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I own a 4-stroke makita Blower (2501) and have found it brilliant, fuel efficient, quieter and as good as the BG86 in everything it does.
Thanks David,
This is what I am hearing more and more, Makita seem to have got their act together on the power tools front. All we need as companies are reliable tools that do the job without spending half their life getting fixed?
We have two of the old Stihl 400,s which are still totally brilliant and out performing the new products by a country mile...Stihl should stick with the old adage "if it aint broke dont fix it"
"if it aint broke dont fix it"
Isn't that part of manufacturers' problem? If a machine is too reliable then they don't sell spares.
I remember when Honda changed the design of the drive on many of their mowers, after which the dog clutch was always braking.
On the makita note - alot of their moving parts are based on old Sachs Dolmar engine components - The engine flywheel for example.
The fact I have a 1986 Chainsaw (Dolmar 120 ) which never fails and is a dream to use, is testimony to the build quality of some of that family of tools.
Thats right Phil, this is the dichotomy the manufactures have as a large percentage of their sales come from parts and spares.
I think Stihl on this particular product have tipped the scales too far because as we know they have some superb products this one does not do the job it was intended to do and need to be brave enough and admit it.
I ordered a viking mower 6 weeks ago. Still not here. Thinking of cancelling the order.
I have had no end of trouble over the last 4 years with the Stihl 410 saws to the extent I looked at replacing my saws with other brands but when I held them in my hands they did not feel as balanced as the Stihl
I tried the Makita and the Husvana
In the end I purchased 2 new Stihl 410's in November last year, both still in the box one I bought from a supplier and the other off ebay and both have still not had a change of pull cord yet 9 months down the line
my older saws would of needed a new cord every 2 weeks maximum which I put down to the hole where the cord comes through was out of line slightly and the cord rubs on the casing, this is not happening on the newer model so I can only think this has been modified by Stihl
I had the exhaust fall off with one of the screws snapping inside the engine casing
air intake casing split
pull cords braking for fun
small parts inside the pull coil assembly breaking
recoil springs breaking
new petrol tank due to the nuts fixed into the injection moulding to hold the air filter cover in place spinning round due to a fault with the manufacture
and after all that I still purchased 2 more, that is because in my opinion there is no better saw to replace it at this present time and we use them every day some days for hours on end
I know that's not the answer you wanted to hear Trevor but that's where I am at with regards to cut off saws
I have today taken charge of both the latest 4stroke and 2stroke Makita saws and all i can say is feel very different to what i have known before in the world of saws. My guys instantly Liked the feel of the saw but as they say the proof is when you are bent double cutting for a few hours this will be the test. (Will let you know) i will work them hard next week.
The starting for one is superb, whatever they have done it works no need to hold the throttle in place any more three pumps and pull, and to start first pull is very unusual and this did just that.
The 4stroke is a big machine and yet to go in the field but sounds like no other saw i have used very quite and the thought of not having to mix must be a huge move forward in reliability stakes of burnt out barrells and pistons...one fuel for all plant on site that has got to be good.
I have been told these saws are guaranteed for 3 years you have to be pretty confident to give out a guarantee that long. I will post a picture for you to see and let you know how we go on.
I agree The Husky was just not there in handle and feel stakes and did not warm to it at all, without doubt like i said Stihl are not market leaders for no reason but they have some superb tools but have a donkey with this last batch of saws and this is happened when they changed the design and carb to comply with the American emission laws.
I will update next week after a hard weeks cutting.
The two contenders 4stroke Makita V 2stoke Stihl the difference in size is noticeable but users say not an issue...the Americans love it according to their forums but everything in America has to be bigger i am told.
I know this will never happen but if only Stihl could of added the anti vibration to the tried and tested TS400, we used that model for well over 10 years with no problems what so ever other than maybe a pull cord would break 2 - 3 times a year
the issue now is once you have used the anti vibration of the TS410 you can't go back to the TS400 as its shakes your body to bits - I kept my TS400 for 2 years just in case and finally sold it when I kicked it up just to see if it would still start
no problem starting it but the vibration run through your body, I use to endure this all day some days only stopping to full up with fuel but like everyone else we was no wiser back then as it was the best there was available at that time
thank goodness for progress eh :-)
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