STIHL / VIKING HB 445 PETROL TILLER
The names Stihl and Viking can be considered as interchangeable. Stilhl own Viking and their tillers are sold in the UK under the Viking brand name. Before we go further with this article let's make one drawback clear as far as these tillers are concerned. You can't order a Stihl / Viking tiller over the internet and have it delivered to your house, not directly nor from anyone else. One of the terms that Stihl impose on all of their retailers is that tillers must be handed over to the customer in person. Not only is that very strange but, from our perspective, it shows how low they value customer service. They claim it is because of safety concerns. One dealer we know of, F R Jones and Son, have found a way to satisfy the delivery requirements but still offer an acceptable postal service.
From the delivery point of view alone we would not buy a Viking tiller. Having said that, it's our own personal view and you may be happy to deal with a company that offers a very limited delivery service.
The HB 445 is a hefty piece of equipment weighing in at 40kg / 88lbs and two people are required to lift it in and out of a car boot. The 125cc Briggs and Stratton engine is not only a powerful unit but it is easy and cheap to maintain. The 45cm / 18in tilling width is generous for a machine of this size. The manufacturers do not state the tilling depth.
The key facts for the Viking HB 445 four stroke petrol tiller are:
Tilling width
45cm / 18in
Tilling depth
Not known
Engine
Briggs & Stratton 125cc 4 stroke
Reversible tines
No
Counter-rotating tines
No
Weight
40kg / 88lbs
Noise level
93dB
Height adjustable handles
Yes
Folding handles
Yes
Forward speeds
1
Reverse speeds
None
Wheels
2 rear
Guarantee / warranty
2 years
Price (manufacturer's)
£685
Postage and packing
Free to UK mainland
Model website page
Click here
THE GOOD POINTS:
- Powerful 125cc engine
- Reliable Briggs and Stratton engine, easy to maintain and find parts
- Height adjustable handlebars
- Both the HB 445 and 445 R are new redesigned models in 2014
POINTS TO CONSIDER:
- Problems having the product delivered to your home
- A heavy machine for the amateur gardener
- Wider than normal tilling area making it difficult to use in restricted areas
- Restricted range of accessories
- Vastly overpriced
THE VIKING HB 445 R VERSION
Viking also sell a similar version of this tiller and it offers the following additional features:
- A reverse gear which makes working in restricted spaces easier
- Recommended retail price is £689, discounts are available on the internet
- All other details are the same except the weight which increases to 41kg
WHO ARE VIKING / STIHL?
Stihl are a German company founded in 1927. They have branches in 160 countries and 35,000 individual dealerships, a very large multinational company. They bought Viking in 1992, an Austrian company that still operates from Austria. They specialise in diy, building and gardening equipment.
WHERE TO BUY THE VIKING HB 445 TILLER
This tiller is available from Viking main dealers only. To find your nearest stockist click here.
A buying strategy which often works if you want to buy from your local dealer is to research the lowest price online and then ask if your local supplier will match that. Often they will.