Need a new trimmer, help me narrow down my choices

[offroadrider12]

Well, my 7 year old RedMax BC225DL finally quit on me the other day. It's had a few issues, but it's still my favorite whip. I've had issues with it spraying gas out the carb onto myself and vapor lock, but it's so light I love it. I was running a shindawa head on it with the older Sthil handlebars. I also have a Sthil FS110 brushcutter, but it's too darn heavy & it doesn't let enough string out for my taste. I do cut heavy grass at times so I need a solid straight shaft, it can't be the cable or spring drive. Here are my options I am thinking of, some feedback would be appreciated:

RedMax BC250 w/ my Sthil handlebars
RedMax BCZ2401S w/ Sthil handlebars
Sthil FS80 & buy the solid shaft (I wish they still made the FS85)


Thanks!

[bighaydenslawn]

Well, my 7 year old RedMax BC225DL finally quit on me the other day. It's had a few issues, but it's still my favorite whip. I've had issues with it spraying gas out the carb onto myself and vapor lock, but it's so light I love it. I was running a shindawa head on it with the older Sthil handlebars. I also have a Sthil FS110 brushcutter, but it's too darn heavy & it doesn't let enough string out for my taste. I do cut heavy grass at times so I need a solid straight shaft, it can't be the cable or spring drive. Here are my options I am thinking of, some feedback would be appreciated:

RedMax BC250 w/ my Sthil handlebars
RedMax BCZ2401S w/ Sthil handlebars
Sthil FS80 & buy the solid shaft (I wish they still made the FS85)


Thanks!


I would suggest go with the Stihl FS90 (4-Mix) because...
Solid shaft.
Stronger than the 80.
Quieter.
Better emissions.
Sips fuel.
Same price.
They are discontinuing 80's b/c of the old 2-stroke design.

PM if you want to talk.

[offroadrider12]

I would suggest go with the Stihl FS90 (4-Mix) because...
Solid shaft.
Stronger than the 80.
Quieter.
Better emissions.
Sips fuel.
Same price.
They are discontinuing 80's b/c of the old 2-stroke design.

PM if you want to talk.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm just not sold on the 4-Mix, I like the 2 strokers better for trimmers. The 4 mix are too heavy for me and I had the valves go out of adjustment quickly, and a coil go bad on my FS110 and I've had carbonizing problems using Sthil Universal 2 cycle oil. Despite the engine using less fuel on the 4-mix, I actually use less fuel with the 2 stroke because with the light weight I can move that much faster, in the end burning less fuel than my 4-mix.

[redmax fan]

i run the rmax 2401 for past 3 years , before that for 3 years ran the rmax bc225 . the 2401 has more power buts not as smooth running , and needs to have carb cleaned way more often . i moss the bc225's alot

for one of you get a new rmax take out the spark arrestor or theyll foul up quickly and suffocate machine . two , if your doing tall grass / brush cutting if have money go up to the 27cc rmax model because itll have more power ataround same weight . that extra power shall make it last longer , plus cit the heavy stuff better

and with stihl one of them 80's has a hollow shaft for lightness which is as strong as a solid shaft , ive read guys ralking about this - dont know myself . but from alot of reading here i see alot of guys rave about the stihl fs90 , ALOT .

and i guess the rmax 250 is there changable head unit ? not familiar

[birdman0494]

I actully was talking to an lco and he showed me his fs 80 and its pretty light! and its got the same power as my fs 90 id recomend it, but im a younger guy i dont care about holding an extra pound or 2 And big haydens lawn no offense but the fs 80 has a smaller engine i think its like 25.4 but the same output so the same strength thats why theyre 40bucks more at my dealer

[Stillwater]

I have 12 fs85's I will sell you one

[offroadrider12]

Any more opinions?

[Stillwater]

the closest to a fs85 is the new fs90R solid shaft at 11.7 pounds if you want something lighter you need to look at the non pro models or a different brand.

[genesis215]

I had wondered about the BC250 myself. The $199 price tag is sure amazing for being a 25.4cc trimmer (yes, it is a "Home Owner" grade trimmer). But it sure appears that it would be just fine for commercial use. From the parts manual, it appears to be a commercial-grade engine, with 2-ring piston, and also has a solid shaft. It's just not strato-charged like the BCZ2610 is, which should be better because some of the strato-charged engines like on the BCZ2401 have problems with taking forever to warm up. They only have a 90-day commercial warrany though.

I sure am a fan of the RedMax trimmers for being so comfortable and lightweight. I have a TR2300S, and it's really comfy, and super light. But it doesn't have much power.

I too am considering getting an FS 80 and putting a solid shaft in it. Then you can run about 8 different attachments on it, like a hedge trimmer, edger, pole saw, power broom, etc. The 25.4cc PRO Series engine on the FS 80 has been out for at least 20 years, is bulletproof, and highly reliable, whereas neither RedMax has been out that long, and the strato-charged engine on the 2401 has problems. That to me settles it on the FS 80, but you have to make your own decision.

