Stihl FS 75 vs 80 vs 85 Questions

leeave96 · Mar 15, 2005

Well, I have loaded-up on enough 2 cycle Lawnboys to get me through to retirement - if I live...

and now it's time to find me a really good 2 cycle trimmer. I am to understand that the FS 85 is history. My dealer has a FS 80. My question is - what is the difference between the 80 and 85? It appears that both have the same engine. Also, looking at the book, the FS 75 has the same engine too - except a bent shaft. I've thought of looking at that one too as I am guessing it is somewhat lighter. Sooo, in addition to the 80, what is your opinion of the 75?

Thanks in advance,
Bill

grass_cuttin_fool · Mar 15, 2005

The stihl fs75-fs80 use a cable to drive the cutter head, the fs 85 uses a drive shaft to drive the cutter head. I have the fs85 but never haved used a 75-80. I have a fs-55 which has the cable drive and it is ok, The main thing with a cable, they dont recommend using a blade on the cutter head

Travis Followell · Mar 15, 2005

We prefer shaft drives because they don't shake and vibrate as much and they wont break like a cable will. We have a FS 55 that broke 2 drive cables before the gearbox went out.

woodmedic · Mar 15, 2005

If you want the 85 type machine but can't get your hands on one......You can purchase the FS80 and change the liner and drive shaft over to the 85 type. Walla....you now have an FS85.

DennisF · Mar 15, 2005

woodmedic said:
If you want the 85 type machine but can't get your hands on one......You can purchase the FS80 and change the liner and drive shaft over to the 85 type. Walla....you now have an FS85.

Very true. A lot of LCO's here in Florida are doing just that. They buy a new FS-80 and take the solid drive shafts out of their old FS-85's and install them in the new FS-80.

You can also run edger and hedge trimmer attachments on the solid shaft FS-85 which makes them more versatile.

leeave96 · Mar 16, 2005

Another question I have is - is anyone using the attachments that can fit the FS 85? Is there an advantage to the FS 80's straight shaft vs the bent shaft of the FS 75?

Thanks!
Bill

r.eckley · Mar 16, 2005

I just replaced a 80 & 80 xtreme with a 85 . & Redmax 2400
Have Hedge Trimmer & Chain Saw attchments for STHIL & ran them on 80X seemed to get along o.k. When i went back to 85 i could not belive the difference , much less vibration &
Chain saw really worked better. My dealer has some 85,s left
said he ordered extra because of not being manufactured any
more.Its just hard to beat the 85s.

Classic · Mar 16, 2005

Try Redmax trimmers.

Redmax is continuing with 2 cycle well into the future and they are better products overall. You won't believe the difference..MUCH better than Stihl.

Smalltimer1 · Mar 16, 2005

Classic said:
Try Redmax trimmers.

Redmax is continuing with 2 cycle well into the future and they are better products overall. You won't believe the difference..MUCH better than Stihl.

Thats your opinion. I have had nothing but good experiences with Stihl and the nearest RM dealer is 35 miles away.....definitely NOT worth my time and money to chase something I'm not sure would be worth the money or the trouble if it broke.

I have an FS-80R and the drive line and gearbox is covered under lifetime warranty for as long as I own it on top of the 2 yr. mfr. warranty that it comes with anyway. So far it has held up great, no complaints with it.

Smalltimer1 · Mar 16, 2005

leeave96 said:
Another question I have is - is anyone using the attachments that can fit the FS 85? Is there an advantage to the FS 80's straight shaft vs the bent shaft of the FS 75?

Thanks!
Bill

The FS80's straight shaft is much easier on your back if you're tall like me (6'6").

Lbilawncare · Mar 16, 2005

The FS100 (4 mix) replaced the FS85. It is lighter and more powerful. Lower noise, less vibration. The 4 mix engines are great, people have this conception that you can't turn them upside down, that is wrong. They run off the same mixed gas as the 2 cycle. Try the 100 or the 110, you won't believe the difference.

Classic · Mar 16, 2005

Smalltimer1 said:
Thats your opinion. I have had nothing but good experiences with Stihl and the nearest RM dealer is 35 miles away.....definitely NOT worth my time and money to chase something I'm not sure would be worth the money or the trouble if it broke.

I have an FS-80R and the drive line and gearbox is covered under lifetime warranty for as long as I own it on top of the 2 yr. mfr. warranty that it comes with anyway. So far it has held up great, no complaints with it.

Continue on with Stihl...good luck their 2 cycle stuff is going away...

