which Stihl string trimmer

[Bird]

I am considering the Stihl FS55R.

Spend the extra $30 for the FS55RC (their easy to start system) and I think you'll be glad you did. Mine is 6 years old, and it's been worked hard. My own city lot isn't much challenge for it, but I do some others in one to two foot high grass and weeds.

 

[Will_C]

My brother does a fair amount of trimming over 4 acres with his FS55-he has had it 5 years and has served him well. I have had a FS85 for 9 years, with no problems, trimming 4.5 acres. I think he paid $200, I paid $300. Take your pick-I'm just a sucker for commercial machines.

Will

 

[Carl Bert]

I first bought the FS70 with the easy start system. Tried it for a week, didn't like it, returned it and bought the 100. It was about $30 more, but well worth the money. Its very light, powerful and easy to start. The only thing that is lacking with the 100 is that it is a dedicated line trimmer, and cannot be used for any other implements. The 110 is the best of both worlds. It is powerful and the head can be changed to use with any of the other implements, but its a heavier unit.

I didn't like the so called "easy start" system, on the FS70. It may start in one pull rather then two, but it requires A LOT more pulling force, which I didn't like. If mine had a loop on the pull line, instead of a "T", you would be able to start it with your pinky. Its that easy to pull.

In my opinion the professional series is the way to go. My Dad bought one 27 yrs ago and is still using it today. That pretty much says it all.

 

[Bird]

I didn't like the so called "easy start" system, on the FS70. It may start in one pull rather then two, but it requires A LOT more pulling force, which I didn't like. If mine had a loop on the pull line, instead of a "T", you would be able to start it with your pinky. Its that easy to pull.

I'd like to try some of the others because this really surprises me since my FS55RC is so easy to pull to start. The salesman, 6 years ago, jokingly said they call it the "Granny start" because it's so easy.

 

[mxg342]

I bought an FS 56C-E last year. I like the bike handles for flat level land, they can be a little cumbersome when trying to trim a bank however.


This year I bought a KM130 with the pole saw and culitvator attachments for the garden. (Replaced an old Ryobi quick attach setup)

That thing is awesome other than the $925 price tag.

 

[Lightnsound]

I have the FS110R trimmer and it runs great. I also bought the Kombi 110 head and a handful of attachments. I wish I bought the Kombi first, the FS110R is redundant and one more engine to look after.

If you just want a trimmer, just get a trimmer, but if you want a KombiTool definitely get the 110, it fits every Kombi attachment available. The 130 and the smaller units are not compatible with the complete line of attachments.

 

[LBrown59]

I have been considering a SF56.

 

[irwin]

FS 250 Bike Handle Trimmer Professional User, FS 250 Bike Handle Trimmer Powerful Weed & Grass trimmer | STIHL

I've been mulling over this one.. I was thinking it could be the last trimmer I ever buy. Lord knows I need something for the mess out back.

My little Poulan just complains too much.

 

[buck12]

I understand. Thought that too. Kinda wish I had bought the Kombi unit to start with now. What saw did you buy?

The 260. I love it for my uses, mostly limbing and cutting fallen trees at our remote property.

 

[hill]

I've used Stihl products commercially for over 15 years. I've found the newer "4-Mix" 4 stroke models to be much more reliable than the older style 2 strokes. I used the FS85 2 stroke but switched to the FS110 4 stroke. The difference was 20 but it was money well spent. The FS110 starts first pull every time and is a lot better on fuel.

I don't have any experience with the smaller units, you won't be disappointed with the FS110

Woo-hoo! I didn't know that anyone was making 4-stroke trimmers. Isn't there a big weight penalty for a given power?

I've used Stihl saws since I was a kid and always got along with them just fine. But then I bought a trimmer a few years back (six, probably) FS85 sounds familiar but I'd have to go out to the barn to be sure. I've hated that miserable starting SOB since day one and I'm too old to have hardstarting issues with tools!

Only thing I've ever had that was worse starting was a MacCollough saw that I got cheap 35 years ago (and quickly knew why).

The trimmer has the little bulb primer (is that the supposed "Quick Start" system?) but it doesn't seem to help much - the only way the silly thing starts well is on raw gas, no oil. (could it use something besides 55 to one?) Anyway it doesn't want to run on my saw mix and gets me almost too tired to lift it once it's ready to go.

So news of a 4-stroke is hot stuff to me! I'll go look around the website. Thanks much for posting this, Steve.