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Steve Bullman

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Everything posted by Steve Bullman

  1. I don’t see why not. I expect @STIHL GB will come and clarify a few of the points raised at some point
  2. Wasn’t any noticeable weight difference. I’ll look at the spec sheet later
  3. I expect you’re looking at the rrp on stills site. Prices in the shops will be less
  4. A couple of weeks ago I attended a STIHL GB press event where the various attendees were introduced to some of the new products coming out from STIHL this year. The past couple of years has seen a strong focus from STIHL towards their battery range, so of course some of these new products featured heavily on the day. One of these products was the STIHL MSA 300. I don’t generally like to review a product that I haven’t had a solid amount of hands on experience with, however in the case of the STIHL MSA 300 I feel I gained enough of an insight in the short time I used it to write a worthwhile first impressions of this chainsaw. A battery chainsaw with the power of an MS 261? Let’s start off with the big one, that being STIHL’s claim that the MSA 300 is comparable to the MS 261. Now I’ll be the first to say I have had very little experience using the MS 261, but I have used several saws from different manufacturers in this power band range. If STIHL’s claims hold true over prolonged use then this saw is definitely going to be breaking new ground in battery saw technology. New AV mounts, a battery chainsaw first The MSA 300 has a few interesting features. Due to it being more powerful than any other battery chainsaw to date, STIHL have introduced AV mounts. This is another first from Stihl and I’m sure will be included in all larger battery models going forward. Can battery chainsaws be used in the rain? Like everything in the AP tool range, the MSA 300 boasts a robust thermal set up and is completely weatherproof. It is reliable in all applications and conditions. This is one of those things that can only be determined by a few months solid use in all weather conditions, although needless to say I’m sure it has been thoroughly tested by STIHL. Running in wet weather was an issue with some of the earlier battery saws. I had one top handled saw (not STIHL) that ended up going back to the manufacturer after it failed after working in light rain for about an hour 1 day. This is definitely going to be a consideration for battery saws across all brands to become mainstream, particularly with forestry users. Easy maintenance of the air filter Yep you read that right. Another first from STIHL is the introduction of an air filter to their battery chainsaw. With the larger motor needed to gain the power the MSA 300 has, consideration had to be given to keeping the airflow clean. STIHL achieved this by adding a conventional air filter which is easily accessible on the top cover. Compatible with STIHL Smart Connector 2 A The MSA 300 is compatible with the STIHL Smart Connector 2 A. This can be plugged directly into the control module and is able to collect valuable date when in use such as run-time and operating speed history. Perhaps most useful is the ability to sync with your smartphone and receive notifications when routine maintenance tasks need to be carried out. Bar, chain, and chain speed The MSA 300 comes equipped with a STIHL Light 04 guide bar, and .325” RS PRO chain (analog MS 261) which runs at a chain speed of up to 30 m/s. The maximum guide bar length is the same as that of the MS 261 C-M at 18”. Power Source and battery life Another big advancement for STIHL is the introduction of the new AP 500 S battery. This is the most powerful battery to date form Stihl, with an impressive maximum power output of 3.0 kW, that’s a 40% increase on the AP 300 S battery! What’s more, it also boasts double the service life of 2400 charges thanks to power laminate technology. It’s worth nothing that although the MSA 300 will run on an AP 300 S, to reach the saws maximum potential it does require the AP 500 S battery. ** Top tip – Did you know you can recycle your old batteries by handing them in at your nearest Stihl dealer? ** The MSA comes with 3 power settings enabling the user to preserve the life of the battery even further. The first 2 settings (starting at 24 m/s chains speed) are ideal for lighter work, such as snedding limbs ready for chipping, whilst the 3rd setting provides the full power of the chainsaw for cutting up larger limbs, or if you just want that extra cutting speed you’re used to from a petrol chainsaw. This feature allows the user to increase the battery life if the conditions allow. All these settings are available in a convenient panel on the handle at the touch of a button. The panel also includes a power level and chain brake notification. So how does it actually perform? As previously