STIHL mowers – the review of the model range, reviews of the brand Stihl

Stihl lawnmowers: varieties, choice and operation

The Stihl lawnmower is a modern gardening solution, capable of providing a truly high-quality grass cutting both on a well-groomed lawn and on an already well-groomed plot. The range of branded products is so wide that you can choose the best solution for every location and type of work. Professional and amateur gardeners appreciate the German reliability, high precision and durability inherent in every product of the well-known brand.

Review of gasoline and electric models of lawn mowers will help you make the right choice. It will not be superfluous to study the characteristics of self-propelled battery-powered models – they are of the greatest interest for gardeners today. Only by comparing all the pros and cons of different models, you can make a really informed decision.

About the brand

The manufacturer of lawn mowers Stihl is well known to buyers of equipment for home and garden all over the world. There are representatives of the brand in Australia, Asia, Africa and America, and the company itself is based in Germany and Austria. The company has existed for almost 100 years – since 1926 – and originally focused its range of products on the forestry sector. It was the reliable and modern chainsaws that made the company popular and made it an industry leader by 1971.

The brand was named after its founder Andreas Stihl. The holding company, into which the company moved until 1990, remained under the direction of his family members and actively expanded.

It was not until 2002 that outsiders became the leaders. However, this did not diminish the company’s success. Since 2016, after a merger with Globe Tools, the company’s product line has included cordless equipment.

The Viking brand, founded by Stihl in 1981 to produce garden tools, deserves special attention. The company was based in Austria and provided the development of lawn mowers, garden cultivators, scarifiers and shredders. In 1992, it joined the Viking group. Since 2019, the entire line of these devices is fully branded as Stihl products, changing the green color of the bodies to orange.

advantages and disadvantages

Mowers produced under the Stihl brand have the following obvious advantages.

• High reliability. All components and units are manufactured in-house in accordance with European standards.
• Availability in the model range of mowers for large estates and land lawns. There is no possibility to choose powerful models and spend only a part of your resources. There is a technique for every task.
• Bright recognizable design. Lawn mower is not lost in the grass, it can be seen from afar – this is important for safety when mowing.
• The sturdy steel frame. You don’t have to worry that it won’t endure the stress of mowing. This is especially important for non-self-propelled models.
• Special wheel coating. It is made of a special rubber compound that makes it easier to grip the ground. The grass does not suffer from being moved when mowing.
• The knife is made of stainless steel. The grass after contact with them is not subject to oxidation.

The only disadvantage is the rather high price: it differs from the market average, but this is exclusively due to the quality of the equipment.

All existing types of STIHL mowing equipment can be divided into two large groups: self-propelled and non-propelled (manual) without wheel drive. The first group is necessarily equipped with a motor, which allows the autonomous movement of equipment on the territory. This is primarily a robotic model and gasoline technology with the highest possible passability.

Non-autonomous lawnmowers are also a popular option and are focused primarily on the care of established lawns, which simply require regular maintenance of the grass at the optimum height.

By design and power, the following types of devices can be distinguished.

• Gasoline-powered. The most common and popular models. They are distinguished by their large size and massiveness, but provide the maximum performance. Lawnmower does not depend on the availability of electricity, most often has a self-referential type of construction.
• Electric Convenient and environmentally friendly solutions for working in the garden. They are lighter, quieter than gasoline mowers, but require quite frequent operation. Their range depends entirely on the length of the cable. Electric mowers can not work on wet grass.
• Cordless. Lightweight, compact, energy-dependent. However, their operating time is limited by the capacity and battery capacity. A good choice for the care of a small lawn or the entire garden, when gasoline equipment does not seem too environmentally friendly.
• Robot. The most expensive programmable models. They operate within a certain circuit, allow free movement and return to the base themselves. You can set the mowing mode and not worry about mowing the lawn all summer.

All of these STIHL machines are branded with reliability and quality craftsmanship and are already on the line.

Model Overview

Among Stihl lawn mowers, there are many models that deserve attention. It is worth considering the best options in more detail.

Battery

In the class of cordless equipment, the RMA 235 model deserves attention. It is compact, easy to use, maneuverable, equipped with a folding grass catcher. The width of 33 cm is enough to handle a small lawn. It has a 450 watt power rating and the Stihl compact battery system is suitable for 2.8 amp lithium-ion IT batteries.

The RMA 339 is a 900-watt battery-powered model with a mowing width of 37 cm – it will handle a medium-sized lawn. The lithium-ion battery will take care of easy portability, a special grass catcher box, and a proprietary flap blade that extends battery life through energy-saving operation.

