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So I'm looking at stihl trimmers for my large yard with a lot of trees and the vines, limbs and brush that comes with it. I want a commercial trimmer. My limit is $400 (I hope). Which one is crying out for me??!!

Bomba said:

So I'm looking at stihl trimmers for my large yard with a lot of trees and the vines, limbs and brush that comes with it. I want a commercial trimmer. My limit is $400 (I hope). Which one is crying out for me??!!

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I also have the lot completely fenced and a pool fence so I'll be trimming under that too.

I'd go with the FS 90R (11.7lbs)or FS110 (12.8lbs) and if weight of machine is an issue the FS 100RX (10.8lbs).

I went with Echo because of the warranty but as mentioned the fs90r Stihl would hold up really well too. I had a neighbor where I used to live that had an old single line Stihl that he had for 20 years.

wjjones said:

I went with Echo because of the warranty but as mentioned the fs90r Stihl would hold up really well too. I had a neighbor where I used to live that had an old single line Stihl that he had for 20 years.

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Yeah I like Echo's warranty, too. I have an Echo trimmer that is close to 25 years old and it still runs well!

lawn mower fanatic said:

Yeah I like Echo's warranty, too. I have an Echo trimmer that is close to 25 years old and it still runs well!
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We better watch out we are in the Stihl forum we might get beat up.:smile:

wjjones said:

We better watch out we are in the Stihl forum we might get beat up.:smile:

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:laughing::laughing:

Let me do some economic figgerin for you and I won't charge a dime.

With a budget of $400.00, each Spring you purchase 6 sheep at a price of $66.66 each. They will keep everything trimmed real well, even under the fences, closely around any machinery and even the rose bushes.

In the Fall you sell 5 sheep. Why 5, well one always dies, remember, they're sheep.

You'll receive less per pound at the sale in the Fall but they gained weight from trimming nicely. So even with the loss of one you may come out about even dollar wise and all that trimming was automatically done while you sleep did things more funner.

All free advise. Sometimes it's worth more than you pay for it. :laughing:

lawn mower fanatic said:

Yeah I like Echo's warranty, too. I have an Echo trimmer that is close to 25 years old and it still runs well!

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I'm curious, why does everyone like the Echo warranty over the Stihl Warranty when in reality one is no better than the other. The 5 year warranty only applies to to a non-income producing unit, and if I'm not mistaken after two years it only covers parts not labor which is the majority of the cost. I really can't see where one is any better than the other.

SandburRanch said:

Let me do some economic figgerin for you and I won't charge a dime.

With a budget of $400.00, each Spring you purchase 6 sheep at a price of $66.66 each. They will keep everything trimmed real well, even under the fences, closely around any machinery and even the rose bushes.

In the Fall you sell 5 sheep. Why 5, well one always dies, remember, they're sheep.

You'll receive less per pound at the sale in the Fall but they gained weight from trimming nicely. So even with the loss of one you may come out about even dollar wise and all that trimming was automatically done while you sleep did things more funner.

All free advise. Sometimes it's worth more than you pay for it. :laughing:

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Nice one, SAND! Haha! More Eco-friendly than a trimmer too!!

Ric said:

I'd go with the FS 90R (11.7lbs)or FS110 (12.8lbs) and if weight of machine is an issue the FS 100RX (10.8lbs).

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Thanks yet again RIC. how important is power when when trimming grass and weeds?

Ric said:

I'd go with the FS 90R (11.7lbs)or FS110 (12.8lbs) and if weight of machine is an issue the FS 100RX (10.8lbs).

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Bomba said:

Thanks yet again RIC. how important is power when when trimming grass and weeds?

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Power can be very important depending on what you are trimming and choice of machine can be important if you are going to want to use blade attachments and such. The FS-90 and 110 are both I believe solid steel drive shaft trimmers with the 28cc and 31cc engines designed for use with attachments (Metal type cutting tools). The FS-100RX is a 31cc with what they refer to as there Flex Cable I believe, that's why the difference in weight and its uses are basically that of a string trimming. The other thing you need to know if you're not aware is that all three Stihl units are the 4 stroke units (4Mix) single cylinder four stroke engine with gasoil lubrication and which is a more powerful engine than the conventional two stoke engine IMO.

I can tell you that I used the Echo SRM-210 and the PE-200 for the first two years in the business and they were good solid units and still run today but after that two years I seen a loss in power and that's when I turn to Stihl and there 4mix units and never looked back and that was 5 years ago and they have never let me down and still have the power they did when new.

Ric said:

Power can be very important depending on what you are trimming and choice of machine can be important if you are going to want to use blade attachments and such. The FS-90 and 110 are both I believe solid shaft trimmers with the 28cc and 31cc engines designed for use with attachments (Metal type cutting tools). The FS-100RX is a 31cc with what they refer to as there Flex Cable I believe, that's why the difference in weight and its uses are basically that of a string trimming. The other thing you need to know if you're not aware is that all three Stihl units are the 4 stroke units (4Mix) single cylinder four stroke engine with gasoil lubrication and which is a more powerful engine than the conventional two stoke engine IMO.

I can tell you that I used the Echo SRM-210 and the PE-200 for the first two years in the business and they were good solid units and still run today but after that two years I seen a loss in power and that's when I turn to Stihl and there 4mix units and never looked back and that was 5 years ago and they have never let me down and still have the power they did when new.

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That is very helpful. Yes I have a 4 stroke blower (BR 600) I believe. My current trimmer is a 29cc craftsman that I bought before I knew anything about trimmers etc. it's so heavy too, my arms are hurting from trimming for 2 hours last Sunday. I'm not sure I understand the Flex cable thing though.