mentioned, my experience of the saw is quite limited, but I believe I gained enough of an insight to be confident enough to write a review. Initially we did a few test cuts into 10” timber on a saw horse. An MS 261 was on site for us to compare the speed of the two. I have to say, in this size of timber and in these cutting conditions there really was no discernible difference between the two, other than the obvious noise difference. At this point I will add that this is also the first battery chainsaw that STIHL have stated ear defenders should be worn due to the noise created by the larger motor. Having said that, it’s certainly not going to deafen you, but it is slightly over the limit required for hearing protection to be worn. After the initial tests on the saw horse I was given the opportunity to get stuck into a large wood pile. The wood consisted of a mixture of Oak, Leylandi, and Sycamore. This was about as close to real life work as I was able to get, cutting timber up to one and a half times guidebar length with relative ease. It’s quite important to remember to let the saw do the work. Unlike a petrol saw, you are more likely to find the motor getting bogged down if you force your way through the logs. If you’re someone that blunts their saw quickly and likes to keep cutting with it (which you shouldn’t be) then you’re probably going to have to rethink your working practices. There is one slightly annoying feature, and that was the safety button which needs to be pressed before using. After pressing, the throttle needs to be depressed within 3 seconds, otherwise it resets and needs starting again. It’s obvious why this safety feature has been included. A running petrol chainsaw gives the user a clear audible warning when it is running whereas a battery saw stays in a silent state whether it is on or off. Without this important safety feature a helpful but inexperienced groundsman could potentially pick up the saw and inadvertently set the chain running. I have no doubt that this annoyance is simply due to me having a lack of hands-on time with the saw, and would likely become second nature after a couple of solid days use. The MSA 300 has a compact sleek looking design. It feels good in the hands thanks to being well balanced, and the anti-vibration system certainly improves overall comfort. In Conclusion Further field testing is certainly required, but from my initial impressions I believe STIHL have reached a new benchmark in battery chainsaw technology. The last battery chainsaw I reviewed way back in 2017 was the MSA 160 T, which in itself was a game changer at the time. Seeing this technology improve over the past 5 years to where we now have a real player in the mid-range saw size makes one wonder where this is all heading…perhaps a STIHL battery MS 462 equivelant might not be as far-fetched as once believed! Is the MSA 300 suitable for Forestry and Arboriculture? There is no doubt that the MSA 300 has the power for production forestry. The limiting factor however is still going to be battery life. Whilst a single AP 500 S battery might well last as long as a full tank of fuel, if you are working any distance from your vehicle in the forest (which is quite often the case), lugging around enough batteries to last you the day is obviously going to be an issue. Arboriculture is a different game entirely. On a typical day you might only require as little as one battery to get you through the day. Having access to a power source to recharge is generally less of an issue, with most homeowners willing to oblige. In fact, for years prior to the existence of battery chainsaws it was quite common when we arrived on site for homeowners to ask us if we needed to plug anything in! Probably the single biggest plus from your client’s point of view is the noise levels. Working on a housing estate running chainsaws all day has never been particularly popular. Perhaps even more so now with more people than ever before working from home. Now we just need someone to bring out a battery powered wood chipper! View full review
  5. A couple of weeks ago I attended a STIHL GB press event where the various attendees were introduced to some of the new products coming out from STIHL this year. The past couple of years has seen a strong focus from STIHL towards their battery range, so of course some of these new products featured heavily on the day. One of these products was the STIHL MSA 300. I don’t generally like to review a product that I haven’t had a solid amount of hands on experience with, however in the case of the STIHL MSA 300 I feel I gained enough of an insight in the short time I used it to write a worthwhile first impressions of this chainsaw. A battery chainsaw with the power of an MS 261? Let’s start off with the big one, that being STIHL’s claim that the MSA 300 is comparable to the MS 261. Now I’ll be the first to say I have had