Open Association of Landscape Industries
Stihl the best?
Along with many on LJN I own a lot of Stihl kit (just ask my wife...). Have to say though, I'm getting a bit disillusioned.
As mentioned in a previous post, I waited weeks to get parts for my Stihl Kombi recently, and now I am seriously underwhelmed by my new HS81R hedgetrimmer.
After much debate went for the double-sided 30in blade and I'm struggling to work out what it's strengths are to be honest.
I don't think it gives a particularly fine cut, I don't like the balance of the machine (tip heavy) and I don't care what the stats/figures claim it is not on a par with my Kawasaki TH23 in terms of the strength of the cut for doing hedge reductions etc. Definitely seems down on power.
I also get a cleaner cut with my Kombi with the long-handled attachment.
In addition the starter buttons on the side and on the top are both tiny and are awkward to use with gloves on. The two throttle buttons aren't great either come to think of it.
I know a lot of you rate this machine, but I am interested to know, why?
Replies to This Discussion
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Brian www.mibservices.co.uk on -
I have a couple of stihl bits of kit, but i wouldn't rate them any better than my husqy, robin, kawasaki or echo kit, in fact i would agree 100% with you on parts and service for them. Echo parts can be a pest too but my echo kit has never broken down on me....... Yet !! But after 4 seasons of continual reliability, i couldnt complain really. My stihl needs fixing every season, usually carb issues every time !!! Personally i think stihl are way way over rated, over priced and well down on customer service and parts availability with having to wait for 14 days to get them. I will only buy stihl if its on sale or a good deal 2nd hand.
-
Permalink Reply by Colin Hunt on -
As I have mentioned in a past post, we have had trouble with our newer Stihl vac and wrecked 3 engines with fine dust somehow entering the engine. Stihl have replaced one, reconditioned one and we currently have one in for assessment. We have always used Sthil equipment and a vac/blower will normally last us 4 or 5 years. We put the problem down to a more powerful ‘suck’ blasting fine dust through the bag and being sucked though the air filter and into the engine. Stihl deny this, but they have recently bought out an upgraded air filter, which we are now using.
-
Permalink Reply by Chris @ Tidy Garden Company on -
I too am starting to become underwhelmed by the new Stihl kit
Seems like they just aren't trying anymore
Shame really
-
Permalink Reply by Mark on -
I have Honda, Tanaka, and Shindawia in my kit all have proved to be strong reliable stuff ;-) the only things I own from Sthil is a BR380 blower bought second hand this seems bullet proof and does the job although could sometimes use a bit more blow but for 99% of the time is ok and a MS260 chainsaw bought new when I did my tickets and that has proved to be rock solid and taken HUGE work loads in it's stride...
Folk won't stay brand loyal for long..in fact one faulty model can start the migration to other manufactures...maybe that's a good thing as it might readdress the balance of choice in the market place..competition is good ?
Cheers
Mark
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Stuart @ Eco Garden Maintenance on -
Get a Pellenc - no carb or petrol engine to wreck.
-
Permalink Reply by John on -
I didn't think that anybody used leaf blower in this way Colin. We have
always blown it into a pile and scooped it up into a 90 litre tub.
Colin Hunt said:As I have mentioned in a past post, we have had trouble with our newer Stihl vac and wrecked 3 engines with fine dust somehow entering the engine. Stihl have replaced one, reconditioned one and we currently have one in for assessment. We have always used Sthil equipment and a vac/blower will normally last us 4 or 5 years. We put the problem down to a more powerful ‘suck’ blasting fine dust through the bag and being sucked though the air filter and into the engine. Stihl deny this, but they have recently bought out an upgraded air filter, which we are now using.
-
Permalink Reply by tony h wall on -
I have to agree with all of you,i have some Stihl products and i'm not happy with them i.e ihave 2 blowers and for some reason the switches don't work had to reroute them and they don't like hot weather, as said in a previous thread i have a hedgetrimmer sat on the shelf never really used,big Kawasaki fan had them for years.
Phoned Stihl once to ask why the hedgetrimmer would not do a professional job and was told in not so many words "you can't complain about Stihl we are the best"
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gardens4u.co.uk on -
1. LONG REACH IS A FINER CUT , , BUT ISNT IT AWKWARD ?
2. IS THE HS81R LIGHTER OVERALL.
3. HS81R IS LONGER , THEREFORE QUICKER.
4. YOU DONT HAVE TO TAKE THE strimmer end off to use it !
5. its quieter? than a 4-mix
6. it has way ,way better anti-vibrations . ie less vibrations , so again you can use it for longer.
think ive reminded myself here also of the reasons i bought one. if you had an hs45 previous you would not be asking this question /post .....
the right kind of hedge and its an amazing machine. buy the 'T' version like paul (pro-guard) if you want a trimmer. for me the 'r' is most suitable as its all thicker/ rough hedges round here and can be hawthorn/holly etc sometimes.... im sure your Kawasaki was good, and i dont use the twisting handle much on stihl for sideways wrist use either....
its easier to put in your vehicle too :) please reply -
-
Permalink Reply by Andy Lawrence on -
I think the only point you raise which I would agree with is the lower vibrations.
The heavier weight is irrelevent because you hold the weight lower when cutting with the long-handled hedgetrimmer. It is actually much less strenuous.
Blade is longer on the 81R but I can still cut sides of hedge far more quickly with Kombi using a sweeping up and down action. Also, v importantly Kombi gives a far better cut.
I don't have to swap the engines around as I have four Kombi engines.
The noise is not an issue (good eardefenders and iphone with music playing mostly)
Easier to put in vehicle. LWB Transit, plenty of room, makes no odds to me.
Gardens4u.co.uk said:1. LONG REACH IS A FINER CUT , , BUT ISNT IT AWKWARD ?
2. IS THE HS81R LIGHTER OVERALL.
3. HS81R IS LONGER , THEREFORE QUICKER.
4. YOU DONT HAVE TO TAKE THE strimmer end off to use it !
5. its quieter? than a 4-mix
6. it has way ,way better anti-vibrations . ie less vibrations , so again you can use it for longer.
think ive reminded myself here also of the reasons i bought one. if you had an hs45 previous you would not be asking this question /post .....
the right kind of hedge and its an amazing machine. buy the 'T' version like paul (pro-guard) if you want a trimmer. for me the 'r' is most suitable as its all thicker/ rough hedges round here and can be hawthorn/holly etc sometimes.... im sure your Kawasaki was good, and i dont use the twisting handle much on stihl for sideways wrist use either....
its easier to put in your vehicle too :) please reply -
-
Permalink Reply by Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt on -
My not even a year old br600 magnum back pack blower was just retired by my machine shop and replaced with a tanaka that they supply my local authority with. They were going to become Stihl dealer several months ago but pulled out due to too many complaints about kit they had been sourcing and maintaining for customers for some time.
-
Permalink Reply by Andy Lawrence on
-
Interesting Neil,I'm starting to wonder if Stihl has taken its eye off the ball, in the same way Mercedes did in the auto industry a few years back.
The slow parts issue is really unforgiveable as far as I'm concerned.
Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt said:My not even a year old br600 magnum back pack blower was just retired by my machine shop and replaced with a tanaka that they supply my local authority with. They were going to become Stihl dealer several months ago but pulled out due to too many complaints about kit they had been sourcing and maintaining for customers for some time.
-
PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Dan Frazer Gardening on -
It's simply shocking and an awful reflection on a company like Stihl not to get involved when there is a public discussion like this. They are going to slowly cause their own demise.
© 2013 Landscape Juice ® Limited - Registered in England 08356644
Badges | Report an Issue | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
