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Replies

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  Gary Hedges March 5, 2011 at 6:34pm

  Would like to know the answer to this.
  If a sharp clean finish is required I use hand shears.
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  Gary Hedges March 5, 2011 at 7:03pm

  Stihl recommend the HS T models for fine precise work, has anyone experience of these?
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  GORDON March 5, 2011 at 7:22pm

  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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  Gary Hedges March 5, 2011 at 7:34pm

  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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  Steve Sonic Grounds Maintenance March 5, 2011 at 8:06pm

  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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  GORDON March 5, 2011 at 8:23pm

  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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  Richard Newman March 5, 2011 at 9:04pm

  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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  Lawncare-4u.co.uk March 5, 2011 at 9:11pm

  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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  Chris Auld March 5, 2011 at 9:19pm

  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.
• PRO

  Paul @ Ashgate Garden Care March 5, 2011 at 9:22pm

  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.