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Thread: Stihl battery power

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  1. #1
    Senior Member NLALM's Avatar
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    Default Stihl battery power

    Thought I would start a thread so we can keep the still battery powered gear in one place.
    So today after a long wait , I picked up the still HLA85, The pictures show the length compared to the HLA65. If this one is as good as the 65 I will be very happy. These are the best bits of gear I have bought in a long time.IMG_1599.jpgIMG_1600.jpg

  2. #2
    Senior Member geoff's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    i too am joining the club ,from Freds report i am sold..Iknow another experienced contractor who has convinced me they are worth the spend.....NLALM do you notice the weight difference between the two or are they that well balanced ..the motor on the blade end certainly a different look but from demos thats not a problem...good stuff i think as contractors there will be a few of us that will go all the way...the way of the future it appears

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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Quote Originally Posted by geoff View Post
    i too am joining the club ,from Freds report i am sold..Iknow another experienced contractor who has convinced me they are worth the spend.....NLALM do you notice the weight difference between the two or are they that well balanced ..the motor on the blade end certainly a different look but from demos thats not a problem...good stuff i think as contractors there will be a few of us that will go all the way...the way of the future it appears
    I'm almost in the club too!
    Been using my small 18v Makita on lighter stuff and it is a pleasure to use. Do miss the 2 stroke smell though.

    Just want to get to Anton and give it a try before I buy!


    Fred NEVER say Never

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    Senior Member Scooby Steve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Quote Originally Posted by geoff View Post
    i too am joining the club ,from Freds report i am sold..Iknow another experienced contractor who has convinced me they are worth the spend.....NLALM do you notice the weight difference between the two or are they that well balanced ..the motor on the blade end certainly a different look but from demos thats not a problem...good stuff i think as contractors there will be a few of us that will go all the way...the way of the future it appears
    You forget who i was Geoff after all these years....I'd say the 85 is more balanced than the 65, 65 is a little ar$e heavy, not a big issue as its light but you notice it (i'm nit picking, its not a big deal). I love the 65 i was using it for around 3 hours straight today. No fumes, light, love it. If the other gear gets better in the next year or two i'll upgrade the blower and whippy as well, not there yet but. Speaking of Fred if he keeps catching monster trout he wont be using his 65 much i'll give u the tip. Last trout he caught had a small dog in its belly. Monster.

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    Member Redeye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    do you guys take the batteries out while they're on the back of the ute/trailer? l'd be paranoid about theft




    http://curraronggardening.com/

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    Senior Member Scooby Steve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Its Melbourne mate, they are locked up and guarded by Rotties. Can't leave anything unlocked here now. Its gone to the dogs unfortunately. My 65 can fit in a lockable tool box.

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    Senior Member fairdinkum's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    I've been tossin up whether or not to go with the battery powered trimmer and blower. Any of you blokes had any experience with them? I haven't event had a demo yet. And I must say I'm stihl a bit sceptical. But if they are good I might take the plunge this season. Might even be able to get the missus to help me . I'm interested to know how long a fs90r wil run on a ap300 battery as I'm not that keen on carrying a 6-8kg battery on my back.

    Jason Forrest
    Fair Dinkum Lawn & Garden Care
    Servicing St Clair, Erskine Park, Colyton, South St Marys
    0407 435 642


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    Senior Member Scooby Steve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Top of the line whippy seemed a tad under powered to me, but that's me you may have a different view, keep in mind my daily whippy is a stihl 130 which has heaps a grunt so maybe i've been spoilt.

    Top of the line handheld blower has power equal to the stihl bg86 its a beauty power wise but and its a biggy using the ap300 battery i only got 4 standard Melbourne lawns out of it. The backpack battery would get you a days run time but wasn't a viable option for me. There is also no battery holder on the machine you have a cord and a pack which houses the battery so you have to hold the blower with one hand and the pack with the other. Wasn't an issue on the day i used it but maybe to some.

    Trying the mower soon. I've heard the chainsaws are good but have no personal experience with them.

    I'm buying the little hedge trimmer and will report back on that in time.

    Cheers Craig.

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    Senior Member RSM-Gazza's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Over 100 Husky dealers went over for a trip to HuskyWorld to see the New Factory in Poland which was substantially extended soon after its opening. They can build mega factories over there in the time it takes us here to get a permit for display signage placement.
    They got the company direction buzz and were taken to concept stores as well.
    These dealership owners arrived back downunder last week.
    I asked about Battery Equipment and yep that's a path off strong focus.
    Will ask further on the subject next time I'm in if the shops quite.
    I know the extended length hedger is almost due in.

