thanks for the review mate… i’ve finally decided this is going to be the new mower for me, i’ve took ages deciding but very happy to have made a decision 😄 top man
Eddie thank you for watching and subscribing 🙏 as I mentioned Stihl did not sponsor this video therefore I reviewed this machine honestly with the relevant pros and cons👍.
A very well presented review, Damien. I have the mulching only version, and it's great through the dryer months. I keep buying lawnflite because i like the spares when one gets retired. I may buy one of these next time. Carl, Dagtail channel 😉
Nice mowers, I have a Viking and STIHL 448T, small domestic, good for smaller lawns, they cut well in the wet, as long as the mower is clean, the box I find easy to empty, by opening up the back, but the box is cumbersome.
I cut 15 lawns most days are these any good for smaller lawns? I might get the 650v too for larger lawns. I used a weibang 50svp but probably only going to use this now on drier days.
As a landscape gardener of 23 years now,,I've owned every mower out there,, Hayter,,Viking,,Honda,,etc etc... And for me reliability is Key.. And Honda does that.. Stihl/Viking are good ,,Hayter good,,but Honda is in a different class... 💯👍
Mark cheers for sub and comment. I must agree I have a Honda Mulching mower 8 years now and never missed a beat one service a year. Honda are the king of the small engines and that is a fact.👊
I've been hearing that the quality has been going down. I was considering a Honda now that I'm retired but I'm not liking what I've been reading. Here where I have lived for years my two mowers were a 48" Scag and a 48" Bunton that is as old as the hills but a brute. And the Kawasaki engines on both were 2 pulls tops every time.
I agree with you. It has been kind of an odd adjustment for me, but I can tell it will last me a long time. My main irritation is the rear discharge when not bagging which for me is most of the time. That is my fault though not the machines. I should have been more careful purchasing
Thanks for the review buddy. I think I may be interested in something like this. I too have a weibang. The virtue 53 SSD which is the shaft drive. I absolutely love it. But she is a heavy old girl. I think that's down to the all metal gear box and general build quality? I have the stihl scarifier which has the same engine as your machine. I agree. It seems great. I like the idea of a lesser weight mower with a plastic collection box too as it seems to collect the wet stuff brilliantly . The only thing is, how many mowers do I need? I've the weibang and an 18" Izy (standard) can I justify the cost of ANOTHER mower especially at dam near £1000 a go? Dunno 🤔
These mowers aint cheap my friend we must put those horses to work to make some money back during the peak season. You wont go wrong with the Weibang my friend👊
Thank you very much for watching also for your fantastic comment and subscription🙏. Good luck with your purchase you will not look back my machine 1 year later is going strong👊
Peter great to hear from you thank you for comment and subscription. Currently at the moment my Rm655v is in for repair needing a new carborator as this model of Kohler engine gives problems with carborator only after 12 months of use. So I think this will be my last Stihl mower I will buy.
Hi mate how do you find the stihl 448 holds put for power? For smaller gardens thinking of this or the 650 which has the same engine as the 655 I believe but 19 inch as opposed to 21.
@@lewisgriffiths694 The 448 is great, it's 46 cm/ 18 inch and 1 speed. Ideal if you mow the lawn every week or every 10 days. For longer grass or wet grass, I use the big Honda.
Thinking of getting one of these! Have a weibang 50svp but leaves tramlines and having a fabric bag clogs after a few hours in the wet even with a high lift blade can get pretty messy! So it's worth getting?
@Cutting-Edge how do you find the stihl compared to the weibang? Not sure werher to get another weibsnf maybe the 46svp they are changing to honda engines or get one of each! I hear what you say about the bag rotation but spastic collectors seem like they are loads better! Was thinking about getting an etesia but silly money.
