What Stihl trimmer should I get?

[mainer_in_ak]

Replace that all-steel blade with a good carbide and then you won't need your chainsaws anymore. I really like the Forester non-vented carbide blades (you'll bend any vented blades).

Yep that blade gotta go! Hand sharpened that 80 tooth blade twice last season. Screw that.

U have a link to a blade you recommend?

 

[EFSM]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325920625410

 

[Fishnuts2]

I have two FS85's that have been good units with string and blade. Also a couple of others from Husqvarna, Shindaiwa, and Echo.
But an Echo 2620 is in another class by itself. Starting, power, and throttle response is the best I've used.
Echo taught the rest how to make trimmers IMO.

 

[EFSM]

have two FS85's

The only Stihl trimmer I would ever own.

 

[Squareground3691]

The only Stihl trimmer I would ever own.

My FS80 going on 28 years old and still runs like it did back when I got it,

 

[EFSM]

My FS80 going on 28 years old and still runs like it did back when I got it,

I'm not sure if you're agreeing with me or disagreeing, but the FS75, 80, and 85 were nearly identical and I would be happy to own any of them. I should have specified that.

 

[Squareground3691]

I'm not sure if you're agreeing with me or disagreeing, but the FS75, 80, and 85 were nearly identical and I would be happy to own any of them. I should have specified that.

Those series just plan run forever, if you take care of them, simple and effective 2T’s

 

[hotajax]

Not trying to be a wiseguy, but don't buy Stihl. You really want an Echo. My neighbor has a Stihl, and he's always yanking on it, even while it's hot. Save yourself some ag.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Not trying to be a wiseguy, but don't buy Stihl. You really want an Echo. My neighbor has a Stihl, and he's always yanking on it, even while it's hot. Save yourself some ag.

Neighbor has a bad dealership or doesn’t know what he’s doing. I’ve not had one trimmer of any brand that doesn’t start well if they’re set up properly and maintained. I have a Stihl fs 56 straight shaft that’s usually 1-2 pulls cold if you use the purge primer like it says. My fs 350 backpack is 1-2 pulls 90% of the time same as dads br-600 4-mix and my ht 131 pole saw after sitting for months sometimes.

 

[LAWN BOY]

Not trying to be a wiseguy, but don't buy Stihl. You really want an Echo. My neighbor has a Stihl, and he's always yanking on it, even while it's hot. Save yourself some ag.

The Stihl trimmers I've used start in just a few pulls...

Neighbor has a bad dealership or doesn’t know what he’s doing. I’ve not had one trimmer of any brand that doesn’t start well if they’re set up properly and maintained. I have a Stihl fs 56 straight shaft that’s usually 1-2 pulls cold if you use the purge primer like it says. My fs 350 backpack is 1-2 pulls 90% of the time same as dads br-600 4-mix and my ht 131 pole saw after sitting for months sometimes.

I agree. Even the Chinese junk starts well for me if I maintain it with care.

 

[Mike C.]

My neighbor has a Stihl. Even if it's hot, he's out there yanking on it all effing day. Get an Echo, it will come with a 5 year warranty. Don't be a knucklehead.

I've got an Echo SRM-2620T(converted to bike handles),three months past the 5 year warranty and it's falling apart.Still runs excellent,but it is not pro-quality in my opinion.I have the use of a Stihl FS-111(bike handles) every fall for a couple of weeks that belongs to a customer.He bought it about the same time I got my Echo.That machine gets the chit beat out of it all year long and has stood up far better than my Echo.I am absolutely not a fan of cable-drive on a "pro-quality" machine.I almost didn't buy the Echo because of that,now wish I didn't.I previously owned a Shindaiwa C-20 for almost 30 years.That rig was professional quality.Very light,quiet and smooth with shaft drive.Only retired it because I fell down a banking one day and broke the carb.Couldn't find one,new or used,anywhere.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Yeah stay away from echo. One time I bought a 590 timberwolf from home depot. I didn't know what a carburetor was. I pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled.

