Power Tools

Power to the Landscapers

Andrea Stihl's vision to “make life in the outdoors easier” has become a reality and now the STIHL name is synonymous across the professional landscaping industry. Courtesy of STHIL-UK, Maggie Walsh gathers with fellow members of the press at the Environmental Training Centre, Stafford to find out what the German manucturers have in store for 2022

Ever since Andreas Stihl invented the first portable chainsaw in 1926, the STIHL name has stood for revolutionary technology, driven by significant investments in research and development and a singleminded passion for making people’s lives easier when working in nature. It’s because of this that STIHL has been the world’s best-selling petrol chainsaw brand since 1971.

Fast forward to 2022 and STIHL proves it has more to offer than just a petrol chainsaw.

Chainsaws

New in and part of STIHL's AP system that offers emission free performance, is the MSA 300 – the manufacturer's most powerful cordless chainsaw. Suitable for felling, cross-cutting, snedding and processing, it offers forestry professionals, arborists and landscapers the power needed for taking on larger cutting tasks.

Using the AP 500 S battery, it is recommended with a 16” Light 04 guide bar and .325” RS Pro chain for fast cutting. The recommended cutting attachments are identical to the popular MS 261 C-M, with a maximum recommended guide bar length of 18”.

Three operating modes limit the maximum chain speed, helping to match the performance to the task at hand and extend the battery run-time. Eco mode limits the chain speed to 24 m/s and is ideal for cutting smaller logs, while the highest performing mode features a 30 m/s chain speed ideal for felling cuts and fast working.

Also look out for the top handled MSA 220 T has the equivalent cutting performance of the MS 201a TC-M petrol version, but with the benefits of battery power. It uses a PS3 full-chisel saw chaing to achieve a fast, quality cut. The recommended AP 300 battery delivers 2.1kW of electrical power providing up to 29 minutes of working time and plenty of power for cutting larger sized branches.

Team communication

Perhaps one of most fun gadgets is STIHL's new Avananced ProCOM headset, which offers forestry and landscaping professionals clear and high-quality communication in noisy environments, while offering ear protection. Using intercom mesh technology, up to 16 headsets can link automatically, allowing users to listen and communicate effectively as a team.

It has a range of up to 600 m depending on the terrain, however, each headset acts as an amplifier to extend the range even further if more than two headsets are in use. Multiple channels are available for teams working in close proximity, and users may choose the open mic setting for frequent communication, or alternatively, the push-to-talk button can be used instead to minimise background noise.

The intelligent ambient mode feature allows the user to clearly hear their surroundings and react quickly to potential dangers such as traffic or passers-by. Ambient mode de-activates automatically when a loud noise is detected, maintaining a high level of protection when it’s most needed.

STIHL expands Kombiengine range

The KMA 135 R adds to STIHL’s range of high-performance KombiEngines for professional users tackling tough jobs. The robust and powerful KombiEngine accompanies the KMA 130 R in the range. Featuring a sturdy new battery housing, users can now easily slot in STIHL’s high-performance 36V AP batteries, adding greater versatility to carry out the quick jobs where KombiTool’s are so effective.

As well as delivering excellent performance across a wide range of KombiTool’s, the motor requires little-to-no servicing, whilst the easy to clean air filter ensures a long service life and optimum engine cooling.

The KMA 135 R has an ergonomic control handle with three level speed pre-selection displayed on an LED panel and infinitely variable speed control on the trigger to perfectly match the KombiTool and the work being carried out.

A quick-release coupling allows the splitting of the KombiSystem into two parts for easy transport and storage – and then re-assembled without any tools required.

The KMA 135 R is compatible with STIHL’s wide range of KombiTool attachments, including the HT-KM, HL-KM 145º, HL-KM 0º, FH-KM, MB-KM, RG-KM, BG-KM, FCB-KM, BFKM and KB-KM, which are all interchangeable thanks to the straightforward and sturdy connection point.

Further ranges of accessories are also available to use with the KMA 135 R, including Shaft Extensions, RTS Harness, Angled Gearhead and Carry Bag.

It has an adjustable oil pump, an ergonomic trigger system and a 180° LED display, ensuring the operator always has a clear overview of key information.

It is also available as the MSA 220 T-CO – a version with an added extra of an oil sensor display to let you know if the chain oil needs to be topped up.

