Question about pole pruner attachment on Stihl FS-250 trimmer

[cwatkin]

I have a Stihl FS-250 trimmer which has more than enough power to run the pole pruner attachment that Stihl sells. I was wondering if one could put a longer bar/chain on this unit or if I might overstress the gearbox inside the pruner head. The little bar that comes with this unit is great for most jobs but there are times where I could run a longer bar and I know this unit has more than enough power to run a longer bar. I personally own a 14 inch bar that would fit this and know they make a 16 incher. This unit has a solid shaft so I don't think that is a problem but is it a bad idea to run a longer bar?

Thanks,

Conor

 

[lcso10]

The HT-250 comes with the 14" bar and chain on it. I now you will have plenty of power for the 16 and I would not think it would cause to much stress on the gear head. I would stay with the .043 gauge bar and chain and not go up to the .050 gauge.

 

[alderman]

I can't help you with your question, but be careful out there. A 16" branch could pack a punch on the way down:msp_thumbup:

 

[cwatkin]

I can't help you with your question, but be careful out there. A 16" branch could pack a punch on the way down:msp_thumbup:

That is true but much smaller limbs also pack a punch. When cutting limbs right at 12 inches, I try to cut them into small firewood sized segments if I have the reach to do so. This way, I am not dropping a huge limb all at once, plus I have the wood pre-cut when it hits the ground.

I will probably stick to the 12 inch that came on this unit and maybe use the 14 inch if I need it. I had an experience the other day where I could barely make it through with the 12 inch bar. The motor had PLENTY of power to spare but the bar wasn't quite long enough.

Conor

 

[cwatkin]

The HT-250 comes with the 14" bar and chain on it. I now you will have plenty of power for the 16 and I would not think it would cause to much stress on the gear head. I would stay with the .043 gauge bar and chain and not go up to the .050 gauge.

Thanks. Mine has a 12 inch/.043 gauge bar/chain on it. I am not sure of the gauge of my 14 inch bar/chain but it is from a saw and likely .050. If I decide to go bigger a lot of the time, I will get a bar designed for the HT-250 and not re-use a saw bar.

Thanks,

Conor

 

[sawfun9]

The Stihl catalog doesn't list a saw attachment for the fs250. The fs250 (2.15hp vs 2.0 for the ms180) does have enough power to pull a 16" bar, however the shaft may not handle the load. I have cut a couple of 2" and a 3" saplings with my fs250r using a three sided brush blade.

 

[cwatkin]

The Stihl catalog doesn't list a saw attachment for the fs250. The fs250 (2.15hp vs 2.0 for the ms180) does have enough power to pull a 16" bar, however the shaft may not handle the load. I have cut a couple of 2" and a 3" saplings with my fs250r using a three sided brush blade.

Interesting... My Stihl dealer sold me the attachment right after I bought the trimmer. This may be my answer to if the gearbox could be overstressed by the power of this engine. I am thinking the shaft is fine, but that the extra power may be an issue for the gear head. This is a solid shaft and such. Would you think they don't advertise this combination due to the shaft or the gearbox being a limitation?

My FS-250R has more than enough power to cut through anything I throw at it.

Thanks,

Conor

 

[cwatkin]

Interesting... My Stihl dealer sold me the attachment right after I bought the trimmer. This may be my answer to if the gearbox could be overstressed by the power of this engine. I am thinking the shaft is fine, but that the extra power may be an issue for the gear head. This is a solid shaft and such. Would you think they don't advertise this combination due to the shaft or the gearbox being a limitation?

My FS-250R has more than enough power to cut through anything I throw at it.

Thanks,

Conor

I just looked at Gearbox Attachments - Interchangeable Gearbox Attachment Accessories | STIHL and the pruner head isn't listed for the FS-250 series. It fits just fine but there must be some limitation. I think I will stick with the standard bar unless I find out this can handle more power.

Conor

 

[RAMROD48]

The FS-250 unit produces two much speed and torque for the HT gearbox.

 

[sawfun9]

The fs250 has a lot more power (approaching the ms 210-211 powerwise) than the km130 so I'd be hesitant to try something not recommended. You might contact Stihl and ask why it's not acceptable.

 

[lcso10]

The FS-250 unit produces two much speed and torque for the HT gearbox.

I am just asking, does the HT-250 which has the same power head and gear box as talked about in this post, loose speed and torque because of haveing a flexable cable instead of the solid drive shaft?

 

[RAMROD48]

I am just asking, does the HT-250 which has the same power head and gear box as talked about in this post, loose speed and torque because of haveing a flexable cable instead of the solid drive shaft?

What is an HT-250? I am a Stihl Dealer and have never heard of this model? The biggest units, that I KNOW of at the HT-101 and HT131. (Is this a new model I didnt hear about?

The FS 250 has a solid drive shaft.

The HT 101/131 have a partial hollow aluminum drive shaft. I doubt they would change the shafts and even if they did it would still need to be hollow alluminum in part so it can extend.

EDIT: So i looked into into and it appears that they stopped making them sometime between 2000-2002? I started here in late 02 so thats why I have never heard of one. I have never seen one. I am guessing they still had 2 much power for the gearbox and that coupled with the weight and price didnt sell many of them.

 

[CentaurG2]

I have never seen an stihl HT-250 pole pruner but I like the sound of it. I have an fs130, an fs-250 and an ht-131. The fs-250 is far more powerful than the 4-mixer. If you value your kombi attachments, I would not run them on an fs-250. If you need a pole saw with extra reach, get a good quality manual saw with locking fiberglass poles. You will need one anyway to free the power model when it gets stuck in a cut.

 

[lcso10]

What is an HT-250? I am a Stihl Dealer and have never heard of this model? The biggest units, that I KNOW of at the HT-101 and HT131. (Is this a new model I didnt hear about?

The FS 250 has a solid drive shaft.

The HT 101/131 have a partial hollow aluminum drive shaft. I doubt they would change the shafts and even if they did it would still need to be hollow alluminum in part so it can extend.

EDIT: So i looked into into and it appears that they stopped making them sometime between 2000-2002? I started here in late 02 so thats why I have never heard of one. I have never seen one. I am guessing they still had 2 much power for the gearbox and that coupled with the weight and price didnt sell many of them.

The HT-250 is a 4134 seris motor on a fixed shaft like the HT-100. It has a fat flex cable inside the drive tube. It comes stock with a 14" .043 gauge bar and chain. They are in my market and I juet recieved 5 of them for restock. Loggers like them for trimming trucks instead of using chainsaws overhead.

I have been a Stihl dealer since 1982. They must not be avalible in your market. Down here they are still alive and well.