How Long Do STIHL Batteries Last? We Test The AK vs AP Batteries

[@EpohDerf]

I had a spin on a battery powered, Stihl, extending hedge cutter yesterday. I had to adjust some preconceived ideas. It is very quiet. Battery lasted ages. Was pretty well balanced and did a great job. Only problem is they cost a fair bit!

[@MachineryNation]

Awesome feedback thank you. Once you are on the platform and have the batteries and chargers, it then works out very cost effective. Imagine buying your fuel upfront for a season I guess.

[@EpohDerf]

@@MachineryNation I hadn't thought about it that way. I was happy to eat my words and thinking reasonably, are we ever really that far from a plug socket to charge the next pack up?

[@s.kxx1956]

The other thing I will say about stihl, even though they aim the ak line at domestic users, they are still good quality machines, made in same places as the more professional ones and some of their newer ak products are similar to existing ap ones if not virtually identical so If someone wanted to get stihl for professional use, the ak line is a cost effective option with the top battery size that doesn’t cost a fortune

[@mattreed8024]

100% agree with this 👍

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Really good results on both machines, and demonstration spot on, just shows battery equipment are get getting better 👍

[@MachineryNation]

Thanks Nev, it certainly is 👍🏼

[@Machines.In.Action]

Great insights on the battery performance! For those wondering, keeping the batteries charged between 40-80% when stored can help prolong their lifespan.

[@MachineryNation]

Great advise 👍🏼

[@DJC995]

Nice One Guys I always recon about 45 minuets for the 300s in my FSA 135 strimming Thanks again

[@paulsopp4626]

I have the AP system, powers our brush cutter, strimmer, hedge trimmer, extending hedge trimmer, pole saw, chainsaw and lawn mower. All are used regularly and the single AP300 battery is now over 5 years old with no noticeable drop in performance. I get 40 to 60 minutes with the brush cutter, depending on power setting used. Excellent piece of kit, not cheap but very cost effective if you have several tools, even better when the power is from our PV panels.

[@jasongardener3425]

Iv both trousers, very tough and great protection, constant brush cutting can be fatiguing, wondering if you clever chaps, could make a test, somehow measuring the fatigue difference, between a battery unit and a 2 stroke unit, after 1 hour of use. 👍👍

[@MachineryNation]

That would be hard to quantify. But would be very interesting 👍🏼

[@Ben-fk9ey]

Having a well fitting harness is key I've found.

[@s.kxx1956]

Bloodhound gang ! Recently changed from ego to stihl ak30s, very reasonable and feels just as powerful but much lighter. I even think it lasts more than my 5ah ego

[@joshuabush2569]

How come you changed from Ego? I had a lot of their stuff about a year ago but got rid after countless battery and charger issues... I was quite unimpressed. I've recently purchased some of the stihl AP batteries and tools, they are excellent

[@s.kxx1956]

@@joshuabush2569my battery was virtually dead and a new one is £300. Was not a fan of their mowers especially when you have to buy a mulch plug extra and a mulching blade extra. What got me into stihl was initially the rma 765v but too big and expensive for my needs but more recently which is what I have now the rma 448 rv a roller mower with mulch flap. I have 1x ak 30s battery which costs half my ego one and is a whole lot lighter and smaller. Overall the stihl products feel better made and smoother which is why landscape companies like them due to their low vibration level

[@s.kxx1956]

@@joshuabush2569new battery was £300 and didn’t like the mower much as you had to pay extra for mulch plug and change the blade to a mulching one. The stihl battery is cheaper smaller and much lighter and i got the rma 448rv a roller mower with mulch flap, prefer the quality of stihl imo

[@MachineryNation]

Yes it is the bloodhound gang! Thank you.

[@LL-mt2nz]

@@joshuabush2569Stihl batteries are first rate. I have a combination of Stihl and Toro. Far better than Ego.

