Good Brushcutter/stringtrimmer- $850.00???

rswyan · Apr 19, 2005

I have a Stihl FS66 that I have had for about 15 years or so. Cleaning up the garage yesterday I ran across the original receipt - it was like $280 back then.

I've used it to trim and cut heavy brush and small saplings (1 - 2 inches) - it's a bit underpowered for anything larger, like Christmas tree famring.

It's been good, minimal maintainence - I'd buy another Stihl in a heartbeat.

One thing - just make sure you ALWAYS use their oil for the premix.

Charlie_in_TX · Apr 19, 2005

I had similar needs. I bought a kombi system similar to http://www.stihlusa.com/multitask/KM55.html. With trimmer, edger and prunning saw I am in about $600.

Haoleguy · Apr 22, 2005

This past week I invested in a forest clearing saw/trimmer from Husqvarna(345FX). The 2.9hp is enough power to make quick work of saplings and small brush with the 24T saw blade. I have the vine/brush cutter(3 cutter points) but have not used it yet as I'm missing the larger guard for this cutter. In 1hr I cleared brush and vines in a 8' by 50' area. My spouse was pleased which is always an added bonus. This unit cost me $725 from local dealer but I noticed a $649-1000 price range on the web.

65hoss · Apr 22, 2005

Stihl FS 110-250 with the brush blade will do anything you want it to. I've used the blades on my FS 85's also and they do fine with it.

Moon · Apr 26, 2005

A few years back I needed one of these. Though a friend I found out that our local power company workers used shindawa weed eaters/ burshcutters for the task (and they put em though quite a workout). So ... that's what I bought. It works fine for cutting back mutiflorra rose and what not. I've cut 3" sticks / trees with it. It's still going strong. I"ve had it about 5 years now. It cost $365.00.

Moon

fishman · Apr 26, 2005

I use a Stihl FS85 Pro with the aforementioned chainsaw style blade and it works great. Keep it sharp and it will take down any tree that is thinner than the distance from the edge of the blade to the hub. I also tried the saw tooth blades and they don't work for big stuff at all.

I bought the FS85 because it was the least expensive Stihl model that still had a solid shaft and was approved for metal blades. It also has the bicycle handles which are safer. I really wanted a bigger one, but couldn't justify the price. My dealer said "Why, when this one will do what you need?" and he was right.

dukenyc · Apr 26, 2005

Thanks for the responses!

The local Stihl dealer told me the smaller models would not work and wants me to get the 450K. If The others will work, it will save me coin which can be put towards a brush cutter for the tractor.

Where can you get a "beaverblade" or other chainsaw type. The dealer only has the saw type.

otus_branch · Apr 26, 2005

( Stihl FS 110-250 with the brush blade will do anything you want it to. I've used the blades on my FS 85's also and they do fine with it. )

'hoss is right about this, but it's worth noting that the (2-stroke) Stihl 250 is a heck of a lot more powerful than the (4-mix) Stihl 110 or 130. I've only demo'd each of these outside the local dealer, but even that was enough to convince me that the 250 was worth the coin for my brushclearing tasks. The 250 is on order now (I demo'd a bicycle-handle type, but wanted the loop handle for its flexibility...). The damage for me was around $500 with tax, etc. That's still a bunch in my book, but better than $850.

-otus

PBinWA · Apr 26, 2005

( Where can you get a "beaverblade" )

http://www.atvyardtrim.com/BeaverBlade.shtml

Google will show them too.

I use mine on a cheap Ryobi 32cc Gas trimmer and it worked great.

fishman · Apr 27, 2005

PB,

Did you get extra chains and if so, is the tool they list required to change them?

Does the blade come with a chain, or is that extra?

Looks like a great product.