> I've never seen [...] a 4 stroke leaf-blower.
I can't believe I'm responding to this, but ... John Deere makes them: the BH25LE is a top-seller, for about $220.
A 5KW generator is typically 8-9bhp (vs 1.8-2.3 for a handheld) and ~20dB noisier (85/65). One like my friend say, the Coleman Powermate Pro 5000 (street price: $1200), has a 337cc engine vs the 24.5cc (15x smaller!) of the BH25LE.
A break, I'd like.
/jordan