Stihl HLA 65 Review

A review and demo of my HLA 65 cordless hedge shears. I was a little skeptical when I first handled them in the shop, but after a few months of fairly intense use, I'm convinced they're the way of the future. No pollution, no stopping to refuel every 3/4 hr and no dragging a cord around. Light and quiet - brilliant!

[@obrienqwerty]

Thank you for such a useful review. This has helped me make up my mind to buy one for my gardening business in the UK. I am envious of your skills, btw!

[@quedecree]

Thanks Mike!

[@bidders77]

MIKE O'BRIEN did you get one Mike? Are you happy with it? Thinking of changing to battery for my maintenance business. Thanks

[@emmett3067]

I found this review and i'm pleased I did. Great review and awesome hedging skills. This guy is Edward Scissorhands!

[@quedecree]

17 months and they're still going. Had to put a new plastic gearbox cover on but they're still working. Several days per week use since new.....not bad!

[@patrujo]

wow, I only got 6 months until the motor died.

[@quedecree]

@@patrujo Considering the cost, I am surprised that mine have lasted as long as they have. I was disappointed the more expensive Huski's didn't last long though. I've had three HLA65's so far and only my original machine no longer runs - I killed it trying to fix it myself but it was pretty rattley by then. I've stopped doing almost all of my large hedges so they're not getting the same amount of use anymore.

[@patrujo]

​@@quedecree You have trimmed some pretty intimidating and massive hedges with those things! Great work! I was going to try the husky battery trimmer, but my Stihl shop repaired my hla65 for free under warrant in less than 3 weeks.That thing is so light and a joy to use. I don't dread cutting hedges for customers anymore. Have a good season.

[@quedecree]

@@patrujo Cheers Don.

[@777darcy]

I've had the husky one for 2 years it went back twice in the first year for loose wiring last year kept overheating on hot days and now motor and wiring needs replacing but not worth the cost .I'm disappointed as it's a big outlay for a one man band over 700 for battery and charger ect , not sure if to consider the new Stihl hla 66 at another 600 for 2 battery's ect or to just leave well alone and continue with my heavy Stihl kombi , it needs to last more than 2 years for that outlay . Jason

[@julianalderson6996]

Yer like em. Got 85 telescopic, its been great off the ladder cos extends bit at a time, got a 94t yesterday. Cos bro n nz said do it" great vid cheers.

[@user-mn3qh1kb8u]

Excellent tool! I use it almost every day for a year. Vfm

[@quedecree]

They're now at 2 years old and while they're still working fine, the gearbox is sounding like a tin can full of rocks despite the amount of grease I put in it. Time for a new pair and when you think of the cost - less than $10 per week over the two years, I think they're a bargain. Both batteries are still fine although my original battery charger started playing up - but was replaced under warranty. The main wear seems to be in the cams that drive the blades - they are now quite sloppy. The Husky's have a bearing race in the cams and after 12 months use, they are still quite smooth.

[@ayske1]

quedecree can they easily cut through branches of the thickness of a ten cent coin

[@quedecree]

@@ayske1 Sorry, just seen this. No, I would not point them at anything that thick. The occasional finger thick piece is ok but I usually prune the heavier growth with some loppers first.

[@SuperTreemendus]

It's nice to watch some one else work for a change. Great review! Thumbs up from me also. It must be great not to have that noisy two stroke engine clattering away behind you.

[@cleaverp]

Thanks for posting. Great video. I've just ordered one.

[@rosewildbill6368]

Helpful information ...thank you from Canada

[@NickandJane]

Cheers mate - good review. Off to buy on now. Thanks

[@anthonywatkins2783]

Brilliant to the point review, next on my to buy list for my large beech hedge 👍

[@quedecree]

Cheers Anthony. A Beech hedge sounds nice - don't think I've seen one my local area. We have some southern beeches here - Nothofagus - but european Beeches are not as common.

[@Mezzararty]

Another great review by you Quedecree :) Good job on the clipping - looked really nice and fresh

[@chrischesterman2350]

very helpful review, thanks, off to buy one!

[@szv71]

Brilliant??? Is there a trick so the blades don't stick together? I got this for my step dad & he's never had this much of an issue vs 20 year old gas John Deere. Lost all the bolts out of it because you have to keep them so loose or they don't work. Crazy.

[@quedecree]

You do have to keep the blades lubed and clean more so than with the petrol machines as the battery machines don't have the start up torque. I give mine a spray with wd40 or similar every hour or so depending what I'm cutting. There is never a need to loosen the bolts (yep, I've done that too) providing the blades are clean. Cutting long wet grass can clean em up a treat, even running them under a tap although If a spray of WD isn't enough, I'll use a citrus foaming solvent. Even with the extra lubrication and cleaning required, I would still never swap back to the petrol machines.

[@leicalvr]

Extremely useful review! Very informative. Do you ever use this on smaller hedges say under 4' high or to you go to a traditional hedger? How does it work on smaller hedges if you have tried? Thanks.

[@quedecree]

No problems on small - say, 1ft tall - box hedges. I've used it heaps and it saves me bending over. I think the smaller HSA 86 is a little faster due to the longer blade and seems to give slightly more control particularly in tight spaces, but if I could only use one, then the longer HLA would be far more versatile. I also like the curved nose protector on the bar for working against brick walls or concrete edging.

