I love my stihl km131R but the best trimmer I got my go to is a shindaiwa M262 multi tool that I have the edger attachment to and hedge trimmers and same with the stihl for the edger attachment but go to is shindaiwa M262
I love my stihl km131R but the best trimmer I got my go to is a shindaiwa M262 multi tool that I have the edger attachment to and hedge trimmers and same with the stihl for the edger attachment but go to is shindaiwa M262
My Stihl trimmer is 12 years old. Starts easily year after year. Gets used weekly during the summer months JB and I am grateful that I bought it. Nothing else has even come close. Loved your edging techniques dear friend. Gotta try them out next time I fire up. Hit that LIKE button friends. Best way to spend a Saturday morning...learning from our friend JB @GarageGear!
ROCK ON JOE! That’s awesome the trimmer is working great for you even after all these years! Give those edging methods a shot! You’ll be surprised how good everything looks when you’re done! Send some pics my way if you want! 👍
I just got the fs38 and man i love that thing, i know its bottom of the line stihl but regardless she easily cuts the lawns im working with daily. I have high hopes this thing will last long even used in commercial way as long as i treat her right always!
This thing is a beast. I’d owned a few $99 and similar models of Lowe’s residential trimmers. Now having 3 properties, I decided I was gonna step up a bit. I believe the list on this was $399, but I got it on sale for $299. Damn, I love this bad boy. I also bought the separate auto feed head, and love that too. I run Trufuel in mine and will never mix my own fuel. I want the peace of mind of knowing I’ve got a quality high octane ethanol free fuel. Right up there with the best money I ever spent. Now I need a good chainsaw. It’s gonna be a Stihl.
This is a great machine / price point for large and experienced homeowners, and a new commercial users. Stepping up to the FS91/FS94 is a massive jump in power that's just not necessary for homeowners unless you have lots of brush. It's also a large step up in price. PS. I oddly like that the carrying handle spins. When I'm walking back to the truck from a long property, I like that the machine settles down and it's natural balancing point. You can also slide The carrying handle forward or backwards a little bit to balance the machine depending on how full of gas or trimmer line it is.
I’ve had a Stihl FS85 r for 18 years and this trimmer has been a beast. I’ve had to replace the muffler about 7 years ago for a newer style with a replaceable screen. Then last year I had to add a new coil. Other than those to minor issues this has been rock solid.
I, for one, would love to see the reloading the line video. I have a 20 year old Echo that runs like a top, can't hurt it. But I use a fixed-line head because the last bump-feed I got was smashed to bits by a user who was frustrated with his inability to reload the head and get smooth feed again. That user was ME. And I went back to fixed line, but that's not ideal with all the chain link fencing I have to work around.
Have you tried the Echo Speed Feed 400 head? You can load them in less than 5 minutes without taking the head apart. I've got em on all four of my weedeaters. 2 Echo's and 2 Husqvarna's. Put some on some Stihl's as well. I've been using em for 5+ years without any issues. Don't get the Speed Feed 500 head. It's got some issues and Echo is aware of it. It was supposed to be an upgraded version of the 400 but something metal inside the head, (upgrade), gets too hot and melts the line under heavy use, (Commercial use), and makes the line stick.
@@rutbuster1 I think that was the one I tried that ended in pieces when I'd had enough of it. The issue with the reload was that the line from each side didn't stay in its respective channel on the spool. That's kind of why I thought a good video on reloading it might make it worthwhile to try again. It was awesome when I was using the factory pre-loaded line, but as soon as I had to reload it, disaster.
@@misterh1 It's simple, but like all things you have to learn the trick. When I first got one and had to reload it I was working against it. Tben a lightbulb went off. Been using em ever since.
Couple of things I didn’t like about that switch….. In certain positions while trimming, I would turn it off. I then would have to get out of the ditch to restart. The harness they include sucks. I purchased a harness that goes around both shoulders off Amozan. Once I set the straps to the right length, then I’m comfortable for those long jobs. I leave the guard on. And I have the Echo brand. Nothing wrong with the Stihl, but I have been buying Echo for the last seven years. Try demoing different harnesses. Great video!!!!
Great video, I’m retired and live in the mountains of northern Idaho I sold all my stihl professional gas attachments to their professional AP battery Kombi line and their AP lawn mower. I used two AP batteries with their quick charger super fast, powerful. They have two batteries types AP and the AK the AP professional line, This is a thousand plus charge cycle battery verses the AK Battery line So Stihl considers this to be a 500 charge cycle battery because of the 6 to 7 months of winter when I store it I don’t have to worry about the carburetor and starting problems with fuel going bad. I’ve been mowing for over 50 years I recommend using only the best equipment for the best efficiency it will save you time and money in the long run !!
