Bought the HS45 600mm in early 2012 and is serving me well today and easy to start.This review is purely for that year model because since then quality standards may have changed i.e. outsourced parts. Maintenance is critical in all aspects and I use cheap no name Canola Oil in spray can for lubricating and keeping blades clean. The exhaust filter needs to be kept clean so the machine breathes at both ends. We live on small acreage with over 130 metres of 2 metre high hedge that is 2-2.5 metres wide and I have given this machine hell with onl...Read more

Hi! Max again from New Pkymouth NZ !
Have above Stihl hedge trimmer I use to trim tops of hedges, shape shrubs and olive trees cut back (prune) roses and trim 25 Feijoa trees along one boundary fence. Starts every time no problems.
Regularly clean out exhaust spark filters in all my 2 stroke garden power tools now ! Is a common problem to performance and power of any 2 stroke power tool regardless of brand. The trimmer is heavy due to its internal metal parts and the motor as a combined weight. Being 70 years old doesn't help either! Despit...Read more

The model I bought is the HS45-7 with a 600mm blade and I bought it over 2 years ago. To view the product on Stihl's web site go to [weblink removed]. I use it around the house where I need to keep several hedging plants trimmed regularly and I have to keep a 'Morea' bush under control. I did have a Bosch electric hedge trimmer with a 45 cm blade before this and it did a great job but the blade was too short for my needs and I tired of dragging an extension cord around (and I cut through it once!). The Stihl is very powerful and cuts through gr...Read more

I love my Stihl HS 45, it’s reliable and easy to use. I got a few Stihl tools, had some > 5 years, no issues with any of them. I always wait until a special to save a few bucks, the shops don’t seem to discount further (or I can’t negotiate well enough!). The best I’ve managed is oil thrown in.

Pros
• Value for money
• Reliable – has never missed a beat. I need to give mine 3 pulls to start from cold normally, but it always starts
• Easy to use
• More powerful than an electric and don’t have to wait for charge and keep additional charger...Read more

Bought this hedge trimmer about 2 years ago from a local shop in Oak Flats. Got it at a time that Stihl was offering a rebate on them ($60 or $100, can't remember) so thought I would give it a go as Stihl has such a good name in chain saws. Convinced them to throw in a bottle of 2 stroke oil too so don't feel ripped off but I do think that this hedge trimmer is nothing special. For such a small engine it is not a quick starter, not super hard but takes a couple of pulls. Certainly nothing like a Tanaka which starts first pull every time. I...Read more

I use one of these nearly every week, and I have to say for what it is structurally sound it has to be one of the worst tools of the trade I've used in regards to human design ever!

It is hard to start and jumps around, you have to put it on the ground and this can cause issues with dirt getting into the blades. The safety mechanism is a good idea but starting it single handed while off the ground makes you feel like your going to loose your inch worm somehow!!

This trimmer is a fish, and that it drinks like a bloody big fish! One tank wi...Read more

STIHL does not have any product customer service in australia.
All numbers by phone are to authorized dealers. Most of them just wanna sell u something and don't wanna know you after attitude

Its actually hard to start in comparison to other STIHL products ...especially their new EASy2START models.

its also really loud compared to the other 0.75KW motors in STIHL range.

and my main problem is that its difficult to start, its harsh on your arms with the pull...(doesn't feel smooth when cranking... Very lumpy feeling)
and chuggs a bit at the start and likes to stall until it warms up. but when its running for a while and warmed up...there's no problem.
...Read more