Stihl trimmer head

[lizardman]

I have a FS110 with a manual head where you push an 8"+/- piece of string into the head to weedwhack.

Well, that system has become irritating because the string just wears out too fast, there is a lot of wasted string, and it is too time consuming.

I want to go with a Bump & Go or an automatic head. The B&G head I found at the Stihl dealer is an Autocut 25-2 and the auto head is a Supercut 20-2.

I use the machine mostly as a trimmer where it spends a lot of time going against concrete and brick.

Which string head is best or at least why do you think so?

Are there reasons not to like one over the other?

How does the auto model really work to know when to let out more line? Is it prone to being wasteful(at least moreso than the B&G) of line?

I probably could have done a search, but didnt really know how to put all this into the search function to get a credible answer.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Rod

 

[beenthere]

I have a bump n go head on my Stihl 120, but have no idea if it is close to the two you mentioned. It has worked great for many years. I see no reason to go more automatic than bumping to let out more string.

 

[beppington]

Prob not answering your question, but: I have a Stihl FS 56 RC-E & have had nothing but problems with its B&G head. String tangles quickly & then won't feed out. Doesn't seem to matter what I do, how I load it, how I bump it, etc. My Stihl dealer thinks the string is melting before coming out, or some such, but there's no signs of melted string at all. They also gave me a length of "premium" string to try, & it does the same. I love Stihl a lot (also have their HT101 pole saw & blower), but this string trimmer is killin' me. I have to pop the head off & manually pull some string out nearly every time. Gets very old. My old Home Depot El Cheapo string trimmer's B&G head worked fine for years. What can't Stihl get it right?

 

[om21braz]

I use the machine mostly as a trimmer where it spends a lot of time going against concrete and brick.

How does the auto model really work to know when to let out more line? Is it prone to being wasteful(at least moreso than the B&G) of line?

I have a FS85 with the auto-feed head - I believe it basically works off of centrifugal force. It has done lots of triming over approx. 14 years I've had it, only replaced a few line guides in the head and one spool. It works well with .095" line - just buy a top-grade line (I use John Deere or Shindaiwa). It seems even the most expensive Stihl line and others are very prone to welding together on the spool during trimming against concrete for long periods of time. You start welding line together - boy now that winds up wasteful.

 

[Bird]

I have the FS55RC with the B&G head. When I bought it 6 years ago, the dealer told me almost no one was happy with the auto feed heads. A couple of years earlier I had bought a Black & Decker electric string trimmer for one of my daughters. It had the auto feed and I used it quite a bit myself. It worked great if you didn't mind going through so much string that it had to be reloaded every time it was used.:laughing: With the B&G Stihl head, I've had string weld together or stick, but it's actually pretty seldom and only if it's run for a long time without feeding more line out. As much as I like the idea of the auto feed, I reckon I'll stay with the B&G.

 

[Scooby074]

Get an Oregon (SHindaiwa) Speed feed. Best head ive ever used!! Easy to load, rebuildable and tough.

As to line, I use Magnum Gatorline. Wears like iron. BUT if you have siding, be careful. It'll eat vinyl like a beaver eats pine:thumbsup:

 

[Bird]

Get an Oregon (SHindaiwa) Speed feed. Best head ive ever used!! Easy to load, rebuildable and tough.

As to line, I use Magnum Gatorline. Wears like iron. BUT if you have siding, be careful. It'll eat vinyl like a beaver eats pine:thumbsup:

I've seen neither that head nor that line, but what I see on the Internet about them sure makes it appear that you have the right idea.

 

[GGB]

I've got the Stihl FS56 with the B&G head, and has been pretty good. I really haven't had a lot of issues with it. However, according to a professional landscape company owner I know who has a 9-12 man crew, that he only uses the Shindawa heads. As he tells me, they work the best and load the easiest of any heads he's used. I'll probably replace my Stihl head with the Shindawa when the Stihl wears out, but that may take awhile!

GGB

 

[Bird]

when the Stihl wears out

That's what I was thinking, but wonder how long that will be.:laughing: Mine is 6 years old, still in good shape. In fact, I put new string on it last week.

 

[Will_C]

I have the Stihl 25-2 B&G on my FS-85-it's 8 years old-and it is still working. I picked another so I would have a pre-loaded spare. I also have one for my FS-250 and it works just as well.

I was convinced I wouldn't like it, because I had trimmers in the past with B&G that did not work well, but my buddy who owns the shop convinced me to try it. I also use the Magnum Gator line.