[@Sigurd651]

pls test the KMA135r with ap300s + al 500 and maybe ap 500s. with brushcutter, trimmer, hedge trimmer,. more

[@russellpetrie119]

love the cornish acent and the corneto trilogy

[@MachineryNation]

Cornish? 🤦🏻‍♂️ corneto trilogy? 😂

[@johnperks8307]

Top review as always

[@MachineryNation]

Thank you John 👍🏼

[@Ben-fk9ey]

I'll second the FS trousers, really tough and I haven't felt and nicks on my legs since I've started wearing them. Might have to try out the base layer as I've got some hogweed burns on my arms now where there was a gap between my gloves and Stein long sleeve shirt.

[@NBK3524]

I've had the fs 3 protect trousers twice they wash the colour out are to easy and the ass gives out far to easily... The Stihl multi protect trousers last longer but have the same wash out problem

[@Ben-fk9ey]

​@@NBK3524 I have noticed the colour has faded slightly, especially in the left leg button pocket. Other than that however I haven't ran into the problems you've had with the bum giving out. The only issue I've had is the right pocket zip has broken.

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi James , Josh, good demonstration on these trimmers, good run times for domestic and commercial trimmers. Great review as always , catch you soon Take care

[@MachineryNation]

Thank you Shaun 👍🏼

[@spencehh]

I found the recharge time on the AK system to be unreasonably long - about 3 hours until complete recharge.

[@MachineryNation]

It will depend on which charger you have. Stihl make faster chargers. If you have the AL101 charger then this is only aimed at domestic use and would be classed as suitable. Also the slower the charge the better it is for the battery 👍🏼

[@mattreed8024]

You need the AL 500 charger, charges in AK 20 battery in about 25 minutes

[@nicosanca]

The only thing I see is the way of using the AP machine like a shredder, when it’s ment for clearing with that blade. Maybe this detail can change the final range. Despite this, excellent as always guys.

[@MachineryNation]

Thanks mate 👍🏼

[@1d1hamby]

KMA 130 is the model available in the US.

[@HDGardenCare]

I've just seen you 2 on on the a338 both on carbon push bikes holding up not just me but a tractor also 😂

[@MachineryNation]

😂😂😂 We love cycling. Even more road cycling, can you not tell from our trim figures…. Lol

[@bobaverage]

I'm obviously not a product engineer/marketer. But having two lines of batteries irks me somewhat. I'm aware all of the companies do it, but when these have such a similar form factor; I find it almost pointless.

[@MachineryNation]

Yeah I get your irk. And it can be frustrating. I recon if Stihl were to start again they would only have one battery platform. But they started as AK for domestic and AL for pro’s so they now have to continue I guess.

[@jimsap78]

HELLO. I WANTED TO ASK WHICH PLATFORM IS BETTER IN RANGE AND POWER. STIHL OR EGO. IT WOULD BE VERY NICE TO DO A TEST. THANKS

[@Big_Johns]

The song was by Bloodhound Gang

[@XxVendetaxX1]

Bloodhound gang

[@MachineryNation]

Yes! Awesome, just googled them 👍🏼

[@Big_Johns]

Professor Hayes..... LoL!!! Josh if I want to see a pot bellied pig I'll just go step in front of the mirror. Nice demo as always guys, thanks.

[@MattTester]

Call me cynical, but doesn't the intelligent battery management just mean they're throttling back the amps at higher voltages? The battery could always provide more amps than you're getting at full charge and end on the same power you're getting here. It would just drain faster and you would notice it slowing down. Anyway glad you gave Josh the smaller battery after his epic EGO test the other week.

[@MachineryNation]

This could be true, I’m no scientist. But if they do, it certainly provides plenty of power from the start to finish. Yes that was part of the deal after him do that test 😂😂

[@mattreed8024]

So the AP machine is getting on for twice the price of the AK, all for an extra 12 minutes of runtime 😕 Stihl are almost shooting themselves in the foot by making the domestic AK machines better quality than most other brands professional kit.

[@jossmith1990]

😂 great review

[@MachineryNation]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@sirvozelo1]

I don't trade mine 3 years old FSA135 for anyone of those.

[@MachineryNation]

The FSA135 is the bigger brother to these too. These fill the gaps where smaller lighter machines are required 👍🏼

[@Allbrakesnogarage]

I like my liquid powered equipment I will stick with that

[@mikeedwards8694]

🏳️‍🌈