which Stihl string trimmer

[mdelmarcelle]

I have an FS85. It has been a great machine. Not problems, plenty of power. It's funny. I was just at a picnic for the 4th and people were talking about gas trimmers. Everyone was saying it doesn't matter what you buy, they all last a couple/few years and they're done. They were referring to the ones you buy from big box stores (Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.). None had any experience with Stihl. The Stihl trimmer hasn't lost any power or become a difficult starter. And I own two older Stihl chainsaws. Both are still running well and powerful. This is redundant with all the other posts, but Stihl is a great brand. If my 85 ever dies or isn't enough for what I need (I use it to do small stuff on 40 acres of mostly wooded property), I'll be getting another Stihl.

 

[Bird]

The trimmer has the little bulb primer (is that the supposed "Quick Start" system?)

No. The Easy2Start system which works so well on my Stihl is a system in which pulling the starter cord does not turn the engine. Instead you are winding a spring when you pull the starter cord. You can pull just as slowly as you want to, no hard fast pull required. And when the spring is completely wound up, it'll release itself and that's what turns the engine. I guess, since you can still buy a Stihl trimmer without that system, that some folks must not like it, but I'm sure glad I paid the extra $30 for it. In the 6 years I've had it, it's more than paid for itself. A couple of weeks ago I was helping a friend with his yard and let him use my Stihl and you should have seen the look of surprise on his face when he pulled the cord and it started so quick and easy.

 

[Carl Bert]

No. The Easy2Start system which works so well on my Stihl is a system in which pulling the starter cord does not turn the engine. Instead you are winding a spring when you pull the starter cord. You can pull just as slowly as you want to, no hard fast pull required. And when the spring is completely wound up, it'll release itself and that's what turns the engine. I guess, since you can still buy a Stihl trimmer without that system, that some folks must not like it, but I'm sure glad I paid the extra $30 for it. In the 6 years I've had it, it's more than paid for itself. A couple of weeks ago I was helping a friend with his yard and let him use my Stihl and you should have seen the look of surprise on his face when he pulled the cord and it started so quick and easy.

Sorry but I can't agree. I bought the FS70 for my father, who is 78 yrs old. I bought it just for that reason, because it was called easy start. Well ********, there is nothing about the easy start system that is easy to pull. My dad could not pull it. I returned it and got him the FS100 and he loves it. No problems starting it. According to the manager, the easy start system just means it will start in one pull rather then two, but its much harder to pull. I can't speak for the smaller models, but thats the way it is with the professional series.

 

[Bird]

Sorry but I can't agree. I bought the FS70 for my father, who is 78 yrs old. I bought it just for that reason, because it was called easy start. Well ********, there is nothing about the easy start system that is easy to pull. My dad could not pull it. I returned it and got him the FS100 and he loves it. No problems starting it. According to the manager, the easy start system just means it will start in one pull rather then two, but its much harder to pull. I can't speak for the smaller models, but thats the way it is with the professional series.

All I can say Carl is that you either got a defective one, or they've changed something since I bought mine 6 years ago.:laughing: As I've said before, my salesman jokingly said they call it the "Granny Start" because it's so easy. But start in one pull rather than two? That sounds silly to say the least. Mine nearly always takes two pulls when it's cold; one if you turn it off and restart after it's warmed up. But I sure don't mind two easy pulls.

Now you've made me curious enough that I'll have to stop by my dealer and see if they've changed the system on the newer ones. On their website, they call it the "Easy2Start" system. The manual for mine calls it the "ErgoStart" while the original invoice calls it "Easy Start". I know it wouldn't be unusual for a product to change in 6 years.

You know I just got to thinking about how anyone could think the Easy2Start system would be harder to start, and I just might know. If you try to jerk the starter cord; i.e., pull hard and fast with one hand while holding the trimmer in the other hand, yep, you might find it harder. But if you do as the manual says to do; i.e., with it sitting on the ground, holding it down with one hand and pulling slowly and steadily with the other hand, it's so much easier. I always start mine cold as the manual says, but sometimes when I turn it off, carry it somewhere else and restart it, I don't put it down, just hold it in my left hand and pull the cord with the right hand.

Anyway, if your dad has one he likes, that's all that counts.

 

[kb2520]

I bought an FS 56 RC-E earlier this Spring. Usually the 56 is stocked in dealerships as the model with the bicycle handle, but this one has the traditional handle. I have used my dad's FS 55 for the past few years and have had no problems with it - plenty of power, reliable starting, etc. The 56 RC-E is just a little beefier system. We have a road bank as well as a couple of long ditch lines that are tricky to get to with the tractor (we live in WV), so even though I've had the 56 for just a short time, it's already had plenty of use and break in time. I would recommend it to anyone.

http://www.stihlusa.com/trimmers/FS56RCE.html

 

[EddieWalker]

I like Stihl products and have two of their chainsaws. My dealer also sells Echo, and when I went in to buy a Stihl weed eater, he talked me into buying the Echo weed eater instead. For the same sized moter, Echo has a bigger gear box and cost less money. I wasn't too concerned with price when I went in there because I've bought enough junk to know that you don't save money when you have to replace it every year.

The Echo is extremly easy to start, very powerful, and in my opinion, a better product then Echo. Since I don't have an Echo and Stihl weedeater, I can only base that on my two Stihl Chainsaws, to my Echo weedeater and Echo pole saw. I don't feel you can go wrong with either, but before buying Stihl, I'd look at Echo. That's all I'll buy from now on.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[Bird]

Eddie, just from my unscientific observation a few years ago, it seemed all the pros were using Echo, but in more recent times, it seems that I see more Stihl. My dealer, from whom I also bought my Toro mowers, only sells Stihl, but I do know of another dealer in the area that sells both. So you can't compare them because you haven't had a Stihl and I can't compare them because I haven't had an Echo.:laughing: But I do think you're right in that you couldn't go wrong with either.

 

[nomad289]

Make sure to get the
STIHL PolyCut head. It is superb for cutting tough grass and never wears out. Replacing string is exasperating and needs to be done often with any string trimmer on acreage.

I previously owned the
FS 250 Bike Handle Trimmer
and it was a superb unit. I would Highly recommend it. With 1.5 acres I think you need a unit this size.

I have a push Bearcat string trimmer now but the previous FS 250 cut just as effectively and was more versatile. I have 2+ acres.

 

[buck12]

I purchased a new string trimmer today but it wasn稚 a Stihl. I purchased a Kawasaki. The local dealer sells Stihl, Husqvarna, and Kawasaki. The dealer recommended the Kawasaki. I trimmed this afternoon and so far so good.

 

[PSDStu]

I have had a Stihl FS-130 with bicycle handle, and the double standard shoulder harness for the last 6 years and it has worked great. I have used the string trimmer, poly heads, and the steel brush knife and all have worked well.