Replies to This Discussion

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary Hedges on March 5, 2011 at 18:34

Would like to know the answer to this.
If a sharp clean finish is required I use hand shears.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary Hedges on March 5, 2011 at 19:03

Stihl recommend the HS T models for fine precise work, has anyone experience of these?

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Permalink Reply by GORDON on March 5, 2011 at 19:22

Agree with Paul except I use an Echo.  I also have a Stihl HS86 R but the steel in the Echo is a better quality IMO, stays sharper for longer.

 

No matter what you use the key is sharp and adjusted blades plus, IMO moving the blades slowly across the work on the final pass.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary Hedges on March 5, 2011 at 19:34

Had a look at the pics Paul but I would not class them as fine, manicured hedges. I run a stihl HS 81 r and a tanaka both regularly sharpened etc but I have a couple of hedges where the customers are fanatical about trimming, I find only hand shears give a satisfactory finish.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance on March 5, 2011 at 20:06

Got to disagree with you here paul.

R stands for rough cutter. (i think!!)

And T stands for trimmer.

The T version has more strokes per minute for a more defined sharper cut.

So if it is for a more defined, perfectly trimmed hedge i would go for the stihl 86, or 81 T.

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

No need the R is fine and more versatile...... If the r was not up to the  task  of a clean cut I would get a T model but no need...... IMO a gimick of stihl.

 

all the hedge pics in my photo page were done with an 86R.

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Permalink Reply by GORDON on March 5, 2011 at 20:23

Hi Steve

 

I am more or less in the same camp as Paul. As stated I have the Echo equivalent of the Stihl H model and unless I had  actually used it on fine work with its slower speed I would not have appreciated it, it just does the job. As I also said you may need to go a little slower on the final pass and I don't like working slow. But all in all it works as a multi purpose tool without compromise.
Steve Wilkinson said:

Got to disagree with you here paul.

R stands for rough cutter. (i think!!)

And T stands for trimmer.

The T version has more strokes per minute for a more defined sharper cut.

So if it is for a more defined, perfectly trimmed hedge i would go for the stihl 86, or 81 T.

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

No need the R is fine and more versatile...... If the r was not up to the  task  of a clean cut I would get a T model but no need...... IMO a gimick of stihl.

 

all the hedge pics in my photo page were done with an 86R.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Newman on March 5, 2011 at 21:04

Hi,

 

I like to use the 86T for formal hedges, yews, topiarys, and evergreens. i save the 81r for cutting back overgrown hedges and on reductions. This way i can be sure the fine cut trimmer is always sharp for the 'neat' stuff, then it doesn't matter so much also if the 81r blade is dulled during the rougher work.

The Kawasaki trimmers run at higher revs which may be the market stihl were aiming at with their t version, and the tanaka/ hitachi have sharpened blade tips for a sawing motion which i thought looked great and may save some effort on my reductions?

 

Didn't like the weight of the echo although it's the most powerful machine on the market it's also the most expensive allowing for initial cost and parts and servicing.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on March 5, 2011 at 21:11

i cant see the 't' can be any better paul either ................  it could even miss bits between blades as 'r' are wider gap?     mine are better than my hs45?  and they were trimmers .

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

I know what it stands for, have you tried the two though?

 

Steve Wilkinson said:

Got to disagree with you here paul.

R stands for rough cutter. (i think!!)

And T stands for trimmer.

The T version has more strokes per minute for a more defined sharper cut.

So if it is for a more defined, perfectly trimmed hedge i would go for the stihl 86, or 81 T.

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

No need the R is fine and more versatile...... If the r was not up to the  task  of a clean cut I would get a T model but no need...... IMO a gimick of stihl.

 

all the hedge pics in my photo page were done with an 86R.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Chris Auld on March 5, 2011 at 21:19

I would have to disagree Paul, I have both of them and find the 81t gives a more precise cut and is also noticably lighter making it more manouverable. I only use the 81r if i really have to.

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

No need the R is fine and more versatile...... If the r was not up to the  task  of a clean cut I would get a T model but no need...... IMO a gimick of stihl.

 

all the hedge pics in my photo page were done with an 86R.

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Permalink Reply by Paul @ Ashgate Garden Care on March 5, 2011 at 21:22

I use a HS86r generally and save my HS81T for topiary.

I can tell a difference in the finish.

If I feel the job requires it and also to finish off broad leaf bushes such as holly and laurel to avoid cut leaves I usually resort to my shears and secateurs.

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Norfolk on March 5, 2011 at 21:37

I'm amazed that Gary can get a better finish on a hedge using hand shears..... I find completely the opposite! Surely, you must get so many more cuts on an area using a cutter compared to shears, the final result must be better? The only time I find shears to be better is cutting "ball" shapes.

I've an HS86r and an 86t and both of them give a great finish to a hedge........ the 86t though has the disadvantage that it doesn't like going through thicker stuff so you're a bit limited to its use.

 

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance on March 5, 2011 at 21:47

Didnt suggest you didnt know what it meant paul.

Yes tried them both and a whole lot of different hedge cutters over the years.

I also prefer the R due to the type of work i do.

But there are differences and maybe `the dirty digger` might appreciate the differences and may help form a more imformed decision on what trimmer to buy.

I suggest dirthdigger, you take a look on stihl website to see the differences in the two trimmers to gaige what one would be better for you.

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

I know what it stands for, have you tried the two though?

 

Steve Wilkinson said:

Got to disagree with you here paul.

R stands for rough cutter. (i think!!)

And T stands for trimmer.

The T version has more strokes per minute for a more defined sharper cut.

So if it is for a more defined, perfectly trimmed hedge i would go for the stihl 86, or 81 T.

Paul @ PPCH Services said:

No need the R is fine and more versatile...... If the r was not up to the  task  of a clean cut I would get a T model but no need...... IMO a gimick of stihl.

 

all the hedge pics in my photo page were done with an 86R.

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