Trimmer/Brushcutter

[the intimidator]

I am looking for a good Trimmer for semi Pro use I am considering the Honda or a Stihl. I love honda engine's I have always had good luck with them and never had one fail to start or need any major service. I run stihl saws and have never really found anything to complain abought and they seem to run forever aswell I am just wondering what you're guys take on the two are? I see stihl on most all the lawn care guy's trucks around here and honda's and the more pro guy's rigs. I can get the honda at cost and I will be able to get a good deal on the stihl I can get parts for both quick although the service at the stihl dealer seem's to be better then my honda dealer although it is a half hour drive out of town and the honda guy is two minutes away what do you guy's think or is their another brand I should consider I really just want it to work and work every time if that means I need to spend 500$ then that is what I will spend If I can get away with spending 300$ or so on a different high end trimmer then I will consider that also thanks

 

[eschoendorff]

Stihl FS 110. I got one last year and LOVE it. Bought it to go alsong with my 10 year old FS 76 (still working). Of course, all my stiff is Stihl. I have been using there stuff for 15 years, and IMO, nothing else comes close.

 

[Junkman]

These type of tools are all good once you get past the homeowner quality ones. I prefer Husqvarna, because the local dealer knows what he is doing and is much faster with repairs than the local Stihl dealer. The Stihl dealer acts as if he is doing you a favor when he repairs a tool. The Husqvarna dealer also repairs the Stihl tools faster and better, so all the lawn guys that are Stihl believers buy at one place and have them serviced at the other. The Husqvarna dealer doesn't mind either.... he just charges them more.

 

[W-Cummins]

I too vote for the stihl stuff. I have a FS-250 and it's a great tool, got it last summer. My buddy has one of the larger 4 stoke hondas and it's nice and quite, but dose not have the guts the FS-250 has..


The 250 with a blade on it really gets the job done I have the string head but have never put it on....


BTW if you can get one under $500 your doing good

William...

 

[eschoendorff]

These type of tools are all good once you get past the homeowner quality ones. I prefer Husqvarna, because the local dealer knows what he is doing and is much faster with repairs than the local Stihl dealer. The Stihl dealer acts as if he is doing you a favor when he repairs a tool. The Husqvarna dealer also repairs the Stihl tools faster and better, so all the lawn guys that are Stihl believers buy at one place and have them serviced at the other. The Husqvarna dealer doesn't mind either.... he just charges them more.

Damn. That *****. Our Stihl dealer has a kid in my band. We get along real well. He even delivers to my house! I know, I found a keeper

 

[thefairlaneman]

I vote for stihl. Had a pro model trimmer cost less than 300buck for 12 years and used it often, still running when it was stolen, Went and got another one just like it for a little more than 300 last year and KNOW I wont need another one for a long long time. Neighbor wouldnt listen and paid almost as much for some kind of off brand junk and hes had nothing but trouble, In fact its in my shop right now after I fixed it for him for the 3rd time,,,,,,

 

[ron in sc]

I have a Stihl too, the FS 55RC not as heavy duty at some of their other models but it's real light in weight which is plus for me.

 

[the intimidator]

hmm seems most people on here and on lawnsite.com have a preferance for the stihl. I wonder if it is because stihl is the more well known brand and the hondas are relitivitly new and not well known?

How are the stihls for replacement parts for the older models? my friends mom has a older stihl 110 or 130 I think that she said I could have for 50$ I am heading over there tommorow to have a looksie. What should I pay attention too I figure if I need to spend a little cash on it I will still come out ahead of buying a new one at 500$+ plus tax thanks for the replies

 

[thefairlaneman]

hmm seems most people on here and on lawnsite.com have a preferance for the stihl. I wonder if it is because stihl is the more well known brand and the hondas are relitivitly new and not well known?

How are the stihls for replacement parts for the older models? my friends mom has a older stihl 110 or 130 I think that she said I could have for 50$ I am heading over there tommorow to have a looksie. What should I pay attention too I figure if I need to spend a little cash on it I will still come out ahead of buying a new one at 500$+ plus tax thanks for the replies

Parts cost big money,thats a fact. I have a stihl chain saw (small one) 17 years old and ran well untill the coil went bad, replacement cost (and there are NO AFTERMARKET ONES) over 100 bucks, the saw new was only 245 bucks,,,,I had to just pack it up broken and never plan to fix it

 

[eschoendorff]

hmm seems most people on here and on lawnsite.com have a preferance for the stihl. I wonder if it is because stihl is the more well known brand and the hondas are relitivitly new and not well known?