@@lewisgriffiths694 Stihl has good points, mono handle easy for emptying, starts first time every time, decent in the wet due to basket airflow, downside handles are back to front and it’s slower. Weibang! I have the big shaft driven one and that can cut lawns faster and hold More grass. Downsides! Sometimes a bitter to start as seems to depend on the choke, too much torque( wheel spin) and wheelies 😂 cloth back when wet sux nothing up, side discharge cover flimsy and breaks… so if you have big lawns u want speed weibanfg. When you have a monsoon Stihl 👍🏻
Damien I was gonna buy that tbh but I went for the Weibang 53ssd virtue beast of a machine bull bars and everything on the front of it only downside it's a tonne weight, great review there lad 👍
Jonny the Weibang 53ssd is the strongest machine on the market an absolute bull. The only fault I found was in wet going I was going back repairing lawns after I would turn a corner with my Weibang a big hole would appear. I find the stihl Rm655v stays on course well and glides over the surface. Also being lighter shes a faster machine. But to be honest its a toss of a coin with both. The bull bar is a serious feature in the front👊 Thanks Jonny hope you and Neil are well👊
@@mr.tidygarden 100% percent I say to Neil to go easy on it when he's going round corners lol definitely the grounds needs to rock solid for weibang alls good here Damien flat out 👍
How you getting on with your weibang? I have the 50svp great with the highlife blade but do find with a fabric bag it gets clogged after a while, thats why I'm considering the stihl, looking at etesia but nor that fast and silly money plus the 46 pro is probably too small and the 21 inch models weigh an absolute tonne! Any advice would be welcome. Thanks
@@tamerselim3043 My channel helps me fill the void my dad left in my life its a great hobby and great fun putting videos together doing research and supporting other gardeners. Our industry gets no real support so great to fly the flag. Great to hear all is well🙏
Hi Damian A great review Damian I have the webbing but I purchase the stihl 650rm and your right 10k lighter than webbing just keep a watch on the nut down a long the handle my got loses know look it might be the manufacturer as it was put together when I purchased it best of luck with it
Nice piece of kit Damien 👌 👍 👏. Always a blessing to have quality equipment for the business. Makes the labour easier on the body. Are you still maintaining your physical fitness? Strength and Honour 👊 Jim from J.S.G.S N.IRELAND.
Jim I train for 30mins everyday after work no matter how tired I am and 1 hour over the weekend of skipping and conditioning work. The Rm655r is a fab machine drags me around on a tired day. Hope your driving on Jim👊
I workout 3 times a week. All circuit based. A mixture of conditioning and weights. I do a lot of Battlerope routines. High intensity with very short recovery.
Great review Damien does this model have the clutch system so engine stays running while you empty the box? What are your throughts on the clutch system I've found with a mower Ives used before that its a nightmare to get the blade turning as grass clogs up the blade and it don't have the power to push it out of the way? What are your thoughts?
No clutch system. I prefer a mower that knocks out when I disengage power leaver to clear deck. This machine is a very robust honest machine with a few clever designs. The mulching plug is a fantastic option and leaves a pristine finish mate✌️
Thanks Ian I am mulching 75% of the time great finish with 2 passings. Check out my other videos you will see me mulching in clips. Thanks for sub amigo👊
Hi mate looking at getting the 545 vm for smaller lawns and 650v for larger! I have a weibang 50svp which i dont find that great in the wet because of the bag! Im also looking at the etesia 50 pro! Any recommendations? Just dont know what to get. Thanks
I have a weibang 50svp but I don't think they are as good as the stihl or etesia even considering the honda 537. I'm on my second weibang but do find the design is too heavy at the back and definately a design fault! I've been a gardener for 14 years tried most mowers but this year especially with the wet weather trying to decide what to go for? What would you recommend? Usually use a 19 inch blade. Cheeers
I am a Stihl guy and I just love it. Good pros and cons. I really like the bag so easy to get the grass out and I love grippy tires. I got one question is it rear wheel drive? Great honest review brother 👊💯
@@mr.tidygarden Oh that's perfect since do a lot of steep hills. I really like that Damien and I am definitely getting one if not this season definitely next season. Oh yea I am very busy finally. I'm so glad you made this video cause I was thinking of getting another reliable one. Thanks brother👊💯
How is the sturdiness of the handle? Surprised it only has one arm of support whereas most have a dual arm handle that connects to the deck. Wear point?
Andrew a very sturdy handle a unique design. I have the machine 1 year now use it most days with no issue✌️ Cheers for comment and subscription 🙏 Damien
Slightly more powerful engine than on my Honda HRC216HX, but based off of the GXV120-160 designs over the years. Kohler copying and improving the design of Honda GXV engines was a good choice. I'm pretty sure Honda made a machine that resembled that handle configuration back in the very early 1980s with that single bar handle design. I find it funny though that Stihl couldn't follow the standard for most handles though where the operator presence for the engine brake is out front and the drive is in the rear. That's just strange. I looked back, Honda's version of that machine was considerably smaller but very similar design, the HR17.
