Stihl trimmers

[buggybuilder]

Any + or - thoughts on the Stihl weed wacher trimmers that doesn't have a spool but is loaded with a 8" or so pc of string? I'm thinking about the one that has a straight shaft and retails for about $199. Sorry but I don't have the model number so maybe this is in vain. The dealer showed me so many models and I could not keep them straight in my head!

[rancher1913]

the straight shaft ones you can put a blade on for doing tough stuff. you can also get a head for it that uses chains. best hack I have seen was to use zippy ties for string.

[ShooterAZ]

The great thing about Stihl trimmers is that you can interchange trimmer heads quickly and easily. The Polycut blade head makes quick work of large areas of tall grass/weeds, while using the string head makes it easier to get into tighter spots like in and around flower beds. I have the FSC40 trimmer and like it a lot.

[farmbif]

my stihl km130 is by far the absolute best trimmer I've ever owned, and I've probably gone through more than a bakers dozen different non-stihl brand trimmers prior to getting this one, it cost quite a bit more than a ryobi or an echo but well worth it in the long run, about a decade of heavy use on it so far and it still going strong and starts each and every time on first or second pull of the cord. I only use high octane non-ethanol gas and genuine stihl oil.

[jonp]

Always get a straight shaft for the above reason. I have had a couple of Ryobi trimmers including the 4 cycle now. String for grass and a 3 blade for weeds. Even bought a small skilsaw blade that has chain saw teeth for small brush. Very handy

Only downside to the 4cycle is it doesn't rev as high as the 2cycle and seems to have less power to but for grass and stuff works fine. Paid $90 for a refurbished 4cycle Ryobi on the Home Depot outlet site and the shipped it free. One or 2 pull start for 3yrs I think. I used the 2 stroke trimming several years when I was mowing lawns and 15yrs later it's at my hunting camp still pulling duty twice a year but if I were going to use one heavily I'd go farmbif's way with a Stihl, Echo etc

Make sure to use non ethanol if you can get it. If not stabil and an ethanol stabilizer. Always Stabil I use the 360.

[Conditor22]

I used the FS 130, and/or KM 130 (Kombi) with a bump head (auto cut 25-2 with .095 line) or 3 tooth blade (brush knife) for work. (the 130 {now 131} is bigger than you need for homeowner application, it's like shooting something with a 223 and a 45/70, they both work but the 45/70 gets the job done faster (and is more durable)

the "8" or so pc of string" you are talking about is a heavier plastic line that wears slower (but I found to be more expensive and more cumbersome to use in the long run).

With the bump head you can always have a full length of line by just bumping the head, and you can go a long time without having to change line.

Some people prefer the heavier "8" or so pc of string"


With a KM (kombi) power head you can have many different attachment that work with the one head.

around home I use the weed eater, edger, hedge trimmer and blower most often

if you have a lot of trees the pole trimmer and shaft extension would be useful

[Rick Hodges]

I have a Stihl trimmer and use it with a metal 3 tooth blade for trimming light brush and shooting lanes. I used it first as a string trimmer with the bump head. It is an unmitigated pain in the dupa to reload the string. I am using another as a string trimmer and relegate the Stihl for brush work with the blade.

[megasupermagnum]

Stihl makes phenomenal trimmers, possibly the best in the business. I'm actually looking at buying one myself right now. I'm definitely going for a straight shaft model. I'm not sure what their recommendation on running brush cutter blades are, but their "brush cutter" specific models are about double the price. My hope is that those models are for commercial use, built to withstand daily abuse. I've been running a brush cutter blade on a cheap Toro for years with minimal issues. I also don't like the handle bar versions, but that is my preference.

The only Stihl to avoid are the 4-Mix models. Whatever compelled a person to engineer that catastrophe, I'll never know. I was asked to run one once for a job, and it was a handlebar model, which I'm not fond of, but it is ok if you are doing a large area. You mix the gas with oil, like a 2 stroke, likely as a cheap, corner cutting way to avoid having to overcome the problem of oil starvation in a 4 stroke. Not a huge deal. Then there is the weight, they are heavier than the 2 strokes. It really sucks after a couple hours. It's kind of cool that they idle real quiet, but wow do they get loud when revved up, louder than a 2 stroke for sure. I ended up wearing plugs and muffs.
The final straw was the fact was that it had the 4 stroke fatal flaw of being a bear to hot start. It always cold started easy enough, but when hot, you had better be right on the money, or you were down for a while.

[Minerat]

Mine is a FSA56 battery model. I only use it for grass trimming so use the string head and really like it. I reload the spool as needed with string I got years ago using a cheaper model. I use about out 15% of the batter to do 1000 ft of edge. I really like it.

