Stihl Weed Trimmers

Do you have one?

What model?

What do you like about it?

Anything I should be aware of when purchasing?

What did you pay?


I am looking at the FS-45. It is probably the most popular model and costs $149.95. I believe Stihl sets the price for their products and they are non-negotiable.

 

I don't have a weedeater, but I don't think you can go wrong with Stihl. I've got a Stihl chainsaw. Wouldn't buy another brand given a choice.

 

The FS-45 is the top-rated in consumer reports if you go by that stuff.

 

I got tired of buying a new weedeater every couple years cause the home owner type you pick up for around a hundred or so crap out and become almost impossible to start and keep running.

Went down to the local saw shop a couple years back and talked to the owner, he set me up with a Stilh FS 80 for about $280

Love it
It starts when I want to use it without praying to the gardening gods before hand
Rips the crap out of anything you point it at and never hesitates
Feels stout like a real tool when you pick it up


I should have bought something like it years ago instead of going to the big box stores and grabbing on sale junk they offer

 

I've only owned the curved shaft...is there any advantage to the straight shaft?


Good to know that it is rated high in the Consumer Reports. I do take note of that kind of stuff but also think there is some under the table bribery in that magazine.

The FS-80...that thing would definitely do the job! It would probably chop the tree that I am trying to trim around. I might hurt myself with this model but thanks for the insight.

 

I own the Stihl FS-36....it's the curved shaft one. I've had it for about 12 years and it still runs great, no problems except for the spark arestor screen plugging up. I removed it. I paid about $140 for it.

 

I have an FS 46. I had to have the coil replaced under warranty after 3 uses. The rubber fuel line/fuel filter assembly after 1 year which comes to find out it was a faulty one that should have been replaced before it was sold. And it just never has run right after 3 years of ownership. I have replaced plugs, filters, everything and it is still a piece of junk in my eyes. I guess I bought a lemon because I never hear of anyone else having problems. I was much happier with my Eager Beaver for $60.00 from Pamida. So NO I can't recommend a Stihl. (Oh and the carburator on mine is "Non Adjustable". WTF)

 

I looked a Stihl when I wanted an extended articulating hedge trimmer.
I wanted a 4 stroke and ended up with a Husqvarna(sp) that I can put on a weedeater, hedge trimmer or edger attachment. Actually has a Honda 4 stroke with Husqi labeling.
I'm just tired of mixing fuel.

 

Wow...that does suck! I guess any brand can have a lemon in the bunch. I have only heard good things about Stihl so I thank you for the input.

I'm going this weekend to check out the Echo's.

I also want a sold drive with a straight shaft. I'm told to stay away from anything else.

 

I used to mow yards for a living and I also work on small engines. Basically, the japanese brand 2 stroke products are best. Personally, I really like Echo, Shindaiwa, and Makita.

 

i have to respectfully disagree (although those brands are top notch also). i have a retired fs-80 from my fathers landscape buisness (he sold the buisness around 8 years ago). it's having its carb rebuilt right now, which is the first shred of maintence it's had done since new. while edging, barely any throttle is needed, starts on the first pull, ect ect. it's just a rock solid high quality peice of equipment

 

They basically all have the exact carburetor these days anyway. I've rebuilt so many of those 2 cycle weedwackers, and the carbs from Echos, Shindaiwas, and Stihls are almost interchangeable. We have a Green Machine from the early 80's ( built by Shindaiwa) that still starts and runs great. Heavy sucker though.

 

I worked for the state road for a summer during college. We weedeated along the roads just about every day all day. The Stihls we used were about 5 years old and ran great for as much as we used them. Very durable machines IMO.

 

Stihl trimmers are OK, but they are known for the recoil breaking. Im partial to Echo and Honda. Ive owned/used both and IMO they are the best.

 

I have 3 Stihl saws and 1 Stihl weedeater. So I'm partial to Stihls. Wish I could give more experience with many trimmers, but this thing won't die.

I'm at work so I can't remember the model right off 'cause I have had the thing for almost 18 years.

Straight shaft(a must!), handlebar grips with shoulder strap(easy on the back), and it has had 2 spark plugs put in it since I bought it new for around $300 I think. Never had another thing done to it, except I bought one of those heads with the 3 nylon blades that chew up everything in sight.

I trim a large country yard and have shown it no mercy on the dam of our pond and in the woods.

I never do anything to the fuel between seasons and it always fires up. Now that I bragged, it will probably blow up..........

edit: looks like this, but not sure the model of mine exactly..........these are in the professional category on this site>>> http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/FS250.html

 

I decided on the Stihl FS 55R. I haven't fully put it to the test but it feels solid.

It's less responsive than my cheap Craftsman was. A touch of throttle will rev it up but not spin the head. Too much and the head will begin spinning. I could probably adjust the idle screw to fix that.

Starting is also harder. I figure because of the bigger engine. With the Craftsman, I could hold the loop with one hand and pull start with the other. For now, I have to hold this one on the ground to get a strong pull. Not sure if that will loosen up.

It cost me $199+tax from a local dealer/hardware store - Heplers Hardware in Youngwood, PA.

 

We use Homelite, Toro, and Echo for everything

 

Every professional I asked said they used Echo. The Echo dealer I spoke to has worked on both and thought the Echo's were better than the Stihl.

No one denied that Stihl is a quality machine. It is capable of far more than I demand and will probably last longer than me - like my Tacoma

Anyway, I liked the Stihl better so that's what I chose.

 

We have an Echo Leaf Blower going on 5-6 years now. No problem.

Toro Edger and something else

Homelite Weed Eater

 

My mom has been in landscape maintenance for the last....hell, forever?.... and always used Shindaiwa weedeaters and Stihl chainsaws. A few years back an estate she took care of bought a couple Husqvarna weedeaters and she liked how they were a lot lighter and had more power for the size, though they didnt last quite as long. I worked at a local saw shop part time while in High school for 2 years and worked on all the brands. Seemed like many people were switching from Stihl to Husqvarna including the forest service and road department. I got my mom to buy a Husqvarna 324LX trimmer- its powered by a 4 stroke honda engine and is super torquey and quiet, and its also nice that it runs straight gas and not mix. I own a Husqvarna 323L trimmer(about $319) and 335 trimmer (about $429) weedeater now and like them both, the power of the 335 is amazing- it puts out 2.2HP compared to about 1.2HP from the 323 and 324! I've also got a Husqvarna 359 Pro saw w/ a 24" bar. It is a really nice, compact and powerful saw that revs to the moon but they're spendy at $500. They're built with a magnesium case, rather than the plastic cases that the consumer models came with for better durability and strength. It had some carb issues under warranty but nothing since then after about 5yrs of commercial usage.

Oh, and as for the straight shaft vs bent shaft trimmers:
The bent shaft trimmers use a twisted cord that transmits the power from the motor to the head, whereas the straight shaft trimmers use a hardened steel shaft to transmit the power which is exponentially more durable in the long run.