very little experience using the MS 261, but I have used several saws from different manufacturers in this power band range. If STIHL’s claims hold true over prolonged use then this saw is definitely going to be breaking new ground in battery saw technology. New AV mounts, a battery chainsaw first The MSA 300 has a few interesting features. Due to it being more powerful than any other battery chainsaw to date, STIHL have introduced AV mounts. This is another first from Stihl and I’m sure will be included in all larger battery models going forward. Can battery chainsaws be used in the rain? Like everything in the AP tool range, the MSA 300 boasts a robust thermal set up and is completely weatherproof. It is reliable in all applications and conditions. This is one of those things that can only be determined by a few months solid use in all weather conditions, although needless to say I’m sure it has been thoroughly tested by STIHL. Running in wet weather was an issue with some of the earlier battery saws. I had one top handled saw (not STIHL) that ended up going back to the manufacturer after it failed after working in light rain for about an hour 1 day. This is definitely going to be a consideration for battery saws across all brands to become mainstream, particularly with forestry users. Easy maintenance of the air filter Yep you read that right. Another first from STIHL is the introduction of an air filter to their battery chainsaw. With the larger motor needed to gain the power the MSA 300 has, consideration had to be given to keeping the airflow clean. STIHL achieved this by adding a conventional air filter which is easily accessible on the top cover. Compatible with STIHL Smart Connector 2 A The MSA 300 is compatible with the STIHL Smart Connector 2 A. This can be plugged directly into the control module and is able to collect valuable date when in use such as run-time and operating speed history. Perhaps most useful is the ability to sync with your smartphone and receive notifications when routine maintenance tasks need to be carried out. Bar, chain, and chain speed The MSA 300 comes equipped with a STIHL Light 04 guide bar, and .325” RS PRO chain (analog MS 261) which runs at a chain speed of up to 30 m/s. The maximum guide bar length is the same as that of the MS 261 C-M at 18”. Power Source and battery life Another big advancement for STIHL is the introduction of the new AP 500 S battery. This is the most powerful battery to date form Stihl, with an impressive maximum power output of 3.0 kW, that’s a 40% increase on the AP 300 S battery! What’s more, it also boasts double the service life of 2400 charges thanks to power laminate technology. It’s worth nothing that although the MSA 300 will run on an AP 300 S, to reach the saws maximum potential it does require the AP 500 S battery. ** Top tip – Did you know you can recycle your old batteries by handing them in at your nearest Stihl dealer? ** The MSA comes with 3 power settings enabling the user to preserve the life of the battery even further. The first 2 settings (starting at 24 m/s chains speed) are ideal for lighter work, such as snedding limbs ready for chipping, whilst the 3rd setting provides the full power of the chainsaw for cutting up larger limbs, or if you just want that extra cutting speed you’re used to from a petrol chainsaw. This feature allows the user to increase the battery life if the conditions allow. All these settings are available in a convenient panel on the handle at the touch of a button. The panel also includes a power level and chain brake notification. So how does it actually perform? As previously mentioned, my experience of the saw is quite limited, but I believe I gained enough of an insight to be confident enough to write a review. Initially we did a few test cuts into 10” timber on a saw horse. An MS 261 was on site for us to compare the speed of the two. I have to say, in this size of timber and in these cutting conditions there really was no discernible difference between the two, other than the obvious noise difference. At this point I will add that this is also the first battery chainsaw that STIHL have stated ear defenders should be worn due to the noise created by the larger motor. Having said that, it’s certainly not going to deafen you, but it is slightly over the limit required for hearing protection to be worn. After the initial tests on the saw horse I was given the opportunity to get stuck into a large wood pile. The wood consisted of a mixture of Oak, Leylandi, and Sycamore. This was about as close to real life work as I was able to get, cutting timber up to one and a half times guidebar length with relative ease. It’s quite important to remember to let the saw do the work. Unlike a petrol saw, you are more likely to find the motor getting bogged down if you force your way through the logs. If you’re someone that blunts their