What Stihl trimmer should I get?

[LAWN BOY]

I plan on buying a brand new Stihl weed whacker within the next 3 years. At work they have an FS94R straight shaft which I’m liking. What models are your guy’s favorite and what ones are problematic and to be avoided? It’ll be getting lots of use. Thanks for any opinions.

 

[ammoaddict]

Echo

 

[Squareground3691]

I’ve had a FS80 , for over 27 years and still running great, they don’t make them like that anymore,

 

[EFSM]

The FS94R are plagued with starter problems. They use an extremely light pawl setup different from all their other trimmers. One commercial customer said he fought with his fleet of 94's for a year and then found the solution--a fleet of Echo 2620's.

 

[Inlineforagoodtime]

I like my echo SRM-2620. After a muffler mod and a retune its great. The speed feed head that comes with it is better than the stihl head.

 

[Gavinmalloy18]

I like echo but dealer support around me is awful. I prefer Stihl because I have excellent dealer support, echo trimmers are better built imo. Go with what gives you the best dealer support, anything man made will need work at some point or another.

 

[Stem]

I vote Echo as well

 

[ammoaddict]

I bought a fs56 a few years ago because it was convenient. Every hardware store around here sells stihl. It runs good and cuts good but it's very uncomfortable for me to use. I was at my brother in laws and he was using his echo. It's much more ergonomic than my stihl. I wish I would have waited and got an echo.

 

[LAWN BOY]

The FS94R are plagued with starter problems. They use an extremely light pawl setup different from all their other trimmers. One commercial customer said he fought with his fleet of 94's for a year and then found the solution--a fleet of Echo 2620's.

Come to think of it, the one at work sounds weird/nasty when I pull the rope… Good to know.

 

[LAWN BOY]

I like echo but dealer support around me is awful. I prefer Stihl because I have excellent dealer support, echo trimmers are better built imo. Go with what gives you the best dealer support, anything man made will need work at some point or another.

Okay. I don’t have many ECHO dealers near me, Stihl is everywhere.

 

[PA Dan]

I’ve had a FS80 , for over 27 years and still running great, they don’t make them like that anymore,

FS85 here and I only use it on my property. Except for an hour ago it starts and runs like a raped ape! I'd by another new one if it was available. That being said I think Echo is the way to go.

 

[Squareground3691]

FS85 here and I only use it on my property. Except for an hour ago it starts and runs like a raped ape! I'd by another new one if it was available. That being said I think Echo is the way to go.

FS85 here and I only use it on my property. Except for an hour ago it starts and runs like a raped ape! I'd by another new one if it was available. That being said I think Echo is the way to go.

Yes sir,

 

[Catbuster]

I think it depends on what you want the trimmer to do, but I have an FS 130 and have run it for 10 years now with no issues. It’s now the FS 131. Prior to that I had an FS 76.

I now have a Milwaukee M18 and my dad has an 18V Makita, and for around the house, I have to say they are superior for around the house.

 

[EFSM]

As has been stated, in my opinion the best trimmer Stihl ever made was the FS 75/80/85 line. The new ones just aren't very great. Redmax would be another good look.

 

[LAWN BOY]

I think it depends on what you want the trimmer to do, but I have an FS 130 and have run it for 10 years now with no issues. It’s now the FS 131. Prior to that I had an FS 76.

I now have a Milwaukee M18 and my dad has an 18V Makita, and for around the house, I have to say they are superior for around the house.

Thanks for the experience/info. I agree, cordless trimmers are awesome for around the house, we have an Echo 58V straight shaft.

 

[ammoaddict]

Okay. I don’t have many ECHO dealers near me, Stihl is everywhere.

You can always order online.

 

[pastryguyhawaii]

I haven’t seen anyone mention a Shindaiwa T302. Literally everything on my property is done with it, too many lava rocks for mower. Easily cuts through anything I throw at it.


I run this line with no problems.

 

[ammoaddict]

I haven’t seen anyone mention a Shindaiwa T302. Literally everything on my property is done with it, too many lava rocks for mower. Easily cuts through anything I throw at it.
View attachment 428980

I run this line with no problems.
View attachment 428981

Do you like that oregon gator line? I have a spool of the .85. I don't like it at all. It breaks off way too easy. It got good reviews on Amazon but I don't like it.

 

[hacskaroly]

I have a FS91R, depending on how you are going to use it, it has the option for bike handles (FS91) for about $40 more. I like the ability to swap between trimmer head or metal blades. If you are going to be using it for a while at a time, I recommend the backpack strap over the sling strap. I also have an EGO trimmer which is battery operated. My wife doesn't like using gas trimmers, but really likes the EGO. It also has an easy loading string head that allows you to feed in a length of line half way and then hit a button on the head and it sucks it in. Ready to use in about 30 seconds.

I don't care for the FS94 with the adjustable trimmer speed, I can adjust speed with the trigger just fine.

 

[full chizel]

I haven’t seen anyone mention a Shindaiwa T302. Literally everything on my property is done with it, too many lava rocks for mower. Easily cuts through anything I throw at it.
View attachment 428980

I run this line with no problems.

I have the T262. Red echo 2620