[@treefarm3288]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@garycarter2523]

Hey mate, iv had the hla 65 and telescopic 85tho iv just had both motors go on me in a space of a month have you had this same issue? Cheers

[@quedecree]

Hi Gary. Motors have been fine for me. After a couple of years of regular use, the gearboxes get really noisy but they still seem to keep going. Original batteries are going well too although the 300 feels pretty hot when it comes out of the chainsaw!

[@garycarter2523]

@@quedecree cheers for that! It’s seems the yellow wire connector has come lose in the motor…. I had a ap100 battery and that is now toast! I have a ap 200 and that’s still going fine! I can’t seam to get stihl spare parts online so I guess I’ll have to bite the bullet and get a new hla 65! Guess you can’t go wrong with $449 cheers

[@aussie2uGA]

Thanks for the review mate! My biggest concern before buying? Can it cut thicker branches, like the gasoline models, without jamming?

[@quedecree]

Sorry for the late reply - yes, they seem to have pretty close to the same power as the gas or electric models...I just don't think the gearbox will put up the same abuse over time. Having said that, I've been running them constantly for the last three months with no problems. I grease them often too.

[@danprice6270]

I’m looking to go electric I’ve seen a good promo deal on them my question it I abuse my petrol head cutters putting them through big stuff will these cope with that

[@quedecree]

In a nutshell, No. The cordless are fine for six to twelve month annual growth, but they just don't have the same torque - particularly on start up - as the two stroke machines. If I have to cut stuff like 12 month growth on a vigorous Hawthorn, I would use my Stihl KM130's although I don't think I've fired them up for 18months or more. Also, the gearboxes in the cordless aren't as heavy duty as the 2 stroke equivalents - having said that, I'm on my third HLA65 and have never busted a gear box. (my 2nd '65 is still working well).

[@givreycham]

Great review and convinced me to buy one ( in the UK). Is the lens curvature because you are in Australia ?....don't go too near the edge :))

[@quedecree]

It's the curvature of the Earth!

[@JohnUk65]

for 3 month work it still looks like new?

[@quedecree]

I have really looked after it and given it a good clean every week. It's looking a little more worn now :)

[@kekidit]

Respect ! ;o)

[@Viralclown]

I have long wide bushes (Cordylines)out the front and my current ones won’t cut it so I do it by hand with shears. Have you tried cutting things like that with it? Thanks

[@quedecree]

You might be able to get a demo model from your local Stihl dealer or even hire something similar from a hire company but I've never had satisfactory results (tearing and ragged cuts) trying to cut long strappy leaf plants with any sort of reciprocating hedge cutters. I suspect really sharp hand shears are your best bet.

[@Viralclown]

quedecree but that takes forever! Haha

[@cleaverp]

One question, as a pro, which lubricant do you use on the blades, and how often? Cheers!

[@quedecree]

Hi Vladimir, I think the lubricant that Stihl sells in the small aerosol seems to be the best but is on the pricey side. I tend to use WD40 every couple of hours and hit them with a citrus foaming solvent to clean the blades right up if they are getting to gummy. A 50/50 mix of kerosene and oil also works well for general lubrication. I've tried a few different others like lanolin and linseed oil but have yet to find a really good cleaning/lubricating solution.

[@cleaverp]

@@quedecree Thanks mate, I'll look into that.

[@givreycham]

Thought so....but it's still square over here !

[@lopotuchin]

Motor power in watt? RPM in minute? Why this info impossible find?

[@johnholgate1088]

RPM is listed as 'strokes per minute' on the Stihl website - 3000. I don't feel it's as fast as either the petrol machines or 240v version but I find it adequate for my needs. No mention of watts - I suspect that's because it's quite low. I get around 3 hours from the AP300 battery which is 36v/6ah which means I'm using around 2 amps at 36v per hour which should equal 72watts. I think! I find the power is good enough for 90% of my pruning which is 6 - 12 month growth. However, start up torque is not great - it does not take much resin build up on the blades or material in the blades to stop the machine when starting up. Once the blades are running it's pretty good but you need to spend a little extra time lubricating the blades and keeping them clean compared to 240v/2 stroke machines. After using these machines for 3 years now, I would never even contemplate going back to 2 stroke.

[@seagullsbtn]

How does it do on ground weeds like say Japanese Knotweed?

[@quedecree]

Can't say I've ever pointed them at Knotweed. They'd chew their way through cabbage and scotch thistles providing they were still green but I've rarely used them for anything other than hedges and the occasional miscanthus type plant.

[@brentkelly5445]

And i suppose more maneuverability/reach/power because you can get it tight to your body without worrying about burning holes in your clothes

[@quedecree]

Yes to the maneuverability and no holes in the clothes. Reach and power a little less than the equivalent 2 stroke model. Longevity about the same - I've killed a Stihl 2 stroke in as little as 18 months (threw a valve rod iirc) and I've got 2 years out of my first HLA65 (my fault trying to fix a problem that wasn't worth sending to the dealer). I cannot see myself ever buying another 2 stroke machine be it brushcutter/blower/hedger/chainsaw/polesaw.

[@bidders77]

How often are you greasing them and is the gearbox showing any signs of wear? Thanks

[@quedecree]

The Stihl's start sounding a bit 'clacky' in the gearbox pretty quickly so I grease them every couple of weeks or so. There are no bearings in the cams, unlike the Husky's. I think there is more noticeable play in the larger part of the cams now (my terminology may be sus!). Considering the work they have done and for a replacement cost of $450 or thereabouts, I still think they're excellent value for money.