Which Stihl trimmer to buy

[padronanniversary]

Looking for advice on which Stihl trimmer to buy. Will buy pro grade, but curios as to which model. 4 mix or 2 stroke ?

Looking at 240R. 1 acre to trim around fence line, weight I don't mind so much as what I am using now is big.

Just wanted opinions on head and experience with the stihl line.

Thanks in advance

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I'm on my second Stihl. First one lasted about 20 years on the farm. I have the FS130R now. I trim a lot of fence and the yard as well and I'm very happy with it. Never bogs down. Love the 4 Mix.

I don't know that I see benefit of the 240 unless you are cutting brush. Slightly larger engine and a bigger tank. The 130 is a big step up from the 110 though.

 

[rlitman]

The 130 is a small step up from the 110. Either will spin .095 line, or even .105 line with more than enough power. The only reason you'd want to look at the 240 is if you want to spin a blade to cut saplings and such.

I like my 4-mix machines.

If you're only looking to spin string, and don't want a Kombi for the attachment option (which has a great pole pruner for example), then you should be looking at the FS100R. That has a lightened shaft, and is their leading string trimmer.

Stihl's line is so-so. Gator Magnum FTW.

 

[speedfreek1210]

I have a fs 70 R for three years now. Bought a TrimCut head when I bought it. I don't like winding spools so it works great for me. I bought a roll of Stihl line at the same time. I cut the whole spool down to the proper size when I got home. I store the line in a plastic coffee can filled with water. The water will keep it from becoming brittle over time. I've had nothing but good luck doing things this way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Keelhauled]

The 130 is a small step up from the 110. Either will spin .095 line, or even .105 line with more than enough power. The only reason you'd want to look at the 240 is if you want to spin a blade to cut saplings and such.

My FS110 will run a blade just fine, use it a lot clearing fencelines.

 

[Maddog10]

I'd buy the one that says "Honda" on the side.

Just giving you a hard time. Stihl will serve you well also.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have fs70 as well and it's great. No matter what you choose, get STRAIGHT SHAFT!

 

[rlitman]

My FS110 will run a blade just fine, use it a lot clearing fencelines.

It sure will. However the FS100 will not.

I have fs70 as well and it's great. No matter what you choose, get STRAIGHT SHAFT!

Yes, straight shaft FTW also.

 

[cool_as_crap]

I have the fs56 rc straight shaft, works great for homeowner 1/2 acre yard.
I've used it for like 3hrs straight without issue. One day i'll learn to wear hearing protection

 

[padronanniversary]

definitely will be getting straight shaft. thanks for the input thus far. yes i cut a bit of weeds and brush to clear out a half acre patch a few times a year.

the other thing is i do like thicker line as well. how are the heads on these things ?

 

[hoston23]

the 4 stroke machines still need the oil mix in them or they will lock up

 

[rlitman]

...the other thing is i do like thicker line as well. how are the heads on these things ?

There are a few different options. But you're not locked into a Stihl head if you prefer something else.

the 4 stroke machines still need the oil mix in them or they will lock up

The Stihl 4-mix requires gas-oil mixed fuel, and they really want their special synthetic oil to be used, as they're prone to carbon up with conventional oil, or if the oil is mixed too rich.

Some other 4 stroke machines (Honda comes to mind) have a separate oil pan and use straight gas.

 

[SARG]

I purchased two Stihls on the same day after getting tired of a finicky Husqvarna. Got the largest they had for me (240?) & a smaller 100 series for the wife. Buying the biggest was not a good idea as the smaller unit does everything as well as the big boy .... which now doesn't get used very much. And after buying & using all the do-dads on the market to replace the string ...... We've decided the string still works the best.
They are good machines.

 

[bcradio]

I have fs70 as well and it's great. No matter what you choose, get STRAIGHT SHAFT!

I'm a novice with string trimmers... why is the straight shaft better?

 

[rlitman]

I'm a novice with string trimmers... why is the straight shaft better?

More power to the tool. The curved shaft uses a flexible shaft, while the straight shaft is geared.

Some people prefer curved shaft stick edgers, because the blade spins faster than their straight shaft cousins. The same does not apply to string trimmer heads, which have 1:1 gear ratios.

The straight shafts do turn the attachment in the opposite direction of the curved shafts. You get used to one or the other, to pay attention to where they fling debris.

 

[R_einan]

I went with the FS 94R, it's a traditional two-stroke, not one of the new fangled ones. Tons of power and relatively light.

