Lawn gurus Shindaiwa vs Stihl?

bandaidman

bandaidman

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Feb 11, 2001
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I am in the market for an articulating pole hedge clipper

Both are great brands, I think most Stihl models are made in the US which I like. Echo just bought Shindaiwa and I have been pleased with my Echo stuff so I don't think that should be a big deal. I love Stihl chain saws but also like the C4 (blue series) Shindaiwa stuff

Problem is most of the local dealers only sell the modular units where you buy the power head and then buy a variety of attachments as that is what most of the local lawn services want. I dont really have the desire to buy more attachments and the combos tend to be more expensive

Any issues with the modular units ..ie do they wear down faster/less reliable

any preference on brands?

thanks
 
I would not shy away from the detachables, they have their use. The drive mechanism detachment should not be a place for failure. I am an Echo man myself, I used to sell their product at Home Depot, and it is of great caliber for home owner, light pro use. I would also love to own Stihl, they carry a good brand as well. Sorry, probably no help, just blah blah from ol CJ
 
No experience with the pole hedge clippers persay, but I would like to throw in a good word for Stihl. Two words actually. Replacement parts. Stihl parts are totally available. You can get genuine parts at your local dealer or aftermarket parts at your local NAPA or farm implement store. And rebuilding a Stihl carb is a snap. Everything has little dowel pins and a particular shape. There's actually NO WAY you can put it together wrong. Forget to put a piece in? Maybe. Buy you CANNOT put the carb back together wrong. Plus there's no shortage of small engine shops where you can get a Stihl worked on if you're not inclined to do it yourself. Bringing less popular brands into a little mom and pop mower shop could be problematic. Why take a chance?

I don't know if it's a regional thing or what, but NOBODY around these parts that I know of has an Echo anything. And there's an authorized Echo dealer less than 15 miles from here. Stihl equipment abounds however.
 
I've used Stihl chainsaws for the last 17 years on my acreage and with the fire service. I also have had a Stihl blower for many years. Sthil definetly makes good reliable equipment.
4 years ago I was in the market for a new modular weedeater / edger. I have a small lawn service and had been using Ryobi modular units but after my last one gave out prematurely, I decided I wanted something that would last. I went to the small equipment dealer I use whom is a Sthil and Echo dealer. I looked at all of the units and couldn't decide so I asked the guy who owns the store what he thought. He said Sthil is known for their saws and Echo for their weedeaters and that he had been using his Echo on his acreage for the last 8 years.
I bought the Echo power head with the weedeater attachment and the edger attachment and it has been trouble free for 4 years. I also owned a Shindiawa blower that lasted for years. I don't think you can go wrong with either 3.
 
I've had a Shin M-231 trimmer for 3 years now, can't beat it. That said I have Husky saw and Stilhl pole saw and an Echo climbing saw. I have not had a problem with any of them. They are all GTG in my book.
 
Stihl... my dad still has them running with very little maintenance for 15-25yrs. i dont see buying another brand really.
 
i've used both and prefer the stihl, with the version that you can change the attatchments, you can also get a 3' extension for the middle.
 
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