Here at my Bedford, New York farm, my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew use tools all year long, so I am always on the lookout for innovative, sensible and easy-to-use products - as I always say, “the right tool for the right job.”
Not long ago, I received several pieces from STIHL Incorporated - did you see the photos I posted on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48? STIHL is recognized as a worldwide leader in outdoor power equipment and offers an extensive lineup of more than 80 different pieces including professional-grade chainsaws, blowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, pruners and more. The tools I received will be great additions to my working farm and I am so excited to use every single one.
Enjoy these photos.
STIHL delivered a variety of great tools for us to use for different tasks here at my farm – some are battery operated and others are gas-powered.
Here I am with Brian Carolan and John Muller from STIHL, and my outdoor grounds crew – of course, we’re all standing several-feet apart according to national pandemic guidelines.
STIHL also brought some very important protective workwear – the crew will be very comfortable in these specially designed helmets and gloves. It’s important to me that every member of the crew is well-outfitted and protected to work with any and all power tools.
STIHL’s most well-known tool is the chainsaw. STIHL designed and built its first electric chain saw in 1926 and 94 years later, it is still one of its best pieces of equipment.
The chainsaw has soft grips for comfortability and secure maneuverability. And this one is run on an AP 300 S Lithium-Ion Battery, which is powerful and compatible with a wide range of tools, including extended-reach hedge trimmers, pole pruners, chainsaws, and blowers.
Here’s Brian with STIHL’s powerful battery-powered MSA 220 C chainsaw. It’s capable of felling and limbing. Its durable construction and reliable performance make it a powerful addition for its size.
All STIHL chainsaws are also equipped with a chain stopping system designed to reduce the risk of injury.
We’ve been using STIHL’s backpack blowers for years here at my farm. These blowers are powerful and fuel-efficient. The gasoline-powered engines provide enough rugged power to tackle heavy debris while delivering much lower emissions.
This is STIHL’s backpack battery. This backpack battery eliminates the cost of fuel and engine oil and can be used with this handheld blower.
The backpack battery is also designed with comfort in mind, including an ergonomic hip belt and chest strap that evenly distribute its weight.
The backpack battery can be plugged into power the blower, which is less noisy and perfect for around my Winter House. The back battery design shifts the weight from the unit to the back or the hip for easier carrying and less fatigue. Plus, the blower can be used both from the right side and the left side depending on the user.
When it comes to smaller jobs and touch-ups, these HSA 25 Battery-Powered Garden Shears will work great. The HSA 25 is lightweight with a rubberized handle for user comfort and a secure grip. It comes with its own roll-up case to store all its accessories.
John shows us this tool, which features two attachments – grass shears and shrub shears – to meet specific trimming needs. This is the grass shear attachment. This tool has run times of up to 110 minutes on a single charge. The HSA 25 also allows users to complete tasks with clean, efficient cuts. These grass shears will be helpful in cutting the grass around my fence posts.
Here is the hedge shear attachment with double-sided cutting blades that cut both directions – so light and handy, I can’t wait to see how it works on the hedges in front of my Winter House.
This telescoping pole pruner has a quiet, zero-exhaust emission, low vibration option for trimming overhead branches. It offers lightweight, balanced cutting thanks to its brushless, commercial-grade, high-torque electric motor.
And, with an adjustable shaft, the telescoping pole pruners can cut branches up to 16 feet above the ground.
Brian shows us how light the pole pruner is and how easy it is to maneuver.
The batteries are easy to use in all the battery-operated products from STIHL. These batteries just snap and click in place.
And, by using STIHL Lithium-Ion batteries, one can reduce fuel and maintenance costs.
Don’t be fooled by its compactness, the GTA 26 offers impressive high cutting performance, quiet operation, excellent ergonomics, and long battery life – thanks to its 10.8 V AS 2 replacement battery.
This mini saw fits right in the palm of one’s hand and is great for smaller jobs and tight spaces.
STIHL hedge trimmers are designed without excess bulk, leaving only what is most necessary. Here, Brian is removing the protective scabbard that is on all the STIHL tool blades. These hedge trimmers feature hardened, precision-ground cutting blades and anti-vibration technology, keeping hands steady during every job.
Here is the sharp cutting blade, which also works both ways when it is on.
Here I am all “suited-up” in my STIHL chaps, helmet, and gloves, ready to work. It was so nice to learn about all the STIHL tools from Brian and John. These will work great on all our many projects here at the farm.
And here we are – ready to take on any task. Here at Bedford, we’re doing the best we can and enjoying the great outdoors. I will share photos of all these tools being used in a future blog. What are your favorite outdoor tools – let me know in the comments section below.