How are the stihls for replacement parts for the older models? my friends mom has a older stihl 110 or 130 I think that she said I could have for 50$ I am heading over there tommorow to have a looksie. What should I pay attention too I figure if I need to spend a little cash on it I will still come out ahead of buying a new one at 500$+ plus tax thanks for the replies

Parts will be plentiful, but expensive. That being said, i have never had a major problem with any of my Stihl machines where I needed to buy a lot of parts. And I have had:
1 FS 74
5 FS 76s
1 FS 110
1 FS 80 (didn't like that one)
1 023 saw
1 BG 72
1 BG 400

 

[the intimidator]

well it is a fs 85 not sure of the age how would I tell? Anyways the trimmer runs starts right up on the second pull it has been sitting since last summer I put new gas in and cleand the plug. I think there is a issue with the clutch though as it makes a loud ring or tapping sound it is not coming from the power head any ideas or sights that have a parts diagram so I can see what might be the cause? thanks for the help fellas I havent paid her for the saw yet as it wouldnt start at her house she said if it doesnt run she will take it back aparently she found it on the side of the road after it bounced out of a guy's pickup lol

 

[eschoendorff]

well it is a fs 85 not sure of the age how would I tell? Anyways the trimmer runs starts right up on the second pull it has been sitting since last summer I put new gas in and cleand the plug. I think there is a issue with the clutch though as it makes a loud ring or tapping sound it is not coming from the power head any ideas or sights that have a parts diagram so I can see what might be the cause? thanks for the help fellas I havent paid her for the saw yet as it wouldnt start at her house she said if it doesnt run she will take it back aparently she found it on the side of the road after it bounced out of a guy's pickup lol

*Some* ring is normal. All of mine have done it a little. If you're gettin' it free, and 85 is a hell of a machine (the successor to the 76, which is badass) and would be worth a service call.

 

[the intimidator]

hmm on closer inspection the clutch seems to be ok worn but ok. I think It might either be a sheard flywheel key (60-80$ cause it is part of the flywheel) or it has internal damage I can move the flywheel without the piston moving and it seems the flywheel is also moving slightly on the crank. Does anybody know how to remove the flywheel?

She was wanting 50$ for the trimmer I said that will be ok but I want to have a look first. I think I will offer her 20$ and see what she say's I can keep it for parts as everything else seems to be in good working order and I was looking at the buying one new anyways so I would have a parts engine to steal from if I run into trouble with the new one any ideas on the flywheel though? thanks

 

[eschoendorff]

hmm on closer inspection the clutch seems to be ok worn but ok. I think It might either be a sheard flywheel key (60-80$ cause it is part of the flywheel) or it has internal damage I can move the flywheel without the piston moving and it seems the flywheel is also moving slightly on the crank. Does anybody know how to remove the flywheel?

She was wanting 50$ for the trimmer I said that will be ok but I want to have a look first. I think I will offer her 20$ and see what she say's I can keep it for parts as everything else seems to be in good working order and I was looking at the buying one new anyways so I would have a parts engine to steal from if I run into trouble with the new one any ideas on the flywheel though? thanks

Aw geez... I pulled one off, but I was just taking an engine apart for parts and I think that I just used a puller. I don't recommend this approach... it kinda bent the flywheel.

 

[the intimidator]

thanks for the help I am going to give my dealer a call today and see what they suggest. I am also going to find out the cost of the fs 80 or 85 with the bike handle I was looking at this model anyways so I suppose I would have a parts trimmer

 

[the intimidator]

they said they could take a look at it for me but it would end up being a minimum of 120$+ for the parts, from what I have found out so far and my discription of the problem. I am going to offer her 20$ and see if she bites I priced out a new one fs85 with the bike handle I already have a shaft with the loop handle from the parts machine and the one dealer wants 450$ and the other want's 420 I figure I will be able to get either for around 450 out the door not too bad and they are not the 4-mix **** I for one dont see any advantage the gas still needs mixed it still lubes the internals but it has a valvetrain in my mind it is making something more complicated then it needs to be anyways thanks for the advice pics to come of my new trimmer

 

[neblinc]

My vote is for Shindaiwa
I have had my trimmer for 2 years of heavy acreage use and have had zero problems.
Dealer sold me on it after saying the dept of roads used this brand.