    Back to Stihl Thread.
    Cheers Garry

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    Senior Member Scooby Steve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Quote Originally Posted by RSM-Gazza View Post
    Over 100 Husky dealers went over for a trip to HuskyWorld to see the New Factory in Poland which was substantially extended soon after its opening. They can build mega factories over there in the time it takes us here to get a permit for display signage placement.
    They got the company direction buzz and were taken to concept stores as well.
    These dealership owners arrived back downunder last week.
    I asked about Battery Equipment and yep that's a path off strong focus.
    Will ask further on the subject next time I'm in if the shops quite.
    I know the extended length hedger is almost due in.

    Back to Stihl Thread.
    I've always had a good run with Husky gear. I've demoed the current range was just a tad under powered but maybe the new gear might take it up a notch.

  11. #11
    Member Victoria jal2007's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    been doing some trimming today for 4 hrs using HLA65. only 50% juice used.
    Got Ego backpack blower and loving it. Thinking to purchase ego self proper lawn mower soon

  12. #12

    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Quote Originally Posted by jal2007 View Post
    been doing some trimming today for 4 hrs using HLA65. only 50% juice used.
    Got Ego backpack blower and loving it. Thinking to purchase ego self proper lawn mower soon
    so if we start buying battery gear will we need to carry different batteries and chargers??
    Or do Stihl or Husky have gear that is good enough or getting there soon to have a range? Blowers, trimmers, hedgers, chainsaws etc?

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    Senior Member conrad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Quote Originally Posted by South East Mowing View Post
    so if we start buying battery gear will we need to carry different batteries and chargers??
    Or do Stihl or Husky have gear that is good enough or getting there soon to have a range? Blowers, trimmers, hedgers, chainsaws etc?
    Yep that is the problem when looking at battery gear... I have always looked at the battery system as a whole rather than picking and choosing which tools I want from different manufacturers. Makes life so much easier and if you have too many mixed tools you will quickly over capitalise on batteries - they can be the biggest cost by far!

    The Husky gear was good enough for me, I bought one of each as soon as they landed in Aus and it's the best gear I've ever had. But my experience will be a lot different to you guys as I was using battery gear from day one of starting my business and it's a night and day difference how far the technology has come.

    The telescopic/long reach hedge trimmer is the one thing I'm holding out hope for... Not available from Husky yet... not too keen to go and buy Stihl gear, rather not add another battery charger to the collection!

    But check this out: custom Stihl HLA65 telescopic trimmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8owMcKrg3M
    Might have to do the same thing with the Husky hedge trimmer... couldn't wait for one to become available so I'm using the Honda 4 stroke power head with 2 extensions and the hedge trimmer for tall stuff at the moment. Heavy and awkward flexing all over the place...

    Those Elephants Trunks look fantastic! So far I just rip in to tall stuff and call it a workout. Haha. I would definitely consider them if I start doing much more tall hedge work.

    Quote Originally Posted by jal2007 View Post
    just bought another ego backpack blower kit (used) on ebay for $400. Comes with 7.5A & rapid charger.
    Will pick up tomorrow.
    my ego self-propelled mower arrived 3 days ago.

    so now I have 3 batteries 7.5A and 1 battery 5A. Will try next week without carryi any petrol equipments
    How does the backpack blower go??

    I just sold my petrol backup mower on the weekend, good riddance! I barely used it and it still gave me so much grief, plus being a heavy pig to use! I will never buy another petrol push mower.

  14. #14
    Member Victoria jal2007's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    Quote Originally Posted by conrad View Post
    Yep that is the problem when looking at battery gear... I have always looked at the battery system as a whole rather than picking and choosing which tools I want from different manufacturers. Makes life so much easier and if you have too many mixed tools you will quickly over capitalise on batteries - they can be the biggest cost by far!

    The Husky gear was good enough for me, I bought one of each as soon as they landed in Aus and it's the best gear I've ever had. But my experience will be a lot different to you guys as I was using battery gear from day one of starting my business and it's a night and day difference how far the technology has come.

    The telescopic/long reach hedge trimmer is the one thing I'm holding out hope for... Not available from Husky yet... not too keen to go and buy Stihl gear, rather not add another battery charger to the collection!

    But check this out: custom Stihl HLA65 telescopic trimmer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8owMcKrg3M
    Might have to do the same thing with the Husky hedge trimmer... couldn't wait for one to become available so I'm using the Honda 4 stroke power head with 2 extensions and the hedge trimmer for tall stuff at the moment. Heavy and awkward flexing all over the place...

    Those Elephants Trunks look fantastic! So far I just rip in to tall stuff and call it a workout. Haha. I would definitely consider them if I start doing much more tall hedge work.



    How does the backpack blower go??

    I just sold my petrol backup mower on the weekend, good riddance! I barely used it and it still gave me so much grief, plus being a heavy pig to use! I will never buy another petrol push mower.

    happy with it for residential type of works. Only used two 7.5A batt with the last one still had juice.

  15. #15
    Member Victoria jal2007's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stihl battery power

    well you carry 2 things for petrol anyway... 2 stroke or 4 stroke

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