Gas trimmer preference,Stihl/Husky?

Philip d

Well-known Member
Were looking at getting a new small lightweight gas trimmer.
We already have a heavy MTD with a triangular blade on it
that will take down alders but we?re looking for something lite
for keeping ahead of grass along buildings that won?t be too
hard on the back. I?m saying Stihl or Husky because there?s
dealers for both close (not MTD anymore) to here that do
service and stock parts. I?m not interested in another brand
that if it quits it?ll likely end up getting tossed. Thanks for any
suggestions.
 
At my job we have all stihl equipment. We have 4 string strait shaft trimmers. They start easy and its the only one i have used that the string comes out when you tap it on the ground. But you have to learn how to put the string on right.
 
I have two Stihl and a Husky. I bought the two Stihl units when I got fed up fussing with the Husky.

The Husky got a new carb and works now ....... but I still prefer the Stihl trimmers.
 
I have one of the smallest Stihl?s with the curved shaft and the ?easy-2-start? or whatever they call it. It?s taken a lot of abuse and other than it?s really too small for everything I do with it no complaints. Sam
 
(quoted from post at 21:57:06 03/12/19) Were looking at getting a new small lightweight gas trimmer.
We already have a heavy MTD with a triangular blade on it
that will take down alders but we?re looking for something lite
for keeping ahead of grass along buildings that won?t be too
hard on the back. I?m saying Stihl or Husky because there?s
dealers for both close (not MTD anymore) to here that do
service and stock parts. I?m not interested in another brand
that if it quits it?ll likely end up getting tossed. Thanks for any
suggestions.

I bought a Dewalt cordless last year because I don't need a big, powerful machine, and don't want to have to stand there yanking on a dumb rope. After one season, I'm reasonably satisfied.
 
I got a Stihl FS 90 I bought new in spring of '13. No complaints. Always starts on second pull. Even after sitting all winter.
 
I have a few Stihl fs 80r string trimmers there great, used commercialy and are 14 years old, but like anything you can't buy them anymore! My other good one is a shindaiwa t27, I really don't know what would be good nowadays, all the emissions crap they have now! Looking at my Stihl catalogue just now, maybe a Stihl fs70r or a fs90r, looks to me there are 2cycle rather than that 4 stroke junk, Good luck.
cvphoto16243.jpg
 
I agree the Stihl auto cut head is great, Iv never had a problem with them. we take the gaurd off and throw them in the garbage.
 
I've got a Stihl FS36 trimmer. Bought it new (something I rarely do) in the mid 80's.

Other than simple maintenance, fuel lines, primer bulbs, a spool, it still gets used regularly.

If I outlast it, I'll probably get another Stihl. Probably not a new one this time though.
 
I?m diehard Husqvarna for chainsaws, but I really like Stihl for the grass trimmers. Had one Husqvarna, and it was a joke. My original Stihl fs55 was bought in 2002, and is still going strong. Since then, my dad and brother have each bought one, and I have a brush cutter too. All work great.
 
I have all Stihl yard equipment , Never has let me down. Weed Eater always cranks year after year. Blower always cranks everytime. My gas trimmers that i dont use that much maybe a couple hours each year never fails to crank.
 
Surprised nobody has mentioned Echo. I have two over 10 years old. Start easily, run great, auto feed head actually works! Great dealer support.
 

I like my Husquvarna trimmer... The next go round it will be a Milwaukee with then biggest battery they offer... Something has got to be better than fudgen with these gas demons...

I don't use a cored drill anymore and battery operated tools have got so much better my air tools don't get used much as they use to...

A Milwaukee with a 12Ah battery should fill the bill...
 
Stihl. Had mine for 10 yrs. Not one issue. Just run some non alk fuel mix in it for winter storage as you'd do in any.
 
Yes they?re good too,the echo dealer here is an hour + drive and the nearest stihl dealer is 20 min with the husqavarna/stihl dealer 35 min.
 
Echo was good, I bought 2 backpack blowers, a stick edger and 2 hedge trimmers in the mid 90s, all worked great, about 8-10 years ago I bought a string trimmer from hd, ran it for 1 season and then threw it in the dumpster, nothing but a piece of junk, couldent adjust the carb and it dident turn any rpm,s, I can't believe they are any better now? Shindaiwa was also good equipment, they couldent meet emissions so I heard echo bought them out??
 
I love my 4 cycle Stihl but for light duty work these days, I'd get a Li Ion electric, probably a Stihl.

Dean
 
We have a couple of Weed-eater brand, wife bought a lightweight one at least 15 years ago, still going strong, no problems. I don't think they're available any more. We bought a new Stihl leaf blower a couple of years ago, it seems OK.
 
But what ever brand you get, Please wear safety glasses. I had it shoot a rock and hit my finger nail. It turned it black and blue. Just think if that was my eye.
 
I like my 4 cycle Stihl KM130R power unit with changeable heads (I have string head, leaf blower, pole saw) it's got lots of power and the string head is easy to refill and almost never tangles, my opinion Stihl is one of the best. I have no experience with Husky so no opinion on these.
My neighbor has the Milwaukee M18 Cordless electric battery string trimmer I like that too if you don't have hours of trimming to do at one time it is an option and no gas to mix and keep around. It surprised me the power it has for a 18 volt cordless
 
I bought the Stihl primarily because years ago I got into the Stihl brand chain saw and preferred them over other brands I had in the past and the fact that the model I bought has a 7" longer shaft that fits a 6.5" guy. It's a mean cutter but light in weight and very easy to start.
 
I have a Milwaukee and will never own a
gas one again! If you can find a local
retailer, not home depot..ect, you can get
good deals. I got a free 12ah battery with
mine and alot cheaper than big stores
 
Does your electric work on heavy grass or just around the yard? I got a great old fs85 stihl that i love for the power but the gas and vibration are a chore.
 
It does ok in heavy stuff fescue. I think if I went with bigger string it would be better. I spray what ever can so most trimming is just in the yard.( fyi dont spray around the wifes flowers)
 
I have been know to use some liquid trimmer as well. Just not sure if i am ready to give up on the gas trimmer but i am getting close.
 
Years ago I bought a Stihl FS 90 bike handle with the 4-Mix engine. The 4-Mix engine is quiet compared to the standard 2 cycle engine.
 

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