Will

 

[Mpking]

I also have a Stihl FS110 and have the autocut C 25-2. Hate it! First, when loading string it is very hard to get the string in through the holes and stick before rotating to load. Next, Whenever string breaks off, it seems to break off right at the opening and then will not feed out. Also, when I bump it to feed string it often does not work because the string has become tangled inside. Last, it seems to go through lots of string. Every time I bump it and string actually feeds out, it feeds out too much and needs to be cut back. I'm even using Stihl brand string. Very frustrating. I really wanted this thing to work because it's a great idea but it just doesn't.

 

[beenthere]

Mine works and I use Stihl string. :confused3:

 

[lizardman]

Well, I didnt mention that I have already purchased the Auto head for about $30 OTD. Although, I verified that Ican take it back if I decide that way.

I see there are mixed reviews on the Auto head. The one that worries the most is about the auto wanting to put out too much line when trimming against a concrete or brick wall. About half of my trimming consists of this and the other half in the open on a ditch bank.

I wonder why trimming against something makes more line come out?? Is it due to slowing down the head and therefore causing the centrifugal force that makes more line come out?

Otherwise, it looks like I am just going to keep the auto head and give it a whirl(pun intended!!:laughing.

Rod

 

[om21braz]

I wonder why trimming against something makes more line come out?? Is it due to slowing down the head and therefore causing the centrifugal force that makes more line come out?

Now you've got me wondering about it, instead of just being satisfied with it working well LOL!
I can tell you it even works well with the guard and integral line cutter removed - it just does'nt seem to put out too much line.

 

[Bird]

Now you've got me wondering about it, instead of just being satisfied with it working well LOL!
I can tell you it even works well with the guard and integral line cutter removed - it just does'nt seem to put out too much line.

I once removed the guard and integral line cutter from an electric string trimmer. That let me use longer line and it did a better job for a very short time before the motor burned up.:laughing:

 

[WH401]

I'll second the shindaiwa speedfeed head w/the magnum gator line. It works great on my fs-90. If you buy the speedfeed, make sure to get the universal model. It comes with the adapters needed to fit your Stihl.

 

[lizardman]

I tried it anyway. I figured that if it didnt work to my satisfaction, well, I am only out $30.

Well, I am very happy with it. It is so nice to do my entire trimming chore without stopping. Although, the occasional break probably isnt a bad idea because it wore me down pretty good cutting straight thru. I should have timed myself, but I didnt. I guess I cut for a good hour plus without a break from start to hanging the FS110R up in my shop.

It performed well in open grass and exceeded my expectations cutting the long 150'+ concrete driveway and against the BV of my house(house is new and I dont have shrubs yet-*fall project*).

The automatic function worked very well, and after only one use, I can anticipate when it will let out line. I dont think I wasted very much line either.

I think its a keeper!!

Rod

 

[om21braz]

I tried it anyway. I figured that if it didnt work to my satisfaction, well, I am only out $30.

Well, I am very happy with it. It is so nice to do my entire trimming chore without stopping. Although, the occasional break probably isnt a bad idea because it wore me down pretty good cutting straight thru. I should have timed myself, but I didnt. I guess I cut for a good hour plus without a break from start to hanging the FS110R up in my shop.

It performed well in open grass and exceeded my expectations cutting the long 150'+ concrete driveway and against the BV of my house(house is new and I dont have shrubs yet-*fall project*).

The automatic function worked very well, and after only one use, I can anticipate when it will let out line. I dont think I wasted very much line either.

I think its a keeper!!

Rod

Glad to hear you are happy with the unit you purchased!

 

[dodge man]

I've got a new Sthil, only a couple of weeks old, and it has the head where you just stuff the line in the holes and wind it up. I've only used it a couple of times, but it seems to work well. I had trouble getting more string in the first time, but I think with a little practice, I'll get better at it.

One thing I love about the trimmer, compared to my older and cheaper ones, is the shaft is longer, I feels like I don't have to bend over as much.

 

[Bird]

I have the Stihl 25-2 B&G on my FS-85-it's 8 years old-and it is still working. I picked another so I would have a pre-loaded spare. I also have one for my FS-250 and it works just as well.

I was convinced I wouldn't like it, because I had trimmers in the past with B&G that did not work well, but my buddy who owns the shop convinced me to try it. I also use the Magnum Gator line.

Will

It appears that the Stihl Autocut C 25-2 is basically the same as the Oregon Speed Feed. And if I ever need a new one, I think that's what I'd buy.