saw quickly and likes to keep cutting with it (which you shouldn’t be) then you’re probably going to have to rethink your working practices. There is one slightly annoying feature, and that was the safety button which needs to be pressed before using. After pressing, the throttle needs to be depressed within 3 seconds, otherwise it resets and needs starting again. It’s obvious why this safety feature has been included. A running petrol chainsaw gives the user a clear audible warning when it is running whereas a battery saw stays in a silent state whether it is on or off. Without this important safety feature a helpful but inexperienced groundsman could potentially pick up the saw and inadvertently set the chain running. I have no doubt that this annoyance is simply due to me having a lack of hands-on time with the saw, and would likely become second nature after a couple of solid days use. The MSA 300 has a compact sleek looking design. It feels good in the hands thanks to being well balanced, and the anti-vibration system certainly improves overall comfort. In Conclusion Further field testing is certainly required, but from my initial impressions I believe STIHL have reached a new benchmark in battery chainsaw technology. The last battery chainsaw I reviewed way back in 2017 was the MSA 160 T, which in itself was a game changer at the time. Seeing this technology improve over the past 5 years to where we now have a real player in the mid-range saw size makes one wonder where this is all heading…perhaps a STIHL battery MS 462 equivelant might not be as far-fetched as once believed! Is the MSA 300 suitable for Forestry and Arboriculture? There is no doubt that the MSA 300 has the power for production forestry. The limiting factor however is still going to be battery life. Whilst a single AP 500 S battery might well last as long as a full tank of fuel, if you are working any distance from your vehicle in the forest (which is quite often the case), lugging around enough batteries to last you the day is obviously going to be an issue. Arboriculture is a different game entirely. On a typical day you might only require as little as one battery to get you through the day. Having access to a power source to recharge is generally less of an issue, with most homeowners willing to oblige. In fact, for years prior to the existence of battery chainsaws it was quite common when we arrived on site for homeowners to ask us if we needed to plug anything in! Probably the single biggest plus from your client’s point of view is the noise levels. Working on a housing estate running chainsaws all day has never been particularly popular. Perhaps even more so now with more people than ever before working from home. Now we just need someone to bring out a battery powered wood chipper!
  6. Have you checked the tip site directory?
  7. STIHL’s new ADVANCE ProC OM headset offers forestry and landscaping professionals clear and high-quality communication in noisy environments, while offering a high level of ear protection. Using intercom mesh technology, up to 16 headsets can link automatically, allowing users to listen and communicate effectively as a team. Designed with user safety in mind, STIHL’s new innovative headset has a high attenuation value of 31 for extremely high noise protection, and is available as a headset or as an accessory for the ADVANCE X-CLIMB helmet. ADVANCE ProCOM may also be fitted to other 3M compatible helmets. ADVANCE ProCOM has a range of up to 600 m depending on the terrain, however, each headset acts as an amplifier to extend the range even further if more than two headsets are in use. Multiple channels are available for teams working in close proximity, and users may choose the open mic setting for frequent communication, or alternatively, the push-to-talk button can be used instead to minimise background noise. The intelligent ambient mode feature allows the user to clearly hear their surroundings and react quickly to potential dangers such as traffic or passers-by. Ambient mode de-activates automatically when a loud noise is detected, maintaining a high level of protection when it’s most needed. Additional features such as smartphone voice assistance, an integrated FM radio and app customisation are also included in the ADVANCE ProCOM system. Thanks to an IP 64 protection rating users can also be assured that sweat, dirt and rain will not harm the headset's electronics, offering complete flexibility. The headsets also feature large, ergonomic buttons for easy use and handling when wearing gloves. For more information on STIHL’s new ADVANCE ProCOM headset, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.
  8. Without seeing what he had to work with prior and the exact spec he was given its impossible to say. At first glance though it looks fine to me. And a fiddly climb for sure. Not sure my fat arse would do it anymore.