POS wouldn't start.

My irratable bowl syndrome kicked in and I sht all over myself right before my date showed up.

I started crying and told her everything. She hugged me and said: "baby errrrthang goawwwn be fine. Im gonna get a payday advance and get you a farm boss from the pawnshop.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Also, echo commercial are crass, juvenile and not funny. No wonder stihl and husqy outsell them:

 

[FergusonTO35]

Yeah stay away from echo. One time I bought a 590 timberwolf from home depot. I didn't know what a carburetor was. I pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled.

POS wouldn't start.

My irratable bowl syndrome kicked in and I sht all over myself right before my date showed up.

I started crying and told her everything. She hugged me and said: "baby errrrthang goawwwn be fine. Im gonna get a payday advance and get you a farm boss from the pawnshop.

So you're the guy who put that review up on Amazon...

 

[mainer_in_ak]

So you're the guy who put that review up on Amazon...

No sir, review bots mustve plagiarized my home depot review:

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Not trying to be a wiseguy, but don't buy Stihl. You really want an Echo. My neighbor has a Stihl, and he's always yanking on it, even while it's hot. Save yourself some ag.

Hey pal, this is upsetting and not a fair shake. I could start that Stihl in 1 pull.

Why are you watching you neighbor "always yanking on it"?

"Even while it's hot"

That's kinda creepy.

 

[EFSM]

it's falling apart

Could you elaborate?

 

[lilspenny]

Eh, I've got Stihl trimmers. No problem whatsoever with them.

ditto

 

[lilspenny]

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.

Stihl fs111r is a very versatile trimmer insofar as power and weight plus.... it has a solid shaft that is great if you want to add a blade or attachments. I think stihl has the best overall build quality, and..... you can adjust your own carburetor with the 59108902314 tool available on ebay. No catalytic converter like Echo, Shindaiwa, Redmax, and Husqvarna. I've owned an fs100rx which is the same basic engine since 2005 and it's going strong with 10 years of commercial use. It's on it's third carburetor, but the current one really wasn't needed. I adjusted the valves once.... in 2025.... and they really did not need it. 20 years! There are naysayers of every brand, but they are all good. I prefer Stihl because of the overall build quality, solid shaft, no catalytic converter, parts availability, and design. Look at Echo srm-2620 and srm-3020... see how their carburetor sticks way out? begging to be hit. The air filter also. Their spark plug has shocked many arms, throttle cable attachment is cheap. But...... still a good machine. I prefer the Shindaiwa t-262 over the Echo srm-2620 because it has a solid shaft. The Stihl fs91r, fs111r, and fs131r all have solid shafts. The Echo srm-3020 does not, nor does the Shindaiwa t-302. Husqvarna is okay but here in Alabama the dealers complain about support... same with Redmax. Stay away from Lowe's, Home Depot, and other dealers that are not servicing dealers. Stihl oil is not as good as Echo Red Armor, and Echo Black Diamond .105 string is my favorite overall. I prefer the Stihl 27-2 string head. I also own an fs131r, and br800 blower. No problems with them. I am not a Stihl fanboy, but after exhausting myself with research the fs131r was the best fit for me. I use it for everything, with Echo string and oil. I needed the power and solid shaft. But, I have a 1/3 acre lawn and could have used an srm-2620 or Shindaiwa t-262. My second choice was Shindaiwa t-302. Husqvarna handles feel cheap because they are cheap. Husky, Echo, and Shindaiwa make it quite difficult for owners to adjust carburetors. That irritates me. Oh, the Echo blowers are problematic for some people, but the best choice due to power and ease of maintenance. My br800 was a gift but I do like it a lot. Do your homework and message me if you wish.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

Another vote for the fs111, we've put hundreds of hours on our 110. Zero issues other than replacing the carb because it was leaking fuel.