Bomba said:

That is very helpful. Yes I have a 4 stroke blower (BR 600) I believe. My current trimmer is a 29cc craftsman that I bought before I knew anything about trimmers etc. it's so heavy too, my arms are hurting from trimming for 2 hours last Sunday. I'm not sure I understand the Flex cable thing though.

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Correction, that trimmer is a 19cc.

Bomba said:

That is very helpful. Yes I have a 4 stroke blower (BR 600) I believe. My current trimmer is a 29cc craftsman that I bought before I knew anything about trimmers etc. it's so heavy too, my arms are hurting from trimming for 2 hours last Sunday. I'm not sure I understand the Flex cable thing though.

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The Flex cable thing means what it says. The drive shaft is going to be a layered cable not a steel shaft. Everything Echo makes with the exception of there 266-S and the 280-S is a 4 layer cable drive.

Ric said:

The Flex cable thing means what it says. The drive shaft is going to be a layered cable not a steel shaft. Everything Echo makes with the exception of there 266-S and the 280-S is a 4 layer cable drive.

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Ok I see what you mean. Stihl and Echo seem to be the top two trimmers on the market.

Bomba said:

Ok I see what you mean. Stihl and Echo seem to be the top two trimmers on the market.

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IMO they are! :thumbsup:

Bomba said:

Ok I see what you mean. Stihl and Echo seem to be the top two trimmers on the market.

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lawn mower fanatic said:

IMO they are! :thumbsup:

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I would say that Stihl and Echo have the Market cornered but there are others out there that are good machines as well, like Husqvarna, Kawasaki is up and coming with there hand held equipment. There just a little harder to find because of the lack of dealers.

You may wanna go with a km90r and get the trimmer attachment it is a little over price range with taxes though but worth it or the fs90r both are great :thumbsup:

Haha FANATIC I know you love those brands. I went to my Stihl dealer yesterday, I think I like the FS130R. I particularly like the low vibration feature, and it has more power. Also works well with a brush blade.

Ric said:

I would say that Stihl and Echo have the Market cornered but there are others out there that are good machines as well, like Husqvarna, Kawasaki is up and coming with there hand held equipment. There just a little harder to find because of the lack of dealers.

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You have an Echo, right?

Bomba said:

You have an Echo, right?

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I have the Echo SRM210 and a PE200 but they are both retired. The only Echo I currently use is the BRD 280. All my trimmers, edgers, hedge trimmers, blowers,and saws are Stihl units you can see the models in my signature.

Ric said:

I have the Echo SRM210 and a PE200 but they are both retired. The only Echo I currently use is the BRD 280. All my trimmers, edgers, hedge trimmers, blowers,and saws are Stihl units you can see the models in my signature.

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Yes I tried to open your pics up but can't.

Bomba said:

Yes I tried to open your pics up but can't.

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You should be able to open any of my albums, they are all listed as public. Which did you try opening.

Ric said:

You should be able to open any of my albums, they are all listed as public. Which did you try opening.

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Every album says "This photo set contains no Photos" right after I click on it.

Ric said:

You should be able to open any of my albums, they are all listed as public. Which did you try opening.

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I can't open anybody's pics I've just realized. I'm viewing thru the iPad app.

I've made up my mind! I'm going with the FS 110R.

Bomba said:

I've made up my mind! I'm going with the FS 110R.

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Good Choice :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

K-Pro-Mowing said:

Good Choice :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

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Thanks! Picking it up next week from dealer. Looking forward to Feeling all that power! I hope the lower vibration is true.

Bomba said:

Thanks! Picking it up next week from dealer. Looking forward to Feeling all that power! I hope the lower vibration is true.

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I have the km 90r and have used the fs 130 they don vibrate that much at all :thumbsup:

K-Pro-Mowing said:

I have the km 90r and have used the fs 130 they don vibrate that much at all :thumbsup:

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Thanks K Pro. I hope not. Question: What is the "handle" with a grip between the loop handle and the throttle trigger on those trimmers? You know it's black hard plastic and rotates around the shaft.

Bomba said:

Thanks K Pro. I hope not. Question: What is the "handle" with a grip between the loop handle and the throttle trigger on those trimmers? You know it's black hard plastic and rotates around the shaft.

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please will you be more detailed :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Bomba said:

Thanks K Pro. I hope not. Question: What is the "handle" with a grip between the loop handle and the throttle trigger on those trimmers? You know it's black hard plastic and rotates around the shaft.

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K-Pro-Mowing said:

please will you be more detailed :thumbsup::thumbsup:

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Are you talking about either one of these?

lawn mower fanatic said:

Are you talking about either one of these?
<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13288"/>

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Right between where u have circled

lawn mower fanatic said:

Are you talking about either one of these?
<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13288"/>

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The cylindrical thing with ridges running through it.

Bomba said:

Right between where u have circled

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Bomba said:

The cylindrical thing with ridges running through it.

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Oh! To me it looks like a grip so you can carry your trimmer to where you want to go with one hand....that is where I hold my trimmer when I want to go somewhere, but mine is just bare metal there.

lawn mower fanatic said:

Oh! To me it looks like a grip so you can carry your trimmer to where you want to go with one hand....that is where I hold my trimmer when I want to go somewhere, but mine is just bare metal there.

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Maybe that's it. It does move when you grab it there and I can't think of another reason for it to be there. Can't wait to get it next week and feel the power!!

Yep its an extra grip.