[KCfireman]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm just not sold on the 4-Mix, I like the 2 strokers better for trimmers. The 4 mix are too heavy for me and I had the valves go out of adjustment quickly, and a coil go bad on my FS110 and I've had carbonizing problems using Sthil Universal 2 cycle oil. Despite the engine using less fuel on the 4-mix, I actually use less fuel with the 2 stroke because with the light weight I can move that much faster, in the end burning less fuel than my 4-mix.I've got the FS90's. Compared to my old FS80, the 90 blows it out of the water.

[genesis215]

I have a 1-year old 4-MIX Stihl BR 600 backpack blower, and I just did a valve adjustment on it myself. It's very simple to do, and only requires the valve adjustment tool ($1), and the valve cover gasket ($3-4). The valves were just slightly out of adjustment after a year's time, and from what I have heard the 4-MIX trimmer engines don't get out of adjustment as easily as the blower engines. It only took about 15 minutes for me to do the whole procedure of taking everything apart, adjusting, and putting everything back together. I have heard it is supposed to be done once a year just to be safe. I am also ready to switch over to Amsoil Saber, so that I won't get any carbon build up. It has been run on Stihl Ultra until now, and hardly any carbon has accumulated, but the Amsoil is quite a bit better.

In the end, I think that the 4-MIX engines are highly reliable when maintained, and the maintenance is very minimal. If you read on this site, most people that have both the FS 80 and FS 90 or 110 say that the 4-MIX is way better than the 2-stroke FS 80. Much easier starting, a lot more torque, and isn't so loud. I have used both an FS 80 and an FS 110, and the 110 felt lighter than the 80 because it had good balance. The 80 is heavier in the line head end, making it highly unbalanced. I would recommend the FS 100RX, and put a solid shaft in it too. It's a VERY light trimmer, with excellent balance.

[offroadrider12]

After going to the RedMax dealer, they had nothing in stock I liked. They didn't have a BC250 on the shelf either. The FS80 felt alright, but I just decided to get $80 worth of parts and completely rebuild the motor on the BC225 since I know I like it. Maybe I'll even do a little porting on the motor with a dremel.

[DLAWNS]

I voted for the 2401

[starry night]

Bring back the FS 52 or 56 !!!! I know; I know they're many years old. But seriously, if anyone has one, I'd buy it in a minute. I've kept a couple of them going with rebuilding.
The 52 that I still have running probably has $400 in it by now.

[ancjr]

I voted for the FS80, but I'd recommend the FS90.

[Wizz]

I would suggest go with the Stihl FS90 (4-Mix) because...
Solid shaft.
Stronger than the 80.
Quieter.
Better emissions.
Sips fuel.
Same price.
They are discontinuing 80's b/c of the old 2-stroke design.

PM if you want to talk.

Agreed, FS90

[birdman0494]

I dont wanna seem like a basher on you gusy but go look on stihl the fs 90 and fs 80 both have the same output! and did you guys ever notice that the 80 kinda looks like a 250 miniturized?

[mowerdude777]

The red max 2401 kicks ass

[redmax fan]

The red max 2401 kicks ass

as you know ive been running the same whip 4 years ,
and carbon build in head is a problem . while so is
build up in carb . weve put in alot of carb kits and or
new carbs . so ive started reading on the topic and
asking questions and two things ive got to are :

SEA FOAM , to clean out carbon deposits in head , and keep carb jets clean

AMISOL 2 CYCLE OIL , to prevent carbon build up

* not started either yet but thought ide pass along the info .
we just bought 2 16 oz bottles of sea foam today from weingartz
and the guy keith that works the service desk said its great stuff

[offroadrider12]

I completely rebuilt the BC225DL and she runs like a top! New piston & rings, gas cap, whole carb rebuilt, and I shaved the flywheel to make it lighter. All good now :)

[blake101]

as you know ive been running the same whip 4 years ,
and carbon build in head is a problem . while so is
build up in carb . weve put in alot of carb kits and or
new carbs . so ive started reading on the topic and
asking questions and two things ive got to are :

SEA FOAM , to clean out carbon deposits in head , and keep carb jets clean

AMISOL 2 CYCLE OIL , to prevent carbon build up

* not started either yet but thought ide pass along the info .
we just bought 2 16 oz bottles of sea foam today from weingartz
and the guy keith that works the service desk said its great stuff

How are you using your Sea Foam? Are you mixing it with your gas and oil or soaking the Carb and jets with it?

[redmax fan]

How are you using your Sea Foam? Are you mixing it with your gas and oil or soaking the Carb and jets with it?

were mixing it with gas , it took about 3 weeks of light use in our gas for me to start noticing how much better the whips were running

i also saw a guy here mention dont gun it when just starting for first time that day in effort to warm it up quicker because the extra gas your gunning into carb doesnt burn and becomes carbon build up

[RedSquareLandscaping]

The last 1 is the best

[mowzilla]

shindaiwa t242 or bigger ( i love mine.. but the 282t is the monster, t261 is great mix of the 242/282..) i use stihls fs80rx's four days and week , and have used the 90's and 100's , use my shinny three long days a week and i wonder why stihl even needs to exist.. shindaiwa's are superior to me.. power, weight, starting good with high hours, trimmer head, less vibration..only brands i even think about other than shinny is redmax ( 'cause i love my blower) echo ( mid-level commercial not on par with redmax/ shinny--but i do like echo a lot ) husqvarna ( decent)