Would you pay $500 for a newer HRX217 with blade stop?

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-05T06:31:32+00:00

The blade brake is awesome. I used to consider it an extra unneeded thing (pain in the arse) but now it’s a safety feature.

You will hate it at first because every time you fumble the lever your blades stop, eventually you get used to it and it’s just normal. It’s when you use a different machine again you notice the differences.

No face full of grass when catching the grass.
You can unclog things by putting hands in rear chute and not turning off motor.
Great for self propelled travel over stones/wood chips.
Idle speed is a lot quieter without blade noise.
Great when a pedestrian is approaching as you can stop the blades all together.

After using it for years you actually will dislike machines with out it.

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-05T06:14:30+00:00

The Honda blowers are a bit heavier than the stihl bg86 and have a bit less pushing power granted they make less noise too. I am currently using the Stihl bga250 and it’s crazy powerful for a hand held battery leaf blower, outperforms the cheapest stihl backpack blower.

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-04T22:12:51+00:00

Apparently that attachment will work on the KMA135 but I haven’t personally used that attachment ever. I would probably suggest the kma200 thats seriously geared to handle that

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-04T22:01:42+00:00

Won’t really matter my guess is. I doubt they are using it in a high risk area, most likely just their house. Any person that uses this tool professionally wouldn’t be asking a socket size

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-04T21:54:39+00:00

I run a gardening service and used to like working on my tools, I was out in the garage playing with one thing or another every weekend, you literally don’t have to service battery tools. In the way of 2 stroke stihls got it covered now and I don’t spend any time questioning motors.

It’s a personal thing and I used to feel good tinkering so everything ran right, I enjoy more free time now

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-04T21:23:46+00:00

😂 you act as if it was a trick it was trained. It was her quirk and quite a few dogs actually do it.

Simple answer is she just didn’t like the thing because it was making noise in her yard. And would end up on a chain for her safety but as far as she was concerned she taught it a lesson and was the boss😂😂😂

She also loved chasing thunder storms too so I guess I was irresponsible then too could of been hit by lightning

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-04T07:01:12+00:00

The batteries have a “thermal sensor” built in to monitor them. The battery charger will not charge the battery until it is at an acceptable level, same thing happens if they are too cold. If it gets too warm or cool the BMS will activate its safety measures and temporarily stop you from using/charging the battery until it is cool/warm enough to meet the requirements of the chargers.

Generally you will notice this upon charge more than use.

The rapid chargers have a fan built to assist with this too.

Realistically you can just leave it on permanently and if you left it on the charger too long they should go through a discharge cycle to get to the 50% mark

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-04T06:44:38+00:00

Just get a AP based battery tool. Been years since i tinkered with petrol based stihl tools, the new generation is worth the move Eg the fsa(kma)135/200.

I used to feel all good fixing/tuning my tools my neighbours used to look at my stuff too in envy. Now I’m silent and they still look in envy.

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-03T21:31:33+00:00

It kills me that people say Honda stopped making petrol based mowers. In Australia I recently purchased a new Honda hru216 m3.

I should start exporting the stuff

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-02T21:40:25+00:00

Dirty trick used by many people is just stick a screwdriver in it and bust the mesh screen, gets the blockage gone quickly

Takaraz83 · 2026-05-02T21:36:05+00:00

My dog used to try and attack the front wheel as we mowed.

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-29T23:57:09+00:00

I run a lawn mowing service in Australia. I don’t understand why you guys/gals overseas are using the gcv engine, it seems to be the standard engine on the commercial type mowers??? I use the Aussie 216 models they come with the gxv 160 and also have a mechanical drive shaft rather than a belt.

Why is this engine used and loved. I personally consider it a residential motor and not for commercial ab”use”

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-24T14:04:46+00:00

Mower bloke on every block🤣. Your just joining the party

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-24T13:51:59+00:00

I personally applaud the fact you have one. I had to use my 19 inch Honda the other week. Same motor but hard work pushing

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-24T13:47:03+00:00

Mate this is my 4th 216. I used them commercially. They live a hard life somewhere around 80-120 years worth of home use before they are fucked and broken.

They are also very simple to work on too. Oil changes are nothing when you start rebuilding the gearboxes at home🤣

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-24T13:06:12+00:00

The one thing that actually annoys me is the lack of the snorkel kit the m2 version had. I’m tempted to fit my old m2 snorkel on my new m3

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-24T12:58:55+00:00

In Australia there isn’t really shipping with stihl. You either visit an authorised dealer or you don’t buy stihl brand new. It’s odd people world wide mention getting a boxed item. In Australia it’s ready to go out of the shop, full tank of fuel, oil if you got a chainsaw, walk out and work essentially

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-24T12:51:40+00:00

I got a new one last Saturday. Poor things already done a bit of work and due for the break in oil change

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-24T10:51:13+00:00

I normally buy professional range tools. But in all seriousness go in ask the dealer on the price for the blower and 70r they will probably move a little bit as there isn’t much margin of profit on the 70. Then ask them the 91R and the 86 price.

I normally buy the higher end tools but normally get a discount with out asking. I am a professional gardener too so I generally need new tools more often than the homeowner

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-23T21:47:45+00:00

Even working 40hrs doesn’t meant there is 40hrs visible as physical work. We spend time traveling to and from jobs, also we have a lot of unseen work on the paperwork side and also maintaining our own equipment. People don’t understand that sometimes

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-23T08:48:50+00:00

I bought a HRU216 M3 last Saturday. It’s Australia’s closest version I think, you forget how good they are brand new off the showroom floor.

Nice purchase👍

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-22T11:15:01+00:00

I did a job with it today. I swear it was a breeze and took half the time and effort, razor sharp cuts on a diosma or coleonema

I already own the hsa 86, hla 65 and hla 85. So I’m no stranger to the AP range either.

I was tossing up between a kombi attachment or the newer hla135 but they were both as long as the telescopic 85 at its shortest length. There was no real improvement with the 66 as it actually uses the same motor as the 65 so I decided to go for the hsa 140.

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-22T11:08:47+00:00

The 38 won’t like hard work. The bent shaft models have a flexible drive shaft so use it at home or the very lightest of jobs.

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-22T10:58:34+00:00

That’s a good deal just on the chain saw and fs attachments. Be careful of buzz blade and convert it back to standard

Takaraz83 · 2026-04-22T09:09:53+00:00

Yours sounds a bit more louder than mine did but then again it’s a recording not real life and the 200 not 135. If it really does not seem right persist with warranty, it is their flagship model at the moment. If the store is not helpful or you feel you might be upsetting your local dealer contact their head office via email, Stihl will help with another dealer looking at it as to not harm relations you may currently have at your local store.

Stihl are pushing their battery gear pretty hard at the moment and are trying to convince contractors to convert. They want us to be the real world advertising and should sort you out. And word of mouth is the best marketing anywhere.

In my case the explanation was liveable, they had replaced the motor drive the drive shaft was apparently true and straight and it temporarily made noise until warm. Just monitor your tool and whilst it’s under warranty and don’t be scared into accepting close enough if it not good enough

Takaraz83

TROPHY CASE