Fall 2025 Buyers Guide: What Customers Want to Know
When the leaves start falling and projects gear up before winter, one big question comes to mind for many homeowners, farmers, contractors: Do I have the right equipment for the season?
At M&R Power Equipment, we hear from customers every day about what works best for their property or job site in the fall. To make your decision easier, we've pulled together answers to the most frequently asked questions about power tools, tractors, and more.
Leaf Blowers
1. Gas or Battery - Which is better?
This is the #1 question. Gas blowers (BG Models) pack more raw power and longer runtime, which is great for large properties and wet, heavy leaves. Battery options (BGA Models) are quieter, easier to maintain, and have an effortless start/stop function. The best choice depends on the size of your property and how often you'll use it. Stihl has many options in gas and battery, because each customer's needs are different.
2. What's more important: CFM or MPH?
Think of CFM (cubic feet per minute) as volume and MPH (miles per hour) as speed. Higher CFM moves more leaves at once; higher MPH helps lift stuck or wet debris. Most customers need a balance of both.
3. Backpack or Handheld?
Backpack blowers are more comfortable for long jobs and larger spaces and have higher airflow (CFM). Handheld models are lighter and easier to grab for cleanups.
4. How long will the battery last?
Most batteries provide 30-60 minutes of runtime, and higher-capacity batteries are available. Plus, STIHL batteries are interchangeable across multiple tools, so your blower, trimmer, and hedge trimmer can share the same power source.
5. When should I choose Billy Goat over a handheld or backpack blower?
If you are maintaining a large property, sports field, or commercial site, a Billy Goat blower moves leaves faster than any backpack unit. Your back will also be happy as the weight is pushed rather than carried. Many homeowners also choose Billy Goat blowers to cut leaves cleanup time in half.
Customer Favorites
STIHL BG 56 C-E: Easy2Start system, affordable handheld blower, comfortable to use.
STIHL BGA 57: Quiet, lightweight, great for residential use.
STIHL BR 600: High-performance, fuel efficient, extremely popular with landscapers.
Billy Goat F1302: Super powerful, designed for commercial or municipal leaf cleanup
Beyond Blowers
1. What’s the difference between a Billy Goat Blower and a Billy Goat Vacuum?
A blower pushes leaves and debris into piles for faster cleanup while a vacuum (like the KV or MV Series) sucks up and bags leaves, mulch, and litter, which is great for people who don’t want to rake or haul piles by hand.
2. What are Billy Goat Debris Loaders used for?
Debris loaders are designed for large scale cleanups – they shred and vacuum leaves into a truck or trailer, reducing the volume by up to 12:1. Landscapers love them because they save time, dump runs, and labor.
3. Are Billy Goat Vacuums only for lawns?
No, they work for multiple terrains including driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and even turf areas like sports fields. Different models (KV, MV, QV) are built for different surfaces or property sizes.
4. Do Billy Goat Vacuums mulch the leaves?
Yes, Billy Goat Vacuums have steel impellers that shred and reduce the leaf volume, so you can fit a lot more into the bag and spend less time dumping.
Tractors & Property Equipment
1. What size Kubota tractor do I need?
Sub Compact (BX Series): Ideal for 1–5-acre homeowners who want versatility in mowing, landscaping, and light loader work.
Compact (B or L Series): Perfect for larger properties or those who need power for attachments like loaders, box blades, and snow equipment.
Utility (MX and up): Designed for farms, livestock, and heavy-duty applications.
2. What attachments are useful in fall?
Kubota tractors are known for their versatility. Popular seasonal attachments include:
-Front loaders for moving mulch, soil, or gravel
-Rear blades for driveway maintenance
-Tillers for prepping gardens for fall planting
3. Should I buy New or Used?
New Kubotas come with warranty protection and financing options like KTAC. Used Kubotas are a strong value choice too, and are always inspected and serviced by our certified technicians at M&R.
Other Brands
Ferris FB1000 Hurricane Stand-on Blower: Faster than a walk-behind, great for maneuverability
Stinger Quad AER 3000: Heavy Duty, low maintenance, and smooth riding for the ultimate aerator.
Cub Cadet Leaf Collecter: Affordable, homeowner focused vacuum that picks up large volume of leaves quickly
Visit us this season and let our team match you with the perfect fall equipment solution!