dearber
ArboristSite Lurker
Hi
This has been discussed quite a bit here, and did a lot of reading, but still trying to maybe see if I can get some more input on what to get.
Looking at the Stihl Kombi system to use for maintaining my yard.
First, let me put up more info on what I intend to use it for:
- Cedar hedge trimming - Approximately between 8 and 9 feet tall trees, around 70 trees, likely twice a year or so.
- Grass trimming - I have roughly around 40 yards of more or less a ~6' grass strip, I use a cheap electrical mower and about 30' old cable. Ugh I hate dragging that cable, and especially flipping it over the cedar hedge to the lawn along the sidewalk. But the gas powered machines look like an overkill for this, especially since parts of the area are difficult to maneuver around. I am likely keeping the same mower for now, but I'd need some grass trimmer to help me with those edges here and there, let say about 20-30 yards of edge to trim, every week or two during warmer seasons.
- Blower, I have about 40 square feet of small gravel rocks that get filled with pine needle from a nearby tree. I have a cheap electrical blower that doesn't move a dime when put against the pine needle. Not sure if the Kombi blower would do better, but the dealer said I can always try it for a day and return it if not suitable. I am also wondering whether I can use it for cleaning the gutters, or potentially blowing snow off my glass top patio cover.
- Power Sweeper ? I was told at the dealer it is convenient for cleaning snow off sidewalks, usually should not be a problem in this area, but this winter was horrible, was out shoveling for an hour or two maybe like 15 times this winter, was not much fun, and they say winters like this may be more frequent in the future.
So with that, I am undecided between the KM 91, KM 111, the KM 131. Cost is not much of an issue, $400, $450, and $480 correspondingly. (All Canadian prices). $80 compared to the total cost after all attachments I would be paying anyway, is not that much of a difference to me. But I was told, given that I will likely more than the rest, use this for grass trimming, the engine may wear out quickly if not run at full throttle, and with grass trimming KM131 at full throttle would be too much power I was told and can throw rocks etc ... So I don't mind paying $80 more for the bigger engine, but not at the risk of potentially wearing it out sooner.
Then again, not sure if the blower paired with the KM91 would be enough for that pine needle, heck I do not know if even the KM 131 would be enough for it.
With that out of the way (apologies if too detailed ), I mainly have two questions
- Which engine between the KM 91, KM 111, KM 131 would you recommend? I am leaning towards the KM 111 as a happy medium.
- Straight or adjustable hedge trimmer ? I was going to go adjustable ($320 vs $220), because I was hoping to not have to use a ladder for the tops. But few dealers already told me they don't think not using a ladder is a good idea since I would not be able to see the work I am doing. So if I am to use a ladder anyway, I am starting to lean towards the straight one, reasons being: $100 cheaper, shorter (easier to maneuver?), less weight, less parts meaning less prone to issues ?
This has been discussed quite a bit here, and did a lot of reading, but still trying to maybe see if I can get some more input on what to get.
Looking at the Stihl Kombi system to use for maintaining my yard.
First, let me put up more info on what I intend to use it for:
- Cedar hedge trimming - Approximately between 8 and 9 feet tall trees, around 70 trees, likely twice a year or so.
- Grass trimming - I have roughly around 40 yards of more or less a ~6' grass strip, I use a cheap electrical mower and about 30' old cable. Ugh I hate dragging that cable, and especially flipping it over the cedar hedge to the lawn along the sidewalk. But the gas powered machines look like an overkill for this, especially since parts of the area are difficult to maneuver around. I am likely keeping the same mower for now, but I'd need some grass trimmer to help me with those edges here and there, let say about 20-30 yards of edge to trim, every week or two during warmer seasons.
- Blower, I have about 40 square feet of small gravel rocks that get filled with pine needle from a nearby tree. I have a cheap electrical blower that doesn't move a dime when put against the pine needle. Not sure if the Kombi blower would do better, but the dealer said I can always try it for a day and return it if not suitable. I am also wondering whether I can use it for cleaning the gutters, or potentially blowing snow off my glass top patio cover.
- Power Sweeper ? I was told at the dealer it is convenient for cleaning snow off sidewalks, usually should not be a problem in this area, but this winter was horrible, was out shoveling for an hour or two maybe like 15 times this winter, was not much fun, and they say winters like this may be more frequent in the future.
So with that, I am undecided between the KM 91, KM 111, the KM 131. Cost is not much of an issue, $400, $450, and $480 correspondingly. (All Canadian prices). $80 compared to the total cost after all attachments I would be paying anyway, is not that much of a difference to me. But I was told, given that I will likely more than the rest, use this for grass trimming, the engine may wear out quickly if not run at full throttle, and with grass trimming KM131 at full throttle would be too much power I was told and can throw rocks etc ... So I don't mind paying $80 more for the bigger engine, but not at the risk of potentially wearing it out sooner.
Then again, not sure if the blower paired with the KM91 would be enough for that pine needle, heck I do not know if even the KM 131 would be enough for it.
With that out of the way (apologies if too detailed ), I mainly have two questions
- Which engine between the KM 91, KM 111, KM 131 would you recommend? I am leaning towards the KM 111 as a happy medium.
- Straight or adjustable hedge trimmer ? I was going to go adjustable ($320 vs $220), because I was hoping to not have to use a ladder for the tops. But few dealers already told me they don't think not using a ladder is a good idea since I would not be able to see the work I am doing. So if I am to use a ladder anyway, I am starting to lean towards the straight one, reasons being: $100 cheaper, shorter (easier to maneuver?), less weight, less parts meaning less prone to issues ?