Stihl HLA 56 Long Reach Hedge Trimmer

I went to the BBC Gardeners World show at Beaulieu recently and saw this long reach hedge trimmer on the Stihl stand. I was impressed by its low weight and easy handling and so, when I returned home, ordered one from Winchester Garden Machinery who were in support at the Stihl stand. I paid the full price and bought the model without a battery.

[@davidgrover2665]

Love my AK Battery Tools and batteries last ages in the hedge cutters. When I first got my long reach cutter I had forgotten to spray the blades before putting it away and it did stick up with the hedge sap that I had been cutting - I didn't forget that again! Thanks for sharing the video Peter BTW Love the 2024 Stihl AK Lawnmowers - some great design features

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi David, I can't afford a new lawn mower and hope that the current one lasts me out. Cheers. Peter

[@davidgrover2665]

@@NewBritWorkshop neither can I but I keep looking! 🫣😂

[@MCsCreations]

Really fantastic tool, Peter! Congrats! 😃 Thanks a bunch for sharing it! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Thanks, you too. Cheers. Peter

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Peter, Good demonstration on your new Stihl hedge trimmer, a very good reach and with the extension. Nice cutting work on the Laurel, as you said your not small the laurel is big. As always a good honest review and a great video, Take care

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Shaun, Many thanks for this. Cheers. Peter

[@marcosbatista6227]

A explicação do Peter sempre louvável, perfeito e simples sempre, muito obrigado Peter ❤

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Many thanks Marcos - muito obrigado to you as well. Cheers. Peter

[@marcosbatista6227]

@@NewBritWorkshop thanks Peter Parfitt 😁

[@MINGLE2008]

Good evening a very interesting tool. Thanks for the video.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Many thanks - yes, it is far better than my old petrol machine and half the price. Cheers. Peter

[@router5840]

Interesting video Peter, can you add more than one extension.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Good question - I am not sure but it looks technically possible. Try it and see. Peter

[@bombaypj81]

Great video Peter. Do you mind if I ask if you did consider the AP range? I'd value your thoughts on this if you would be kind enough.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

The AP range is just a bit more expensive and for my medium sized garden a bit of overkill. I am really happy with the AK range although I would rather have an AP mower (if I could afford it). Cheers. Peter

[@katabrontes]

Hi Peter I have a,mains powered Ryobi trimmer with an extension which i use on a tree in France. I chose this one as it's a bit lighter than the battey version and about half or less cost. However i do find using it at full stretch quite hard now. Your Stihl looked quite easy on the laurel and has a good length bar. How thick will it cut?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Mike, I would guess that I have cut branches close to 20 mm or just over. It works really well and beats any machine that I have tried before. Peter

[@katabrontes]

@NewBritWorkshop That's pretty good. My mains one hardly does better than that.

[@garvielloken3929]

Nooice!

[@mikeb1]

Thanks for the video. I was interested that you used WD40 on the blades; my Oregon manual wants me to use oil but not WD40, I assume because it dries to a rather sticky residue.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

Hi Mike, Maybe Oregon want to sell their own product - Stihl do the same. I have not noticed any sticky residue left by WD40 which I have been using on all my hedge trimmers for the last 35 years. Cheers. Peter

[@mikeb1]

@@NewBritWorkshop If it works for you then fine. I do notice that WD40 does leave a residue; maybe sticky was not the right word but it doesn't stay fluid like oil. Waxy is probably a better description. I've just checked what my book says - and it's not pushing any particular brand - it says use a light silicon (sic) lubricant only... never use water displacement products.

[@katabrontes]

Isn't WD40 marketed as a water displacement lubricant?

[@alb3926]

@alb3926 0 seconds ago Hello Sir. This is a great video and much more helpful than Stihl customer service when I contacted them. I am interested in this for a neighbours laurel hedge - Stiga do a trimmer that’s longer (4m). Do you find it inconvenient needing a ladder for the higher bits or does it not slow you down too much?

[@NewBritWorkshop]

There is a limit to the length of a long reach trimmer beyond which it becomes very difficult to cotrol and maintain safety. I think that the HLA56 with its extension piece is the maximum safe and easy handling length for the average user. Standing on a ladder or folding steps is not a problem at all as long as the user feels safe. My yellow step ladder is brilliant as it has a wide base and also handles at each side. Many gardeners favour the triagular footprint step ladders which have a wide base to the steps and a single pole, hinged at the top, which can be pushed into a hedge which then brings the user much closer to the action. These are not cheap but they are very safe: www.wgmltd.co.uk/other-equipment/tripod-ladders

[@alb3926]

@@NewBritWorkshop thank you for your detailed answer. I’ll get the same as you!

[@sunset5461]

I have a Parkside Cordless 40 Volt 3 in 1 ie mini chain saw, strimmer and hedge cutter all with extension poles with three year warranty. It does the job very well and probably at about a tenth of the price as a stihl. I would have to be hard pushed to pay more for the premium brands.

[@NewBritWorkshop]

I am not sure of the 1/10th of the price as my hedge trimmer was under £200 and so a £20 Parkside sounds a bit silly.

[@katabrontes]

@NewBritWorkshop Correct Peter. With batteries (2x20v) and charger that set is about €220 on offer in France at the moment. Probably about 1/3 - 1/2 the Stihl though!

[@michaelblackmore883]

@@katabrontesI have just orders the Lidl (Parkside) bundle (long handle hedge trimmer, strimmer with brush cutter attachment and small chain saw) with a dual charger and 4x20v (2ah) batteries for €211 delivered. It has a 30 day free return so I can have a look at it and see if it's worth keeping. Not Stihl quality of course but for fairly light occasional use it should do the job. It will be interesting to see how it compares with my long handled Ryobi mains hedge trimmer and the little Makita one with short extension which I bought as I have the Makita 18v batteries for drills. Of course adding all this together I could probably have bought the Stihl but experience is never free!

[@katabrontes]

@michaelblackmore883 I ordered after we had our second top up of Aperol spritz in the garden so it might have been 'Too hasty!' Stihl ( sic) you are only young once!

[@30jspecial]

If you need a ladder , then the pole is useless