I have the FS 56 RC-E...the E supposedly meaning "easy-start", but having no others to compare it to I don't know if it actually is or not, lol. I did change out the heads as I don't care for the bump-feed heads. In Europe they come standard with an auto-feed head, the Stihl Super Cut 20.2 as opposed to the ones 25.2's that come standard on US models. I bought the supercut head and never even tried the 25.2 head that came with mine...it's up in a cupboard somewhere. It's a great trimmer for my needs. Our local ACE has an attached shop for mowers, trimmers, etc. and they are the Stihl dealers here. They'll unbox one and build it right in front of you and test fire it to make sure everything is in order. So, yeah, all my 2 cycle equipment is Stihl, lol.
your easy is start is actually easy start, pull the recoil cord all the way out but pull slowly. then let completly go and the cord ripping back into the engine will start it. i just learned this but my trimmer doesnt have these features
We have several of the same pieces of equipment. Similar taste in quality I guess. Honda HRX217 -not the hydrostatic, Unfortunately. (I think that was a Neighbors near you) I Have the McClane edger with a Honda GX 120 and I have had the FS70 for a few years now and love it. Just bought the FS 251 R today because I need a little more power for big brush clearing and don't want to wear out my 70 prematurely. Ferris FW15 and also just added a DR Pro XL 30. (used for the first time today) That thing rips! Love the channel. Cheers
The FS70r is a pretty good trimmer but for the price difference, go for the FS91r. Where I am, the 70r is $400 while the 91r is $450. The 91r has full commercial engine, solid steel shaft, and next to little vibrations. You can also convert the 91r to a brush cutter. Finally, it also has a lot more torque. I've had the 91R for a year. Fantastic trimmer....easy starts, lots of torque, and very little vibrations. For a homeowner,
I’ve had a Stihl FS70R for about 5yrs. It’s been great. 2 mods I did, I put the Echo Soeed feed head on to install line easier and I drilled & tapped a small hole near the gearbox where the head attaches and added a grease fitting since there isn’t one. 👍🏻
I have a problem with my Black n Decker GH 2000 string trimmer. I bought all new trimmer housing and spool. I had 30 feet of .080 string in the spool and I keep using all the string in about ten minutes. I don't understand why, Can you help me with the problem, the motor runs great and I would hate to throw it away for the small lawn I have.
@@larrysaganski9682 sounds like something is wrong with the spring mechanism holding the line and it’s constantly feeding it out. I’d have to see it in person to better analyze the problem.
my concerns are no access like my fs 55 has to lubricating the head and I may be wrong here but it seems the spark arrestor is less accessible and the trimmer will bog down after time and use if it is not cleaned regularly... other wise I love my Stihl products, (aforementioned trimmer and an ms 362 chainsaw)
I agree with you on the grease point. But on my fs 70 r anyway, if you remove the gearbox, where the drive shaft enters is hollow and leads straight to the ring gear. So grease can be added through there and is what I've been doing annually.
Hello I'm just wondering if you have had any experience with the Stihl FS 55? I want to start a grass cutting side business for summer, but I only have £300 to get me started, any advice?
Hey my friend! Stihl makes great products you won’t go wrong with that trimmer. I would also no rule out the echo SRM 225. I believe it’s $250 and a very durable trimmer too!
I find your reviews entertaining and informative. I would love to see a comparison video of this trimmer vs the equivalent Echo. I’m sure that would be helpful to folks trying to decide which one to buy.
JB… do you find that gas trimmers tear the grass blade less because they potentially spin at a higher rpm? I have an Ego and love its convenience but it trashes the grass blades. So my lawn looks like it has a clean cut except around the beds and edges. It’s annoying. Could go the rotary scissor route but that’s yet another tool to maintain and not a cheap one. Thoughts?
Hey DMC! Most trimmers rip the grass blades rather than tear it. I would look at your line though. Better line has more cutting edges to it. This helps it slice better. May be doing a comparison later on about this in the summer!
I just bought the FS91, the FS70 was in the consideration I just wanted to be able to put on the wood blade. That's why the FS91 won. What a tank 2 to 3 pulls for a cold start. With the 0.95 line I cut knee high grass and even a few woody stemmed bushes. I'm going to knock out that green belt in no time.
I've been on the fence , to either purchase , straight shaft . I currently use curve shaft . back is killing me . either echo, or stihle. echo $239 @ home depot , about the same at local dealer . however they showed me a 90 or 91 . idk .
Good stuff, JB. I have had my ECHO SRM-230 for 20 years now, and I'll probably have it until I kick the bucket. Lol But I have also had my Stihl 024 AV "Wood Boss" chainsaw since 1992, and it STIHL runs like the day I bought it. Lol Stihl makes some awesome machines. And really do like that momentary kill switch. I was laughing when you said that you had forgotten to pop the kill switch in the past. Me? Guilty as HELL on that! 🤣 Keep up the GREAT vids, my brother!!
Stihl knows how to make them! I bet that chainsaw is an absolute BEAST! Would love to try it out! You can put that chainsaw and echo in your will! I’m getting buried with my JD Mower, echo 770 blower and Mclane edger! lol! Everyone is guilty of not resetting that switch! Thanks for watching bud!