Robotic lawnmowers

There are 4 in total in the Stihl Imow line, but 2 models deserve special attention. The RMI 632 P is the most powerful thanks to its 194Wh battery, capable of mowing up to 4,000 m2. The model overcomes slopes up to 45%, mows grass at a height of 20-60 mm, can work up to 8 hours a week and makes minimal noise. Proxos width is 28 cm, the technique requires the use of a limiting cable, there is control with a remote control.

RMI 422 P is a medium power model. This robotic lawnmower is able to serve a lawn of up to 1500 m2, it is controlled and the mowing program is set using the display on the body.

The units are ready to work up to 25 hours a week and always keep your lawn in perfect condition.

electric

Interest in the electric segment is represented by the lightest models as well as quite powerful units. The latest model in the RME 235 series has a 1200 watt electric motor and is able to cover a 33 cm strip at a time. The increased maneuverability makes it the best option for working the garden between trees and flower beds.

RME 545 V is the most powerful solution with plastic housing and sheet steel frame. The model is equipped with a 7-step cutting height switch. The power of the device is 1600 W, the kit includes a 60 l grass catcher box, a 43 cm wide cutting element, a mono-arm with a folding mechanism and special handles for transportation.

petrol

Models 2, 4 and 5 of the household series refer to Stihl gasoline lawnmowers. For example, the RM 248, the youngest in its class, has a mowing width of 46 cm and works on lawns up to 1,200 m. The RM 448 TC, equipped with a special ergonomically designed handle with a one-way clamp, mows the same area faster and saves fuel.

The machines in the 6 Series are some of Stihl’s most powerful lawnmowers with petrol engines. The RM 650 VS is a powerful machine for lawn care up to 2,000 m2. It has a special brake system and the Vario drive is infinitely adjustable. The cutting width is 48 cm and the height is 25 to 85 mm. RM 756 YC is the most powerful mower in the 6 Series, equipped with a hydrostatic drive system. The model is equipped with a mono-arm for easy access to the grass catcher box.

How to choose?

The main criteria for choosing a Stihl lawn mower are the following points.

• Requirements for the environmental friendliness of the equipment. If you do not want to inhale gasoline fumes while working, it is better to use cordless or cord mowers.
• Availability of free time. If it is not available, and to look at the beautiful lawn outside the window still want, the situation will save the robotic lawnmower.
• The presence of a reliable power grid. For areas without electricity or with a weak network, the best option would be gasoline or battery-powered lawn mower.
• Mowing area. For large plots, fields, the care of an area of several hectares, only a gasoline lawn mower is suitable. All other options are only suitable for mowing lawn grass near the house.

Determining all the parameters of the device, you can easily pick up the most convenient option for you.

User’s guide

A prerequisite for the efficient operation of Stihl electric lawnmowers is that the batteries are in good working order. Before you start, make sure the battery is charged, the cable is intact and there is power in the mains. With gasoline models, things are a little more complicated. If in a trimmer it is enough to coil or change the fishing line on the spool, setting up the equipment for mowing large areas will require serious efforts. Before you start the engine, you need to check that the equipment is in working order. Fill the mower as needed, based on fuel consumption. But before each use, you should fill up and change the oil. To do this, open the tank cap and drain out the old grease with a hose.

When starting work for the first time, it is worth studying in detail what controls are available and where they are located. Excess debris, stones, fallen branches from trees are removed from the lawn. The start of work is checked, and if necessary, the straps are secured. It is recommended to inspect the blades of the cutting elements for damage. If adjustment of the carburetor or other complex manipulation is required, it is better to contact the service center.

Possible malfunctions

During the operation of Stihl lawn mowers, the user may encounter the following problems:

• The blades dull too quickly;
• The technique does not start;
• The engine runs, but stops when pumping;
• The carburetor is clogged;
• Power drops significantly during operation.

Most malfunctions diagnosed in battery and cable electric-gas ceremonies are due to oxidized contacts or broken wires. In brushes – electric motors, the moving element is the brush, but a spare is usually included.

In gasoline models, the first thing to check is the presence of fuel in the tank. Then the technique is checked for spark – if there is no spark, the problem may be in the spark plug.

Vibration of the mower deck indicates that the standard mounting bolts have collapsed. They should be tightened regularly to avoid global damage. If the mower unevenly cuts the grass, the problem may be in the sharpening of the blade. It is performed at an angle of 30 degrees. Disputed shredded metal discs need to be replaced.

Whistling in the housing at startup is a sign that a foreign object has gotten inside. It is usually blocking the vent roller. It is necessary to disassemble the corresponding unit and remove the obstruction. A stalled engine is usually due to a jammed piston or engine crankshaft. Also, the same symptoms indicate a lack of oil in the crankcase.