 

[bcradio]

More power to the tool. The curved shaft uses a flexible shaft, while the straight shaft is geared.

Some people prefer curved shaft stick edgers, because the blade spins faster than their straight shaft cousins. The same does not apply to string trimmer heads, which have 1:1 gear ratios.

The straight shafts do turn the attachment in the opposite direction of the curved shafts. You get used to one or the other, to pay attention to where they fling debris.

Good to know, thank you.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I went with the FS 94R, it's a traditional two-stroke, not one of the new fangled ones. Tons of power and relatively light.

^ This, but I got the KM, wanted to run the power scythe/hedge trimmer, maybe an edger, and a brush blade. TBH I have a nice backpack blower, but for my whole 200' driveway I blow off, I could no doubt use the Kombi blower, those who have it seem to rave about it.

I rented a HL100 hedge trimmer last year with the 4Mix, to make sure the pole trimmer would work for me before I bought one. I liked the easy starting and power of the 4Mix, and asked my buddy the Sunbelt manager what he thought of the 4Mixes... his advice was to buy a 2 stroke while I still could. Between that and the stack of blowed-up 4Mix powerheads in my small engine shop's back shed...

My 94 starts on the 2nd pull, even when it was close to freezing out and I wanted to make sure my ebay power scythe worked while I could still return it. Plus the fuel tank is barely a pint, but even tooling around using said power scythe to inefficiently trim my whole acre (including ~1500sf of steep embankment) I haven't managed to use more than about 1/2 a tank. I top it off every use to keep condensation out and I'm always amazed how little it takes, especially for a 2 stroke. I don't even know if it's had 3 tanks through it to be theoretically 'broken in'.

 

[MarineScott]

I bought the professional model FS90 Stihl with the 4 mix. I was skeptical at first, but it works great. You don't have to rev these engines like the 2 stroke, they have a lot of low end torque. Cutting heavy grass and weeds is easy, and start ups are easy too.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'm a novice with string trimmers... why is the straight shaft better?

More power to the tool. The curved shaft uses a flexible shaft, while the straight shaft is geared.

Some people prefer curved shaft stick edgers, because the blade spins faster than their straight shaft cousins. The same does not apply to string trimmer heads, which have 1:1 gear ratios.

The straight shafts do turn the attachment in the opposite direction of the curved shafts. You get used to one or the other, to pay attention to where they fling debris.

And they're more comfortable and easier to use IMO, but I'm tall...

 

[padronanniversary]

the good thing is i can still use the stihl koto mix. i have about 24 1oz containers s. based on my reading my mix is still the same.


the 86 blower i just got is amazing for a handheld. always start in second pull. the stihl sr450 backpack mosquito killing machine is amazing as well. i figure i'll stick with stihl for the trimmer, but debating if i should just go big. i don't mind the weight at all.

i hear one thing about 4 mix is that people complain about feathering the throttle and throttle control.

 

[tlmartin84]

My 110 keeps up with my fence and couple acres just fine. Handles a blade well too. Mine is going on 9 years old, and has been run around 2 hours a week during mowing season.

No issues other than wearing out the trimmer head.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

The 130 is a small step up from the 110. Either will spin .095 line, or even .105 line with more than enough power. The only reason you'd want to look at the 240 is if you want to spin a blade to cut saplings and such.

.

The 130 is a 30% HP increase over the 110. Not a small step.

 

[rlitman]

The 130 is a 30% HP increase over the 110. Not a small step.

1.34 vs 1.9 HP. But the 130 constantly hits the rev limiter because it is overpowered for many attachments.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

I'm a novice with string trimmers... why is the straight shaft better?

I usually find a straight shaft is easier to maneuver in, for example under a fence wire to trim around a post. That said occasionally the curve shafts come in handy to get "over" something similar. But definitely prefer straight shaft. Also make sure you get one That's a good length to use in proper posture, if you plan to use it for lengthy periods.

 

[Sh40674]

i went with an fs50, homeowner grade but elongated curved shaft. for some reason straight shaft hurts my back (i'm only 5'8, don't know if that has anything to do with it). the longer shaft on this one is real comfortable, nice middle ground between straight and curved i think. anyways, i prefer a 2 stroke also, again just my preference. find your stroke and your shaft and pick one, i never regretted getting my stihl

 

[WittHay]

The size of trimmer depends on how thick and tall your grass is. If the fence line was maintained previously a FS100 to FS130 will work well.

I have a FS250R used with .105 line for cutting reed canary grass. Its a heavy trimmer that is meant to go at full speed, not for trimming at half throttle.

