Author Topic: Stihl interesting (Read 31014 times)

Kev · « **on:** August 03, 2015, 12:43 AM »

Hi All,

Thought I'd take a peek at the 36V Stihl gardening tools ...

The range consists of ...

3 small chain saws ...
I grabbed the larger of the three and it works well, 6mm chain cuts fine and efficiently.

3 hedge trimmers ...
I grabbed the larger of the two hand helds and also the pole version, they cut extremely well.

2 edge trimmers ...
I got the larger one and I'm a bit ho-hum about it. Fine for a manicured garden.

1 mower with catcher and 14.5" blade
I didn't bother, one day this may suit my garden, but it won't be for a while and a 4 stroke petrol Honda will take a lot to beat.

1 blower
I did get this, it absolutely chews the batteries, but has very impressive gusto for a cordless blower!!

1 pole pruner
A must have, this is the jewel of the cordless range to me the light and compact chain head is a winner.

3 battery sizes
115, 180 and 900 (backpack). I went with 2x 180's and they'll give 2 hours with a hedge trimmer and 40 minutes with a chain saw.

3 charger types
Slow, ok and awesome. I got the "awesome" one and it charges the 180 battery pack fully in 25 minutes.

Other stuff
There's a cut off saw and other bits and pieces in the range that I'm not in the market for, but seem well made.

Summing up ...

This stuff isn't for everyone and switching from a powerful petrol variant and expecting similar will leave you mostly disappointed. They do seem to hold their own with most mains electric models of similar size to me.

If you do anything approaching commercial work, only a couple of the items will be useful. Probably the hedge trimmers in conjunction with the backpack battery and perhaps the really compact top handle arborist's chainsaw (I may still grab this one).

The chain saws will require you to keep the chains clean and sharp to get through anything. I doubt you'll ever see one of these cordless units in the back of a pickup

All in all I'd say cordless battery gardening is mostly here and it's nice to have much quieter gardening tools.

I'm keeping an eye on the robot mower market .. there's some serious stuff for the big end, but the domestic stuff has a way to go yet.

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2015, 01:00 AM »

Kev · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2015, 03:40 AM »

Quote from: Untidy Shop on August 03, 2015, 01:00 AM

(Attachment Link)

@Kev

I do blame you ... you didn't exactly "talk me down"

Coliban · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2015, 03:47 AM »

Nice collection !

While most of my colleagues also use Stihl, I bought a McCulloch CS350 (petrol powered, now a subsidiary company of Husqvarna, Sweden), our lawn mower is a Bosch Li-Ion, which is running for years (but the lawn is only about 150 square meter) without problems and we think, for smaller sawing tasks we get a li-ion powered chain saw from Makita, because we already have the big Makita lo-ion powered drill hammer.

Kev · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2015, 05:42 AM »

Quote from: Coliban on August 03, 2015, 03:47 AM

Nice collection !

While most of my colleagues also use Stihl, I bought a McCulloch CS350 (petrol powered, now a subsidiary company of Husqvarna, Sweden), our lawn mower is a Bosch Li-Ion, which is running for years (but the lawn is only about 150 square meter) without problems and we think, for smaller sawing tasks we get a li-ion powered chain saw from Makita, because we already have the big Makita lo-ion powered drill hammer.

My "petrol stable" is a bitsa ... I'll be glad to clear most of it out. It has some Honda and Husky stuff in there, but also a couple of strange brands that a local shop conned me on (once I trusted them, but no more!)

As things stand today we've got ~500sqm to deal with, but that's going to decrease to less than 300sqm over time. A cordless battery mower is likely then ... plus I'll be critical of the type of grass, hopefully making it more of a friendly lawn for maintenance.

Kev · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2015, 07:36 AM »

Update ... apparently all of these gardening tools belong to my wife

Well guys, buy your wife a cute little 36V electric chainsaw for Christmas .. Hey, I think she needs her own shed

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2015, 08:36 AM »

Quote from: Kev on August 06, 2015, 07:36 AM

Update ... apparently all of these gardening tools belong to my wife

Fine, then let her do all the work then!