Stihl lawnmowers: varieties, choice and operation

The Stihl lawnmower is a modern gardening solution, capable of providing a truly high-quality grass cutting both on a well-groomed lawn and on an already well-groomed plot. The range of branded products is so wide that you can choose the best solution for every location and type of work. Professional and amateur gardeners appreciate the German reliability, high precision and durability inherent in every product of the well-known brand.

Review of gasoline and electric models of lawn mowers will help you make the right choice. It will not be superfluous to study the characteristics of self-propelled battery-powered models – they are of the greatest interest for gardeners today. Only by comparing all the pros and cons of different models, you can make a really informed decision.

About the brand

The manufacturer of lawn mowers Stihl is well known to buyers of equipment for home and garden all over the world. There are representatives of the brand in Australia, Asia, Africa and America, and the company itself is based in Germany and Austria. The company has existed for almost 100 years – since 1926 – and originally focused its range of products on the forestry sector. It was the reliable and modern chainsaws that made the company popular and made it an industry leader by 1971.

The brand was named after its founder Andreas Stihl. The holding company, into which the company moved until 1990, remained under the direction of his family members and actively expanded.

It was not until 2002 that outsiders became the leaders. However, this did not diminish the company’s success. Since 2016, after a merger with Globe Tools, the company’s product line has included cordless equipment.

The Viking brand, founded by Stihl in 1981 to produce garden tools, deserves special attention. The company was based in Austria and provided the development of lawn mowers, garden cultivators, scarifiers and shredders. In 1992, it joined the Viking group. Since 2019, the entire line of these devices is fully branded as Stihl products, changing the green color of the bodies to orange.

advantages and disadvantages

Mowers produced under the Stihl brand have the following obvious advantages.

• High reliability. All components and units are manufactured in-house in accordance with European standards.
• Availability in the model range of mowers for large estates and land lawns. There is no possibility to choose powerful models and spend only a part of your resources. There is a technique for every task.
• Bright recognizable design. Lawn mower is not lost in the grass, it can be seen from afar – this is important for safety when mowing.
• The sturdy steel frame. You don’t have to worry that it won’t endure the stress of mowing. This is especially important for non-self-propelled models.
• Special wheel coating. It is made of a special rubber compound that makes it easier to grip the ground. The grass does not suffer from being moved when mowing.
• The knife is made of stainless steel. The grass after contact with them is not subject to oxidation.

The only disadvantage is the rather high price: it differs from the market average, but this is exclusively due to the quality of the equipment.

All existing types of STIHL mowing equipment can be divided into two large groups: self-propelled and non-propelled (manual) without wheel drive. The first group is necessarily equipped with a motor, which allows the autonomous movement of equipment on the territory. This is primarily a robotic model and gasoline technology with the highest possible passability.

Non-autonomous lawnmowers are also a popular option and are focused primarily on the care of established lawns, which simply require regular maintenance of the grass at the optimum height.

By design and power, the following types of devices can be distinguished.

• Gasoline-powered. The most common and popular models. They are distinguished by their large size and massiveness, but provide the maximum performance. Lawnmower does not depend on the availability of electricity, most often has a self-referential type of construction.
• Electric Convenient and environmentally friendly solutions for working in the garden. They are lighter, quieter than gasoline mowers, but require quite frequent operation. Their range depends entirely on the length of the cable. Electric mowers can not work on wet grass.
• Cordless. Lightweight, compact, energy-dependent. However, their operating time is limited by the capacity and battery capacity. A good choice for the care of a small lawn or the entire garden, when gasoline equipment does not seem too environmentally friendly.
• Robot. The most expensive programmable models. They operate within a certain circuit, allow free movement and return to the base themselves. You can set the mowing mode and not worry about mowing the lawn all summer.

All of these STIHL machines are branded with reliability and quality craftsmanship and are already on the line.

Model Overview

Among Stihl lawn mowers, there are many models that deserve attention. It is worth considering the best options in more detail.

Battery

In the class of cordless equipment, the RMA 235 model deserves attention. It is compact, easy to use, maneuverable, equipped with a folding grass catcher. The width of 33 cm is enough to handle a small lawn. It has a 450 watt power rating and the Stihl compact battery system is suitable for 2.8 amp lithium-ion IT batteries.

The RMA 339 is a 900-watt battery-powered model with a mowing width of 37 cm – it will handle a medium-sized lawn. The lithium-ion battery will take care of easy portability, a special grass catcher box, and a proprietary flap blade that extends battery life through energy-saving operation.

