New string trimmer, which one?

[hsvhobbit]

My old Ryobi is on it's last legs and I'm ready for a new one. Even after a carb rebuild it's not making any power and the string head is making a lot of noise. So now I"m in the market for a new one.

I've got some tough cutting areas that I believe would be best handled with a blade on the trimmer at times so I want something able to handle that well. At this point I'm looking hard at the Stihl trimmers, specifically the FS80 and the FS110. The 110 is a little larger but is rated at the same HP as the 80, as well as being more expensive than the 80.

The 110 is a 4-stroke engine that still uses 2 cycle mix but claims to have more torque.

Can anyone give me some suggestions on this? I'll spend the money if it'll get me a better machine but I just don't know.

Also, does anyone have any experience with the so-called easy-start system? How about the different heads available from Stihl? They have one that's an easy load that looks like it would save me some time in reloading string..

I know these are both commercial machines and seem to be well thought of so I'm not too worried about getting a trash model, I'm sure both are nice.

Also, I've looked around at other brands and in the area I'm at I'm just not too impressed with the other dealers. Shindiawa dealer has a poor selection and a lousy attitude.

[newz7151]

They have one that's an easy load that looks like it would save me some time in reloading string..
Shindiawa dealer has a poor selection and a lousy attitude.

Well, since you've already made that statement about your Shindaiwa dealer, I won't push and suggest a Shindaiwa trimmer.

However, if you are looking for a trimmer head that offers easy string loading, once you get your Stihl trimmer, you might take a gander at the Shindaiwa Speed Feed head. There is an adapter to fit them to a Stihl trimmer. With the Speed Feed head, you should never have to take the head apart. You simply feed the line in, pull 10-12 feet out on one side depending on the line diameter, and then you ratchet the head and it automatically spools the line into the head.

[hsvhobbit]

Hummm, hadn't considered that maybe I could use the Shin head. I've certainly heard good things about the brand overall.

I was very disappointed at the Shin dealer. They were my first preference since they seem to make some of the lightest units and have a great rep. But you know when you walk in and nobody in the store can tell you anything about their product and their price list is 2 years old, it doesn't give you a good feeling.

How well does the speed head do once it gets some age and dirt on it. Guess what I'm asking is, is this something I'll have to keep unusually clean for it to work right? How does the Shin unit compare to the Stihl one? The Stihl dealer gave me a quick demo of how easy/fast it was to load up and it just blew me away.

Thanks for the feedback.

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Those shin heads work on ECHO?

[6'7 330]

If you are going to go with a commercial Stihl unit, try the fs 100 4-mix. If you have no need for future attachments, the 100 is lighter and incorporates the same engine as the 110, making it just as powerful as the fs110.

The 4-mix 100 and 110 will have much more power then the comparably rated horse-power wise fs 80 or 85 two stokes.

[newz7151]

Those shin heads work on ECHO?

Yes, there is an adapter kit, part number 28820-07440 to fit most Echo straight shaft trimmers.

The adapter kit part number for Stihl is 28820-07430.

Redmax kit (if anybody runs those) is 28820-07480.


The adapter kits retail for like $6-$8.

[newz7151]

Hummm, hadn't considered that maybe I could use the Shin head. I've certainly heard good things about the brand overall.

I was very disappointed at the Shin dealer. They were my first preference since they seem to make some of the lightest units and have a great rep. But you know when you walk in and nobody in the store can tell you anything about their product and their price list is 2 years old, it doesn't give you a good feeling.

How well does the speed head do once it gets some age and dirt on it. Guess what I'm asking is, is this something I'll have to keep unusually clean for it to work right? How does the Shin unit compare to the Stihl one? The Stihl dealer gave me a quick demo of how easy/fast it was to load up and it just blew me away.

Thanks for the feedback.

As far as how well the SpeedFeed holds up, if you are a home user, you should get a very long life out of it. If you run a crew that bashes your heads into concrete walls and stuff, then expect to rebuild them every now and then. Parts for rebuild, such as spool,eyelets, and what they call the core, should run you about $10 (if that much). The way they snap so tightly together, it's rare to get very much dirt into the actual spool area.