Stihl dealer told me years ago taking the shield off throws the trimmer balance out of whack because if longer line is out, it will put the gearbox out of balance effectively killing the bearings prematurely, and since it is not serviceable, that’s gear grind ability!
Stihl is definitely one of the best lawn and garden products JB! Definitely shield on. I see many professional landscapers going without. Fully assembled...hmmm. you get your whole property done on a single tank of fuel? Great review as always JB! Sup for the weekend?
Hey Jay! Yep got it at bison turf on transit! All set up and ready to rip! I didn’t even use half a tank! When I do maintenance trimmings weekly I don’t use much gas! Busy weekend opening the pool. How about you?
Bison Turf are good people. They also sell Smokin Brothers pellet grills. Made in USA!! I've referred some friends of mine to them. Just gonna run some errands, and grill some steaks later. Probably sip a little bourbon too 😅. Good luck opening the pool. Gonna be used soon I suspect. Enjoy the weekend my friend!
Not at the moment Chad.! Did some products in the past and viewers didn’t show interest. The videos themselves didn’t pull any views either. Followers of this channel like gas content better.
@@GarageGear I'll take a look at the old videos (didn't go that far), but mainly because some cities are banning gas powered devices, and in my neighborhood houses are built in each other lap it didn't make sense to buy gas powered mower, trimmer, blower and snow thrower, of course after getting almost two feet of snow in a week this winter both batteries died on my thrower and that's when I was introduced to your channel, I followed your advice and switched to Ariens (less than 6 inches since 😂)
@@chadialhajkadour7198 yep! batteries are good for certain situations and circumstances but they are not the end all be all. Cutting gas out entirely doesn’t help those with larger lawns. Thanks for being a cool fan bud!
Hey George haven’t tested that model out so I cannot say much other than a neighbor of mine has a battery stihl trimmer and likes it. Thanks for watching
@GarageGear hay I have a problem I bought 2 toro lawn mower blades 22 inch I believe. For my toro super recycler, and I have to Sharpen. The blades 4 times a summer Could? It be bad metal
@@georgemusselman5591 will do George! I do t think so! It usually comes down to what you’re mowing and how much you’re mowing. Are you mowing a lot of dirt covered areas or sandy areas? This can lead to premature wear
@GarageGear I live in pa Carlisle pa 17013 right of RT 34 at the base of the mountain. All grass I thought it might be bad metal,because I can't keep a Edge. . Also I live in a trailer park and every year I get 8 YARDS YES 8 YARD OF Mushroom soil.man does that stuff make grass and plants 🪴 grow.. I get it from an Amish guy. Lol 😆
I have a Stihl KM56 Kombi, that has performed beyond my expectations. Almost have all the attchments. I also have an old FS 130 that's a monster of trimmer, & continues to run flawless after many yeara of service.
Bought an Echo SRM 2100 in Webster NY in 1997 still using that string trimmer on 4 acres… it’s only had nonethanol, I removed the cover and run the thickest line on it that I can, gearbox oil once a year and lubricate the shaft once a year, I precut my line to 9 inches tie a knot in it thread it thru and with the thick line it lets me do the whole 4 acres in one shot rather than messing with a feeding head and wasting line as always great video
I just took my guard off for the first time the other day. It did a fast job but wasn't worth the pain from rocks and twigs. It is already back on... Thanks great videos..
I bought an FS70 two years ago. I wish I had purchased an Echo trimmer instead. Warranty service was non existent at the ranch supply I purchased from. Finally runs decently after installing an after marker carburetor. Even the darn clutch had to be taken apart and greased with high temperature grease after it started squealing. The clutch problem is a faulty design from seeing other RUclipsrs. This is not a quality product.
I say a big yes to a video about reloading the string trimmer. What a royal PIA!! Great review, JB. I have an older Stihl that keeps going strong. I sure wish it had some of these features, like the auto choke turnoff.
Hey Jordan! They put the 91 on sale right after I bought mine. The 91R has a bigger more powerful engine. And a bigger gas tank. That’s about it. If you need the power or longer run time go for it. 👍
5:15: I'm filing for copyright on that joke! 🤣 Although I probably should have said "grass" instead of "weeds" because you don't have any weeds in your lawn, JB! Thanks for the shoutout! Also, for the record, shield on!
Hahaha do what you gotta do my friend! 😂Appreciate the assist on that one! You got it Mace! A lot of people are saying shield on at the moment. Got either an hour meter video or a Honda/ariens comparison video coming up. Let me know if you got any zingers for those! 👍👍
@@The_Mace actually shifted a little with the plan. Honda hrn vs Honda HRX for next weekend. Think it over! Let me know if you got anything! Thanks mace!
I love my stihl km131R but the best trimmer I got my go to is a shindaiwa M262 multi tool that I have the edger attachment to and hedge trimmers and same with the stihl for the edger attachment but go to is shindaiwa M262
I have the same unit. Overall love it. Just don't touch the spark plug boot. The wire attaches to the boot with a miserable little friction tab and if you touch it there is no way it is going back together again. I love working with the tool. Can't get the bump head to work well to save my life. End up walking around the yard with a screw driver in my pocket to take the cover off and feed the line out manually.
