Stihl FS240

rekees4300 · Sep 16, 2015

Thinking of buying a new Stihl FS240. Needed to trim several acres of tall grass/weed/briar as well as clearing up to 3" diameter Buckthorn. Before spending $600+ would like to know if the FS240 would be up to the task. Recommendations?

Will_C · Sep 16, 2015

I have the predecessor-a FS250. I think it will do what you want. Use the circle saw blade on those 3" buckthorns.

Will

JKR · Sep 17, 2015

I also have a FS250. It a very powerful trimmer. With a blade on it will cut though small 3" trees and brush easy.
You may want to look at the FS 130 R $400 it is a great performer.

rekees4300 · Sep 17, 2015

Thanks for the feedback guys. For the circular saw blade there are two choices, scratcher tooth and chisel tooth. Which one would be better?

Will_C · Sep 17, 2015

I use the chisel blade, and I think you'll like it on those 3" trees. It is easy to sharpen with a chainsaw file.

Will

rekees4300 · Sep 17, 2015

JKR said:
I also have a FS250. It a very powerful trimmer. With a blade on it will cut though small 3" trees and brush easy.
You may want to look at the FS 130 R $400 it is a great performer.

The FS130 has a great weight to power ratio and is lower priced but I'm leaning toward getting the FS240. According to a Youtube review the FS130 has a 4 stroke engine that isn't suitable for low speed trimming.

Will_C said:
I use the chisel blade, and I think you'll like it on those 3" trees. It is easy to sharpen with a chainsaw file.

Will

Thanks, apparently the scrather tooth blade has to be "professionally" sharpened which would be a hassle so I'll get the chisel blade. Also going to get a 3 bladed brush knife to annihilate briars and other assorted undesirables.

JKR · Sep 18, 2015

I have used both blades. Saw blade on 2" to 3" trees and heavy brush. The 3 point blade on thick brush and heavy grass.
If it just heavy grass I use the string line .105 X Line or Commercial Round Line. Both work well.
There is no one blade or line that dose it all.

Will_C · Sep 18, 2015

Yes- it helps to have an assortment of heads. I have the line, the 3 plastic swinging blade head, a 3 bladed steel head, and the chisel tooth. All get used for something every year.

Will

rekees4300 · Sep 18, 2015

Bought a FS240 today. Also bought a chisel blade, a 3 pack of 7/32" files to sharpen it, 3 bladed steel brush knife, roll of .105 nylon line and a gallon of Motomix. Still need to get a special stop limit deflector for the chisel blade. The Stihl dealer said they would extend the FS240 warranty from 2 years to 4 because I bought the Motomix ... can't beat that!

oldballs · Sep 18, 2015

rekees4300, if you get a chance would you post a picture of that "stop limit deflector" used for the chisel blade. My dealer didn't seem know which one I needed for the chisel blade purchase. I bought a FS90 some time ago but haven't used the blade yet. That .105 line can take down about anything except the larger brush and small trees.
Cheers,
Mike

JKR · Sep 18, 2015

Sounds like you got a deal. You will love the power that FS240 has.

rekees4300 · Sep 18, 2015

oldballs said:
rekees4300, if you get a chance would you post a picture of that "stop limit deflector" used for the chisel blade. My dealer didn't seem know which one I needed for the chisel blade purchase. I bought a FS90 some time ago but haven't used the blade yet. That .105 line can take down about anything except the larger brush and small trees.
Cheers,
Mike

According to the documentation that came with the chisel blade, the stop limit deflector part number is 4117 710 8200.

rekees4300 · Sep 18, 2015

JKR said:
Sounds like you got a deal. You will love the power that FS240 has.

Haven't started it yet but it sure looks and feels like a beast! If it doesn't rain tomorrow might try it out on the tough weeds around the pond dam just to see what the bad-boy can do.

rekees4300 · Sep 20, 2015

Took the FS240 on it's maiden voyage this afternoon. Mission was to cut the 1-2' weeds on the inside of the pond dam with string trimmer. Was very impressed with it's performance. Owner's manual says not to run at full throttle during break-in period (first 3 tanks) so ran it in the 50%-75% range. Nevertheless it plowed through the weeds without the engine blogging down or the head getting clogged. Also impressed it ran for 1 hour and 45 minutes on one tank of gas! That was enough daily exercise for this old body, just glad I didn't fall into the pond.

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Will_C · Sep 20, 2015

My FS250 impresses me every time I use it!

Will

JKR · Sep 20, 2015

Just wait until you use full throttle. It will feel like you have a 250CC Motorcycle engine on the end of a stick.
That was the impression I got on my FR250R.
You will love it.

rekees4300 · Sep 20, 2015

JKR said:
Just wait until you use full throttle.

Do you remember the last message from Challenger before it blew up? "Roger, GO at throttle up"

rekees4300 · Sep 21, 2015

oldballs said:
rekees4300, if you get a chance would you post a picture of that "stop limit deflector" used for the chisel blade. My dealer didn't seem know which one I needed for the chisel blade purchase. I bought a FS90 some time ago but haven't used the blade yet. That .105 line can take down about anything except the larger brush and small trees.
Cheers,
Mike

rekees4300 said:
According to the documentation that came with the chisel blade, the stop limit deflector part number is 4117 710 8200.

oldballs, I went to the Stihl dealer today for a stop limit deflector. When the dealer tried to order it using the 4117 710 8200 number he said that number had been replaced with 4127 007 1002.

Experimented with the brush blade. It will cut just about anything up to 3/4" in diameter. Here are some before/after pics. First set is of a 6' Willow brush. Was able to cut that down to 1' before it became > 3/4". Second set is of a patch of weeds behind the dam that have been growing all summer. That was some tough stuff but the FS240 plowed right through it without clogging!

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rekees4300 · Oct 7, 2015

Mounted the chisel blade plus stop limit deflector for the first time today. Spent two hours mowing down Buckthorn 1-3" in diameter! Very happy with the results. BTW part number 4127 007 1002 is actually a kit that includes a stop limit deflector and a chisel blade protective cover for transporting.