You can view an online video of the Speed Head loading at http://www.shindaiwa.com/nam/en/technology/speedfeed/index.php .

As far as your dealer's price list being 2 years old, count that as a blessing... many of the units have gone up quite a bit in 2 years time.


Also, if you are having an issue with your dealer, you can contact the distributor and try and get things cleared up.
RCH Distributors, Inc.
P.O. Box 161272 (38186)
3140 Carrier
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 345-3100
(800) 821-1420

[lawnmaniac883]

I have used the FS100RX, FS110R and FS130R ...

Speaking from expirience here, buy the 110 if you plan on using a blade, if not buy the 100. Either one will last you forever and then some, they have incredible low end torque and will perform to your highest expectations. My current trimmer is a 130R and boy that sucker is heavy after trimming all day long. BTW you should be able to get the 100 for ~320 and the 110 for a little more than that, ~370?

[hsvhobbit]

Sounds like the 110 is what I need. Looks like I'll be dropping by my dealer this evening after work and see if he can fix me up.

Any good tips for using a blade on one of these things?

[noseha]

I use fs-55r to fs-250r like them all for each job. mine is a fs-74r and a fs-200r but to the point julee use a fs-110rx she loves it. I like my 2 stroke the low end power just to bump it along

[kenmac]

I own a maruyama 26cc & A husky 26cc trimmer .I love both

[hsvhobbit]

Well, Friday I went by and picked up the FS110. It's a real pain to get started, wish it'd come with the easy start that Stihl has on some of their units but once started it's a hoss.

Doesn't rev as high as the 2cycle stuff I"m used to but that doesn't matter. This thing has a huge amount of torque. I was honestly startled at how well it was slicing down some pretty substantial stuff even with the string. When I put on the blade, boy oh boy, it just ate up whatever I put it on.

I"m still VERY respectiful of the blade and have no plans to ever lose that respect. Stihl recommends against using the loop handle with a blade but the bicycle grip is just too awkward for me so I'll just be cautious and take my time on stuff.

It'll be quite a job to get used to starting this thing, I hope it gets easier with a few hours on it.

[noseha]

back on 7-14-04. I get 22 stitches from the stihl metal blade. my only accident as of yet. the 110 easiest starting trimer I've had. it's funny to get use to the difference where the power is, no low end but all top end

[hsvhobbit]

I hear what you're saying about where the power band is. Yesterday I found that if I had the littlest thing snagged on the blade before I started it turning, the motor bogged. Once the blade was spinning, seemed like nothing could stop it. It was spooky to see how easy it munched through a 1" sapling without even slowing down. Even the performance with string was beyond belief. I have a walk behind string trimmer and this 110 seems to cut comparably to it (6.5hp Gravely).

Now I just need to pick up a roll of good line for it and really go to town. Does anyone know if the .105 Extreme is a good line for this? I've used the 155 Extreme on the walk behind and it's worked well for that.

Thanks for the reminder about the blade Noseha. Believe me I plan on being as careful as I possibly can and only use it when I really NEED it. Am actually wondering if I shouldn't fabricate a special guard to block off the right side of the blade from around 11:00 to 6:00. What do ya'll think about this?

[lawnmaniac883]

Having trouble starting it? I cant imagine how.

Mine always starts on first pull warm, 90% time 1st pull cold as well.

Choke, one push of primer and set trigger lock, pull cord and as consistant as gravity it will start.