We are looking to purchase this one tidy, stihl are offering a 5 year warranty but the dealer is offering 2 years domestic and One year professional, what warranty did you get
One year professional mate that is to be expected when the machine is to be used everyday right through the growing season. The Vr655 is a fantastic machine👊
Great to hear from you thank you for your comment and subscription. When I went to my local dealer there was a few smaller mowers I never really took notice if they were self drive system or not✌️ check out on google is my advice✌️
Does it have a mulching setting then or is it constantly on mulch ? Just I like to get my gardens nice and low then just mulch them all the time and not collect
Josh cheers for comment and subscription. There is a mulch plug you put in at discharge shaft. I also did a review on the Stihl Rm 4.0 dedicated mulcher be ideal for you mate
@@mr.tidygarden no probs mate your content is right up my street ! I’m just starting out got 20 gardens but building and loving it , does it mulch well tho ? Cos a lot of mowers when you put the plug in it’s noticeable and leaves a lot of grass ? Il check that other one out
I own a weibang pro mulching mower and i can tell you the sthil does a better job . Iv heard high lift blade's in stihl make it great for collection. But i use it quite a bit for mulching and i didnt want to impair it.. the weibang does not lift high enough.
I've had this same mower for 4 years, cutting really long grass. It's performed well. When your engine starts hunting, don't worry. It's just a jet on the carburettor that needs cleaned. This is how you do it: ua-cam.com/video/oMGJCemhk2Q/v-deo.html
thanks for the review mate… i’ve finally
decided this is going to be the new mower for me, i’ve took ages deciding but very happy to have made a decision 😄 top man
Curtis you wont look back thank you for the Sub and comment. Happy mowing my friend👊
Great review and very fair,i like the pros and cons which gives a good honest appraisal,keep those videos coming👍
Eddie thank you for watching and subscribing 🙏 as I mentioned Stihl did not sponsor this video therefore I reviewed this machine honestly with the relevant pros and cons👍.
Thank you for the no nonsense review Damien. Cheers from Oz 👍🏻
Really appreciate your subscription and comment. Thank you for watching my video✌️
A very well presented review, Damien. I have the mulching only version, and it's great through the dryer months.
I keep buying lawnflite because i like the spares when one gets retired. I may buy one of these next time.
Carl, Dagtail channel 😉
Carl you are running some great machinery there. I seen you using the mulcher version it looks a fine machine. Hope your taring busy 👊
great idea with the wee indicator to say when box is full or empty,Genius.
Very clever design by Stihl they think of everything👌
Nice mowers, I have a Viking and STIHL 448T, small domestic, good for smaller lawns, they cut well in the wet, as long as the mower is clean, the box I find easy to empty, by opening up the back, but the box is cumbersome.
Reece 2 great machines there. I have to agree the box is awkward and takes up space in the van could get broken easy.👊
I cut 15 lawns most days are these any good for smaller lawns? I might get the 650v too for larger lawns. I used a weibang 50svp but probably only going to use this now on drier days.
As a landscape gardener of 23 years now,,I've owned every mower out there,,
Hayter,,Viking,,Honda,,etc etc...
And for me reliability is Key..
And Honda does that..
Stihl/Viking are good ,,Hayter good,,but Honda is in a different class...
💯👍
Mark cheers for sub and comment. I must agree I have a Honda Mulching mower 8 years now and never missed a beat one service a year. Honda are the king of the small engines and that is a fact.👊
I've been hearing that the quality has been going down. I was considering a Honda now that I'm retired but I'm not liking what I've been reading. Here where I have lived for years my two mowers were a 48" Scag and a 48" Bunton that is as old as the hills but a brute. And the Kawasaki engines on both were 2 pulls tops every time.
Great video. Keep up the good work.