Hey YX! I did a survey a few months back and the winner was stihl for a new trimmer. Figured I’d give them a shot. Clearly there seems to be many more echo fans here though! Thanks for watching
I have a Husqvarna 130C it’s a curved shaft trimmer which is better for me because I’m not very tall. It has a 28cc engine and it’s pretty powerful. I took down very tall and thick grass with it and barely bogs. Only issue is it has a recall for magneto wiring possibly causing a fire….. this sthil does look like a very premium trimmer though.
Guard on... the knife in the guard keeps the string from becoming too long. Excessively long string will cause significant physical wear to the machine.... especially on the smaller trimmers. On that note, there is also such a thing as too much trimmer... I've got an FS130R and use it with string, brush blades, weed blades, edge redefiner, hard edger, and articulating hedge clipper heads. I swap heads, and guards for the task. it's not a combi. With string it's also too much machine for basic grass trimming... heavy and more often than not the engine is lugging when trimming grass. Something like the 70 is a reasonable choice... On the other end of the spectrum, I also use a Stihl battery trimmer and it's fine for trimming grass but nothing else. I prefer the 2 stroke and 4 mix professional level machines to the battery stuff...
Man dude, I feel like I just hit the jack pot of a wealth of information. Your videos are awesome - I will be watching for advice and feed back. Thanks for your honest opinions. Shields up and on! LOL!
I’ve had this trimmer for 2yrs now and put it through the ringer and it starts every time with no issues. I use it for professional use. And shield on. Those pebbles to the face hurt lol
Their saws and trimmers are hands down some of the best tool ever in my opinion. The only knock is the chainsaw bar oil leak that seems to be a common thing but freakin reliable and well built stuff
Hey chuck the pool takes up most of the back yard. We have some gardens around the back corner. Not much grass back there but I have used it for some videos in the past!
I owned that trimmer. I got it from the Co-op for $269.99. 4 years ago. I still have it. 4 years later the price went up to $319.99. 4 years ago it was $270 and 4 years later it cost $320.
Here is a LINK to some Stihl Pro Trimmer Line! Thank you for supporting the channel! 👍
👉 amzn.to/3QQXcp0
I love my stihl km131R but the best trimmer I got my go to is a shindaiwa M262 multi tool that I have the edger attachment to and hedge trimmers and same with the stihl for the edger attachment but go to is shindaiwa M262
I love my stihl km131R but the best trimmer I got my go to is a shindaiwa M262 multi tool that I have the edger attachment to and hedge trimmers and same with the stihl for the edger attachment but go to is shindaiwa M262
My Stihl trimmer is 12 years old. Starts easily year after year. Gets used weekly during the summer months JB and I am grateful that I bought it. Nothing else has even come close. Loved your edging techniques dear friend. Gotta try them out next time I fire up.
Hit that LIKE button friends. Best way to spend a Saturday morning...learning from our friend JB @GarageGear!
ROCK ON JOE! That’s awesome the trimmer is working great for you even after all these years! Give those edging methods a shot! You’ll be surprised how good everything looks when you’re done! Send some pics my way if you want! 👍
I just got the fs38 and man i love that thing, i know its bottom of the line stihl but regardless she easily cuts the lawns im working with daily. I have high hopes this thing will last long even used in commercial way as long as i treat her right always!
@@GFYM1738 treat her right and she’ll treat you right!👍
This thing is a beast. I’d owned a few $99 and similar models of Lowe’s residential trimmers. Now having 3 properties, I decided I was gonna step up a bit. I believe the list on this was $399, but I got it on sale for $299. Damn, I love this bad boy. I also bought the separate auto feed head, and love that too. I run Trufuel in mine and will never mix my own fuel. I want the peace of mind of knowing I’ve got a quality high octane ethanol free fuel. Right up there with the best money I ever spent. Now I need a good chainsaw. It’s gonna be a Stihl.
@@melodymakermark awesome mark! This trimmer is definitely a beast!
This is a great machine / price point for large and experienced homeowners, and a new commercial users.
Stepping up to the FS91/FS94 is a massive jump in power that's just not necessary for homeowners unless you have lots of brush. It's also a large step up in price.
PS. I oddly like that the carrying handle spins. When I'm walking back to the truck from a long property, I like that the machine settles down and it's natural balancing point. You can also slide The carrying handle forward or backwards a little bit to balance the machine depending on how full of gas or trimmer line it is.
Thanks for sharing this my friend! 👍👍👍
I’ve had a Stihl FS85 r for 18 years and this trimmer has been a beast. I’ve had to replace the muffler about 7 years ago for a newer style with a replaceable screen. Then last year I had to add a new coil. Other than those to minor issues this has been rock solid.
