Wanted: Stihl trimmer for home use

[wagonwheeler]

Looking for a good all-around trimmer w/ line head for use around the house/farm. Was thinking about a KM110 Kombi since my Father-in-Law has the KM55 w/ pole saw, articulating hedge trimmer, cultivator... I want more power of course.

But then I suppose a good FS110, 130, 200, 250 would do me fine and I can just swap the heads down at the end of shaft. MUCH cheaper to buy a fixed line head than the Kombi anyway.

I'm checking the local 'used' market but wanted to see if you guys had anything to offer.

Anyone got a good unit w/ line head? Recommendations?

Also, is there a way to swap the pole extension for the pole saw onto a non-kombi unit or can I only put the chain saw head directly onto the non-kombi shaft? The extension sure adds a lot of reach and that would be nice.

Chaser

 

[Lakeside53]

You can't add the KM extension to the FS shaft...

The FS130 is killer, but most of the pros around here use the KM110 or FS110. The FS/KM 90 is the smaller brother, but it has a few "hidden" downgrades like plastic clutch housing etc..

Don't go above a 130 if you intend to use attachments.. The FS250 will bust the attachments real easy - way to much HP..

And of course, get the loop handle, not bike handles, if you want to use the pole pruner etc.

 

[FLCM]

As a landscaper I will tell you right now the FS110's are a heavy machine to be swinging around all day compared to my Echo SRM260's but you just can't beat the extra power from the Stihl's. I'm not sure why the Stihl is heavier because they weigh about the same on paper. Maybe its just balance? Anyway, the 110 has noticeably more torque and only consumes a little bit more fuel. You can't beat the Autocut 25-2 trimmer head, it takes about 15 seconds to change out spools. We do on occasion cut 1-2 ft tall right-of-ways and ditches and the 110 usually has power to spare. I can't speak for any of the larger units as I have never used them, but the bigger units are just too heavy for what we need on our job sites. The name of the game for us is light and powerful.

 

[046]

I favor FS 85 and FS 80. light and powerful.

I've got an FS 55 in excellent condition not being used.
please PM if interested...

 

[wagonwheeler]

Km130

About a month ago I asked my dealer if they were gonna make a KM130. He said 'probably not'. Today I was in and looking at thier new product sheets because they thought I might be interested in a KM90...and what did I see? A KM130!

Only 8 oz (1/2lb) heavier than the 110 but has 30% more power at 1.7bhp...

I'm really leaning towards the 130. I don't use a trimmer for long periods but do plan to use it around the farm along fencerows/around the pond and in the woods as well. I'll use a blade a good bit knocking down the weeds/reeds around the pond and in other low areas.

If the 110 can do this w/o blinking I may stick w/ it. But I sorta hate not to get the extra power. I do see the 110 as a minimum, though.

Are there any downsides to a KM rather than just swapping heads at the bottom of a fixed shaft?

Chaser

 

[FLCM]

Back in the day nothing was better than the FS85 but unfortunately, those days have passed. Wagonwheeler, if your want the extra hp, by all means go for it. Worst case scenario you just use a little less throttle. The only downside to the KM is it costs more for the power unit and you have to buy an extra trimmer shaft to run your blade. The KM would make swapping from trimmer to brush cutter easier but it takes a few minutes to remove the trimmer assembly and install the brush blade on a dedicated trimmer.

Matt

 

[wagonwheeler]

KM130 it is.

Thanks Matt,

I'll never put as much time on a trimmer as you have already logged and I appreciate your input! I'm gonna submit to the passion for power and get the KM130. It should have a long and easy life.

My dealer said if I buy the line shaft/head w/ the KM all I need is a blade and bolt to convert it to brush cutter - that I don't have to buy the separate brush shaft and head.

Last year I bought the KM55 and all the other attachements listed above for my father in law (his money) from the same dealer and so I'll have all that at my disposal as well, so I'm really coming out pretty well by just buying a powerhead, line head/shaft, blade and bolt.

Chaser

Back in the day nothing was better than the FS85 but unfortunately, those days have passed. Wagonwheeler, if your want the extra hp, by all means go for it. Worst case scenario you just use a little less throttle. The only downside to the KM is it costs more for the power unit and you have to buy an extra trimmer shaft to run your blade. The KM would make swapping from trimmer to brush cutter easier but it takes a few minutes to remove the trimmer assembly and install the brush blade on a dedicated trimmer.

Matt

 

[FLCM]

I'm sure you'll like the 130. For some reason I thought you were buying the KM so you could have two different cutting attachments, 1 blade and one line trimmer. It's really easy to convert to blade and back. I really like the articulating hedge trimmer. It's a real lifesaver for those hard to reach shaping cuts. Our units have been trouble free. Don't forget to adjust the valves after the engine breaks in. I think it's after 25 or 50 hours, im not sure which. I adjust ours twice a year. I've got one trimmer that has to be getting close to 1,000 hours and still going strong.

Matt