 

[padronanniversary]

I finally looked up what I have now, a John Deere XT170

32cc 1.7hp

So I am thinking Stihl 250R.... or a 131R ?

Anyone know who made the XT170 ?

 

[redwrench60]

I finally looked up what I have now, a John Deere XT170

32cc 1.7hp

So I am thinking Stihl 250R.... or a 131R ?

Anyone know who made the XT170 ?

If you can find a new FS 250R you let me know where you found it. They seem to have replaced my beloved FS 250R with the FS 240 R and its a different animal. Heavier, weaker and bulkier powerhead.

They seem to be pushing us toward the 4-MIX engine line and I'm not a real big fan. There's only three true 2 stroke machines left in the pro lineup. The ******* 4 stroke engines still need 2 stroke oil mix, they don't turn the RPM's of 2 stroke and they require periodic valve adjustments.

 

[rlitman]

The valve adjustments take 5 minutes at most, and they sell a $6 tool if you don't own the right feeler gauge. Though you can make one with a soda can and some scissors for the cost of the can deposit.

 

[redwrench60]

The valve adjustments take 5 minutes at most, and they sell a $6 tool if you don't own the right feeler gauge. Though you can make one with a soda can and some scissors for the cost of the can deposit.

Yeah it's not a deal breaker, they make pretty good torque. I just prefer the simplicity, power and low maintenance of a true 2-stroke.

 

[the intimidator]

I just bought a new fs70 so far in impressed with it already have ten tanks threw it cutting heavy grass brambles ect I like the fact that its a straight 2stroke and is really light it seems to have more then enough power even with the guard off and abought 12 inches of line out I haven't slowed it down except in some dogwood.


I ran a 4 mix for a while when my old fs 80 blew up ended up fixing the fs 80 and selling the 4 mix theirs in my opinion no low end control for edging around flowers and other delicate tasks and I didn't get the revs out of it that I'm used to wide open I think for a straight brushcutter it would be a good match though

I'd recommend going smaller then the models you mentioned if you're dead set on getting one rent it for the weekend and see what kind of animal those big brushcutters truely are their definatly not designed for standard trimming

 

[77Mini]

Have you thought about buying a Stihl Kombi system? I bought one and love it.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

I've got the KM56RC Kombi system with cultivator, straight shaft trimmer, brush cutter and blower. This is the 3rd year I've had it and other than breaking the handle from falling over when I sat it up against the wall one day, I've had zero problems with it. I don't even bother to winterize it or anything.

Just run premium fuel and Stihl synthetic oil and it seems to stay stable.

One of the best upgrades was replacing the stock bump and go trimmer head with an auto-feed head. That thing is awesome.

 

[padronanniversary]

which auto feed head did you buy ? thanks

 

[padronanniversary]

ended up buying a 250 as well as a 240r. Also picked up a sr200 mist blower for those mosquitos this year. i bought the 250 because people swear by them and dealer had new old stock he wanted to push hard since it's been sitting for years. i hear there is a following for them in my research, so if i don't want it i can always flip it.

the 240r compared to the xt170 i have is about the same heft, so the weight didn't get to man. spent three hours with it cutting down all kinds of things and is a beast compared to the xt170 which had the mitsubishi engine in it. throttle control is great too, i can hit delicate stuff no issues

 

[yamaha0343]

I have a Stihl 2 stroke, and have been nothing but happy with it in the 4 years I've owned it. I have a smaller curved shaft model, and it's been more than adequate for my yard. I don't bother with winterizing, but I do run TrueFuel through it. That has the oil and fuel treatment already in it.

 

[yamaha0343]

ended up buying a 250 as well as a 240r. Also picked up a sr200 mist blower for those mosquitos this year.

Nice.. Congrats! I'm sure they'll serve you well for a long time.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

which auto feed head did you buy ? thanks

I'll have to get back with you on that. I used it again the other day to trim the yard which further convinced me how awesome the head is. Plus it's a two string head which helps the performance of my lesser powered machine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cashishift]

I'm on my second Stihl. First one lasted about 20 years on the farm. I have the FS130R now. I trim a lot of fence and the yard as well and I'm very happy with it. Never bogs down. Love the 4 Mix.

I don't know that I see benefit of the 240 unless you are cutting brush. Slightly larger engine and a bigger tank. The 130 is a big step up from the 110 though.

I wish I would have bought the 130

The 90 is nice, but the 130 would have the extra power I want when running the cultivator.