Shindaiwa T236TS

Glad I didn't get the Stihl ! – Its not often I get to write a positive review - but here goes! After being a life long Stihl user and being eternally frustrated with the Stihl's not wanting to start, needing carby's replaced and other ridiculous issues, I decided I'd had enough and wanted something else. I did a heap of research on other brands and importantly - I looked at real world reviews not what the brands product marketing says.

I ended up picking up a Shindaiwa T236TS. This was despite the salesman at the local powertools dealer trying to tell me that even though I had more than 20 years experience using Stihl chainsaws, hedge trimmers and brush cutters, that the issues I experiences were because I needed "training" and that I didn't know what I was doing.

Ordinarily I would have told the salesman he was a moron and gone elsewhere, but being a rural town my options are limited without travelling. Anyway, I'm glad I persisted and purchased the Shindaiwa. The unit is fantastic. Starts with 2-3 pulls when cold and with a single pull once its warmed up a little. It has a powerful motor with minimal felt vibration. I used it for around 4 hours continuously (apart from stopping to refuel) and it didn't miss a beat, and importantly I didn't feel any numbness as a result of vibrations

A truly fantastic product and one I'd highly recommend.

Best whipper snipper – Runs rings around my old Honda. Machine is very light weight and powerful. Great Japanese build quality. I think this machine will last me a lifetime.