Anyone own...or know anything about the new Stihl HS 81 series Hedge Trimmer?

[Talon1189]

Just curious.......The weight is down over 8 onces from the older HS 80 series in a 24" double sided blade. Lighter is always better :) Does anyone own a HS 81 yet? Tanaka appears to have the lightest commercial hedge trimmer at 11 pounds compared to the HS 81 at 11.5 pounds. Stihl has a bigger name.....and has been making excellent quaility equipment for many more years than Tanaka has :) Any input would be appreciated :)

[hillndale]

I posted this in another thread here:

Probably a little late for feedback, since you have already made your purchase. I too am researching hedge trimmers. I spoke to the Stihl rep at a recent dealer open house & he was really pushing the new 81T. He was pushing weight, balance, multi position handle etc. I visited another very reputable and knowledgable repair & sales shop and they really liked the older HS80 series. They haven't seen the new 81's yet and kinda poo-poohed um 'cause they are too new. This particular place loves the Stihl FS 85 grass trimmer, claiming it's one of the best engines Stihl has done, although a tad dirty. He said the HS80 is basically the same engine. Up here the 81T for me would be $424.+ tx.

Over on the Lawnsite/Tanaka forum the buzz is all about the THT 210S. Light weight, 26" double sided blade, swivel handle, good balance, low vibration, quiet, yada yada yada, for $349.

I haven't checked into the Shindaiwa. The lower weight is definately a plus with a HT purchase. I have all Stihl stuff 'cept my RedMax 7001. It's all expensive & service for Stihl is funky here right now as Stihl recently re-assigned dealers, so they aren't nearly up to speed. In fact I just drove 270 miles round trip to get a part & install it on my Stihl 031 ChainSaw. I'll only allow a specialist to touch this saw. It's an antique don't ya know. Runs awesome.

Hey good luck---tell us how that Trimmer works out. I'm Stihl lookin':waving:

Hillndale

Pulled from this thread: http://tinyurl.com/mtprr

[Tanaka]

Just curious.......The weight is down over 8 onces from the older HS 80 series in a 24" double sided blade. Lighter is always better :) Does anyone own a HS 81 yet? Tanaka appears to have the lightest commercial hedge trimmer at 11 pounds compared to the HS 81 at 11.5 pounds. Stihl has a bigger name.....and has been making excellent quaility equipment for many more years than Tanaka has :) Any input would be appreciated :)

Tanaka Company History Overview

1918 - Tanaka Kogyo Co. Ltd. was founded near Tokyo, Japan

1962 - Tanaka produces the world’s smallest industrial, general purpose 2-cycle engine (22cc, Model P-7)

1974 - Tanaka develops and produces a 2.5 hp outboard motor for Sears (GameFisher®)

1978 – Tanaka Kogyo Co. Ltd (Japan) establishes Tanaka Kogyo Co. (USA) Ltd., in Kent, WA to pursue and support North American sales

1980's - Tanaka introduces the following innovations: TLE-500 walk-behind edger, BRAIN autofeed cutting head, and AST-7000 Auto-Start trimmer

1989 – Tanaka USA is acquired by the Ariens Co. and establishes Tanaka Ltd., to continue the marketing and support of Tanaka products

1998 - Tanaka is the first two-stroke engine manufacturer to comply with the CARB Tier II emission standards with the new PureFire® engine

2002 - Tanaka becomes the exclusive engine supplier for BladeZ ® powerboards and powerkarts

Chainsaws? Sure go with Stihl. Everthing else? Go with Tanaka, Shindaiwa, Redmax, or Maruyama for TRUE commercial grade equipment.

http://tanaka-usa.com/pdf/Tanaka%20vs.%20Stihl%20Drills.pdf

-MW

[bladeheart]

=

Chainsaws? Sure go with Stihl. Everthing else? Go with Tanaka, Shindaiwa, Redmax, or Maruyama for TRUE commercial grade equipment.

http://tanaka-usa.com/pdf/Tanaka%20vs.%20Stihl%20Drills.pdf

-MW

I love it when reps (or whatever position you hold) speak of their equipment as the one and only TRUE (you must of course capitalize TRUE to emphasize the lesser quality of stihl) commercial equipment. Your blanket statement against Stihl has just cost your company my money in future equipment purchases (which I actually was considering buying your 600 series edger). Combine this with the word of mouth which I will spread like wildfire with concern to your arrogant and smug opinions. Free speech is a great thing, however when you are representing a competing company it reflects poorly when you assert such ridiculous statements.