Mad4Mowers

[The Bear]

I'm deciding between buying a new petrol strimmer or spending a bit more and getting a Stihl combi system that I can expand in the future.

The above online company seems very cheap for all things Stihl. Anyone used them or have anything positive or negative to say about them?

Thanks


Mark

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Not me....but "cheap" and Stihl don't usually co-exist in the same sentence! I looked at the combi stuff earlier this year....quite like the idea. Especially for long reach hedge trimmers.

 

[The Bear]

Hence I said "cheap for Stihl" rather than just "cheap" :wink:

Mark

 

[paulm]

The kombi gear is great, top notch as usual for Stihl.

I got a power unit and long reach hedge trimmer attachment initially and then added an extension pole to make it even longer (!), strimmer, cultivator, and brush (yep, really, surprisingly useful !) later as needed. If I hadn't already got a long reach chainsaw and blower I would have got those attachments too.

It's a really good, pro standard system rather than a cheap lightweight diy setup and performs effectively and reliably.

Couple of things I would mention though, I bought the most powerful engine unit (130 or something similar ?) thinking I didn't want to get caught out with not being able to deal with some tasks, but there is a significant weight penalty that comes with that unit so even using the harness your arms and shoulders know when you've been using it for a couple of hours ! It uses a fair amount of fuel too. Buying again I would probably go for a mid range engine unit and save some weight and fuel.

I think Stihl only sell direct for collection from their dealers ? That's what I found in the past, so you couldn't just order on the internet from the cheapest place and have it shipped to you ? Don't know if that's still the case ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[flying haggis]

i also have a stihl combi setup and can recommend it. I think stihl dont like mail order sales as you have to " be shown how to use the machine by the selling dealer"

when I bought an additional item(strimmer head) the selling dealer just handed over the box after taking my money!! demo NO

 

[Lons]

Hmmm.. thanks for the posts, I'm in the market for a long reach hedgetrimmer - interesting!

cheers
Bob

 

[The Bear]

Thanks all
With regard to online sales, I bought a blower 10 years ago no prob online.

If anyone can recommend mad4mowers and they dont ship, I'll go pick it up while visiting my parents as both they and the company are in Sheffield, no real extra cost to me.

Mad4mowers web does say they are online only (and therefore surely ship?)but a bit of research suggests that is the internet shop for a dealer who has a normal shop anyway.

Thanks for the other suggestions about machines etc.

So anyone bought from them?

Mark

 

[The Bear]

Paulm
I take it you are using a loop handle? According to the 2015 catalogue you can have that or handlebars. Handlebars are much easier for general strimming but I assume impossible for most other tasks with the combi, at least any of the up in the air ones.
Mark

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I think (but maybe wrong) that Stihl's policy on no shipping is only for their chainsaws.

 

[Steve Jones]

The Stihl Kombi system is great but has one fault, the smallest engine which I think is the KM56 mine lasted 14 months before I was told it was beyond economical repair. Although this is my line of work I had only used it occasionally during the 14 months and it had not been thrashed everyday of the week etc

I then had to shell out for another engine so decided on the KM90 which is a lot better than the KM56, I've since been reliably informed that the latter is made to a price rather than quality.

As for Stihl's policy on internet sales, it should apply to everything not just chainsaws as the dealer is supposed to demonstrate the basics for the new owner.

Steve

 

[The Bear]

If I go kombi rather than buying a dedicated strimmer I was leaning towards the KM 94 RC-E, which is a new model, v similar in spec to the 90.

Mark

 

[flying haggis]

just remembered, if you want a strimmer head, dont buy the strimmer head KM-AC buy the brush cutter head KM-MB and the autocut 25 spool attachment.

you can fit the spool attachment to the brushcutter head but cant fit the brushcutter blade to the strimmer head. if that makes sense!!!!!

most dealers know this little trick anyway

PS abbey garden sales dont mention no mail order on stihl

 

[Steve Jones]

If my experience with the KM90 are anything to go by you'll be ok with the '94, although I only used the long reach hedge trimmer and pruning saw with extension pole none of the other attachments.

Steve

 

[paulm]

Paulm
I take it you are using a loop handle? According to the 2015 catalogue you can have that or handlebars. Handlebars are much easier for general strimming but I assume impossible for most other tasks with the combi, at least any of the up in the air ones.
Mark

Yes, loop handle Mark, not ideal if doing a lot of strimming or brushcutting but not a major problem for the odd half hour or hour here or there, and as you say allows all the other uses where the handlebars would get in the way.

Cheers, Paul

 

[The Bear]

flying haggis

the AC is not listed in the current catalogue. Possibly replaced by the FS?
I spoke with one dealer today who told me to buy the line strimmer (I assume the FS), then get the head later to allow the solid blade brush cutter to be attached (which would be about £30)
Maybe the FS has replaced the AC and your comment no longer applies? - will def re-check before buying anything, thanks for the info though

Mark

 

[paulm]

flying haggis

the AC is not listed in the current catalogue. Possibly replaced by the FS?
I spoke with one dealer today who told me to buy the line strimmer (I assume the FS), then get the head later to allow the solid blade brush cutter to be attached (which would be about £30)
Maybe the FS has replaced the AC and your comment no longer applies? - will def re-check before buying anything, thanks for the info though

Mark

Your dealer's advice is my experience also in the last year or two Mark. I had the line strimmer attachment and for £25 or so bought the bits and pieces and brushcutter blade and swapped it over in place of the line strimmer spool, works a treat and easy to do

Cheers, Paul

 

[blackrodd]

These people are seriously cheap, I was looking to replace my HS45 hedge trimmer, £205.00
M4M, Are very cheap, but it looks as all things Stihl must be collected only, so like most folks, too far for me to travel!
Regards Rodders

 

[The Bear]

I think your right Rodders
Looks like my dad is going to have to go shopping for me and and I'll get it off him next time we meet up

Mark

 

[Steve Jones]

Yes, they're the same as all other Stihl dealers http://www.mad4mowers.co.uk/page/stihlpolicy

Cheers

Steve

 

[paulm]

Might be worth calling them to ask if they deliver on the qt though ? Could be that publicly they have to be seen to toe the stihl collection only line but know full well it will lose them business and may be willing to deliver in the background ? Probably a long shot but a quick call would find out.

My local dealer said the official justification for the policy was safety but the real readon was the level of warranty claims and returned product that was damaged in transit or damaged by new owners not commissioning the gear correctly for first use, adding oil pr not using correct two stroke mix etc. I suspect there may be an element of trying to protect dealers incomes and reduce the scope for price reductions too but that's only conjecture on my part and no actual evidence of same.

Cheers, Paul