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Hi Peter, I have just swapped from HLA 85 (8 years old) which was on its last legs to the 86. It seems heavier, but maybe it's just me. I use AP300 in all my hedgetrimmers, one battery can last all day, for me, as apposed to petrol running constantly, it is only using juice when your finger is on the trigger! The trigger mech has been changed, not sure if I like the way you have to push the dead mans trigger forward before engagng the main triggers. Awkward for me if in my laft hand as I only have half an index finger! The pole itself has been upgraded to a squarer tube which seems stronger & the locking mech is much better, twist & lock to slide up/down. Cutting wise it feels smoother than the 85, I think a wider gap. Unlike petrol grunt it can take a bit to cut more than 15-20mm. I tried a harness with the 85 which I just could not get on with, but may try it again on 86, otherwise a bit of arm ache if using it at full extension. Cheers Neil
Thanks Neil appreciated. From the reviews I've seen onYT the dead mans trigger does come in for complaint If we get one will tape it open ! Currently exploring buying a 1mt extension tube and long reach hedgecutter attachments for our existing Stihl kombi petrol power unit which will be half the cost of an 86 but does come in at 7.1 kg as opposed to the 86 at 6.1 with AP 200s . Difficult to justify the 86 cost for only a couple of jobs.
Hi I find it's not so much the stroke rate an issue on this machine but a relative lack of power behind it compared to the HLA135 (which is shorter, not telescopic due to rear motor). The HLA85 / HLA86 are ok on annual growth but slow on older material, eg when cutting the bits the previous gardener couldn't reach. I only deploy mine when absolutely necessary, it is heavy and a bit unwieldy especially at full stretch but it has its uses.
Ok thanks
Hi, I have had 1 x hla85 and 2 x hla86 and used them all a lot one of the 86 models packed up before a year old and had to have a new wiring loom under warranty it has since packed up again the other one has become intermittent on the trigger now so I have bought the hla 135 which is shorter but much more powerful ,the only thing I don't like about that is the trigger system with the 3 x speeds is a pain in the backside, as far as batteries go I would recommend going for the 300 as the difference between that and the 200 is vast, if you need the extra length go with the hla86 if you want more power go for the 135
Thanks , as we have a km94 kombi have bought a 1mt ext pole and 60cm hedgecutter attachment which came in at half the price of an 86, the reach is around 3.3mt so same as 86