Money maker or time saver, depends on your persuasion
Written: May 23 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Long reach, articulated head, strong and reliable.
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: Have done A LOT of work with this tool, has never let me down, and has provided me plenty of income with it's versatility and reliability
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| didav's Full Review: Stihl Long-Reach Hedge Trimmer |
Purchased the STIHL Long-Reach Hedge Trimmer for $360 not long after I started my gardening business around 2 1/2 years ago, have had no problems at all with this robust machine.
After having done a couple of large jobs with my smaller hand held hedge trimmer and having to climb up and down a ladder for a couple of hours, my aching arms and wobbly legs let me know it was time to get a trimmer with a long reach.
My next trimming job to quote was an ivy covering a fence of around 120ft in length, I quoted the job and got it, so I purchased the STIHL Long-Reach Hedge Trimmer that day. After finishing the job in a VERY short time I knew I had made the right decision. In fact I felt so guilty that the job was completed SO FAST that gave the customer a 20% discount, he was very happy, and I was too because with my hand held trimmer it would have been a nightmare job.
This machine is my best money making tool, very labourious trimming jobs now take 1/4 of the time but I am still getting the same money for the jobs. On the other hand if you have lots of trimming at home, this is the tool to get, you will wonder how got by without it.
The 2 stroke engine has plenty of power for all trimming jobs, if you use STIHL brand 2 stroke oil the mixing ratio is 50:1, my STIHL guy says that if you use other brands of oil you should use twice as much. The tank holds enough fuel for around an hour of use and in that time you will be amazed how much trimming you can do. A positive point with 2 stroke engines is there is no engine oil to change, just remember to clean that air filter occasionally. The owners manual will provide maintenance and safety details.
Like all 2 strokes their high revving engines dictate that you wear ear muffs and it is a good idea to wear safety glasses as well, I like to wear a combined face mask and ear muffs.
The double sided trimming head is adjustable through 90 degrees which makes easy work of trimming jobs above head height without leaving the ground, in fact this articulated head makes those hard jobs with a hand held machine a thing of the past. Maintenance wise, a little grease in the gear box now and then, and if the cutter blades are dry a little 2 stroke fuel poured over them before use will give enough lubrication, after that the juices of the plants being trimmed will provide it.
This trimmer can cut branches up to 1" with ease, (so take care not get anywhere near the cutter), and after a little practise you can trim quite small and delicate bushes as well. Overall a very versatile piece of equipment.
An over the shoulder harness is provided with the trimmer and it is very useful to take the weight of the machine off your arms in between cutting strokes, it probably extends your cutting time by a factor of 2 before you have to stop for a rest.
I am very pleased with the machines performance and reliability and would recommend it to anyone for business use, and for the home owner with a lot of trimming to do.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
didav
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Location: VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Hello, I am a self employed lawn mowing/gardening contractor, hard work ! but satisfying.
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