Stihl interesting

[jmbfestool]

When I had a look at the Stihl lawn mower when googling I instantly disregarded the Sthil.

Reason was because it wasn't orange.  To me it was like them saying we made this but it's crap so we are to embarrassed to have it associated with the brand colour

Plus it doesn't look anything special.

The ego I read good reviews and the 56v was interesting and 6ah

Yet stihls hand held cordless tools seem well made and are orange!! I client I work for has the cordless trimmers. I didn't use it just had a feel and seems well made.

Yet it's a lot more expensive than the EGO.  I like te Ego mower so from that one would assume the hedge trimmer would be good also.  I would have to get my hands on one before buying.

I think Stihl might be the way to go though.

I think ego and Stihl should join together so they can produce a complete range which is useful and not just a couple of good and bads tools.

It's almost like the companies decide to spend a lot of money in producing a good tool or a couple and then people have bought into the product line and so buy the others tools to find they are not as good but it's to late. 

 

[Kev]

[member=5671]jmbfestool[/member] agreed !

The other cordless Stihl I wouldn't rush out to buy is the trimmer (either of the two). I've got the larger one, but it's no substitute for my petrol trimmer. The problem is likely more the way I use them though (I'm more terraform than trim when I use it!)

From the videos I've seen, I think the Stihl blower would beat the EGO, but battery life on a cordless blower is going to be pants either way! ... unless you're carrying a LOT of juice about with you.

 

[DB10]

There is some good deals on Stihl products, down under at the moment.
  I ordered up a new petrol chain saw last week and Sthil are giving away a free pair of protective trousers (pants) worth $200 bucks and a case for the saw worth another $90. Not sure if this deal includes the cordless range.
  Every time my Sthil tools fire up easily as opposed to the cheap gear that doesn't, I remind myself it was worth paying the extra for.

 

[Kev]

There is some good deals on Stihl products, down under at the moment.
  I ordered up a new petrol chain saw last week and Sthil are giving away a free pair of protective trousers (pants) worth $200 bucks and a case for the saw worth another $90. Not sure if this deal includes the cordless range.
  Every time my Sthil tools fire up easily as opposed to the cheap gear that doesn't, I remind myself it was worth paying the extra for.

Couldn't help myself - tried to buy a bigger chainsaw today and get rid of my trusty old MS170. Also intended to grab the 36V Arborist. I succeeded on the Arborist, but the guy simply told me not to buy a bigger chainsaw [sad]

So annoying when you confront someone with both integrity and common sense in sales ... He could have easily made $2K+ today instead of $700, but I'll keep going back like a spawning salmon [big grin]

Despite all of my anti Bunnings feelings, I did the unbelievable today ... I rushed in before closing and grabbed the cheapest Ozito shredder on the floor (well, at $309 it was $50 cheaper that the only other offering - a Ryobi). If it does what it did today another two or three times, I don't even care if I throw it away - it's not terrible. I would have needed a skip otherwise for what I've now got into three large wheelie bins !!

You're never to old to learn new tricks.

 

[Stephen B]

There is some good deals cccc

........

Despite all of my anti Bunnings feelings, I did the unbelievable today ... I rushed in before closing and grabbed the cheapest Ozito shredder on the floor (well, at $309 it was $50 cheaper that the only other offering - a Ryobi). If it does what it did today another two or three times, I don't even care if I throw it away - it's not terrible. I would have needed a skip otherwise for what I've now got into three large wheelie bins !!

You're never to old to learn new tricks.

[size=13pt]
Mmmmmmmmm!  [eek] You know what I cannot say Kev on a public forum.
Signed the Leprechaun.  [smile][size=8pt]
[member=13058]Kev[/member]

 

[DB10]

There is some good deals on Stihl products, down under at the moment.
  I ordered up a new petrol chain saw last week and Sthil are giving away a free pair of protective trousers (pants) worth $200 bucks and a case for the saw worth another $90. Not sure if this deal includes the cordless range.
  Every time my Sthil tools fire up easily as opposed to the cheap gear that doesn't, I remind myself it was worth paying the extra for.

Couldn't help myself - tried to buy a bigger chainsaw today and get rid of my trusty old MS170. Also intended to grab the 36V Arborist. I succeeded on the Arborist, but the guy simply told me not to buy a bigger chainsaw [sad]

So annoying when you confront someone with both integrity and common sense in sales ... He could have easily made $2K+ today instead of $700, but I'll keep going back like a spawning salmon [big grin]

Despite all of my anti Bunnings feelings, I did the unbelievable today ... I rushed in before closing and grabbed the cheapest Ozito shredder on the floor (well, at $309 it was $50 cheaper that the only other offering - a Ryobi). If it does what it did today another two or three times, I don't even care if I throw it away - it's not terrible. I would have needed a skip otherwise for what I've now got into three large wheelie bins !!

