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Hedge Trimmers

Hi All

Looking at getting a long reach hedge trimmer. Undecided whether to go for Petrol or elec (battery) The battery one I had been looking at was the Stihl HLA 85 Cordless long reach. Has anybody had any experince of these..?

Thanks

 

Chris

 

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  • I bought the hla 85 last year and have been very impressed, almost as good for cutting as the kombi with long reach. Lighter, quieter and no mixing of fuels, elescopic makes it very long. Battery life, I have 2  x ap 200, s and they will go all day or until I am knackered, meant to be OK in the wet but I don't chance it. Keep them regularly greased.

    Don't know how long they will last but mine has took a lot of knocking around, feels flimsy but I think just down to the lighter weight. Lovely finish but wouldn't use on anything really thick

    • Thanks for your input Paul.

      Chris

       

    • Hi Paul,

      Can it  take rough work, or does it jam on the heavier stuff??

      Paul

      • never had it jam and you know what its like, you are u the ladders , you are lokking at something thick, dont want to get down for the pole pruner/long reach loppers so persevere with the hedgetrimmer, after about 20 seconds it has got through a branch which is probably 30mm thick. not good probably long term for the tool but as good as my stihl petrol hedgetrimmer.

        The only thing is how long it will last and can bits be changed/repaired.

        One slightly worrying thing is the gearbox, crankshaft, whatever, is not sealed and gets scraps of cuttings in so I clean it and grease it after every 7 or 8 hours , Stihl say every 25 hours but better safe than sorry

        • maybe 35mm, I am useless at estimating, thats why I am skint

           

          • Hahaha  I know what you mean. Good tips there though. I have the petrol Echo combi at the minute which is good but heavy. I changed over to battery pellenc for the hand held trimmer, very good by the way,  My dealer doesnt recommend the long handled pellenc version as it can jam easily in anything slightly thick.I guess I'll keep an eye on sthil for next year.

            Thanks alot

            Paul

  • I've recently got the kma130. My km131r is getting very little use now.  I know it is the combi and not a dedicated long reach. Great reduction in weight noise and vibration. I last longer! Also there is no pulling of the starter cord when balanced on the to off a ladder.  I'm so glad I took the plunge to go cordless.

    • Thanks William, I'll take a look at the KMA 130R

      Chris

       

    • I was going to get the cordless combi but I'm not sure about the battery belt arrangement. Don't you find it tricky when putting the machine down to move ladders and stuff? I'm about to get the HLA85 instead but it seems a waste not to utilise all the other combi tools and I do love the versatility of the combi. The petrol 130 has a lot of grunt and the cordless is apparently the same.

      • I'm running the back pack battery but the connection is the same as it would be for the battery belt idea. Disconnecting the load is really quick and easy. You soon get so used to it that you don't notice yourself doing it. Just unplug and put the plug in your pocket.  I could imagine the belt mounted battery fouling the ladder at times though. I'd rather use the rucksack or the back pack. 

         

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