ROCK ON DAN! You’re right these trimmers are beasts! 👍
I, for one, would love to see the reloading the line video. I have a 20 year old Echo that runs like a top, can't hurt it. But I use a fixed-line head because the last bump-feed I got was smashed to bits by a user who was frustrated with his inability to reload the head and get smooth feed again. That user was ME. And I went back to fixed line, but that's not ideal with all the chain link fencing I have to work around.
Hey misterh1 I’ll be doing a video on this shortly! Stay tuned! 👍
Have you tried the Echo Speed Feed 400 head? You can load them in less than 5 minutes without taking the head apart. I've got em on all four of my weedeaters. 2 Echo's and 2 Husqvarna's. Put some on some Stihl's as well. I've been using em for 5+ years without any issues. Don't get the Speed Feed 500 head. It's got some issues and Echo is aware of it. It was supposed to be an upgraded version of the 400 but something metal inside the head, (upgrade), gets too hot and melts the line under heavy use, (Commercial use), and makes the line stick.
@@rutbuster1 good to know. I’ll look into it
@@rutbuster1 I think that was the one I tried that ended in pieces when I'd had enough of it. The issue with the reload was that the line from each side didn't stay in its respective channel on the spool. That's kind of why I thought a good video on reloading it might make it worthwhile to try again. It was awesome when I was using the factory pre-loaded line, but as soon as I had to reload it, disaster.
@@misterh1 It's simple, but like all things you have to learn the trick. When I first got one and had to reload it I was working against it. Tben a lightbulb went off. Been using em ever since.
Couple of things I didn’t like about that switch….. In certain positions while trimming, I would turn it off. I then would have to get out of the ditch to restart. The harness they include sucks. I purchased a harness that goes around both shoulders off Amozan. Once I set the straps to the right length, then I’m comfortable for those long jobs. I leave the guard on. And I have the Echo brand. Nothing wrong with the Stihl, but I have been buying Echo for the last seven years. Try demoing different harnesses. Great video!!!!
Thanks for sharing this with the community tim! 👍
Where in the world do you store all this equipment JB! 😂
My garage is EXPLODING! Lol
@@GarageGear 😂😂😂
Great video, I’m retired and live in the mountains of northern Idaho I sold all my stihl professional gas attachments to their professional AP battery Kombi line and their AP lawn mower. I used two AP batteries with their quick charger super fast, powerful. They have two batteries types AP and the AK the AP professional line, This is a thousand plus charge cycle battery verses the AK Battery line So Stihl considers this to be a 500 charge cycle battery because of the 6 to 7 months of winter when I store it I don’t have to worry about the carburetor and starting problems with fuel going bad. I’ve been mowing for over 50 years I recommend using only the best equipment for the best efficiency it will save you time and money in the long run !!
Thanks for sharing and watching tbach
I have the FS 56 RC-E...the E supposedly meaning "easy-start", but having no others to compare it to I don't know if it actually is or not, lol. I did change out the heads as I don't care for the bump-feed heads. In Europe they come standard with an auto-feed head, the Stihl Super Cut 20.2 as opposed to the ones 25.2's that come standard on US models. I bought the supercut head and never even tried the 25.2 head that came with mine...it's up in a cupboard somewhere. It's a great trimmer for my needs. Our local ACE has an attached shop for mowers, trimmers, etc. and they are the Stihl dealers here. They'll unbox one and build it right in front of you and test fire it to make sure everything is in order. So, yeah, all my 2 cycle equipment is Stihl, lol.
Awesome Rebel! Thanks for sharing!
your easy is start is actually easy start, pull the recoil cord all the way out but pull slowly. then let completly go and the cord ripping back into the engine will start it. i just learned this but my trimmer doesnt have these features
We have several of the same pieces of equipment. Similar taste in quality I guess. Honda HRX217 -not the hydrostatic, Unfortunately. (I think that was a Neighbors near you) I Have the McClane edger with a Honda GX 120 and I have had the FS70 for a few years now and love it. Just bought the FS 251 R today because I need a little more power for big brush clearing and don't want to wear out my 70 prematurely. Ferris FW15 and also just added a DR Pro XL 30. (used for the first time today) That thing rips! Love the channel. Cheers
ROCK ON GAUGE! Great minds think alike! Appreciate you bud!
The FS70r is a pretty good trimmer but for the price difference, go for the FS91r. Where I am, the 70r is $400 while the 91r is $450. The 91r has full commercial engine, solid steel shaft, and next to little vibrations. You can also convert the 91r to a brush cutter. Finally, it also has a lot more torque. I've had the 91R for a year. Fantastic trimmer....easy starts, lots of torque, and very little vibrations. For a homeowner,
Thanks for sharing Joe! Stihl makes some great equipment
i would love the 91 but i already have a heavy power husky the 2lb difference on my 10 hour trimming job will make a huge difference
@@blankblank224 could always trade up
I’ve had a Stihl FS70R for about 5yrs. It’s been great. 2 mods I did, I put the Echo Soeed feed head on to install line easier and I drilled & tapped a small hole near the gearbox where the head attaches and added a grease fitting since there isn’t one. 👍🏻
Wow awesome my friend! That’s great! 👍
Shield always on
Shields are in the lead! 👍
I have a problem with my Black n Decker GH 2000 string trimmer. I bought all new trimmer housing and spool. I had 30 feet of .080 string in the spool and I keep using all the string in about ten minutes. I don't understand why, Can you help me with the problem, the motor runs great and I would hate to throw it away for the small lawn I have.