You're never to old to learn new tricks.

You sir have a lot more patience than I do.  I bought a Mcculloch garden shredder over 3 years ago with the idea of never having to buy garden mulch ever again. The shredder works well and is good, but boy are they slow and noisy, hours later and only one bag of garden mulch to show, hence the shredder hasn't been out of the shed in two years. Might be time to see if my son would like to earn some extra pocket money!

 

[semenza]

I have been behind the times.  I was not aware that there are battery type chainsaws. VERRRRYYYYY interesting.

For years, i have using all sizes of chainsaws.  the problem has been that the longer i am 39, the harder it gets for me to start them, to say nothing about my back pains from holding on to them.  I always carry a chainsaw in my truck when out snow plowing. That and an armstrong powered snow plow with a hickory boom.  For years, i carried a small Echo that was adequate for emergencies and for tree work.  It always started on first pull in warm weather.  In the cold, i sometimes need three pulls before it made noise on its own.  The last time i took it into the shop for repair, parts were no longer available (I think i had been using that saw since I was 37 :)  I replaced it with a slightly larger model of the same brand.  That saw I cannot start in the cold weather.  Most of the problem with that is that since I turned 39, it is impossible for me to pull the cord once the temp drops below 50º.  I can not find much snow to push when temp gets above 50º.

Even when i store the saw at the floor heater in my truck, i can no longer pull that cord once the cold air hits (the saw/not me).

I will start looking into cordless chain saws, or even reciprocating pruning saws.  I plan to keep working until i am 40, so a cordless saw will be handy to me for at least a few more years.  maybe even after retirement.

This discussion has been very enlightening so far.  Thanks guys.
Tinker

      You may want to have a look at the Stihl saws with the Easy2Start feature.  It has been out for quite a few years now. They are the same  model saws as regular Stihl line saws but with a slow pull cord. I don't have one but I was checking them out when saw shopping. I saw the star demonstrated. Just draw the cord out slowly  and don't pull it fast. I am sure an internet search will find some reviews and videos.

Seth

 

[Wuffles]

I have been behind the times.  I was not aware that there are battery type chainsaws. VERRRRYYYYY interesting.

For years, i have using all sizes of chainsaws.  the problem has been that the longer i am 39, the harder it gets for me to start them, to say nothing about my back pains from holding on to them.  I always carry a chainsaw in my truck when out snow plowing. That and an armstrong powered snow plow with a hickory boom.  For years, i carried a small Echo that was adequate for emergencies and for tree work.  It always started on first pull in warm weather.  In the cold, i sometimes need three pulls before it made noise on its own.  The last time i took it into the shop for repair, parts were no longer available (I think i had been using that saw since I was 37 :)  I replaced it with a slightly larger model of the same brand.  That saw I cannot start in the cold weather.  Most of the problem with that is that since I turned 39, it is impossible for me to pull the cord once the temp drops below 50º.  I can not find much snow to push when temp gets above 50º.

Even when i store the saw at the floor heater in my truck, i can no longer pull that cord once the cold air hits (the saw/not me).

I will start looking into cordless chain saws, or even reciprocating pruning saws.  I plan to keep working until i am 40, so a cordless saw will be handy to me for at least a few more years.  maybe even after retirement.

This discussion has been very enlightening so far.  Thanks guys.
Tinker

      You may want to have a look at the Stihl saws with the Easy2Start feature.  It has been out for quite a few years now. They are the same  model saws as regular Stihl line saws but with a slow pull cord. I don't have one but I was checking them out when saw shopping. I saw the star demonstrated. Just draw the cord out slowly  and don't pull it fast. I am sure an internet search will find some reviews and videos.

Seth

They feel like they have a mind of their own though, especially when you have other Stihl tools with the conventional system and always go to pull the same way. Pull it, nothing happens, then a second later it tries to fire up, like you woke it up with the pull and it has a think about it.

 

[Tinker]

I have been behind the times.  I was not aware that there are battery type chainsaws. VERRRRYYYYY interesting.

For years, i have using all sizes of chainsaws.  the problem has been that the longer i am 39, the harder it gets for me to start them, to say nothing about my back pains from holding on to them.  I always carry a chainsaw in my truck when out snow plowing. That and an armstrong powered snow plow with a hickory boom.  For years, i carried a small Echo that was adequate for emergencies and for tree work.  It always started on first pull in warm weather.  In the cold, i sometimes need three pulls before it made noise on its own.  The last time i took it into the shop for repair, parts were no longer available (I think i had been using that saw since I was 37 :)  I replaced it with a slightly larger model of the same brand.  That saw I cannot start in the cold weather.  Most of the problem with that is that since I turned 39, it is impossible for me to pull the cord once the temp drops below 50º.  I can not find much snow to push when temp gets above 50º.

