Stihl FS550 VS husky 343FR Brushcutters

[farmer at heart]

Hi all,
Does anyone have any advice regarding bicycle handle bar style brushcutters?
I'm looking at the Stihl FS550 or the 343FR. Just started my research so I don't know to much about these models yet. I'm more concerned with performance, durability and reliability than cost. I will be using it to clear brush and saplings in areas where I cannot take the tractor and brush hog.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Erik Graham]

Greetings;

I have a used Stihl 550 I bought a couple of years ago that I am really impressed with. I'm not sure exactly how old it is but it does has some miles on it and doesn't appear to have been used lightly. Starts well and is very ruggedly built. I bought a Beaver cutter for it, which is basically a metal disc with a chain saw chain welded around the perimeter. It easily goes through 3" trees. I also bought a "brush" blade for it for chopping down heavy weeds. The bike style handles are comfortable to use, mine came with a substantial harness, much like a back pack. Fairly expensive to buy new and rare to find used, you might consider renting one first. Took me about a year to find mine.

Cheers, Erik

 

[art]

I go Stihl for reliability. Depending on uses might mandate the bike handle bars becuase of kick back.

 

[farmer at heart]

Thanks to you both for the advice. I was leaning towards the stihl, you guys have clinched the deal.

 

[farmer at heart]

Well it's taken me some time to get back to you all, but I bought the Stihl FS550 and I have to say... what a machine! I've used the circular saw blade as well as the tri blade for brush and tall grass. I highly recommend this unit. It's pricy, $1400.00, but really worth it if you have alot of areas to take care of that your brush hog can't get to.
Thanks for your feed back.:thumbsup:

 

[kubota4me]

I have an FS450 that I bought about 4 years ago and am also very happy with it. Just wondering, is it possible to use some other type of saw blade for this that I could purchase at a big bog store? If I could, it would be cheaper to buy brand new blades than to pay to have my stihl blade sharpened.

 

[farmer at heart]

I have an FS450 that I bought about 4 years ago and am also very happy with it. Just wondering, is it possible to use some other type of saw blade for this that I could purchase at a big bog store? If I could, it would be cheaper to buy brand new blades than to pay to have my stihl blade sharpened.

My dealer did have a circular blade on hand that was not a Stihl. He said he had used it and it worked great.I didn't buy it because I didn't need it, but it was cheaper than the Stihl blade. Unfortunately I don't remember the brand. If I can find out, I'll let you know. Apparently, if the blade diameter and the arbor hole diameter are right, it should work.

 

[smstonypoint]

Just wondering, is it possible to use some other type of saw blade for this that I could purchase at a big bog store? If I could, it would be cheaper to buy brand new blades than to pay to have my stihl blade sharpened.

I expect that your brushcutter has a 1" arbor. Most of the woodworking blades available at big box stores are sized for a 5/8" arbor.

The arbor size problem aside, I think there may be real safety issues arising from using a blade designed for woodworking saws (circular, table, or miter) in terms of blade speed specifications, metallurgy, etc.


Just my :2cents:.

Steve

 

[farmer at heart]

I expect that your brushcutter has a 1" arbor. Most of the woodworking blades available at big box stores are sized for a 5/8" arbor.

The arbor size problem aside, I think there may be real safety issues arising from using a blade designed for woodworking saws (circular, table, or miter) in terms of blade speed specifications, metallurgy, etc.


Just my :2cents:.

Steve

They aren't circular saw blades for table saws etc. they are similar but thay are designed specifically for this type of brushcutter. They're for cutting down small trees and saplings that are too big for the tri blade.

 

[smstonypoint]

They aren't circular saw blades for table saws etc. they are similar but thay are designed specifically for this type of brushcutter. They're for cutting down small trees and saplings that are too big for the tri blade.

Apparently I misinterpreted your question.

I am familiar with the various types of brushcutter blades -- I have three brushcutters and have used both Stihl and Husqvarna branded chisel-tooth blades on them.

Steve