@@larrysaganski9682 sounds like something is wrong with the spring mechanism holding the line and it’s constantly feeding it out. I’d have to see it in person to better analyze the problem.
my concerns are no access like my fs 55 has to lubricating the head and I may be wrong here but it seems the spark arrestor is less accessible and the trimmer will bog down after time and use if it is not cleaned regularly... other wise I love my Stihl products, (aforementioned trimmer and an ms 362 chainsaw)
I agree with you on the grease point. But on my fs 70 r anyway, if you remove the gearbox, where the drive shaft enters is hollow and leads straight to the ring gear. So grease can be added through there and is what I've been doing annually.
@@aaronpowell4885 thanks good to know
Good points here Michael! 👍👍
Hello I'm just wondering if you have had any experience with the Stihl FS 55? I want to start a grass cutting side business for summer, but I only have £300 to get me started, any advice?
Hey my friend! Stihl makes great products you won’t go wrong with that trimmer. I would also no rule out the echo SRM 225. I believe it’s $250 and a very durable trimmer too!
@@GarageGear thank you very much, I will look into them both, I highly appreciate it, and keep up the great videos they are really helpful 💯👍🏼🙂
@@Ooo-when-i-came-down you got it my friend! 👍
I find your reviews entertaining and informative. I would love to see a comparison video of this trimmer vs the equivalent Echo. I’m sure that would be helpful to folks trying to decide which one to buy.
Hey Bobby! I have an srm225 to compare it to. Although I wonder if the next echo up would be a closer comparison
JB… do you find that gas trimmers tear the grass blade less because they potentially spin at a higher rpm? I have an Ego and love its convenience but it trashes the grass blades. So my lawn looks like it has a clean cut except around the beds and edges. It’s annoying. Could go the rotary scissor route but that’s yet another tool to maintain and not a cheap one. Thoughts?
Hey DMC! Most trimmers rip the grass blades rather than tear it. I would look at your line though. Better line has more cutting edges to it. This helps it slice better. May be doing a comparison later on about this in the summer!
I just bought the FS91, the FS70 was in the consideration I just wanted to be able to put on the wood blade. That's why the FS91 won.
What a tank 2 to 3 pulls for a cold start. With the 0.95 line I cut knee high grass and even a few woody stemmed bushes. I'm going to knock out that green belt in no time.
Awesome grunge! Thanks for sharing my friend!
I've been on the fence , to either purchase , straight shaft . I currently use curve shaft . back is killing me .
either echo, or stihle. echo $239 @ home depot , about the same at local dealer . however they showed me a 90 or 91 . idk .
Try Maruyama if you have a dealer nearby…Lightest weight, M-twist (same as speedfeed) & Made In Japan
Can’t go wrong with either my friend! 👍👍
Good stuff, JB. I have had my ECHO SRM-230 for 20 years now, and I'll probably have it until I kick the bucket. Lol
But I have also had my Stihl 024 AV "Wood Boss" chainsaw since 1992, and it STIHL runs like the day I bought it. Lol
Stihl makes some awesome machines. And really do like that momentary kill switch. I was laughing when you said that you had forgotten to pop the kill switch in the past.
Me? Guilty as HELL on that! 🤣
Keep up the GREAT vids, my brother!!
Stihl knows how to make them! I bet that chainsaw is an absolute BEAST! Would love to try it out! You can put that chainsaw and echo in your will! I’m getting buried with my JD Mower, echo 770 blower and Mclane edger! lol! Everyone is guilty of not resetting that switch! Thanks for watching bud!
Stihl dealer told me years ago taking the shield off throws the trimmer balance out of whack because if longer line is out, it will put the gearbox out of balance effectively killing the bearings prematurely, and since it is not serviceable, that’s gear grind ability!
Thanks for sharing this with the community keith!
Shield off! Enjoy your videos! 👍🏻🇺🇸
Hey jeeptj! Shield off is catching up! Appreciate you bud!
Stihl is definitely one of the best lawn and garden products JB! Definitely shield on. I see many professional landscapers going without. Fully assembled...hmmm. you get your whole property done on a single tank of fuel? Great review as always JB! Sup for the weekend?
Hey Jay! Yep got it at bison turf on transit! All set up and ready to rip! I didn’t even use half a tank! When I do maintenance trimmings weekly I don’t use much gas! Busy weekend opening the pool. How about you?
