Stihl 4 mix vs Echo 2 stroke

[sawtooth]

Getting ready to buy a trimmer. Any thoughts on these two engine designs?

 

[atsah]

When I bought my house 12 years ago I bought a Stihl trimmer, two chainsaws and a blower, The good news is they are all working fine 12 years later. I use only Stihl Motomix for my fuel.. Anything as far as these tools go, I will will stick with Stihl. Don't know anything Echo.

 

[yankeerider]

I have the stihl 4 mix on my polesaw and backpack leaf blower. My string trimmer is an Echo 2 stroke. All 3 machines have been highly reliable. All are fed diet of Stihl ultra 2 stroke oil in 89 octane gasoline. If I needed a new trimmer, I'd just buy another Echo thinking it'd be a few bucks cheaper than a Stihl. (All my chain saws are Stihl, too.)

 

[3930dave]

Bought a Stihl 4Mix trimmer about 8 years ago. Would have to walk to the garage for model #..... it was the lowest cost model at the time that would fit a Stihl brush blade. Light use around home, occasional use on a remote property for heavy grass/weed clearing.

I've been happy with it. Doing it again, I'd spend a bit more for one or 2 models up in Stihl, that at the time had a bit better vibration isolation. For light use (less than 30 minutes), it's not really noticeable, and when I do longer runs I try and make sure I have decent cushioning in the gloves I wear. Engine has good torque.

Not sure where you are OP.... used to be around here Stihl would extend the factory warranty no charge if you bought a 6 pack of Stihl mix oil with the trimmer. Good oil, and a bonus extension to warranty.

Only negative I've heard with Stihl is with bigger recent motors - a bricklayer I know had problems with a concrete saw - I think it was the muffler mount design changed, and didn't stand up as well to vibration - can't see this being an issue on trimmers.

Like poster #2, I've no experience with Echo.

Rgds, D.

 

[4570Man]

I've never used a 4 stroke Stihl but I've used 4 stroke Troybuilt and Honda. I didn't like either one. As far as Echo vs Stihl I'd be inclined to go Echo as they're usually more bang for your buck. And why limit yourself to these brands? I own Shindaiwa, Red Max, Echo, and Husqvarna equipment and I've used my fair share of Stihl. All I'll say is you die hard Stihl guys are wearing blinders.

 

[mjonesnh]

Purchased a Stihl FS130 4 mix trimmer 2 years ago and have been very happy with it. Running a dual line head with .105 line it goes through large weeds and tall grass with ease. If I put a brush cutter blade on it will handle saplings in the 2" to 3" size. Just incredible amount of power this trimmer has.

 

[4570Man]

Purchased a Stihl FS130 4 mix trimmer 2 years ago and have been very happy with it. Running a dual line head with .105 line it goes through large weeds and tall grass with ease. If I put a brush cutter blade on it will handle saplings in the 2" to 3" size. Just incredible amount of power this trimmer has.

It's amazing what you can cut when you ditch the more common 4 sided blades and get something with some teeth on it. Btw you're cutting those saplings with mostly momentum instead of engine power.

 

[s219]

I'd get the Echo -- they make a great trimmer.

 

[two_bit_score]

It's amazing what you can cut when you ditch the more common 4 sided blades and get something with some teeth on it. Btw you're cutting those saplings with mostly momentum instead of engine power.

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Never used either of those blades. Never even considered the 4 sided one. Just didn't seem like it would work to me. I use string or a tooth blade.

Always wondered if those chain saw blades were any good.


TBS

 

[4570Man]

Never used either of those blades. Never even considered the 4 sided one. Just didn't seem like it would work to me. I use string or a tooth blade.

Always wondered if those chain saw blades were any good.


TBS

I have one although a different brand. It worked great but didn't stay sharp very long. The dull blade still cuts briars and 1/2" brush pretty well, but it doesn't do to good on big stuff anymore.

 

[two_bit_score]

I have one although a different brand. It worked great but didn't stay sharp very long. The dull blade still cuts briars and 1/2" brush pretty well, but it doesn't do to good on big stuff anymore.

Seems like they might be easy to touch up with a file, no?

 

[4570Man]

Seems like they might be easy to touch up with a file, no?

If it was a real chainsaw chain you could, but mine was more of a V profile.