Even when i store the saw at the floor heater in my truck, i can no longer pull that cord once the cold air hits (the saw/not me).

I will start looking into cordless chain saws, or even reciprocating pruning saws.  I plan to keep working until i am 40, so a cordless saw will be handy to me for at least a few more years.  maybe even after retirement.

This discussion has been very enlightening so far.  Thanks guys.
Tinker

      You may want to have a look at the Stihl saws with the Easy2Start feature.  It has been out for quite a few years now. They are the same  model saws as regular Stihl line saws but with a slow pull cord. I don't have one but I was checking them out when saw shopping. I saw the star demonstrated. Just draw the cord out slowly  and don't pull it fast. I am sure an internet search will find some reviews and videos.

Seth

They feel like they have a mind of their own though, especially when you have other Stihl tools with the conventional system and always go to pull the same way. Pull it, nothing happens, then a second later it tries to fire up, like you woke it up with the pull and it has a think about it.

[member=1619]SRSemenza[/member]
Thanks
My equipment guru handles Huskies and Jonserods.  He has a couple of saws that you can elieve the back pressure on to start.  I have been thinking of getting one, but that wood just eat into my Festoy budget.  I can live without another chainsaw.  I always carry a armstrong powered pruning saw with two different sized blades.  that saw never talks back when i try to start it. Oh, my shoulder sometimes keeps reminding me of my folly for a few days, but I'm used to that

[member=20162]Wuffles[/member]
when it comes to Chain saws, i don't want to be surprised. they are dangerous enough. There are two tools that i think rental companies should take off of their inventory to all but the very experienced.  Chainsaws and ladders.  both are simple to operate when used correctly.  Both can be just as simple to operate >>> wrongly.  Both, when carelessness is a portion of the operation, can become killers. 
Thanks for the heads up
Tinker

 

[Cheese]

The Stihl top handle NAINA till 2016 and NAIH (not available in Hawaii) till who knows when Like lots of homeowners, I don't use the tools enough to keep them running enough, though when I need them its often a question of IF it will start. Using canned non-ethanol gas is key as well as running the tool dry before storing it...

I had 5 or 6 Stihl lawn tools which meant 5 or 6 tanks to fill and 5 or 6 tanks to drain for the season. Also each tool had its own unique starting procedure. I decided to eliminate this foolishness and purchased one KombiSystem KM 130 motor and then the  attachments that I needed. Too easy... [thumbs up]

I agree with the non-ethanol gas issue, luckily there is a local station that sells the stuff year round. It's the only stuff I use for petrol powered equipment.

Also about 2-3 weeks before the season ends, I start to use Stihl MotoMix premixed fuel in the KM 130. It's made with 92 octane ethanol free gas and has a shelf life of 2 years after it's opened. That way, during the winter when I use the equipment less often, the tank contains gas that I know will not go bad.

 

[semenza]

I had 5 or 6 Stihl lawn tools which meant 5 or 6 tanks to fill and 5 or 6 tanks to drain for the season. Also each tool had its own unique starting procedure. I decided to eliminate this foolishness and purchased one KombiSystem KM 130 motor and then the  attachments that I needed. Too easy... [thumbs up]

I agree with the non-ethanol gas issue, luckily there is a local station that sells the stuff year round. It's the only stuff I use for petrol powered equipment.

Also about 2-3 weeks before the season ends, I start to use Stihl MotoMix premixed fuel in the KM 130. It's made with 92 octane ethanol free gas and has a shelf life of 2 years after it's opened. That way, during the winter when I use the equipment less often, the tank contains gas that I know will not go bad.

I have KM110 with a bunch of attachments. Works great , starts great. 

Sorry to take this away from the battery discussion. I have looked into the Stihl battery system too, thinking about the handiness and convenience factor.

Seth

 

[johninthecamper]

if a stihl product doesn't start quickly &easily, it has to do with maintenance.

 

[peter halle]

As someone who has used them professionally and also owns quite a few I would offer the following:  USUALLY is do to lack of maintenance.  There are exceptions to the rule.

Peter

 

[Kev]

As someone who has used them professionally and also owns quite a few I would offer the following:  USUALLY is do to lack of maintenance.  There are exceptions to the rule.

Peter

I pulled my 2 Stoke Stihl MS170 out yesterday. Cleaned it, checked the spark plug, fresh fuel and it started on the second pull (probably on the shelf for 2 years). Stuck a new chain on it and put it back on the shelf [embarassed]

With my new electric stuff it's not going to see any use, but I'm just going to keep it as a spare - perfectly good and worth very little to me if I sell it.

 

[Stephen B]

As someone who has used them professionally and also owns quite a few I would offer the following:  USUALLY is do to lack of maintenance.  There are exceptions to the rule.