John thanks for your comment and Subscription really appreciate the support👍
I agree with you. It has been kind of an odd adjustment for me, but I can tell it will last me a long time. My main irritation is the rear discharge when not bagging which for me is most of the time. That is my fault though not the machines. I should have been more careful purchasing
All improved. I regret buying previous model last year. However I find the bag lock flimsy
Delighted your happy with mower I told you would be. Performance is outstanding with them. Welcome to the stihl mower family 😂
Ray with your good advice and Gregs knowledge you swung me over to Stihl from Weibang. Hope you are able to drive on tomorrow very wet tonight👊
@@mr.tidygarden finger's crossed we get out
@@raymondmorgan7515 I have a few places to visit nothing hectic until Monday when its dry hopefully🤞
Got in early 👍
I'm glad your pleased with your purchase Damien. 😊
Paudie I am delighted always great to hear from you. Coffee in a few weeks again👌
@@mr.tidygarden definitely look forward to that. 👍
I love my hayter but I have to admit its terrible with wet grass! Might definitely look into this mower for those rainy weeks 👍🏾
Jordan it would be a great addition to your business. Used it today in soaking grass cut away no bother. Cheers for comment and sub👍
Decent mowers these bro great value for money
I am delighted with this machine👊
Thanks for the review buddy. I think I may be interested in something like this. I too have a weibang. The virtue 53 SSD which is the shaft drive. I absolutely love it. But she is a heavy old girl. I think that's down to the all metal gear box and general build quality?
I have the stihl scarifier which has the same engine as your machine. I agree. It seems great. I like the idea of a lesser weight mower with a plastic collection box too as it seems to collect the wet stuff brilliantly . The only thing is, how many mowers do I need? I've the weibang and an 18" Izy (standard) can I justify the cost of ANOTHER mower especially at dam near £1000 a go? Dunno 🤔
These mowers aint cheap my friend we must put those horses to work to make some money back during the peak season. You wont go wrong with the Weibang my friend👊
My local hardware dealer in the US says they can order me one of these, I'm going to get it, thank you very much for the information and review.
Thank you very much for watching also for your fantastic comment and subscription🙏. Good luck with your purchase you will not look back my machine 1 year later is going strong👊
That's a nice mower 💯
Thank you my friend🙏
Great review. I was wondering if you are still happy with this lawn mower? I liked seeing the real-world use. Hope business is great where you are!👍
Peter great to hear from you thank you for comment and subscription. Currently at the moment my Rm655v is in for repair needing a new carborator as this model of Kohler engine gives problems with carborator only after 12 months of use. So I think this will be my last Stihl mower I will buy.
I have a RM448 TX, very light to use, also have a 27 year old Honda 536 HRD, 1 pull and starts, will last forever but is heavy.
Thank you for your comment and Sub👍 Yes the Honda will go forever a fantastic engine👊
Hi mate how do you find the stihl 448 holds put for power? For smaller gardens thinking of this or the 650 which has the same engine as the 655 I believe but 19 inch as opposed to 21.
@@lewisgriffiths694 The 448 is great, it's 46 cm/ 18 inch and 1 speed. Ideal if you mow the lawn every week or every 10 days. For longer grass or wet grass, I use the big Honda.
Great mowers I have 6 of them and all performing well and they love wet grass ( a gardeners nightmare ). Keep up the good work 👍🏻
They are a fantastic machine you have a nice fleet there. I will pick up another lighter mower soon. Hope your taring busy. Thanks for the comment
Thinking of getting one of these! Have a weibang 50svp but leaves tramlines and having a fabric bag clogs after a few hours in the wet even with a high lift blade can get pretty messy! So it's worth getting?
Yes. I have weibang too, secret s buy spare bag socks and wash and rotate weekly. One drying and one the machine… never block 👍🏻
@Cutting-Edge how do you find the stihl compared to the weibang? Not sure werher to get another weibsnf maybe the 46svp they are changing to honda engines or get one of each! I hear what you say about the bag rotation but spastic collectors seem like they are loads better! Was thinking about getting an etesia but silly money.
@@lewisgriffiths694 Stihl has good points, mono handle easy for emptying, starts first time every time, decent in the wet due to basket airflow, downside handles are back to front and it’s slower. Weibang! I have the big shaft driven one and that can cut lawns faster and hold
More grass. Downsides! Sometimes a bitter to start as seems to depend on the choke, too much torque( wheel spin) and wheelies 😂 cloth back when wet sux nothing up, side discharge cover flimsy and breaks… so if you have big lawns u want speed weibanfg. When you have a monsoon Stihl 👍🏻
Very good video, thank you for the review. Does the mower do rear discharge without box on and plug out?