Yet if the task in hand still needs some petrol power, The STIHL MS 881 could be the tool to tackle the most demanding of foresty jobs. With 121.6cc of displacement and 8.6hp/6.4kW output, the MS 881 is not only 19% more powerful than the heavy duty MS 661, but also the only saw in the STIHL line-up to drive a 0.404 pitch chain. With standard bar lengths up to 41” and able to accept guide bars up to 59”, the new saw is the ideal machine to tackle even the most demanding forestry jobs.

At the heart of the MS 881 is the STIHL 2-MIX engine that ensures the machine is the only chainsaw in its performance class that meets the strict requirements of the European Euro-5 (EU5) exhaust emission standard.

In addition to EU5 compliance, the MS 881 has been engineered with maintaining a great power-to-weight ratio. New construction of cylinders, slimmer sprocket covers, and the development of lightweight components have resulted in an impressive weight-to-power ratio of 1.55Kg/Kw, whilst maintaining robustness and durability.

Long reach

For those hard to reach areas – whether hedges or high branches – Stihl has further options. The HLA 135 long-reach hedge trimmer is ideal for pruning back large hedgerows, and again as has become the norm for Stihl equipment offers a tool that will work well in noise senstive areas. 249 cm in length the 600 mm double sixes and double edged blades will cut through branches up to 18mm thick. Furthermore the cutter bar can be roatated through 145º via the lightweight magnesium gearbox to enable over-head, side and ground-level cutting. If a pruning task is required, the lightweight HTA 135 may come in handy. It comes fitted with a 3/8” PMM3 semi-chisel, anti-kickback saw chain providing precision, high cutting performance and low-pinch tendencies. A branch hook offers stability for a more accurate cut and helps to remove caught up branches easily. It also features a square telescopic shaft that can be quickly adjusted between 285cm and 405cm using the new twist and click adjuster. A square shaft for increased rigidity prevents twisting and deflection, delivering a precise cut even at full extension.

Brushcutters

Whether cutting borders around trees, clearing light scrub in car parks or working through dense grass the STIHL Brushcutter range offers a tool fit for purpose. The low weight FSA 86 R offers an ergo lever handle cutting attachment and a high revving direct drive motor produces 20% more power than predecessors. Furthermore, the power-to-weight ratio makes the tool incredibly easy to use, particularly for line-trimming around boarders and trees, without the need of metal cutting tools or a full bike-handle brushcutter.

For harder jobs, the FSA 135 bike handle brushcutter comes with the GrassCut 260-2 blade as standard and has an expected working time of 100 minutes when used with the recommended AP 300 S battery. The FSA 135 R loop handle version comes with an AutoCut 26-2 line head and has an expected working time of 45 minutes when used with an AP 300 S battery.

The cordless tools feature a traditional brushcutter layout from the petrol models, with engine, drive-shaft and gearbox, meaning that the FSA 135 can fit metal cutting attachments designed for brush and wood.

STIHL's most powerful clearing saw, the FS 561 C-EM boasts an enhanced gearbox with improved sealing and bearing design, and a cutting diameter of 560 mm, ensuring professional users can cover larger cutting areas quickly and easily. In addition, a circular chiseltooth saw blade Woodcut 225-24 is fitted as standard.

Ignition timing and fuel metering are precisely controlled using the STIHL M-Tronic 3.0 electronic engine management system. External factors such as temperature, altitude and fuel quality are also taken into account by M-Tronic 3.0, resulting in consistent engine performance, efficient fuel usage and excellent acceleration.

The FS 561 C-EM can be used with a wide range of STIHL cutting attachments such as shredder blades, line heads, grass-cutting blades or brush knives. Other features include increased crankshaft durability and tougher clutch housing material for improved wear and tear.

Intelligent tool management solutions

STIHL has introduced a the new Smart Connector 2 A, enabling professional users to obtain new levels of machinery performance data to a user’s smartphone via Bluetooth. The information relayed includes operating time, working speeds, the status on individual electronic components, ambient temperature and also messages about the status of the machine to name but a few, giving users universal transparency of the machine and its performance.

The connector also features a real time clock, meaning the data is collected accurately regardless of how often the connector syncs with a smartphone, so operators can see when and for how long a machine was used. In addition, pressing the button on the Smart Connector 2 A gives a quick indication of the status of the machine via an LED light, and will display green if the machine’s maintenance is up-to-date, yellow if there’s an outstanding job, or red if a machine fault has been detected.

All of the machinery performance data is available to view either on the STIHL Connected app or on the desktop STIHL Connected Portal, a one-stop shop for accessing all the maintenance information and upcoming tasks for an unlimited number of machines in the fleet.

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