Peter

I pulled my 2 Stoke Stihl MS170 out yesterday. Cleaned it, checked the spark plug, fresh fuel and it started on the second pull (probably on the shelf for 2 years). Stuck a new chain on it and put it back on the shelf [embarassed]

With my new electric stuff it's not going to see any use, but I'm just going to keep it as a spare - perfectly good and worth very little to me if I sell it.

[size=13pt]
Kev, given you put it back on the shelf, I assume that you emptied the fuel tank, restarted and ran out any fuel in the carburettor.
[member=13058]Kev[/member]

 

[Kev]

As someone who has used them professionally and also owns quite a few I would offer the following:  USUALLY is do to lack of maintenance.  There are exceptions to the rule.

Peter

I pulled my 2 Stoke Stihl MS170 out yesterday. Cleaned it, checked the spark plug, fresh fuel and it started on the second pull (probably on the shelf for 2 years). Stuck a new chain on it and put it back on the shelf [embarassed]

With my new electric stuff it's not going to see any use, but I'm just going to keep it as a spare - perfectly good and worth very little to me if I sell it.

[size=13pt]
Kev, given you put it back on the shelf, I assume that you emptied the fuel tank, restarted and ran out any fuel in the carburettor.
[member=13058]Kev[/member]

Nooop ... just like I didn't last time! [wink]

 

[Kev]

Just a bit more of a rave about the Stihl 36V chainsaws with the narrow chain .. they cut REALLY, REALLY well and the batteries last ages. The other surprise is the precision you suddenly have with the light weight and fine cut. Now I wish they'd bring out a serious 72V mower (taking two of the 180 36V batteries), that'd be awesome! (their 36V mower isn't in the same class as the other cordless tools ... actually I'm still on the fence with the trimmer too, I suppose I may need more time with it)

So all I'd need now is a couple of Teslas, that way I'd be done with petrol completely [cool]

 

[Cheese]

Just a bit more of a rave about the Stihl 36V chainsaws with the narrow chain .. they cut REALLY, REALLY well and the batteries last ages. The other surprise is the precision you suddenly have with the light weight and fine cut....

So all I'd need now is a couple of Teslas, that way I'd be done with petrol completely [cool]

So I wonder if the long run time is because they use a brushless motor? Any idea?

How much lighter is it than your MS 170?

 

[Kev]

Just a bit more of a rave about the Stihl 36V chainsaws with the narrow chain .. they cut REALLY, REALLY well and the batteries last ages. The other surprise is the precision you suddenly have with the light weight and fine cut....

So all I'd need now is a couple of Teslas, that way I'd be done with petrol completely [cool]

So I wonder if the long run time is because they use a brushless motor? Any idea?

How much lighter is it than your MS 170?

They are brushless motors. My 170 is quite old, I would have said at least a kilo lighter. The little arborist one is feather light.

I'll put them on the scales with batteries in them if I get a chance tomorrow.

I actually think the light and narrow chain creates less kick when you throttle up, making them feel a lot lighter to use.

 

[cliffp]

I took delivery of my Stihl gear yesterday (everything Kev bought except I didn't get the blower or long reach hedge trimmer).

I think the quality of the tools is excellent and the design is very well thought out.

The chainsaw cuts at least as well as my mains powered McCulloch 1650W chainsaw but is much lighter and with the convenience of being cordless. It is very ergonomic - I can see myself using it a lot more than my old chainsaw (I often used a reciprocating Bosch saw for cutting small branches but this Stihl blows that out of the water).

The pole pruner is amazing. It is great fun giving your trees a bit of topiary, tweaking the shape of it without having to climb ladders. I found that on many occasions the cut off bits would be difficult to pull down because they were tangled up with other foliage so you may still need a ladder to pull them down (or maybe rig up a pole with hook). This tool is extremely well made and the telescopic pole looks to be very well engineered and robust -  suitable for professional use I would say. The chainsaw (on the end of the pole) cuts like a knife through butter.

I didn't use the hedge trimmer much but it cuts very well (better than my Bosch mains powered one).

I was very impressed with the Strimmer. It is fairly light but very powerful (I would say slightly more powerful than my Viking corded one). It ripped through everthing I tested it on including quite thick tree saplings (5 mm or so). If weeds were growing on soil on paving slabs the strimmer would shift the weeds and the soil without hesitation. I didn't try this rigorously but you can use it for edging by rotating the handle onto the opposite side of the shaft and holding it upside down. I know that Kev was a bit underwhelmed with this but I found this to be one of my favourite tools out of the Stihl collection.

I found the battery life to be excellent (AP300). Today I did about 20 mins of strimming, made about 30 pruning cuts with the pole pruner, cut up the branches with the chainsaw (15 mins) and did about 15 mins of hedge trimming and only used half the charge in the battery. 

I will be ordering the BGA85 blower next week, such is my satisfaction with this gear.

Thanks to Kev for taking the time to bring these products to our (my) attention!