB700 Dual 82V Backpack Blower

Coming soon to the commercial outdoor power equipment market, the Greenworks GBB700 Dual 82V Backpack Blower looks to provide enough power, runtime, and noise reduction to compete with gas-powered models. To that end, the commercial division of the North Carolina-based company recently announced that their new blower will have the features that landscapers, turf management crews, and golf maintenance crews require. Greenworks claims that their new backpack blower, running off two 82V batteries, will push 690 CFM at 165 mph. Plus, in what should be a pretty welcome addition to the battery line, the GBB700 will include the company’s Power Station design.

From Greenworks Commercial

“As we continue to evolve our distributor relationships throughout North America to ensure that professionals have access to our award-winning tools at their favorite dealers, we push forward with new and exciting technologies that will make the workday more productive and less strenuous. For 2018, we’ve put a focus on providing innovative battery management solutions to increase the amount of productivity users can get on the job site.  The new Dual Battery Port Backpack Blower provides users with optimal performance to get tough jobs completed in a forward-thinking, green way, with double the run-time of previous models.”

-Chris Allen, President of Greenworks North America

Highlights 

I’ll start out saying that, yes, 690 CFM and 165 mph is pretty solid, especially for a cordless blower. Plus, users can customize their performance and power settings via variable speed trigger, cruise control lever, and turbo button for extra umph. As exciting as these numbers look for cordless performance, they really aren’t the only thing worth talking about with the Greenworks GBB700.

This new blower also features Greenworks’ patented Automatic Battery Switch-Over feature. Basically, the system runs off one battery at a time. When one battery runs out of juice, the system automatically switches from the dead battery to the live one. This means uninterrupted runtime for the user. Plus, if it helps to know, these 82V batteries charge up in about a half an hour.

It also features Greenworks’ Power Station feature. Basically, if you need to run any other tool on the 82V platform, you can disconnect the motor housing and tube from the backpack. This allows the user to plug in and power the Greenworks 82V edger or string trimmer, or whatever other tools might benefit from some extended runtime. Basically, the backpack functions as a mobile power source without adding weight to the tool in your hand.

Final Thoughts

The power that the new Greenworks GBB700 Backpack Blower can generate is a step up from many other cordless models, to be sure. 690 CFM and 165 mph is nothing to shake a stick at. However, despite the company’s claims, these numbers can’t quite touch the numbers that pro level gas blowers put up. The tradeoff here, though, is a significant reduction in noise. So, while the blower might not perform quite like a professional gas model, you can use it during times where gas power just isn’t viable.

Incorporating a tethering system, whereby users can run their other Greenworks Commercial tools off of the dual battery backpack, is a smart move. We’re seeing more and more manufacturers move in that direction, and it does help make a stronger case for switching to cordless. Some might argue that lugging around a backpack takes some of the novelty away from a platform that relies on lightweight convenience, but to truly compete with gas power, cordless tools need to generate a lot more power and runtime. Essentially daisy-chaining two 82V batteries together can only help with that.

Greenworks GBB700 Features

• Axial fan design providing up to 690CFM/165 MPH
• Brushless motor delivering more power, quieter operation and longer life
• Dual Battery Port with automatic switchover for 2x run-time
• Power Station Capabilities let users power their whole line of equipment off the same backpack
• Cruise Control, Variable Speed Trigger and Turbo Button provide customized performance
• 50% less noise than gas protects your hearing and allows earlier starts without disrupting clients
• 10x less vibration than gas reduces user fatigue
• Available April 15th
• MSRP: $249 for the bare tool

Greenworks Dual 82V Backpack Blower Specs