Trimmer Shopping

Lloyd_Swartz

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I just took back a 9 month old Stihl FS55R that NEVER started for me, flooded every time and left a nice letter to give the thing back to Stihl. Stihl has an epic problem with there new impossible to start carbs. I did plenty of research before throwing away 300.00, but it did not help because the same model # had been given this new carb.

So, I am looking again for a reliable trimmer for mild usage, willing to look at 2cyl or 4. Any suggestions?
 

BKBrown

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Sorry to hear that about any Stihl ! Let us know how the company deals with the problem !

I have the KM90 Kombi head and a few attachments - It ALWAYS starts on the 1st or 2nd pull.
 

Lloyd_Swartz

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There is no more dealing, I abandoned the POS at the dealer. I talked to a Stihl tech guy last month when I got up the nerve to try and start it again, and basically they give you the same line about the new carb being hard to start, and being very careful, using specific steps(that rarely work) and once it floods to pull the spark plug, dump all the fuel out of the cylinder, and repeat. Finally the spark plug hole stripped out, because aluminum blocks are not meant for you to keep pulling the plug.

This is the type of design flaw where they put it on you for not knowing how to start power equipment. I am the wrong guy to pull that on after starting at age 11 with a lawn care business, and 16 more years in construction....

Its really crazy. I will let it sit after flooding, and come out later and the fuel tank is half empty with fuel all over the ground. It litterally sypons fuel constantly once you pull the cord. I have been through 3 gallons of fuel and used the thing 3 or 4 times for 20 min. Thats Green for sure :laughing:
 

Lloyd_Swartz

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Well I picked up the Hitachi. 7 year warranty is impresive. Intial impressions, not as smooth idling as the Stihl, and vibrates more. Power about the same. But it STARTS! I braced myself against a wall, prepared to pull 100X with all my might and it fired up in two quick pulls :laughing: For some reason it cuts MUCH better and MUCH smoother. I was able to trim around delicate saplings that I would have never done with the Stihl, no idea why. The string lasts longer and does not slip back into the head like the Stihl either. So....lets see how it does long-term. But atleast I can start it.
 

reddragon

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that sucks!....i have a stihl fs45 and it is touchy!.. but doesnt quit on me....i fixed a neighbors fs55 and found a bad carb diaphram....that was probably your issue....damn stihl for not providing better customer service!....thats unacceptable!..........well at least you found one that works for you:thumbsup:
 

Lloyd_Swartz

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So scared about starting, I fired up the Hitachi again today for some weeds. You can start it with one pull if quick enough with the choke. What a difference. Wonder what Stihl will think when the store hands them a brand new trimmer that the owner thought had 0 value and gave it to them to re-engineer :laughing: (they called me today)
 

Lloyd_Swartz

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Sorry, the dealer. For some reason the main repair guy came in. I had taken back 5 times prior. Each time they un-flooded it, pulled it 10-50 times and started it. Of course as soon as I get home, no start.
 

BKBrown

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I am personally an old grouch when it comes to getting a company to honor warranty and (defective) equipment. I keep after them by web contact and phone contact until something gets done ----- you should be able to return the unit for a refund or trade it in on a model that will start !

Now that you have another brand, you probably don't need another trimmer.

I'd also mention that you are on this Forum and will keep everyone here informed how Stihl supports their products ! 10 to 50 pulls is NOT what it should take to start a new trimmer.
 
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