It does mate if you use a bungie strap to hold flap open. Thank you for comment and subscription✌️
Damien
Thank you for this review. Warm wishes from Millionaire Paul :)
Thank you Paul always great to hear from you👌
Damien I was gonna buy that tbh but I went for the Weibang 53ssd virtue beast of a machine bull bars and everything on the front of it only downside it's a tonne weight, great review there lad 👍
Jonny the Weibang 53ssd is the strongest machine on the market an absolute bull. The only fault I found was in wet going I was going back repairing lawns after I would turn a corner with my Weibang a big hole would appear. I find the stihl Rm655v stays on course well and glides over the surface. Also being lighter shes a faster machine. But to be honest its a toss of a coin with both. The bull bar is a serious feature in the front👊 Thanks Jonny hope you and Neil are well👊
@@mr.tidygarden 100% percent I say to Neil to go easy on it when he's going round corners lol definitely the grounds needs to rock solid for weibang alls good here Damien flat out 👍
@@jonnysgardenmaintenance Tell Neil take it handy on the hanbrake and he will be flying it. Flat to the mat down here too fella👊 have a great week👌
How you getting on with your weibang? I have the 50svp great with the highlife blade but do find with a fabric bag it gets clogged after a while, thats why I'm considering the stihl, looking at etesia but nor that fast and silly money plus the 46 pro is probably too small and the 21 inch models weigh an absolute tonne! Any advice would be welcome. Thanks
Very thorough review
I did my homework and research over the last week👌 hope you and twins are keeping well👍
Believe me it shows. We are all fine thank God.
@@tamerselim3043 My channel helps me fill the void my dad left in my life its a great hobby and great fun putting videos together doing research and supporting other gardeners. Our industry gets no real support so great to fly the flag. Great to hear all is well🙏
Hi Damian
A great review Damian I have the webbing but I purchase the stihl 650rm and your right 10k lighter than webbing just keep a watch on the nut down a long the handle my got loses know look it might be the manufacturer as it was put together when I purchased it best of luck with it
David I will keep an eye on that nut as it holds the whole show together. Cheers for your comment you are helping out the community here👊
How you getting on with your stihl? Any better in the wet than the weibang?
Nice review.
Thank you for watching great to hear from you and cheers for your subscription✌️
Nice piece of kit Damien 👌 👍 👏. Always a blessing to have quality equipment for the business. Makes the labour easier on the body. Are you still maintaining your physical fitness? Strength and Honour 👊 Jim from J.S.G.S N.IRELAND.
Jim I train for 30mins everyday after work no matter how tired I am and 1 hour over the weekend of skipping and conditioning work. The Rm655r is a fab machine drags me around on a tired day. Hope your driving on Jim👊
I workout 3 times a week. All circuit based. A mixture of conditioning and weights. I do a lot of Battlerope routines. High intensity with very short recovery.
@@jamesshanks9338 your a fit bloke the exercise stands to us on the job👊
Great review Damien does this model have the clutch system so engine stays running while you empty the box? What are your throughts on the clutch system I've found with a mower Ives used before that its a nightmare to get the blade turning as grass clogs up the blade and it don't have the power to push it out of the way? What are your thoughts?
