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Market Report: Power Tools & Accessories Worthy successor Exclusive to EHN, we test Stihl’s new TS 410 disc cutter, launched this month to replace its TS 400. Our power tools specialist Phil Mist puts it through its paces. Stihl’s earliest models simply comprised a cutting arm attached to a chainsaw, a far cry from today’s sophisticated, high-performance machines. Today, the total UK market is approximately 50,000 units a year, and the company claims to have a major share, despite its flagship TS 400 having been around a considerable time. The number of available brands is relatively small so competition amongst manufacturers is particularly fierce. Because of Stihl’s reputation for engineering quality, I was eager to receive the new TS 410 for hands-on evaluation. The machine has a smooth, rounded casing and is shorter than its predecessor, with its rear and loop handles positioned closer together. It is well balanced and its 66.7cc engine, which has a no-load spindle speed of 5,150rpm, performed consistently well, even during arduous cutting. Innovation filtration design The fuel primer bulb is next to the choke switch on top of the motor housing, to the left of the rear or top handle, and the front loop handle is 180mm further forward of the main handle. The main and auxiliary filters are placed immediately beneath the handle at the rear end of the machine, and the compartment is opened by removing just four screws. Filter cleaning or replacement should not be too frequent because of the TS 410’s innovative filtration design, featuring a cyclonic pre-separation system to extract heavier particles before they reach the filter itself. Most two-stroke engines will only start with full choke, even when already hot, and often stall. The TS 410 breaks the mould in this respect, for it is actually able to run on half choke. The majority of such power units on lawn and garden equipment have an interlock on their throttle trigger for pre-setting the engine revolutions to aid starting, and the TS 410 is no different. On bursting into life, the engine ignition switch, situated on the top of the rear/top handle, having been initially set at the start position, automatically moves to the run position when the trigger is depressed whilst revving the engine. To stop the machine, the user simply moves the ignition switch to the stop position. All settings are easy to identify and use. Easy starting What is not readily obvious, however, is the decompression button, which is rubber shrouded and situated at the front of the top or rear handle, making it easily overlooked. However, I found that pull starting the TS 410 without engaging the button was not difficult. The machine has Stihl’s tried and tested ElastoStart system, and has several features to reduce HAV. The quoted level of vibration is 3.9m/s2 at both handles (incidentally, the tool has also been tested to BS 5493 by OPERC at Loughborough University in ‘real-life’ conditions, where slightly lower readings were obtained). Stihl says this effectively triples the new model’s permitted ‘trigger time’ compared with its predecessor. Noise levels are an acceptable 98dB(A) sound pressure and 109dB(A) sound power. Blade guard adjustment requires no tools, and although tight it is easy to alter. The TS 410 includes Stihl’s Stratified Charge System, designed to create a fuel-free air layer between the burned charge in the combustion chamber and fresh charge in the crankcase. This is said to reduce fuel lost in flushing discharge during the charge cycle, reducing fuel consumption by up to 20% compared with the TS 400 and lowering exhaust emissions. The spark plug compartment is situated between the ignition switch and the decompression button on the handle, and is accessed by removing only one Torx screw, using the box spanner supplied. The front loop handle is spring mounted and is a full loop, going from low down on one side of the machine to the same position on the other side. The machine can, therefore, be used on its side (horizontally) in either direction and the front handle can be securely held at the side for easier and safer control. The
fuel
filler
cap
is
also
low
down
on
the
right
and
points
upwards,
allowing
refuelling
without
having
to
lay
the
tool
on
its
side.
Whilst
any
disc
cutter
should
only
ever
be
placed
on
level
ground,
particularly
when
ticking
over,
the
TS
410
does
not
move
around
easily
even
if
on
a
slight
slope,
owing
to
its
rubber
feet.
A
water
kit
is
fitted
as
standard
and
the
connector
is
low
down
on
the
right.
The manual gives the tool’s weight as 9.4kg (without fuel or blade), and the model used in EHN’s tests came in at 10.8kg with approximately two thirds of a tank of fuel and a diamond blade fitted. This is more meaningful, since operators obviously need to have fuel in the machine and something to cut with. This slight quibble apart, the TS 410 is an excellent machine that looks good, performs really well and should protect Stihl’s market share for more years to come. • T
0800
137574 Executive Hire News › Archives › July 2007 › Market Report › Worthy successor
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