Robotic lawnmowers

There are 4 in total in the Stihl Imow line, but 2 models deserve special attention. The RMI 632 P is the most powerful thanks to its 194Wh battery, capable of mowing up to 4,000 m2. The model overcomes slopes up to 45%, mows grass at a height of 20-60 mm, can work up to 8 hours a week and makes minimal noise. Proxos width is 28 cm, the technique requires the use of a limiting cable, there is control with a remote control.

RMI 422 P is a medium power model. This robotic lawnmower is able to serve a lawn of up to 1500 m2, it is controlled and the mowing program is set using the display on the body.

The units are ready to work up to 25 hours a week and always keep your lawn in perfect condition.

electric

Interest in the electric segment is represented by the lightest models as well as quite powerful units. The latest model in the RME 235 series has a 1200 watt electric motor and is able to cover a 33 cm strip at a time. The increased maneuverability makes it the best option for working the garden between trees and flower beds.

RME 545 V is the most powerful solution with plastic housing and sheet steel frame. The model is equipped with a 7-step cutting height switch. The power of the device is 1600 W, the kit includes a 60 l grass catcher box, a 43 cm wide cutting element, a mono-arm with a folding mechanism and special handles for transportation.

petrol

Models 2, 4 and 5 of the household series refer to Stihl gasoline lawnmowers. For example, the RM 248, the youngest in its class, has a mowing width of 46 cm and works on lawns up to 1,200 m. The RM 448 TC, equipped with a special ergonomically designed handle with a one-way clamp, mows the same area faster and saves fuel.

The machines in the 6 Series are some of Stihl’s most powerful lawnmowers with petrol engines. The RM 650 VS is a powerful machine for lawn care up to 2,000 m2. It has a special brake system and the Vario drive is infinitely adjustable. The cutting width is 48 cm and the height is 25 to 85 mm. RM 756 YC is the most powerful mower in the 6 Series, equipped with a hydrostatic drive system. The model is equipped with a mono-arm for easy access to the grass catcher box.

How to choose?

The main criteria for choosing a Stihl lawn mower are the following points.

• Requirements for the environmental friendliness of the equipment. If you do not want to inhale gasoline fumes while working, it is better to use cordless or cord mowers.
• Availability of free time. If it is not available, and to look at the beautiful lawn outside the window still want, the situation will save the robotic lawnmower.
• The presence of a reliable power grid. For areas without electricity or with a weak network, the best option would be gasoline or battery-powered lawn mower.
• Mowing area. For large plots, fields, the care of an area of several hectares, only a gasoline lawn mower is suitable. All other options are only suitable for mowing lawn grass near the house.

Determining all the parameters of the device, you can easily pick up the most convenient option for you.

User’s guide

A prerequisite for the efficient operation of Stihl electric lawnmowers is that the batteries are in good working order. Before you start, make sure the battery is charged, the cable is intact and there is power in the mains. With gasoline models, things are a little more complicated. If in a trimmer it is enough to coil or change the fishing line on the spool, setting up the equipment for mowing large areas will require serious efforts. Before you start the engine, you need to check that the equipment is in working order. Fill the mower as needed, based on fuel consumption. But before each use, you should fill up and change the oil. To do this, open the tank cap and drain out the old grease with a hose.

When starting work for the first time, it is worth studying in detail what controls are available and where they are located. Excess debris, stones, fallen branches from trees are removed from the lawn. The start of work is checked, and if necessary, the straps are secured. It is recommended to inspect the blades of the cutting elements for damage. If adjustment of the carburetor or other complex manipulation is required, it is better to contact the service center.

Possible malfunctions

During the operation of Stihl lawn mowers, the user may encounter the following problems:

• The blades dull too quickly;
• The technique does not start;
• The engine runs, but stops when pumping;
• The carburetor is clogged;
• Power drops significantly during operation.

Most malfunctions diagnosed in battery and cable electric-gas ceremonies are due to oxidized contacts or broken wires. In brushes – electric motors, the moving element is the brush, but a spare is usually included.

In gasoline models, the first thing to check is the presence of fuel in the tank. Then the technique is checked for spark – if there is no spark, the problem may be in the spark plug.

Vibration of the mower deck indicates that the standard mounting bolts have collapsed. They should be tightened regularly to avoid global damage. If the mower unevenly cuts the grass, the problem may be in the sharpening of the blade. It is performed at an angle of 30 degrees. Disputed shredded metal discs need to be replaced.

Whistling in the housing at startup is a sign that a foreign object has gotten inside. It is usually blocking the vent roller. It is necessary to disassemble the corresponding unit and remove the obstruction. A stalled engine is usually due to a jammed piston or engine crankshaft. Also, the same symptoms indicate a lack of oil in the crankcase.