What Stihl trimmer should I get?

[SawAddictedFarmer]

I kinda want to get one of these.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/brushcutters-and-clearing-saws/fs561cem/

Anybody else have one?

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I kinda want to get one of these.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/brushcutters-and-clearing-saws/fs561cem/

Anybody else have one?

If you need a clearing saw for that large of stuff it ends up small chainsaw territory. I actually take my ht-131 pole saw and turn the head 90 degrees on the shaft and clamp back down. Then I can stand upright and cut the bigger stuff my fs 66 brush saw can’t

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

If you need a clearing saw for that large of stuff it ends up small chainsaw territory. I actually take my ht-131 pole saw and turn the head 90 degrees on the shaft and clamp back down. Then I can stand upright and cut the bigger stuff my fs 66 brush saw can’t

My problem is I have acres of busy honeysuckle that I can't access with heavy equipment. And not to downplay your trimmer but that's pretty small. I've got a 110 and a 131, The 131 is decent and I personally would not go smaller than the 110 with the saw blade. I might look into one of those pole saws though.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

My problem is I have acres of busy honeysuckle that I can't access with heavy equipment. And not to downplay your trimmer but that's pretty small. I've got a 110 and a 131, The 131 is decent and I personally would not go smaller than the 110 with the saw blade. I might look into one of those pole saws though.

The fs 66 and my fs 90ave are both fairly small but the 66 works great on “brush” which is the key word. Clearing saws are in a completely different class than your saws and a 110 or 131 is plenty for actual brush. My fs66 has no issues with 3/4-1” brush if it’s sharp and you know how to run it. It is small but was given to me by my grandfather who bought it new in the 1980’s. Still going strong, believe it’s actually a shindiawa labeled as a Stihl, made in Japan.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

The fs 66 and my fs 90ave are both fairly small but the 66 works great on “brush” which is the key word. Clearing saws are in a completely different class than your saws and a 110 or 131 is plenty for actual brush. My fs66 has no issues with 3/4-1” brush if it’s sharp and you know how to run it. It is small but was given to me by my grandfather who bought it new in the 1980’s. Still going strong, believe it’s actually a shindiawa labeled as a Stihl, made in Japan.

Most of the stuff I've got is 2-5 inches. The 131 works but it's slow and I feel like I'm going to far. That's nice you got your grandpa's trimmer. I've got about 5 acers clear and 15 to go.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Most of the stuff I've got is 2-5 inches. The 131 works but it's slow and I feel like I'm going to far. That's nice you got your grandpa's trimmer. I've got about 5 acers clear and 15 to go.

4-5” isn’t brush and the 131 is definitely not designed for a steady diet of it. Brush hogs are only designed for 2-3” most times.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Most of the stuff I've got is 2-5 inches. The 131 works but it's slow and I feel like I'm going too far. That's nice you got your grandpa's trimmer. I've got about 5 acers clear and 15 to go.

Honestly sounds like you need to hire a dozer and just get it done. Pushed in a piles and burned.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

My problem is I have acres of busy honeysuckle that I can't access with heavy equipment.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

It would take 3 75ft Bridges to get in with a dozer. I can get a ATV in when I can drive through the creek a couple hundred feet to get to a good spot to get out but that's about it.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

Maybe I'll see if I can rent a fs561 from someone to see how it works. Boy is it pricey! I guess you get what you pay for though.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

It would take 3 75ft Bridges to get in with a dozer. I can get a ATV in when I can drive through the creek a couple hundred feet to get to a good spot to get out but that's about it.

Only need to cross one creek and you can do it with a 4 wheeler? John Deere 350/450 with wide pads won’t cross the creek?

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

Only need to cross one creek and you can do it with a 4 wheeler? John Deere 350/450 with wide pads won’t cross the creek?

I have to get in drive until it gets shallow and then get out and it's pretty narrow. Not to mention it's steep getting in or out, about all I care to try. I could maybe get one of those dozer's in but I don't care to risk having to explain to the rental place why it's stuck in a 8 foot gully. It sucks but it is what it is. The only other access is through the neighbors woods but we're not on good terms. He does not like the fact that I put up electric fence on my side of the line by 3 feet because he says it scares the deer off.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

I can get that 4wheeler through other spots too narrow for a dozer by squeezing between valuable trees...for now at least.

 

[tallgrass_coyote]

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.

Best auction day I ever had got an fs85 for $3. Replaced the fuel, pulled on it about 100x, it finally started and ran like a beast. I put a new carb on it for about $45. It starts on the 3rd pull every time. I run an 80tooth blade that goes through up to 1.5" brush like butter. Two whacks I can get through 2". Great machine. I like my fs91 also, runs very smooth through grass and weeds. Tool for the job and all....

 

[EFSM]

busy honeysuckle

I like your misspelling/autocorrect fluke. Bush honeysuckle sure is extremely busy and invasive. Sheep and goats do love it though, as well as the deer. Do you know its origin in Illinois?

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

I like your misspelling/autocorrect fluke. Bush honeysuckle sure is extremely busy and invasive. Sheep and goats do love it though, as well as the deer. Do you know its origin in Illinois?

Yes Bush Honeysuckle. We have sheep but they can only get the bottom 5 feet or so. Not sure why it's here I just want it gone!