MsUntidy 'rescued' a Bosch 4.5V screwdriver from the Untidy Shed today. I know she will soon tire of it and then will look at the CXS.

She already thinks it is cute.

@Kev

Cheese · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2015, 06:37 PM »

Quote from: Untidy Shop on August 06, 2015, 08:36 AM

MsUntidy 'rescued' a Bosch 4.5V screwdriver from the Untidy Shed today. I know she will soon tire of it and then will look at the CXS.

@Kev

I can appreciate that...
A couple of days ago I couldn't find one of my Festool tape measures...So my wife & I were at a gardening store and I needed to measure something, so she pulls the Festool tape out of her purse. I said, "hey that's my tape measure", she says "not any more, besides, you never even knew it was gone, so it's mine now".

cliffp · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2015, 05:07 AM »

Cheers Kev, you've just cost me £1300! I couldn't resist the idea of some shiny new tools in a different category from woodworking. Initially the idea seemed completely stupid, then over the course of a week or two I managed to persuade myself that I HAD to have them. I am getting the largest chainsaw, the largest hedge trimmer (not pole version), largest edge trimmer and pole pruner. I am also getting one 180 battery and 'awesome' charger. I only need the 'ok' charger but don't want to be outdone by a fellow Festool fanatic!

I hope my wife will enjoy using the tools after I have finished playing with them and the novelty has worn off

mark · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2015, 05:32 AM »

I've been tempted to go with Stihl after having some problems with my top handle Stihl due to operator error... but not that thing is awesome... dang noisy, but powerful and nice to have up in the tree. I've been trying to hunt down the Husqvarna version of their arborist saw but its running around $800+ to get one here in Hawaii and our local Husqvarna dealer is also a Stihl and Corepower dealer so I don't think they want another battery saw in their shop.

Stihl is supposedly coming out with their version of a top handle arborist next year but who knows how much that thing will cost. I'm hoping Dewalt will compliment their new 20 and 40v brushless line with a chainsaw soon.

For now though, and for smaller and quick jobs, I'm getting a Milwaukee m18 Fuel recip with a pruning blade... quieter, toss the blade when it gets dull or bent...

Kev · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2015, 07:50 AM »

Quote from: Mark Enomoto on August 15, 2015, 05:32 AM

I've been tempted to go with Stihl after having some problems with my top handle Stihl due to operator error... but not that thing is awesome... dang noisy, but powerful and nice to have up in the tree. I've been trying to hunt down the Husqvarna version of their arborist saw but its running around $800+ to get one here in Hawaii and our local Husqvarna dealer is also a Stihl and Corepower dealer so I don't think they want another battery saw in their shop.

Stihl is supposedly coming out with their version of a top handle arborist next year but who knows how much that thing will cost. I'm hoping Dewalt will compliment their new 20 and 40v brushless line with a chainsaw soon.

For now though, and for smaller and quick jobs, I'm getting a Milwaukee m18 Fuel recip with a pruning blade... quieter, toss the blade when it gets dull or bent...

The Stihl top handle 36V arborist has been out for a while here. I was actually thinking of grabbing it tomorrow morning ...

Kev · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2015, 08:14 AM »

Quote from: cliffp on August 15, 2015, 05:07 AM

Cheers Kev, you've just cost me £1300! I couldn't resist the idea of some shiny new tools in a different category from woodworking. Initially the idea seemed completely stupid, then over the course of a week or two I managed to persuade myself that I HAD to have them. I am getting the largest chainsaw, the largest hedge trimmer (not pole version), largest edge trimmer and pole pruner. I am also getting one 180 battery and 'awesome' charger. I only need the 'ok' charger but don't want to be outdone by a fellow Festool fanatic!