[hsvhobbit]

Hummm, maybe that's part of the problem. I was following the manual directions that said FIVE push's of the primer and then give it 3 pulls choked before unchoking and it should start up. I'll give the ONE prime a try. Thanks

[BareFeet]

Red Max home owners addtion or Stihl

[benmc]

as arborist for ten years and being up the tree needing the saw to start so that I could get safely back on the ground I learned (though none of the other guys told me they just laughed the first few months and grinned when I asked for advice ) the proper way to start any 2 stroke engine 1a. proper fresh gasoline oil mixture 1b. as clean as possible spark plug and air filter. now 2.prime with bulb if present as many times as it takes you can't flood with bulb so push it as much as is needed to ensure proper prime 3.depress throttle fully 4.set choke to full.5. pull cord until you hear engine try to start usually only 1 or two times.6 immediately move choke lever to half choke position 7. pull cord again engine should start within 4 pulls and run with choke at half position (if so)8. within 6 or so seconds slowly move choke into off position.. if not 9. start all over again at 1b.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

I have the FS90R and love it. You will enjoy the FS110. I have used FS80, FS90, FS110 and FS130 and I liked them all. Glad to hear you are impressed with the performance of your Stihl trimmer.

As for the starting, this is the procedure that I use with all of my trimmers and edgers and it works 90% of the time.

1. Prime bulb 2-3 times with slow presses to allow it to fill with fuel.
2. Set switch to start.
3. Turn on Choke.
4. Pull Cord.

Usually starts on 1st or 2nd pull. If not, use other hadn to hold throttle open while choke is on and pull again. That will get it everytime by this point.

Have not had one fail to start yet...

[hsvhobbit]

Just a quick update. I tried lawnmaniac's advice on starting the 110 and it's amazing the difference.

The manual said to prime it with a minimum of FIVE (!!!) push's and then with the choke on, start the engine....

Using this approach my new FS110 was a true pain to crank up, took a LONG time.

Having nothing to loose but some blisters I tried the single priming push like lawnmaniac suggested, set the choke and it fired up on the second pull. All this weekend I worked the fool out of this rig and found that only on startup from an ice-cold engine did I need to even prime it once. Normally on a cool engine I could set the choke and it'd fire up on first pull. Warm engine, no choke and no more than 2 pulls...Ok I'm a full believer now, this baby is a dream to start :clapping:

Now to see about replacing the Stihl easy load head with a Shin head...The Stihl doesn't seem to like my .105 square line (even though it's rated for it) and I had to disassemble the head a couple of times, once to load it. I'm supposed to be able to just push the line into the hole's on the head and twist the knob and it'll load up, getting the line into the internal hole was quite an annoyance and took some doing, the reason why I had to disassemble the head.

But wow does this thing ever cut! Can't thank ya'll enough for the advice.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

Now to see about replacing the Stihl easy load head with a Shin head...The Stihl doesn't seem to like my .105 square line (even though it's rated for it) and I had to disassemble the head a couple of times, once to load it. I'm supposed to be able to just push the line into the hole's on the head and twist the knob and it'll load up, getting the line into the internal hole was quite an annoyance and took some doing, the reason why I had to disassemble the head.


I have the same issue with .105 line, however this is what I do. I cut my line off the spool with a pair if wire cutters (Dykes) and when I do, I will snip the end of the line that goes in the spool on a sharp angle. This allows you to inset the lien starting small and then getting larger inside the spool line hole. After a few times replacing the line, it gets easier to insert. I have not had a problem since I started trimming the line on an angle and I do not have a problem with the head slinging out the last little bit of line when the spool got low.

I like the Stihl heads because I can keep several extra heads loaded with line and when I run out, I can replace a spool in 30 seconds and keep trimming.

[hsvhobbit]

HUmmmm, haven't tried cutting it at an angle. I'll give that a shot...I really love the way the square stuff cuts and the .105 line seems to last almost forever compared to the .080 I used in the old Ryobi. But then again, there's nothing about this Stihl that's really comparable to my old trimmer.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

there's nothing about this Stihl that's really comparable to my old trimmer.

I found the same to be true myself. I have been using some .105 Triangle shaped line and I have to cut the end at an angle to get it in the keeper hole. I recently bought a large (like 9 lb, I think) spool of .105 line that is star shaped. My dealer said that everyone that has gotten it so far loves it. I cannot wait to run out of my current line so that I can move to this new star shaped line and see what it is like. With two more fine edges to the line, I will bet it is murder on the weeds and will last even a little longer than the triangle line that I have does.