 

[olPete]

I think my beaver blade has a regular semi chisel chain on it. It sure cuts like a saw.. I used it on gorse, hope none of you ever have gorse on your place.
Beaver blade goes on an old fs360 I think it is. But mostly it wears a 3 finger brush knife. Also have a fs38 for light duty stuff. Have used echo pruning saws and can't fault them. Better bang for your buck, as posted above.. I'd still go for a Stihl if money is no object but nothing wrong with either brand. Stihl oil is the best I believe, it's all I use

 

[Maxify55]

Had a friend go out of the landscape business 10 years ago.

I bought one of his FS110's USED 10 yrs ago for farm use.

This thing is still a beast. I use it for cutting through brush where it's too small an area to drag out the bush hog and tractor.

It's the 4 mix model with handle bars and will start every time. Without fail.
Come to think of it, I've never even had to rebuild the carb after all these years.

My chain saw is a 15 yr old
Echo CS-510. It's their midsize saw and, once again, reliable as I could EVER ask. I did have to rebuild its carb here recently.

Even the best of us need a little "Hands on TLC"

Stihl, however, does have the edge in saws. The trimmers are equally reliable. Given, of course, that you maintain them properly.

 

[olPete]

Stihl, however, does have the edge in saws. The trimmers are equally reliable. Given, of course, that you maintain them properly.

Empty out the fuel tank and run it til it stops.. hence why my fs38 wants a carby kit

 

[Jimmy in NC]

Watch the 4 mix valve adjustment. Not hard or time consuming to do... but it has to be done.

The Echo equipment is second to none. After going through hundreds of pieces of small equipment of all brands I can tell you the interior fit and finish in an Echo crankcase is far superior to Stihl and Husqvarna. I have all brands personally including an FS240 and FS240R. If I was buying new though it would be an Echo.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have one although a different brand. It worked great but didn't stay sharp very long. The dull blade still cuts briars and 1/2" brush pretty well, but it doesn't do to good on big stuff anymore.

I was always of the opinion that a chain saw blade cutter would dull up the very first time that you accidently got it in the dirt, just like a chain saw. For that reason I never bothered to get one. I have used an old carbide bit skilsaw blade with good success on my Poulan weed eater. Got to keep it away from fence wire and rocks though. I keep .105 square nylon string on my Stihl weedeater and it wades thru the thickest grass and weeds without stalling.

 

[Ford850]

I've had an FS130 for 8 years. The 4 mix takes a little getting used to, but mainly how it sounds due to the way it conserves power. I guess it's a sort of governor, but even medium weeds and brush can't slow it. So when at full throttle (which is what it's supposed to be run all the time) it will sound like it's under powered but that's because the governor is holding it back not that it is slowing due to the work at hand. It's still muscling through everything you throw at it. Get it into heavier brush or weeds and it sounds better in my opinion. That's when it sounds like it's running wide open and is still keeping up with the heavy stuff.
I always run Stihl oil, either semi or full synthetic. I have never run it dry to store, at least not on purpose, and it always starts right up after hanging there for months. If buying another trimmer, I would stick with Stihl. I think either brand would be fine, and the better dealer support might swing your decision.

 

[fried1765]

Getting ready to buy a trimmer. Any thoughts on these two engine designs?

I know that you do want to compare Stihl and Echo.
I have a Stihl chain saw that is 30+ years old, and still runs like a champ.
I want the handle bar type trimmer, and have looked at the Stihl, Echo, and Honda 4 stroke.
The HHT35SUKA Honda 4 stroke has excellent reviews, and has a 35.8cc engine (bigger than most, for the price).
I think I am going to go with the Honda.
$389 on line, with free shipping, and no tax!

 

[fried1765]

I've had an FS130 for 8 years. The 4 mix takes a little getting used to, but mainly how it sounds due to the way it conserves power. I guess it's a sort of governor, but even medium weeds and brush can't slow it. So when at full throttle (which is what it's supposed to be run all the time) it will sound like it's under powered but that's because the governor is holding it back not that it is slowing due to the work at hand. It's still muscling through everything you throw at it. Get it into heavier brush or weeds and it sounds better in my opinion. That's when it sounds like it's running wide open and is still keeping up with the heavy stuff.
I always run Stihl oil, either semi or full synthetic. I have never run it dry to store, at least not on purpose, and it always starts right up after hanging there for months. If buying another trimmer, I would stick with Stihl. I think either brand would be fine, and the better dealer support might swing your decision.

I do use 2 cycle oil in 2 cycle engines, but I am not convinced that the brand makes any difference at all.
My dad bought a new Homelite XL-12 (heavy) saw in the early 60's. It cut many cords of locust over it's life. When I sold it 40 years later, the saw was still going strong.
What did he use for 2 cycle oil?
30W motor oil,.....whatever brand he had on the workshop shelf!