I hope my wife will enjoy using the tools after I have finished playing with them and the novelty has worn off

Sorry

The pole hedge trimmer is awesome if you have over fence or tall hedges, I hadn't realised what I'd been missing. No more ladders, no more noisy two stroke and a much better cut than my old petrol hedge trimmer too (that wasn't a cheapie either!)

I grabbed the little file guide for the chainsaw (30⁰ guide). The chain saws cut really well, but it's worth keeping that narrow little chain sharp.

The tool I'm actually liking most lately is the blower. It's the only tool in the range that can empty a battery as fast as the 'awesome' charger can fill it!

I've got two of the 180 batteries and I'm tempted to get a third, that way we can go bonkers in the garden with 2 tools and have a spare battery charging.

You've gotta love the reach of the pole pruner

Less that an hour ago my wife asked me if "her" tools are charged for tomorrow. Maybe I can justify the dainty little aborist's chainsaw as a present

Tinker · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2015, 08:25 AM »

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

Cheese · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2015, 10:57 AM »

@Mark Enomoto
I have a collection of Stihl petrol powered tools but most of the time for quick trimming jobs I simply use a 18 volt Sawzall and one of these blades.

I can see the time is coming very soon when most of the small gas powered equipment will be replaced with battery powered gear.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/cutting/48-00-1301

cliffp · « **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2015, 11:55 AM »

Kev, thanks for the extra info. I think I'll pass on the pole mounted hedge trimmer (for now at least!). I'll pick up the saw guide (I presume it is the FF1?).

I think I might pick up the blower a bit later in the year when the leaves start falling here. I already have a Viking blower/vacuum (like this one below:)

http://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Blowers-and-Vacuum-Shredders/029575/Electric-vacuum-shredder.aspx

This is a fantastic tool for sucking/shredding but it takes too long to switch between sucking and blowing so I could do with a separate blower.

I googled "chainsaw accidents" to see if this would sway my decision to acquire such a lethal tool and as a result I am thinking of investing in at least a pair of chainsaw gloves.

One thing I won't be buying is a snow plough! Here on the south coast of England it hardly ever snows.

RKA · « **Reply #15 on:** August 15, 2015, 03:06 PM »

I would recommend Kevlar chaps and steel toed boots. Your legs and feet are usually at much higher risk of accidental contact with the chain.

mark · « **Reply #16 on:** August 15, 2015, 04:17 PM »

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've handled the Echo 56v at Home Depot and their weed wacker is too heavy as well as their blower. I was looking for something for my 86 year old Dad to use but these are all too heavy for him.

The only guys that seem to buying the Stihl Li-ion are resorts that want to reduce noise. Aulani, the Disney Resort out here I'm told bought a bunch of Stihl Li-ion hedge trimmers for on site use.

Can't beat gas for portability and out in the field. I sometimes do trail maintenance and you can't beat gas for portability and not having to lug dead batteries back to the car versus empty gas cans.

wrt to sawzall... those pruning blades work really well. I just got tired of pulling an extension cord and Milwaukee just has a July trade in sale of old tools and an extra battery deal. So I'll see how the Fuel 18v works for me.

Kev · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2015, 05:36 PM »

Quote from: Mark Enomoto on August 15, 2015, 04:17 PM

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've handled the Echo 56v at Home Depot and their weed wacker is too heavy as well as their blower. I was looking for something for my 86 year old Dad to use but these are all too heavy for him.

The only guys that seem to buying the Stihl Li-ion are resorts that want to reduce noise. Aulani, the Disney Resort out here I'm told bought a bunch of Stihl Li-ion hedge trimmers for on site use.

Can't beat gas for portability and out in the field. I sometimes do trail maintenance and you can't beat gas for portability and not having to lug dead batteries back to the car versus empty gas cans.

wrt to sawzall... those pruning blades work really well. I just got tired of pulling an extension cord and Milwaukee just has a July trade in sale of old tools and an extra battery deal. So I'll see how the Fuel 18v works for me.

We're a long way from battery technology that'll comprehensively challenge a petrol engine when you're working any distance at all from your charging station. The Stihl backpack battery is the closest I've seen and I reckon that's very much geared towards resorts, hospitals, corporates, etc. (It's EXPENSIVE!!)

