Has anyone used the edger attachment that goes on a Stihl trimmer? I've got an FS-55 and want to purchase one but I'd like to know what users have experienced before spending the money. Sound like a good idea but you guys (and gals) always help with the final decisions.
Stihl edger attachment
goodgreen
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Has anyone used the edger attachment that goes on a Stihl trimmer? I've got an FS-55 and want to purchase one but I'd like to know what users have experienced before spending the money. Sound like a good idea but you guys (and gals) always help with the final decisions.
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I have one, and I don't like it! I bought the edger and the hedge trimmer. I like the hedge trimmer and the edger is ok. I bought it at the end of 05 and used it mostly to trim hedges last year. It is a pita to change atachments on, it doesent run right all the time, it's hard to start, and now there is somthing wrong inside the shaft! So in the end I think I got the shaft. 
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57 Posts
The FS 55 does not accept attachments. I believe it uses a flexshaft cable drive similiar to the ones found in curve shaft units. The kombi unit "KM 55" will accept attachments and the larger commercial trimmers FS 85, FS 90, FS110, FS 130, KM 90, KM 110, KM 130 will also accept attachments such as the edger.
BTW, the edger will work (I think) on the FS 55 but I don't think the driveshaft would last too long b/c it is not a one piece steel shaft.
BTW, the edger will work (I think) on the FS 55 but I don't think the driveshaft would last too long b/c it is not a one piece steel shaft.
I have different Stihl Weedeaters and Only, The KM Models are Made for Different Attachments, And Only, The Stihl Brand Attatchments Work on the KM Models.... You can actually unbolt the gearbox and attachment on the end of Most any Models of Stihl Weedeaters and put other Attatchments on them, as long as the Shaft Tube Diameter is correct to the attachment you're using.... Like Stated above, Some Models of Equipment can and can't handle certain Attatchments and it's taking a Risk of breaking different parts on the machines, when changing out parts like that
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Welcome aboard.
Actually, It isn't just a crap shoot. Any gearbox attachment will work correctly with any Stihl commercial unit whether KM or FS model. They used to have the gearbox attachments in their catalogs, both online and hard copy on their own pages just for std trimmers etc. They all came without the short extension shaft like the KM would require for a long time, but eventually Stihl decided it was cheaper for them to just stock the KM units and let the buyer store or sell the short shaft as they saw fit.
I have bought all my attachments for my FS90 in both configurations- with or without the short shaft. They will all fit on the FS240/250 as well but are not listed for them as they create enough power and torque to damage them if a person without enough experience used them and didn't know when to back off with them on those two models, and that came straight to me from a Stihl engineer, not just guessing on my part.
IHTH
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8,289 Posts
Very on point explanation.Welcome aboard.
Actually, It isn't just a crap shoot. Any gearbox attachment will work correctly with any Stihl commercial unit whether KM or FS model. They used to have the gearbox attachments in their catalogs, both online and hard copy on their own pages just for std trimmers etc. They all came without the short extension shaft like the KM would require for a long time, but eventually Stihl decided it was cheaper for them to just stock the KM units and let the buyer store or sell the short shaft as they saw fit.
I have bought all my attachments for my FS90 in both configurations- with or without the short shaft. They will all fit on the FS240/250 as well but are not listed for them as they create enough power and torque to damage them if a person without enough experience used them and didn't know when to back off with them on those two models, and that came straight to me from a Stihl engineer, not just guessing on my part.
IHTH
To piggy back off that. A lot of the attachments all use the same gearbox. For example I own the Kombi powerhead. I wanted both the power broom attachment and the garden tiller attachment. Instead of buying both ,I just bought the power broom attachment and then purchased just the garden times separately. The power broom paddles slide off and the tines slide on.
Doing it this way got me into another attachment and saved me about $200.
I like the ease of the kombi quick release system and buy the whole attachment for ones that I use frequently, however for the ones used less frequently the above method works great.
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Exactly. I have the power sweep drums for my power broom and if I hadn't already had a separate small tiller, I would have added the tine kit as well.
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This knowledge actually was one of the ways I ended up picking my stihl dealer. I went in to a couple locations knowing this. One guy tried to tell me they weren't interchangeable, and that I had to buy them all separately. The other guy told me the truth and got my business.
My most recent attachment I've gotten is the bed redefiner. I'm very impressed with it. I know it's not designed for it, but it actually can cut in new beds fairly decently with a couple passes.
My most recent attachment I've gotten is the bed redefiner. I'm very impressed with it. I know it's not designed for it, but it actually can cut in new beds fairly decently with a couple passes.
I’ve got one for my 110. It does what it’s intended to do but it’s not a fun process. Installing it you do have to remove a couple of screws, get it aligned on the shaft which is a square head...doable but not something you want to do every day because I seem to fight a bit getting everything lined up. You also want to keep everything clean as you’re doing it. Have plenty of the blades on hand as they wear fast in my experience. For me, edging sucks especially if not on well manicured and maintained edges. A lot of my stuff is long rural driveways with gravel under the edges of the asphalt. This wears the cutter blade quickly and there’s always a long strip of the junk you cut to rake/shovel up after. Some of my driveways are hundreds of feet long so going up each side is not fun. To add to my own personal misery, my own driveway is about 800 feet plus a huge center island to go around adding about 250 more feet. I’m my own worst enemy. They work but like I said, it’s not a favorite hobby.
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This was the main reason I went with the kombi system vs doing the process you just described. The quick release system is nice.
Although I do just throw an edger blade on the bed redefiner attachment vs buying a separate edger attachment.
Although I do just throw an edger blade on the bed redefiner attachment vs buying a separate edger attachment.
Yeah the Kombi is the way to go but my 110 and 131 just keep chugging along. Until they poop out, I'll keep what I have. Edging is something I do as an "extra" for the people that ask for it...it's not part of my regular service. When I do, I put the attachment on and do it all at once including my own. Most years I only do it once and never more than twice.
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In your position I wouldn't go out and buy the kombi either, based on your uses and frequency of change out. I only have it because that's what I started out with knowing that I wanted most of the attachments. I use mine primarily to maintain my personal residence of five acres. Truth be told I don't even use it for string trimming around mowed areas. I use something lighter and smaller for that.
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I have the 55 combi and it works well with the edger . changing attachments isn't quick and easy as its hard to get the shafts to couple together. its a cheap unit and will not hold up to serious comm use. I only have it as I got it not running at a garage sale for 25$. its way to heavy and ill balanced with the trimmer on . the hedge trimmer attachment would be more usefull to me but don't have. if I paid retail for this I would be sorely disappointed. I am leaving it with the edger on as its more usefull to me and I don't care what happenes to it as I don't plan to ever buy another.
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The km 55 is a homeowner grade unit, it's not designed for commercial use.Sounds like there is something broken on the power head that isnt allowing the shafts to mate up easily. Maybe that's part of the reason you got it so cheap?
I have a Km 131. Its functioned flawlessly so far.
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4,643 Posts
even if home owner -its a pos. very poor desighn and low quality parts. the engine is very powerfull I must say
I too have the km55r and I like mine with the weed eater attachment and I have used the hedge trimmer attachment that I borrowed from a friend of mine and it handled it very well.... The KM Series are a little heavy but are perfect for the hedge trimmer, tiller and pole saw.. I am considering selling my km55r with weed eater attachment because I do want a FS 130 4 mix weed eater and if I can find somebody in my area that would be willing to trade with me somehow, then I would work out a trade deal because I've owned a 1:30 before and a friend of mine has one now that I use a lot and it's making me want another one back.. the 130 is a powerhouse machine and my favorite Stihl Weedeater of any of them
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