Oh, and the 7 day money back guarantee.

Randy

 

[eschoendorff]

they said they could take a look at it for me but it would end up being a minimum of 120$+ for the parts, from what I have found out so far and my discription of the problem. I am going to offer her 20$ and see if she bites I priced out a new one fs85 with the bike handle I already have a shaft with the loop handle from the parts machine and the one dealer wants 450$ and the other want's 420 I figure I will be able to get either for around 450 out the door not too bad and they are not the 4-mix **** I for one dont see any advantage the gas still needs mixed it still lubes the internals but it has a valvetrain in my mind it is making something more complicated then it needs to be anyways thanks for the advice pics to come of my new trimmer

$450 for an FS 85???!!!!! Dayum thaht sounds like A LOT. I paid I think $379 for my FS 110. The FS 85 is an old model and it is the off season - you'd think that they would be trying to give them away. I would fo to a pawn shop and find an old 85 or 74 or 76 and raid the clutch off that or something.

Hey....BTW, what parts do you need? I think I still have some stuff taht I raided off an old FS 76...

 

[the intimidator]

$450 for an FS 85???!!!!! Dayum thaht sounds like A LOT. I paid I think $379 for my FS 110. The FS 85 is an old model and it is the off season - you'd think that they would be trying to give them away. I would fo to a pawn shop and find an old 85 or 74 or 76 and raid the clutch off that or something.

Hey....BTW, what parts do you need? I think I still have some stuff taht I raided off an old FS 76...

lol that is cheap for my area last summer I was looking at then and they wanted 520+ plus the tax on the 85 I think the fs55 was around 460$ and from what I hear it is just a expensive homeowners trimmer and doesnt hold up well to daily use I hear alot of good things abought the 85 series though and I would prefer to stay clear of the 4-mix.

I have yet to get the flywheel off the trimmer I have right now she gave it to me for free so I am happy it does run just makes a afull racket doing so. I will most likly keep it for parts and let my dealer have a look at the power head and see what the trouble is thanks for the offer though I'll keep you guy's informed of the progress I make with it

 

[the intimidator]

well I just got a price on the honda trimmer and the employ price is 380$ for the loop handle and 411$ for the bike handle. and the larger 35cc is 484$ I think I will probably go with the honda http://honda.ca/PowerEng/Trimmers/HHT25S/HHT25SLTC.htm What do you guy's think? I am saving around 120$ from retail on the honda and I am not sure what I am saving on the stihl but compared to the honda it is going to be around 75$ more anyways

 

[john300k]

Get the Stihl...I have one that is ten years old with the original spark plug....starts everytime! I love it!!!!

 

[W-Cummins]

well I just got a price on the honda trimmer and the employ price is 380$ for the loop handle and 411$ for the bike handle. and the larger 35cc is 484$ I think I will probably go with the honda http://honda.ca/PowerEng/Trimmers/HHT25S/HHT25SLTC.htm What do you guy's think? I am saving around 120$ from retail on the honda and I am not sure what I am saving on the stihl but compared to the honda it is going to be around 75$ more anyways

I all reddy mentioned what I think, I have run the larger Honda and my FS-250 would eat it for lunch!


William....

 

[the intimidator]

I all reddy mentioned what I think, I have run the larger Honda and my FS-250 would eat it for lunch!


William....

I just dont think that is a fair comparison the honda is running a 35cc engine putting out 1.6 horse and the stihl is running a 40cc putting out 2.2 horse power I am sure the honda has no chance against it.

I would love to go out and buy a fs250 but I am sure that beast would run me closer to a grand and I really dont have 500$ to spend right now which is why I am considering the honda as it is much cheaper and right now as long as I am getting a profesional quality tool I am more conserned with the price then getting the biggest baddest trimmer out there I have 5 reg sized lawns and one around 3/4 acre and one big lawn I am hopping to get the contract for this year. I might try and get another 15-20 postage sized lot's too but those take all of 20 minutes to trim cut and blow off the driveway and walk. I am not going to be doing any heavy brush cutting most will be just overgrown fence lines and those are just once a year things. I think I will give the honda a try and see what type of performance it has hopefully I am getting it in a couple weeks may be a month if the dealer doesnt have one in and I have to order it thanks for the help