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  Cheltenham Garden Maintenance September 17, 2016 at 6:32pm

  I would like to know this as well
• PRO

  Andrew Watts September 19, 2016 at 1:48pm

  Had a look at battery kit at last years Saltex and Bigga shows. Thought the Husqy and Stihl stuff looked very close on quality, though Liam comments on hidden parts are interesting.

  For me it comes down to up-time and thats not only breakdowns, but also what happens thereafter, ie parts and fixes. There are at least 4 good Stihl dealers around us that I would happily leave kit with, but also, they also have lots of bits in stock, new and old for quick on the go fixes perhaps whilst new parts are being ordered to keep us going.

  So for me, thats where Stihl wins.
• PRO

  Richard Gadsby September 19, 2016 at 2:27pm

  I've never bought any husqvarna stuffs until recently the only local dealer was awkward to get to and he was not pleasant when you did make the effort.
  I'm ready to be corrected but I think in general the Stihl stuff has lower vibes?
• PRO

  Harry@VWGS September 19, 2016 at 2:56pm

  IMO Stihl machinery is getting worse and Husqvarna kit is on the up, Stihl like so many other big name brands are trading off of a name they made for themselves years ago, the only difference now is that the equipment they are producing is pretty Sh*t if I'm honest, on the flip side their rivals are producing better equipment by the year and snapping at the heals of the big companies... Just my opinion , many thanks
• PRO

  Andrew Watts September 19, 2016 at 3:09pm

  Also, I would buy differently based on self use only, vs multi team use. One person sole traders are much more respectful and careful of kit and so I would buy on how it felt to use. So myself only, I'd probably go for Husqy or Maryuma as I quite like the look and feel, and comfort, and would trust that I wouldn't abuse and so would have limited downtime. Multi-use Stihl for quick repairs at multiple trusted outlets.
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  Tony @SM September 19, 2016 at 5:42pm

  Personally I use Stihl for all petrol tools. Hedgetrimmers,Kombi, strimmers, blower etc. Again its a dealer thing with 2 local, one of which always does me a deal. For mowers I use Honda, same dealers and I love the fact they start first time. I have to say though, on days like today I'm tempted to make Viking my next mower of choice.
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  PGM September 19, 2016 at 6:07pm

  I'm a sole trader and work is 90% domestic maintenance, 10% larger one off jobs.

  I've used plenty of Stihl over the years, but only Husqvarna chainsaws (which are nice). As one of the other comments said, I too have found the Stihl I've purchased over the last couple of years to not be quite as good. The majority of my tools now are Shindaiwa i.e. hedge cutters, multi tool, backpack blower etc.  I genuinely couldn't recommend them highly enough as they are so incredibly reliable and do a great, professional job. They don't do a 40" hedge cutter though so i'll be purchasing the Echo HC-341ES over the Stihl equivalent for next season. The only Stihl I have now is the BG86 hand blower, but i'm having issues with that and it's not quite even one year old yet.

  For mowers I have a Weibang Legacy Pro 48 and an Etesia Duocut RMCB and they're both cracking.
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  Jeff McCoy September 19, 2016 at 7:30pm

  I have Echo for strimmers and backpack blowers. Maruyama for hedge trimmers, Tanaka for long reach trimmer, Stihl for brushcutter, Husqvarna for chainsaws. Having bought mostly used thats why I have such a mix. But you know what, I couldn't fault any of them. Use BP petrol, stihl two stroke oil, service them regulary and they will see you right.
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  Andrew C September 19, 2016 at 8:33pm

  Echo are top brand and have made it a 3 way fight for many. Myself it is between Echo and stihl and each machine chosen from these two. Light strimmer and Brushcutter both Echo, hedge cutter Stihl

  Andrew
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  Richard Hainsworth September 20, 2016 at 2:53pm

  What about Kawasaki? Not what they used to be? (tools not engines)