BTW. Stihl has a ONE year comemrcial warranty and the gear box is NOT covered for life! Just the drive shaft. If you don't believe me, check Stihl's warranty statement, It's very clear.

Oh..and one other thing, I wasn't responding to YOUR message!

Mower Man · Mar 16, 2005

Smalltimer,
6'6"!
At that height your no 'small' timer.

Suggestion that may help with reach that has helped some of my customers.
Years ago Tanaka made a taller front handle, that was also curved backward, had anti vibe mounts, and a big wing nut to turn it for edging.
The only one like it I ever saw.
Made it alot easier to reach with less left shoulder drop, and less bending the right wrist, plus it helped keep the line head more level.
It had a 24mm bore and fit alot of different companies.

Classic · Mar 16, 2005

Lbilawncare said:
The FS100 (4 mix) replaced the FS85. It is lighter and more powerful. Lower noise, less vibration. The 4 mix engines are great, people have this conception that you can't turn them upside down, that is wrong. They run off the same mixed gas as the 2 cycle. Try the 100 or the 110, you won't believe the difference.

Dude,

What are you smokin?

The 4 mix trimmers are NOT lighter than the FS-80/85! They are about 1 1/2 lbss.heavier. Also the fine new FS-100 won't even take a blade if needed as they cheapened it up so much to try and get the weight down!

One last thing, if 4 mix is so great, why is Stihl trying to come up with a 2 cycle that will pass EPA?? They are still working on it!

grass_cuttin_fool · Mar 16, 2005

Classic said:
Dude,

What are you smokin?

The 4 mix trimmers are NOT lighter than the FS-80/85! They are about 1 1/2 lbss.heavier. Also the fine new FS-100 won't even take a blade if needed as they cheapened it up so much to try and get the weight down!

One last thing, if 4 mix is so great, why is Stihl trying to come up with a 2 cycle that will pass EPA?? They are still working on it!

So they can keep the chainsaws 2 cycle

woodmedic · Mar 16, 2005

It would appear that classic has some sort of vendetta against Stihl. The FS100 is in fact .4 lbs. lighter than the FS80. The FS100 has not been cheapened down. It was intentionally made lighter for people who don't intend on running blades. If they want to run blades or other attatchments, there are other models for them to chose from. It's funny how some people will take every opportunity to bash another manufacturer just because they think what they run is the best. The truth is you need to pick a dealer that will take care of you reguardless of the brand. (As long as it is a commercial brand.) I don't particularly like some of the other brands myself but don't feel the need to bash them just cause I can. Please don't be misled by one of these "brand bashers" because if they were not good, they would be gone!!

shepoutside · Mar 16, 2005

You could come north of the boarder and buy a FS85, as they are still allowed to sell them here,,,,,,,,,, for now anyway :blob3:

Smalltimer1 · Mar 16, 2005

Classic said:
Continue on with Stihl...good luck their 2 cycle stuff is going away...

BTW. Stihl has a ONE year comemrcial warranty and the gear box is NOT covered for life! Just the drive shaft. If you don't believe me, check Stihl's warranty statement, It's very clear.

Oh..and one other thing, I wasn't responding to YOUR message!

Thats funny, my warranty book says that the gear box and shaft is covered for life as long as I'm the owner, and it is a 2 yr. warranty.

My dealer always registers buyers as 'residential' so they can get the 2 yr. warranty.

leeave96 · Mar 16, 2005

Well, I found a dealer that has one of the FS 85 models in stock and another dealer that has the FS 80. I looked at the FS 75 and I think that the short shaft might be a bit hard on the ol' back - as some others have mentioned that the longer straight shaft would ease that problem.

I doubt that I would really need any accessories, blades, etc and so the FS 80 would most likely do the trick, however.....

My question is - is there really a difference between the 85's solid shaft and the 80's cable shaft in terms of viberation and end user comfort? Is it really noticable? I kind of like the idea of less viberation.

BTW, the dealer's FS 85 has the loop handle - is that what you folks prefer?

Thanks!
Bill

Travis Followell · Mar 16, 2005

The cable drive in the 80 will vibrate and shake when you accelerate and a driveshaft will not do that. Acceleration with a driveshaft is very smooth. Take it from someone who has used both. In my opinion you'd be better off with the 85.

Stihl FS 75 vs 80 vs 85 Questions

leeave96

grass_cuttin_fool

Travis Followell

woodmedic

DennisF

leeave96

r.eckley

Classic

Smalltimer1

Smalltimer1

Lbilawncare

Classic

Mower Man

Classic

grass_cuttin_fool

woodmedic

shepoutside

Smalltimer1

leeave96

Travis Followell

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