Bison Turf are good people. They also sell Smokin Brothers pellet grills. Made in USA!! I've referred some friends of mine to them. Just gonna run some errands, and grill some steaks later. Probably sip a little bourbon too 😅. Good luck opening the pool. Gonna be used soon I suspect. Enjoy the weekend my friend!
@@jaybooth4815 back at ya Jay!
I just bought this used off a guy who barely used it. But he's missing the trim line deflector. Any idea where I can pick one up
@@poolplexer pretty sure you can get these parts at a lock dealer or online on Amazon/ebay.
Do you have plans to review battery powered devices?
Not at the moment Chad.! Did some products in the past and viewers didn’t show interest. The videos themselves didn’t pull any views either. Followers of this channel like gas content better.
@@GarageGear I'll take a look at the old videos (didn't go that far), but mainly because some cities are banning gas powered devices, and in my neighborhood houses are built in each other lap it didn't make sense to buy gas powered mower, trimmer, blower and snow thrower, of course after getting almost two feet of snow in a week this winter both batteries died on my thrower and that's when I was introduced to your channel, I followed your advice and switched to Ariens (less than 6 inches since 😂)
@@chadialhajkadour7198 yep! batteries are good for certain situations and circumstances but they are not the end all be all. Cutting gas out entirely doesn’t help those with larger lawns. Thanks for being a cool fan bud!
IMO, there's instances where shield off has it's advantages but for the most part, I'm a shield on guy👍🏻
Thanks for sharing Aaron! 👍👍
Is this a professional grade trimmer?
Oh yeah.
Thank you for the video JB!
You got it Sebastian! Thanks for watching
Stihl is hands down the best !
They make some great stuff!
I got the fs70R for my business and been running it for about a year with no issues. And shield off all day lol
Appreciate you sharing Jim!
TY for Sharing
Appreciate you watching Ken! Have a great weekend bud!
What about the battery operated model
Hey George haven’t tested that model out so I cannot say much other than a neighbor of mine has a battery stihl trimmer and likes it. Thanks for watching
@GarageGear I had bought one and it's great hay KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK 👍 ( U.S.ARMY 14 YRS )
@GarageGear hay I have a problem I bought 2 toro lawn mower blades 22 inch I believe. For my toro super recycler, and I have to Sharpen. The blades 4 times a summer Could? It be bad metal
@@georgemusselman5591 will do George! I do t think so! It usually comes down to what you’re mowing and how much you’re mowing. Are you mowing a lot of dirt covered areas or sandy areas? This can lead to premature wear
@GarageGear I live in pa Carlisle pa 17013 right of RT 34 at the base of the mountain. All grass I thought it might be bad metal,because I can't keep a Edge. . Also I live in a trailer park and every year I get 8 YARDS YES 8 YARD OF Mushroom soil.man does that stuff make grass and plants 🪴 grow.. I get it from an Amish guy. Lol 😆
Shield on.
You wouldn’t be able to watch RUclips videos if it was off… right flint? 😂 lol
@@GarageGear 😂😂
Definitely on. Only have one set of eyes.
One more thing…CRAB GRASS SEEDS!!!!!!!!!
Awesome! Hahaha I save that for the annoying neighbors! 👍
I spent the extra money on the Honda Versa-attach with the 35cc 4 cycle motor… that thing is a rocket!
I bet! Awesome!
I have a Stihl KM56 Kombi, that has performed beyond my expectations. Almost have all the attchments.
I also have an old FS 130 that's a monster of trimmer, & continues to run flawless after many yeara of service.
Thanks for sharing dizzie!
Shield on!
Thanks for sharing UBD
Shield off. That's why God invented safety glasses.
Hahaha true! 👍
compare against fs56rc
I will if I can get my paws on one! 👍
@@GarageGear thanks ! i have the fs56rc and would wanna see the main difference points
Shield on for sure. Don't want 'final destination' shit 😅
@@tejeshthanigavel39 hahahah I agree tejesh
If you can find a Honda hrr216 vka you should try it out mine is 20 years old
I’ll be keeping an eye out
Great review JB. Have a bless weekend 👍🙏👍🙏
Appreciate you Ray! Hope you have an awesome weekend bud! 👍👍
I see you like to grow crab grass too. My lawn is exclusively crab grass.
Hahaha I wouldn’t say I like growing it… at least not in my lawn lol
🚑🚑 shield on but could be smaller...until I take a rock to the shin
That could definitely be an issue!lol
personally, shield off. i’ve also replaced the head for an echo speedfeed.
I was thinking of doing the same thing! 👍
I had to go back and do a doubletake on that photo, lol. It went by so fast I was like..."Did I just see a giant toothbrush on that lawn?" 🤣🤣🤣
Oh yeah lol! That’s a funny pic!
If the filter is wet can you let it dry will that work
@@richlawrence6817 it is wet from fuel or water?
@@GarageGear water
@@richlawrence6817 ok let it dry out in the sun for a few hours and you should be good
@@GarageGear
Oh thanks
Shield on
@@derrickbrown4823 smart move Derrick! Your eyes thank you!