[gbrown]

I've had one of the Stihl power head types that you can interchange tools. I have a string trimmer, a blade cutter that will cut down up to a 4 inch tree, and a hedge trimmer attachment. I used it to clear trails and around feeders and stands for 10 years, besides using it for the residential stuff. I used the heck out of it and it still is going. Had some work done to it over the years. Not a lot. I bought in 2008. Good stuff.

[remy3424]

I have a Stihl trimmer and use it with a metal 3 tooth blade for trimming light brush and shooting lanes. I used it first as a string trimmer with the bump head. It is an unmitigated pain in the dupa to reload the string. I am using another as a string trimmer and relegate the Stihl for brush work with the blade.

Agree with that! I have a 110R something model, a bigger one, 99% of the time I have the blade on it. The string seems to break-off inside the head constantly...I hope the heads have been redesigned, had mine about 4 years now. I would definitely opt for the head that don't feed line if it is a Stihl.

[megasupermagnum]

Done deal, just bought a brand new Stihl FS 56 RC-E. It sure seems to work well. I'm not a huge fan of the easy start recoil, but is sure is easy to start.

For brush cutter blades, I've used a bunch, and my favorite by far is the Oregon. The last one I bought was the MAXI part# 41-935. It appears the MAXI is for 30CC+, and the EIA is 24CC+. They appear the same, the EIA is apparently slightly thinner and lighter. I'll be buying an EIA for the Stihl I just bought.

[Minerat]

Agree with that! I have a 1050 something model, a bigger one, 99% of the time I have the blade on it. The string seems to break-off inside the head constantly...I hope the heads have been redesigned, had mine about 4 years now. I would definitely opt for the head that don't feed line if it is a Stihl.

Check to make sure the string on both sides is wound the correct direction. I had the break off problem and found it has one side wrapped backwards. Fixed that and it works fine now.

[wildwilly501]

The new easy load tap heads are nothing like the old take apart heads.I prefered the short pieces till I got a new trimmer with easy load head.Keeping the trimmer line in water helps.Don't overlook a Echo trimmer I've run both a Stihl and Echo and prefer Echo. Thats daylighting signs and miles of guiderail so a lot of hours on them.

[sharps4590]

my stihl km130 is by far the absolute best trimmer I've ever owned, and I've probably gone through more than a bakers dozen different non-stihl brand trimmers prior to getting this one, it cost quite a bit more than a ryobi or an echo but well worth it in the long run, about a decade of heavy use on it so far and it still going strong and starts each and every time on first or second pull of the cord. I only use high octane non-ethanol gas and genuine stihl oil.

I have a big, straight shaft Stihl that has to be over 30 years old and there's no telling how many miles of fence row I've kept clean with that thing. I use it as a string trimmer, have the grass blade and the saw blade, all of which came with the trimmer. It's a hawg! I have two smaller, bent shaft, Stihl string trimmers for lawn and park use. I don't know about the model you're looking at but I'd take the worst Stihl over the best of anything else.

I use ethanol free gas for the mix as most of my stuff is older and not ethanol compatible....and it's easier than fooling around with 2 or 3 additives...and it's also readily available here. Ethanol free is also all that goes in my 3 vintage MG's and Morris Minor. It almost smells like real, leaded gasoline!!! I do put a lead additive in my vintage cars.

[dverna]

Any + or - thoughts on the Stihl weed wacher trimmers that doesn't have a spool but is loaded with a 8" or so pc of string? I'm thinking about the one that has a straight shaft and retails for about $199. Sorry but I don't have the model number so maybe this is in vain. The dealer showed me so many models and I could not keep them straight in my head!

If you do not need a heavy duty model to cut down small trees and brush, look at getting a battery model. I have two acres of lawn and it takes me 20-30 minutes to trim. I will be buying a battery unit and avoid mixing of gas and the noise.

[pete501]

Stihl FS 130 handle bar with a 20-2 Duro-Cut Fixed Line Head. I use .155" Line.

Ditch the factory guard and extend the line as long as possible. 24 inch diameter or so. The cutting path is larger and you can cover more acres. With the longer line, the engine rotates slower. slower line speed doesn't seem to wear the line as fast.

I can run it near T post with little care of breaking line. I trim the neighbors property, it usually takes 2 hours , I trim down to the ground and had only advanced the line three times, approximately 6 inches of line per side used.

[sigep1764]

At the lake, we have had a Stihl FS90 for 20 years. Its a straight shaft 4 stroke that runs on 2 stroke mixed fuel. Tons of torque, use it for almost 3 acres of weedeating including the shoreline which is 200 yards by 20 yards. Shoreline is full of rocks, no way to mow it. It gave me some trouble about 2 years ago, shop backlogged for 2 weeks. They replaced the fuel lines all is back to normal. In the down time, I bought the newer version FS91 to complete the work and to use at the primary residence. Both have bump heads loaded with Ugly Line .095, bicycle style handlebars, and backpack style straps. Buy yourself another head, I wear out two heads of string for every tank of gas at the lake. Tons of rock around the lakes here in Missouri.