[AndyTblc]

Go with Sthil, But if you do, don't get the cheep easy start ones, They are JUNK.

[hsvhobbit]

Thanks for the feedback wizzkid. I ended up getting the Stihl FS110 and just plain LOVE it. Once I started following the recommendations for starting from Lawnmania this thing is a dream.

Still having problems loading the square .105 string even when I cut it to a point, I'm still experimenting and maybe I need to cut to an even shallower angle. If this doesn't work I may actually drill out the holes a few thou's.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

Still having problems loading the square .105 string even when I cut it to a point, I'm still experimenting and maybe I need to cut to an even shallower angle. If this doesn't work I may actually drill out the holes a few thou's.

I cut a very gradual angle in the line. I also keep a small pair of needle nose pliers in the tool box right noxt to where my line spool is mounted. I use these to grab the line close to the spool and help push the line in the holes. I debated myself about drilling them out a little, but I did not want to overdrill the holes so that it would not even hold the line. Using the needel nose pliers helps a great deal and I have no problems. I usually load 2 spools at a time and especially this time of year, I only have to load spools abotu 1-2 times a month.

[S man]

Gatorline sqauremagnum 95 (Not 105) Kicks A$$!

[carcrz]

Buy the 110 if you plan on using any attachments ever. I have been happy w/ my 100 & 110 so far.

[AndyTblc]

Thanks for the feedback wizzkid. I ended up getting the Stihl FS110 and just plain LOVE it. Once I started following the recommendations for starting from Lawnmania this thing is a dream.

Still having problems loading the square .105 string even when I cut it to a point, I'm still experimenting and maybe I need to cut to an even shallower angle. If this doesn't work I may actually drill out the holes a few thou's.


Well I'm glad you like it. I know that anybody that buys sthil products will be happy with them.

[S man]

Well I'm glad you like it. I know that anybody that buys sthil products will be happy with them.

Agreed. Except for the new D version blowers. :nono:

[hsvhobbit]

It's still a wonderful piece of equipment. After you guys gave me the real lowdown on how to start this thing, it's just incredibly sweet. Couple of pulls and it's ready to go.

Even angling the line I'm still having problems loading the .105 line so I've pretty much convinced myself to slightly open up maybe a couple of the holes. I'll mark their location on the spool so I know to use that for the larger stuff and can still use the other holes in the event I choose to use smaller line, though the way the .105 stuff works I doubt I'll be changing.

[AndyTblc]

Did I read it right, .105 size line, and not 1.05, because my FR-75 or something in that sort takes .75 but I run .90 in it. that .105 seems very small. Unless they are going in a different measurent, I belive mine is mm.

[hsvhobbit]

Yep, the .105 is correct. That's US measurement though as in .105" not .105mm. I'm surprised that the line you're buying is in mm though. Are you sure that what you're seeing isn't .080" or .090" stuff?

FWIW .90mm stuff is REALLY small diameter line. Something on the order of maybe .035".

[AndyTblc]

Well, The stihl green line is what I should use. And on the package it is .70 or .75. But I kick it up a notch at run .90. I'm not sure if it is mm or m. or what ever. But if you look on the stihl line, I use the heave red stuff. Here take a look at this, I get the .95. the orange stuff. http://stihlusa.com/trimmers/spools.html

[hsvhobbit]

Ok that clarifies things Wizzkid. The line you're talking about is .095" line, NOT .95 line. So it's really not all THAT much smaller than what I'm using.

[AndyTblc]

Oh i'm sorry, I foregot that there was a zero after the decimal, I always looked for the 2 numbers and the color. Yah I use that. The line that came with mine originally was a.075 line, but they dont' have that anymore, but I have connections where I can get it, but I use the heavy stuff.

[S man]

Total lawn care, Have you used the 95 version string? It's lighter on the gearhead and works great.