RB-60 Heavy-Duty Broadcast Spreader

The Echo RB-60 is built sturdy but is plagued with significant repair challenges that undermine its BIFL credentials.

• •Critical design flaw: The dispensing mechanism consistently clogs with material getting stuck between plates, causing major operational failures that users struggle to fix.
• •Poor accessibility: Multiple users report the riveted construction makes repairs extremely difficult, with one explicitly stating the handle is impossible to repair when the cable fails without breaking it.
• •Limited manufacturer support: Users experience frustrating interactions with Echo support, reporting warranties not being honored and no solutions offered for the known clogging issue.
• •Pneumatic tire issues: Despite being a praised feature, the tires require frequent maintenance with reports of air leakage and sealing problems.

Bottom line: While built with quality materials, the riveted construction and unfixable design flaws make this a poor long-term investment despite the 5-year warranty.

The Echo RB-60 looks like a tank but fights like a plastic toy soldier. Users upgrading from Scotts initially love the heavy-duty metal frame and pneumatic tires, calling it built like a tank and a family heirloom candidate. But then reality hits hard.

• •Fatal flaw: Fertilizer particles get wedged between the sliding plates, causing the gate to stick either OPEN (burning your lawn) or CLOSED (spreading nothing). Users report yanking and jerking backwards every 20ft just to keep it working.
• •Repair nightmare: When the control cable fails, the riveted construction makes it impossible to repair without breaking it. Echo's support reportedly won't honor warranties for the known clogging issue.
• •Tire troubles: Despite being a praised feature, the pneumatic tires arrive flat, won't hold air over seasons, and one user's rim literally exploded. No wheel bearings means it gets harder to push over time.

Bottom line: Could've been great, but the clogging mechanism kills it. For $150, you're buying frustration disguised as durability. The 5-year residential warranty sounds nice until you realize Echo won't fix the core design flaw.

Echo offers a relatively strong 5-year warranty for residential users, but only 90 days for commercial use. The coverage applies to defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

• •Coverage details: Includes parts and labor for defects, but requires repairs be done by authorized Echo service dealers.
• •Documentation required: Proof of purchase is mandatory for warranty service, with product registration strongly recommended.
• •User experiences: Multiple reviews indicate difficulty with warranty claims, with some users reporting that Echo refused to honor warranties for known design flaws.

Bottom line: The 5-year term is generous on paper, but real-world reports suggest Echo's warranty implementation has significant limitations when dealing with the spreader's common mechanical problems.

The Echo RB-60 receives highly polarized feedback from the BIFL community. Users initially praise its sturdy metal frame and pneumatic tires as a significant upgrade from plastic Scotts spreaders, but long-term satisfaction plummets due to critical design flaws.

• •Initial impressions: Built like a tank with solid construction and smooth rolling pneumatic tires compared to cheaper plastic alternatives.
• •Critical failure point: The dispensing mechanism consistently clogs as fertilizer granules get wedged between sliding plates, causing the gate to stick open or closed.
• •Repairability concerns: The riveted construction makes repairs difficult or impossible for homeowners, and Echo's customer service receives negative reports.

Bottom line: Despite looking and feeling like a BIFL product, the Echo RB-60 suffers from a fundamental design flaw that renders it unreliable after a few seasons, making it a disappointing investment for serious lawn care enthusiasts.