No clutch system. I prefer a mower that knocks out when I disengage power leaver to clear deck. This machine is a very robust honest machine with a few clever designs. The mulching plug is a fantastic option and leaves a pristine finish mate✌️
Hi great video s how do you find the mower mulching,and do you use much mulching ,cheers Ian
Thanks Ian I am mulching 75% of the time great finish with 2 passings. Check out my other videos you will see me mulching in clips. Thanks for sub amigo👊
I'm using honda izy 416 push
Hi mate looking at getting the 545 vm for smaller lawns and 650v for larger! I have a weibang 50svp which i dont find that great in the wet because of the bag! Im also looking at the etesia 50 pro! Any recommendations? Just dont know what to get. Thanks
The 650v are a lovely machine mate thanks for your comment and Sub✌️
You are correct, it is the kohler XT800 engine which is 173cc 👍
Thank you for letting the community know. I predicted it was the 173cc a lovely engine good power very economical produced in USA👌
I have a weibang 50svp but I don't think they are as good as the stihl or etesia even considering the honda 537. I'm on my second weibang but do find the design is too heavy at the back and definately a design fault! I've been a gardener for 14 years tried most mowers but this year especially with the wet weather trying to decide what to go for? What would you recommend? Usually use a 19 inch blade. Cheeers
Just bought the RM 655VS here in the US. Great mower 👍
I’ll agree the boxes are flimsy but I’ve yet to break one
Jack great to hear from you my friend ya I will have to mind that box I would not want to damage it😆
I am a Stihl guy and I just love it. Good pros and cons. I really like the bag so easy to get the grass out and I love grippy tires. I got one question is it rear wheel drive? Great honest review brother 👊💯
Bill yes its a rear wheel drive my friend great power and performance used it today in soaking grass did not skip a beat👊 hope your busy fella🙏
@@mr.tidygarden Oh that's perfect since do a lot of steep hills. I really like that Damien and I am definitely getting one if not this season definitely next season. Oh yea I am very busy finally. I'm so glad you made this video cause I was thinking of getting another reliable one. Thanks brother👊💯
@@wildbillslawncare5901 your welcome mate glad this video helped you👍
@@mr.tidygarden Yes this video definitely helped brother 👍👊
How is the sturdiness of the handle? Surprised it only has one arm of support whereas most have a dual arm handle that connects to the deck. Wear point?
Andrew a very sturdy handle a unique design. I have the machine 1 year now use it most days with no issue✌️
Cheers for comment and subscription 🙏
Damien
Slightly more powerful engine than on my Honda HRC216HX, but based off of the GXV120-160 designs over the years. Kohler copying and improving the design of Honda GXV engines was a good choice. I'm pretty sure Honda made a machine that resembled that handle configuration back in the very early 1980s with that single bar handle design. I find it funny though that Stihl couldn't follow the standard for most handles though where the operator presence for the engine brake is out front and the drive is in the rear. That's just strange. I looked back, Honda's version of that machine was considerably smaller but very similar design, the HR17.
Thank you for your comment it will be great help to anyone purchasing this machine👌
That’s some green grass
Green Irish lawns fella great to hear from you👍
We are looking to purchase this one tidy, stihl are offering a 5 year warranty but the dealer is offering 2 years domestic and One year professional, what warranty did you get
One year professional mate that is to be expected when the machine is to be used everyday right through the growing season. The Vr655 is a fantastic machine👊
Y’all know if there are any push only Stihl mowers and not self propelled?
Great to hear from you thank you for your comment and subscription. When I went to my local dealer there was a few smaller mowers I never really took notice if they were self drive system or not✌️ check out on google is my advice✌️
Does it have a mulching setting then or is it constantly on mulch ? Just I like to get my gardens nice and low then just mulch them all the time and not collect
Josh cheers for comment and subscription. There is a mulch plug you put in at discharge shaft. I also did a review on the Stihl Rm 4.0 dedicated mulcher be ideal for you mate
@@mr.tidygarden no probs mate your content is right up my street ! I’m just starting out got 20 gardens but building and loving it , does it mulch well tho ? Cos a lot of mowers when you put the plug in it’s noticeable and leaves a lot of grass ? Il check that other one out
@@joshbell882 Topman Josh
The dedicated Mulcher has a brilliant finish. Rm 655v needs two passings. Thanks for watching my videos fella
I own a weibang pro mulching mower and i can tell you the sthil does a better job . Iv heard high lift blade's in stihl make it great for collection. But i use it quite a bit for mulching and i didnt want to impair it.. the weibang does not lift high enough.
Have you got a mower ramp for your van mate
Bro I am oldschool drive an 06 Transit van Duratora engine with a sheets of plywood to roll my mowers in and out. No flash with Mr. Tidy😆
@@mr.tidygarden that’s all I’ve got a sheet of ply but works as a great ramp ☺️👍🏼
Is this a commercial unit? Or is that residential?
That is a residential property but a very big property. This machine is well capable for commercial work. Thanks for Sub and comment🙏
@@mr.tidygarden no problem thanks for the review iam very interested in this unit for a business thank you
I've had this same mower for 4 years, cutting really long grass. It's performed well.
When your engine starts hunting, don't worry. It's just a jet on the carburettor that needs cleaned. This is how you do it:
ua-cam.com/video/oMGJCemhk2Q/v-deo.html
Scott really appreciate your comment will deffo check that video out
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