[WebMonkey]

stihl straight shaft with bump feed head.

never a problem with it, great machine.

i use ugly twist line in it.

good luck

[Petander]

I bought my two-stroke Stihl in the late 90's and it's still going strong.

I have used the big three blade cutter a lot, also the circular saw is handy. The wire trimmer head is fine but those bigger ones suit my needs better. I don't have pretty lawns.

I started using special non-ethanol "small engine" gasoline for all my ... small engines some five years back. They always start and work good, no carburetor clogging over winter etc. Chainsaws,generators etc all get at least stored with that non-ethanol special gas.

[B R Shooter]

I'm going to step outside the box here. I ran an Echo string trimmer for 14 years, and it finally wore out. Went shopping, looked at Stihl and Echo, and the salesman showed me a Shindaiwa. Doesn't have all the plastic shrouds and coverings, more of a simplistic design. Salesman said if I don't like it to bring it back and he would refund every dime. Cost was about the same (straight shaft by the way), and it has been great now for 5 years.

I use an Echo chainsaw CS400, and an Echo leaf blower. Chainsaw is now 5 years old, never failed to start and has done all I ask for. Blower is new.

There are good alternatives to the high priced Stihls. I don't like having to buy from only dedicated dealers.

[brass410]

back in the late eighties I bought a sthil straight shaft for my lawn enterprise, that thing was worked like a rented mule by myself and all my hires. Sometimes it even got raw gas in it, but it has never skipped a beat, have replaced the drive shaft/cable once and rebuilt the gear box at the ground end, but its seen use 7hrs a day from spring till fall for almost ten years straight. Now its still used, but only once in a while but it has been bullet proof, I always have run leaded fuel (premium when I could get it) and now I just go to one of the small airports and get a can ( 45 gal drum) of low lead AV gas for all my two strokes, chainsaw, outboards, lawn mower, string trimmer, they run cooler on it and start like a dream with no carb issues ( air craft fuel is super clean and has a high resistence to detonation due to the addition of lead ) this also acts as a cylinder lube (good for engine life).

[photomicftn]

I use the Stihl FS94 straight shaft with a Shindaiwa Speed Feed 400 bump head. You can reload it with 4 outstretched arm lengths of .095" line in about 1 min. Don't run fuel with ethanol in it and it'll last a long time before the carb gives you any problems. 2-stroke is the way to go, the whole unit weighs 10lbs and handles very nicely.

[Three44s]

back in the late eighties I bought a sthil straight shaft for my lawn enterprise, that thing was worked like a rented mule by myself and all my hires. Sometimes it even got raw gas in it, but it has never skipped a beat, have replaced the drive shaft/cable once and rebuilt the gear box at the ground end, but its seen use 7hrs a day from spring till fall for almost ten years straight. Now its still used, but only once in a while but it has been bullet proof, I always have run leaded fuel (premium when I could get it) and now I just go to one of the small airports and get a can ( 45 gal drum) of low lead AV gas for all my two strokes, chainsaw, outboards, lawn mower, string trimmer, they run cooler on it and start like a dream with no carb issues ( air craft fuel is super clean and has a high resistence to detonation due to the addition of lead ) this also acts as a cylinder lube (good for engine life).

Ag gas is expensive stuff but it is good! The lead is reduced from the good old days however being called “100 octane Low Lead”. I am told that as the quality is much better it also keeps much better as it does not break down as fast.

Another trick is to mix a small amount of Mystery oil in your fuel along with the pre-mix oil.

Three44s

[blackthorn]

How much is a "small amount" of Mystery oil? I.e. amount per gallon.

[Omega]

For some reason, trimming the grass aggravates my lower back injury, so even the lightest trimmer puts me down for a day or two. My Stihl FS-90 does a great job, but I finally purchased a DR Trimmer Mower and I have to say, best thing since sliced bread. When I got it, for my house, it at first sounded like it didn't have enough power, until I put it to work I thought I had made a mistake ordering one. But I must say, it worked so well that I decided to take it to my hunting spot, and well, just look at these results.
https://cdn1.saffordequipment.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/29005111/pilotmodeldrwalkbehindtrimmer_l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rNBatTI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/cwJZnHK.jpg

I do have a tractor with a bushhog, but even that has issues with some of the terrain, and I won't even try to clean up the entrance with it as the gravel would be flying everywhere. The DR Trimmer Mower does great in rough terrain, and you can easily trim weeds out of the gravel, though it will still fling a rock now and then if you dip the line down. The only down side is that it is powerful, and if you hit a cable on the side of the house it may wrap around the hub and or cut the cable, and barbed wire will also wrap around the hub if the line gets it, ask me how I know.