Lawn Equipment - STIHL

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ForumMFG

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Does anyone own any STIHL products?

I just purchased a new home, in fact while I was at the training class I had to step out a couple times to renegotiate the price and finally we settled on a selling price at Festool.  Anyway, I don't have any equipment and STIHL is having a 20% off sale this Monday.  I want to take advantage of it.  I figured with what I want to buy I can save close to $150 bucks. 

I want to buy:
STIHL - Trimmer
STIHL - Hedge Trimmer
STIHL - blower

Does anyone have any experience with this company?  If so, what do you think of them and what has your experience been?  Also, is this an American engineered and made company?

I've been looking at push reel lawn mowers.  There is a German company called Brill that makes them, does anyone own this push reel or know about Brill?  Their blades stay sharp for 8-12 years!

Thanks guys.

-Dave
 
Dave,

Stihl products are great.  German firm.  Many of the products are manufactured in Virginia Beach, VA.  I have several and have used others in the past.  The only brand that I will buy.  Kind of like Festool.  You pay more up front, but if you take care of them they will outlive the competition.  My string trimmer is the FS80R which is at the breaking point of heavy duty homeowner / light commercial.  It happens to be the same one that many of the lawn maintenance companies use.  I also have a backpack blower, but that is probably overkill for most people.  

Just a little tip.  When you get done using your tools, clean off the area around the gas cap and pour the remaining fuel back into the storage container.  Then start your tool back up and let it run out of gas.  Saves maintenance dollars by keeping your carb and fuel lines clean.

Peter

 
I have a STHIL trimmer model FS45 and a STIHL BLOWER model BG55 and use them quite a bit.

Have used other brands and prefer STIHL - if it's any help.

If your going to use them for a long time - go for the good stuff which is STIHL.
 
Dave,

I have a friend that is a fruit farmer and has to trim thousands of trees each year.  I can't remember the exact numbers but I remember him saying once (years ago) that his Stihl chainsaws outlasted McCullogh saws something like 8 to 1.  Great equipment.  You won't be sorry once you get over the pain of writing the check.

Fred
 
Thanks guys..

I was not trying to play dumb by asking if it was American engineered.  I had no Idea that it was Germain.  I feel alot better.  Even before I got into Festool I was big on buying German products.

Steve, you have the BG 55?  Thats what I am going to get as well.  What do you think of it?

Peter,
What do you find is the easiest way to empty the gas? If you have any other tricks, let me know.  I've been trying to find a forum to talk about Stihl and lawn products in general.

I am also going to get the HS45 Hedge Trimmers and the FS55R trimmers.

Again,  Thanks for all your input.  I think I know what I am going to do. ;)
 
Dave,

I really like the BG 55 -  and it's very easy to use.

I've had it for almost 3 years and except for changing the spark plug and draining the gas each fall it has really been great.

Steve

 
The best way to deal with gas in 2 cycles is to not add more than you will use in a session.  Hard to do.  When I was running a crew for a tree removal company, we used to clean the exterior of the tool in the vicinity of the gas cap with a rag.  Then remove the cap.  It has a tether so you will need to hold it out of the way as you pour it back into the original gas can.  Then just close everything up, start your tool and let it run out.

If you are looking at the hedge trimmer, just wanted to let you know that they tend to be a little more finicky than the other Stihl products.

Peter
 
I have owned a number of Stihl 2 cycle machines.  Some for as long as 17 years and ticking.  They last with minimal service and perform well.  I won't buy any other brand if Stihl makes it. 
 
I have an old Stihl chainsaw and it is has been a workhorse!

You will be very happy with your purchase.

Good Luck
Dan Clermont
 
peter halle said:
The best way to deal with gas in 2 cycles is to not add more than you will use in a session.  Hard to do.  When I was running a crew for a tree removal company, we used to clean the exterior of the tool in the vicinity of the gas cap with a rag.  Then remove the cap.  It has a tether so you will need to hold it out of the way as you pour it back into the original gas can.  Then just close everything up, start your tool and let it run out.

If you are looking at the hedge trimmer, just wanted to let you know that they tend to be a little more finicky than the other Stihl products.

Peter
Click to expand...

What do you suggest I get?
 
Anything that I have looked at is gas..  I can't stand electric corded lawn equipment.  Can you imagine those people with a electric mower?  I know they make them cordless now but you would of had to lug a cord with you the whole day.
 
First of all, I realized that I didn't congratulate you on your new home.  I moved into my first home 16 years ago and am still there.

Gas hedge trimmers are in my opinion one of the most overused tools and incorrectly used tools.  They are designed for sheering hedges.  They get used for sheering shrubs that don't like to be sheared.  The result is unhappy and unhealthy plants.  Don't know what situation you will have and type / quantity of plants you will have, but you may want to hold off on this until you get moved in and settled.  Just my advice.  I have a manual set of hedge clippers for the little bit of shearing I need to do and have hand pruners for the rest.  I bought my gas trimmer ( Echo) years ago to deal with large quantities of decorative grass (6' tall) to clean up at the end of winter.  Now I use my chainsaw for that.

Peter
 
Peter,

Regarding yor comment above.  Can you take a look at the pictures below and tell me if a hedge trimmer would be suitable for these bushes?  I have the same ones in the back of the house.  Can you also point me in theright direction for resources on how to know which bushes I can take a hedge trimmer to and how to use it correctly?
 
No that was the inspectors van, I walked the house with him while he was inspecting.. We are not moving in until Nov. 15th and the home still has the owner living in it.  When we move in there will be 2 cars parked outside because of my shop.  My wife argued about this one with me for a while.. I told her you can have the basement and 2 of the 4 bedrooms to do your thing in as long as I have the garage.  She took it but she's also going to make me start her car in the moning and remove the ice and snow when winter hits.  I'm okay with that, I should do that anyway.  As long as I have the whole garage to myself!
 
Congrats on the new house.

I guess I'll be the only one to not recommend Stihl. They are fine products though.

I prefer Echo and have never had to replace either a string-trimmer, stick-edger, or blower. I originally bought a Stihl blower, but it failed after two years. ALL of the lawn crews in my area use Echo, as did the crews back in Oklahoma. My cousin runs lawn service, and has used Echo for two decades without complaints.

Good luck with the new property!
 
Dave:

Here is a link that may be helpful.  Generally, prune to maintain the natural shape of the tree or shrub.  Shear for formal look.  You will end of needing stuff besides a gas hedge trimmer.  Start off with regular old hedge shears and next year reevaluate and buy gas if needed.  I don't think that you will need the gas version but us guys do like our toys.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-4.pdf

Peter
 
Thanks for the tips.  You still didn't answer my question.  Is a hedge trimmer even recommended on those types of bushes and shrubs in the pictures?
 
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