Page 14 - OPE Sep-Oct 2021

MARKETPLACE
Trimmers & Brushcutters
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
“value-conscious consumers”.
“For example, the new LawnMaster
mower-trimmer kit comprises an 18-inch 40V lawnmower – including battery and charger – and a line trimmer skin, which consumers effectively get for nothing in the promotion.
“It’s a similar scenario with our brushcutter four-piece kit with additional hedgetrimmer, pole saw and extension kit.
“These products are very much targeted at the domestic user at this stage but,
who knows, although we haven’t got a commercial option at this time, we certainly do see further opportunities in the lithium market somewhere along the line.
“Provided an outdoor power product can meet our criteria around quality and market requirement, we want to have a LawnMaster option in there.
“Lithium is growing all the time, we got into it several years ago so it’s become quite a mature market for us, and we’ve gained a good following with products that perform well.”
And that’s just as well, says Gavin, because
“There are fairly big players in the mix so it would be a difficult market to try to get into now if we were just starting out.”
Back at Huqvarna, Steve Middleton also sees the combi cutter market continuing to grow, citing the popularity of the brand’s combi split-shaft battery trimmer which takes various attachments from a hedgetrimmer and polesaw to a cultivator, blower and more.
“At Fieldays, it was noticeable how
many people were coming in to look at a hedgetrimmer or a polesaw, and being able to show them the option of the one unit
with several attachments was a real winner,” says Steve.
“Some people already have a hedgetrimmer, for example, and will stick with that, but they’ll see the value in buying the grass trimmer and an extension for a pole saw to give them additional height
so they can trim high branches from the ground rather than climbing a ladder with a chainsaw.
“They’re also buying with the future
in mind; they will buy the unit with one attachment and, perhaps a year later, buy another attachment as they need it, adding
014 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2021
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Powerful new
pro battery brushcutters
THE STIHL FSA135 and 135 R (left
and right above) are robust and powerful battery brushcutters that form part of STIHL’s AP Cordless System.
Designed for mowing grass
and scrub, they offer professional landscaping crews the same durability as petrol counterparts with all the benefits of battery technology – low noise, no emissions and general ease of use.
Both models can fit a range of cutting attachments and feature a commercial- grade brushless electric motor whose
variable-speed throttle trigger offers three performance levels, allowing users versatility in selecting the best operation speed for the job at hand, conserving battery energy and allowing maximum run times.
The FSA 135 R is built for tough professional work and features a 420mm cutting width. It’s a light, well- balanced, fatigue-reducing trimmer
with an ergonomic control handle and double shoulder harness to increase user comfort while mowing large areas.
www.stihl.co.nz
NEW
SOLO BY AL-KO RANGE
MASPORT HAS INTRODUCED a
lighter and more powerful range of Solo by AL-KO trimmers and brushcutters for the 2021/22 season, all backed by a comprehensive four-year warranty.
New to the range and ideal for domestic use is an entry-level 23L-B curved-alloy, split-shaft line trimmer with soft-start feature.
Next up is a more powerful 22.5cc 23L-S straight-shaft line trimmer that is suitable for either home or professional use. Its soft-start feature, premium loop handle and throttle control enhance ergonomics and user comfort. And
with the ability to power a range of attachments, the 26L-SS alloy split-shaft, loop-handle line trimmer is a highly versatile choice for home gardeners and landscape professionals.
On the brushcutter front, lifestyle property owners and professional landscapers will be drawn to the powerful 130L loop-handle brushcutter with its highly efficient 30cc Strato Charged engine and robust construction that make it ideal for clearing wild-growing grasses and undergrowth.
And the top-ranking 140B brushcutter (photo above) further features a powerful 40cc Strato Charged engine, ergonomic wide bike handle, maintenance-free gear head, automatic return choke, automatic half throttle for easy starting, and an easy- start recoil system.
All straight-shaft models are also equipped with a new rapid-feed line trimmer head that makes refilling the trimming line fast and easy. The head features a cast-alloy metal bump knob that eliminates the need to regularly replace worn bump knobs. A three-tooth blade is also included for tackling denser growth.
www.masport.co.nz