This here is the new Ridgid 18V Gen5X “jobsite blower.” That’s right, it’s not a leaf blower, it’s not a lawn & garden tool, it’s not a clippings pusher out of the wayer. It’s a jobsite blower. *Grunt grunt grunt.*
The new jobsite blower, model R860430B, joins Ridgid’s growing Gen5X cordless power tool lineup, which launched earlier this year.
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It’s designed for blowing dust and debris out of your garage, workshop, or elsewhere. Ridgid says that it will make jobsite cleanup easier than ever.
Features & Specs
- “Best in class” airflow (280 CFM)
- 0-100 MPH air velocity
- 0-11,000 RPM fan speed
- 20 minutes of runtime with a 4.0Ah battery pack
- Compact size for reaching into tight spaces
- Variable speed trigger
- Hex Grip handle texture for user comfort
Price: $79
ETA: Sept 2015
Battery and charger are sold separately.
Buy Now(Gen5X tools via Home Depot)
First Thoughts
What I hate about tools like this is that I can never visualize how big or small they are. Ridgid says that the new 18V Gen5X jobsite air blower is “compact” and able to each tight spaces. But to me it looks closer in size to Dewalt’s outdoor 20V Max air blower than their itty bitty jobsite air blower (check out our Dewalt cordless power tool preview for pics and details) or Milwaukee’s M18 air blower.
*Shrug* let’s just call this a medium-sized blower, shall we?
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I don’t think I have a particularly strong interest in this tool (I can’t use everything), but I really like it nonetheless. Why? Because it’s an indication that Ridgid, or rather TTI, is really pushing forward with the new Ridgid 18V Gen5X cordless tool platform.
Right now, there’s the 5-piece drill, impact driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw, and LED worklight combo, a hybrid fan, a random orbit sander, and a flex-neck dual-mode LED worklight. Oh, and let’s not forget the new Ridgid Hypderdrive brushless cordless nailers!
While a jobsite blower might not seem like much, except to those who could really use it, it’s a step forward. This is a very optimistic time to be a Ridgid power tool fan.
James F.
Right under the trigger there is a spot for the battery I think.
Stuart
Yes, that’s where the battery goes, but it still doesn’t help me to visualize the size. It looks like a medium to large sized blower to me, and not really what I would consider “compact.”
Jon
There is a very small segment of the market that may find this useful. Come on Ridgid, it can’t be that hard to slap your name on a bunch of Ryobi tools!
Nathan
I give them credit for being a bit more selective and higher capability. I mean sure they could make orange version of the green stuff easily – or they can make orange versions of the red stuff. Which I think they attempt more often.
meanwhile I have to ask. do people actually use stuff like this. I hate blowers – other than using a air hose to clean metal frag off me or the like.
cleaning out the garage – I vacuum most and sweep some. it easier – I don’t have crap floating in the air around me – and more often than not I’ve now collected those screws or whatever the smurf I lost last month working on ___________.
even for grass and stuff on the driveway etc – I vac it not blow it. don’t want that crap floating around settling on the car or just laying out in the middle of the street for 2 weeks.
meh – I admit I am odd though.
fred
Each of our installation trucks had a corded blower stowed away. We’d try to set up on most residential jobs on a driveway or paved area – but sometimes the lawn was the only available spot. At the end of the day, we’d rake, sweep and vacuum what we could – but ultimately the blower would come out. A decent cordless blower would have been much appreciated.
Jon
Agreed on being selective and higher capacity but there must be a few more tools they could pound out for us! I’m just bitter/jealous because I walk into HD and see so many Ryobi tool options and so few 18v Ridgid tool options. Much love to Ridgid and their lifetime warranty!
Chris
I picked up the 18V Milwaukee blower BECAUSE of its compact size, and that it had a rubber nozzle attachment. Perfect for blow drying a car after washing because it can get everything out of the nooks and crannies and the rubber nozzle has less of a chance of scratching
I bought the Ryobi 18V blower because its on clearance and the battery and charger it came with are worth more than the clearance price. I dont anticipate using the blower itself, though….I think the size vs power ratio isnt that great, Id rather just use my backpack.
Richard G.
Looks like three and a half size of a battery in length and same in height. Pretty compact I’d say. I got myself a Milwaukee one, because it was on sale for $40 and I am glad that I did, it is powerfull enough to get those stubborn leaves out of the grass. Not a full size power but enough for a quick clean up. Would I pay $80 for it? Not sure but I like the rubber tip on a two piece pipe and a compctness of it, compare to the other cordless blowers . I also bought myself a Ridgid Hybrid fan and I love it! Cudos to the Ridgid, looks like they are on a right path with their Gen5x tools line. I see them with even greater tools in the next two -three years and taking a niche between a Milwaukee and a Makita/ Dewalt lines.
Mahalo
It’s ready to blow jobsites away, apparently. If they had simply thrown the battery into the photo, you’d get a better sense of scale. *sigh*
Stuart
All of the photos in the press release were sans battery. They do this so that readers don’t mistakenly think it comes with a battery. I figured that, since it’s planned for release this month, I’ll grab an application photo or two off Home Depot’s site once the product page goes live.
I can imagine it with a battery, but still – my mind refuses to visualize how big or small the blower is. It’s the strangest thing, as I’m typically good at visualizing size and scale. For this I might just really need a photo with a person in it, or even just their hand, to visualize how big this would be in my hand.
I think maybe it’s the unconventional open handle that’s contributing to my visualization troubles.
John
I want one! But I need the battery and charger so I’ll wait for a deal.
firefly
This is a sensible addition to the Ridgid line up. Their line up is looking more and more attractive…
I have the 58v echo that I love to use to blow dry stuffs after I hose them down. I also have a bit of a groove in front of the garage that tend to catch water if I hose down the garage, the blower does a wonderful job of clearing that water.
Sean
It looks pretty freaking compact. I think the other poster’s comment about 3.5x the battery length is accurate.
Based on the CFMs, it certainly isn’t heavy duty and could be made pretty compactly. It could probably move plenty of jobsite debris around easily (albeit slowly) but isn’t going to suffice on blowing your yard: it could probably be done very slowly and with multiple batteries.
I have no need for this, but I see keep the Gen5 tools coming! It’d be nice if it could replace my Ego 56V blower, but I really don’t think an 18V system is designed to do that. I love the Ego blower, but can’t pull the trigger on the rest of the line (because of both money and the lack of an attachment-capable trimmer).
Morten
I have the Ego 56V blower and it could literally blow this away. That said, I have the gen 5x 5 tool package, and this qualified me for $150 off. It is great for blowing out the garage and the outside furniture.
I love that I can use the batteries and charger that I already have. It is not nearly as powerful as the Ego 56V, and the batteries last and last. You have to hold ON to the Ego when you hit Turbo, but the weight and balance is so perfect on the Ridgid.
I cleaned out my garage and driveway and the battery still showed full with a 4.0 ahr battery.
Not a toy, but it’s not going to compete with an Ego which is like the Tesla of leafblowers.
I love my Ridgid 18v blower for the price!
David C
My contractor brought one to my house when they were doing some repair on my roof. They used it to blow off sawdust on the shingles and to blow off shingle grit after repairing the roof. It was better than taking a broom to the shingles and did not remove the good shingle material. Only removed the loose material. It was light, quick and efficient. When bringing tools up on a second story roof one needs to think about the weight of having to haul tools up and down.
I watched as it was used. Only needed it for a few minutes and one battery was enough.
It was quiet and I would recommend this tool. I own Ridgid 18v tools and was impressed with this tool.
David