I will say the 36V Stihl pole pruner is excellent.

As with anything, the tool must meet your needs or it actually starts to fall short of the definition of being a "tool"

I also can't imagine we'll see a cordless equivalent of a 10hp chainsaw any time soon

jmbfestool · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2015, 06:08 PM »

A very nice collection!

Well jell!

Couple weeks ago I was using our petrol hedge cutter and it was playing up and before I finished it wouldn't start any more.

Been thinking of getting an electric one to replace it.

We have the egomower http://egopowerplus.co.uk
Not had it long but so far it's doing the job fine with the 4ah battery. They do a 6ah also.

I like Sthil so would lean towards getting their hedge trimmer however egopower do their own range of tools. It would make sense to go with theirs. Seen as we already have battery and charger.

I have learnt tool companies do have good and bad tools in their range.

So struggling to decide which route to go down.

Kev · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2015, 06:40 PM »

Quote from: jmbfestool on August 15, 2015, 06:08 PM

A very nice collection!

Well jell!

Couple weeks ago I was using our petrol hedge cutter and it was playing up and before I finished it wouldn't start any more.

Been thinking of getting an electric one to replace it.

We have the egomower http://egopowerplus.co.uk
Not had it long but so far it's doing the job fine with the 4ah battery. They do a 6ah also.

I like Sthil so would lean towards getting their hedge trimmer however egopower do their own range of tools. It would make sense to go with theirs. Seen as we already have battery and charger.

I have learnt tool companies do have good and bad tools in their range.

So struggling to decide which route to go down.

@jmbfestool

I think the EGO mower is near the top end of town when it comes to cordless mowers, but I don't think their hedgers and chainsaws are in the same league as their mower. It is all relative though.

You'd think a sharp blade and a scissor action wouldn't be that hard to get right, but my Chinese brand petrol hedger is complete rubbish!

Take a good look at the pole hedger from Stihl .. that and the pole pruner are the real show ponies that other cordless garden tool makers seem not have in their range. If you're inclined towards them then it's certainly worth the extra charger/battery overhead, otherwise maybe not.

I don't think you'd be happy with the Stihl mower either after the EGO. The Stihl isn't an alternative to a petrol mower at all.

jmbfestool · « **Reply #20 on:** August 15, 2015, 07:00 PM »

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 junk 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 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 15, 2015, 07:10 PM »

@jmbfestool 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 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 15, 2015, 07:52 PM »

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 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 16, 2015, 06:03 AM »

Quote from: DB10 on August 15, 2015, 07:52 PM

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

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

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.

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #24 on:** August 16, 2015, 08:02 AM »

Quote from: Kev on August 16, 2015, 06:03 AM

Quote from: DB10 on August 15, 2015, 07:52 PM
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.

Mmmmmmmmm!

You know what I cannot say Kev on a public forum.
Signed the Leprechaun.

@Kev

DB10 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 16, 2015, 08:54 AM »

Quote from: Kev on August 16, 2015, 06:03 AM

Quote from: DB10 on August 15, 2015, 07:52 PM
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

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

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!

SRSemenza · « **Reply #26 on:** August 16, 2015, 09:11 AM »

Quote from: Tinker on August 15, 2015, 08:25 AM

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 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 16, 2015, 09:17 AM »

Quote from: SRSemenza on August 16, 2015, 09:11 AM

Quote from: Tinker on August 15, 2015, 08:25 AM
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 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 16, 2015, 09:32 AM »

Quote from: Wuffles on August 16, 2015, 09:17 AM

Quote from: SRSemenza on August 16, 2015, 09:11 AM
Quote from: Tinker on August 15, 2015, 08:25 AM
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.

@SRSemenza
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

@Wuffles
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 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 16, 2015, 09:48 AM »

Quote from: Mark Enomoto on August 15, 2015, 04:17 PM

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...

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.