  9. Yep spot on with beech
  10. Checked sawmillers.co.uk?
  11. Minimum rates really depending on your area. A new climber is unproductive and more likely to slow the job down.
  12. Just turned two!
  13. Cost of keeping data is pennies. It’s how much traffic the site gets that demands a bigger server. I pay enough for a small mortgage each month for this place
  14. It’s the same in any game. The secret is to not even try to compete. Easier said than done when theres no work about though
  15. What do they actually hope to achieve with this? It’s not like they’re going to go and arrest him. Someone enlighten me UK and allies push for swift war crimes probe into Putin’s invasion of Ukraine APPLE.NEWS Thirty-eight nations teamed up to press the International Criminal Court to rapidly launch an...
  16. I wish the newspapers would choose one or the other
  17. You need to sign up here https://arbtalk.co.uk/recycling/
  18. Can you clarify exactly what you mean please?
  19. Spent many an evening flicking through the lingerie pages as a 10 year old
  20. Big news for some if you're into your football (i'm not) https://apple.news/AWHiBSjT3QcqmPTog3muQwg
  21. just been doing my regular perusal of my google webmaster stats and saw this. Thats quite a lot of people googling how to complain about their neighbours, and thats just the ones that landed up at arbtalk. Thats over a 3 month period.
  22. After putting a selection of 8” woodchippers through their paces, it was the EVO 205D from GreenMech that proved to be a cut above for Myers Tree Services. Owner Jamie Myers has been in the industry for 30 years and admits that his early experiences of GreenMech weren’t always ‘overly positive’, however, the fantastic performance of a second-hand SAFE-Trak 19-28 soon changed that opinion – paving the way for their new EVO 205D to take power and usability to new heights! Conducting the majority of their work across Surrey and West London, Myers Tree Services have built up a large portfolio of commercial and domestic customers in their 25 years of trading. “With projects of all shapes and sizes, we were looking to upgrade an existing 6” machine for an 8” to make things quicker and easier for the guys on the ground” explains Jamie. “We went to another manufacturer who we’d had machines from in the past, but feeling underwhelmed with their 8” offering, we used that opportunity to see what else was out there.” “Our opinion of GreenMech was transformed a few years ago when we purchased a SAFE-Trak unit which continues to give us nothing but fantastic, consistent performance so we took a look at their 8” EVO 205D and were seriously impressed. It was really the performance and high levels of reliability we’ve had with GreenMech that sealed the deal for us.” The 205D was supplied by local dealers GA Groundcare Ltd in August 2021 and, since its delivery, has exceeded Jamie’s expectations when it comes to power. “It’s an amazing machine. We looked at chippers with some serious throughput capability and the EVO is more than on par, giving us a machine on our fleet that is both easy to use, and powerful enough to process whatever we need it to.” At the heart of the 205D is a 50hp Kubota diesel engine, offering a processing capacity of up to 25 cubic metres of material per hour, making it one of the most productive machines in its category. Strength, durability and ease of maintenance are at the forefront of its design – something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Jamie. “With the EVO range, you can tell GreenMech have thought about how the operator really uses the machine. Giving easy access to all of the components that require servicing makes our lives so much easier and whenever we’ve needed advice, GreenMech have given us fantastic, prompt technical support, meaning it hasn’t skipped a beat in months.”
  23. Did you actually listen to what the guy had to say?
  24. That can get a bit tiresome. I don't have time to spoon feed everyone! The point is don't write something off purely because you don't like the source which is what peds did....source being the news source, and probably more importantly the poster.
  25. Firstly Mick, i'm not an anti-vaxxer, secondly, works both ways! I couldn't care less what news channel it was, in fact I didn't even notice first time round. I was listening to the speaker, and certain things he said are factual, go look them up. Yes arming them against an enemy they have no hope of defeating is opening them up to huge casualties. That doesn't mean I disagree with us doing that. The alternatives are us getting involved, or expecting them just to lay down their arms and surrender. The latter might result in less loss of life but is probably equally unsavoury to the Ukranians as the other options. Bit too quick off the mark to judge there I think Mick.

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