Stihl HLA 65

Never spent this much on a tool, but – I dreaded doing the hedges and put it off using a noisy petrol hedger being heavy and hard to start, arms would soon tire and the work would need to be split between two weekends. The Stihl HLA 65 has transformed this task into pleasurable job, I can just trim a hedge on an evening as it is so quiet and now this task is not a choir and the garden… Read more

is kept in better shape. The HLA is not cheap but it has given me a big time saving. I got a deal with the fast AL300 charger and the AP300 battery which charges in about 30 minutes. This combination will probably do my whole garden with power to spare as the battery has 227wh of storage probably lasting3-4 hours. I could have probably used the lighter HLA56 but do not regret making the extra investment to HLA65 as it seems well made and looks to last. I intend to get an accessory foot as it will save scrapes to the battery when changing the blade angel, it would have been nice if this was supplied with the unit. Cordless is the way to go as its quiet and more considerate to your neigbours and wildlife life in the garden. Thank you, Regards Dave, Sussex, UK

Really really good – Been a gardening contractor for 21 years. Used all sorts of petrol hedge trimmers from Stihl to Honda. But this one is the best. Well built, well weighted, great cut. The extending pole is terrific. Was talked into paying a bit more for the AP300S battery, but it was worth it. Really easy to use, very little maintenance, quiet and powerful. … Read more

Dispelled my reservations about battery powered equipment.

Don't be put off by the seemingly high price of the components. Combined (trimmer, battery, charger), are still cheaper than the petrol equivalent.

Best tool I own – I have used this hedger for 2 years now. It is perfect. It cost more then the budget machines I have owned but it is in a different class. The blades are still very efficient after a couple of years of domestic use. It has a good reach but not so long that it is difficult to manage like one of my previous machines. It is well balanced which also… Read more

makes it easy to use. It is battery powered -no noise, no fumes, no holding your tongue in the right part of your mouth. I am 'all battery' now (all Stihl) and absolutely happy with that.

The hedge trimmer is good, quiet with no fumes, AP 180 battery is of poor quality – I have the HLA 65 and AP 180 battery. The weight, no fumes and quietness of the HLA65 make it a good hedge trimmer. The only sign of wear is in the battery catches on the battery box end not working easily as should. I maintain a home with over 36m of hedges as well as a number of smaller hedges and cut them 3-4 times per year, i.e., so not a… Read more

commercial user.

Reason for the Bad review is that the AP 180 battery failed after less than 50 charging cycles. It is well short of the "...up to 1200" as stated. (https://www.stihl.com.au/battery-faqs.aspx) My research on Li Ion batteries indicate that the expectation is 300 to about 500 charging cycles using good Japanese cells so the exaggerated manufacturers claims are plain nonsense and are potentially misleading.

The battery was always fully charged before use. It was not stored in the charging cradle between uses. It was never dropped, rained upon or left on the sun and it was stored in my garage. At less then 50 charging cycles, my experience is that battery life is way off the 10 years I should have had and I feel I have been let down. My review of the AP 180 battery should apply to the AP 80, AP 100, AP 200, AP 300 and AP 300S as they all what appears to be the same battery box, just with different capacity 18650 cells.

The Stihl agent told me that Stihl batteries are like glass and so are very fragile. I would hope that is not the case but if they are, heaven help the commercial users then. The agent said there was no come back as the batteries were out of warranty.

Battery works a treat – Purchased the HLA 65 along with the battery belt to use in place of my Petrol Kombi Hedge Trimmer. Being a contractor I was somewhat hesitant about its performance, but I have been pleasantly surprised with its power, it stands up to work and with the AP300 battery I am able to get 2 full complexes trimmed (approx 3hrs of trimming) out of a single… Read more

charge. I purchased this for weight as my elbows have been suffering with my petrol trimmers and even with the battery in this is an awesome unit. Highly recommend anyone thinking about moving to battery to do it

Electric surprisingly good – Bought this to trim bottlebrush shrubs and it does a good job. I use the AP300 battery and it did 3 trees plus a hibiscus tree before running out of charge. The charger takes a fair while to charge. I bought the still brand lubricant and find it makes a good smell and stops the cutter from rusting.  Show details

Love the product but don't bother purchasing the carry bag – The Stihl HLA65 is fantastic, I have no complaints with it however, don't bother purchasing the Carry Bag ($80.00). Having purchased a Stihl carry bag as listed on page 73 of the current Stihl catalogue and as recommended as a carry bag suitable for a HLA65 we now find this tool does not actually fit in the bag. Very disappointing.  Show details