Can I lube my string trimmer gear box and my hedge trimmer with lucas red n tacky #2 ?
I want to say yea but they’re may be specific gear box oil/grease for this. I’ll have to look into this
I purchased the 56RC, waste of money!! Now I own the FS 111rx 👍
Thanks for sharing jose
Off
Thanks for sharing Anthony!
Shield on. Running a professional Lawn care business has showed me anything can happen without that shield🤣 great video JB!
ROCK ON JARED! 👍👍
Maruyama… Light weight, M-twist, Made In Japan & 5 Year commercial warranty.
Thanks for sharing twocycle
I just bought the other day and I’m very disappointed so far. Barely touched the fence or sidewalk and the line rips less than five minutes.
@@yanezdro did you run out of line?
@@yanezdro or did you mean the starting cord?
@@GarageGear I just figured out it was that today😂. Bought the still braided cable and it worked flawlessly
Oregon magnum gator line super twist is the best I've used.... Soak it in a bucket of water for a couple days if it breaks too easily.
@@twocyclesmoke thanks for sharing
Bought an Echo SRM 2100 in Webster NY in 1997 still using that string trimmer on 4 acres… it’s only had nonethanol, I removed the cover and run the thickest line on it that I can, gearbox oil once a year and lubricate the shaft once a year, I precut my line to 9 inches tie a knot in it thread it thru and with the thick line it lets me do the whole 4 acres in one shot rather than messing with a feeding head and wasting line as always great video
Awesome info here Matt! Thanks for sharing
@@GarageGear check out Darwin’s Grip I HIGHLY recommend it especially for big jobs
Never understood why Stihl has like 30 different models of string trimmers.
@@kylecouture1917 yeah they have so many in their line up it’s almost confusing
I just took my guard off for the first time the other day. It did a fast job but wasn't worth the pain from rocks and twigs. It is already back on... Thanks great videos..
Thanks for sharing curt!
Shield on…
I took the shield off to try it without it but I ended up putting it back on
Shield on
Here we go! The great debate is on!
It depends hard on or hard off, if it’s like an echo like my 2320T then guard on but if it’s like a 17 in shield guard off
@@evteamgames thanks for sharing evt
Awesome weed wacker I own one of the same exact model
Awesome! Thanks for sharing
I bought an FS70 two years ago. I wish I had purchased an Echo trimmer instead. Warranty service was non existent at the ranch supply I purchased from. Finally runs decently after installing an after marker carburetor. Even the darn clutch had to be taken apart and greased with high temperature grease after it started squealing. The clutch problem is a faulty design from seeing other RUclipsrs. This is not a quality product.
Thanks for sharing
Guard off or on, off but install an edgit pro. A great accessory for echo and Stijl trimmers. Possible future review?
Love this idea!
I say a big yes to a video about reloading the string trimmer. What a royal PIA!! Great review, JB. I have an older Stihl that keeps going strong. I sure wish it had some of these features, like the auto choke turnoff.
Right On Swampy Yankee! Thanks for watching bud!
The 94r has the upgraded trigger throttle that you were concerned about on the 70r
Thanks for sharing Jonny!👍
I got the fs131 r for my lawn care business last year best purchase ever love it so much and vary good power
Thanks for sharing dakota
Go get a umk435u I love mine I don't need to prime it just choke and pull and off we go
Thanks for sharing Billy!
You recommend this over the FS 91 R, which is 20 bucks less?
Hey Jordan! They put the 91 on sale right after I bought mine. The 91R has a bigger more powerful engine. And a bigger gas tank. That’s about it. If you need the power or longer run time go for it. 👍
I have nothing to add 😂. Have a great weekend JB.
For the record I always appreciate your feedback! Have a great weekend Smallblock!
Do you have video on how to put speed feed 500 on stihl trimmer
I will probably be doing a video on this! 👍
Can you use heavy monofilament fishing line on the trimer?
Never tried it. Good idea though!
I sold my Husqvarna for a stihl fs131r
Awesome! But it runs great!
Soon as I get mine the shield comes rite off in the garbage
Thanks for sharing
Shield off I feel more Canadian😁
@@burningdaylight4146 lol thanks for sharing burning day light! 👍
I like Echo mine is 40 years old ❤
Whoa that’s an oldie! 👍
Always Shield on!
Right On Aps!
5:15: I'm filing for copyright on that joke! 🤣 Although I probably should have said "grass" instead of "weeds" because you don't have any weeds in your lawn, JB! Thanks for the shoutout!
Also, for the record, shield on!
Hahaha do what you gotta do my friend! 😂Appreciate the assist on that one! You got it Mace! A lot of people are saying shield on at the moment. Got either an hour meter video or a Honda/ariens comparison video coming up. Let me know if you got any zingers for those! 👍👍
@@GarageGear Oh wow...those will require some thought. I'll get back to you!
@@The_Mace actually shifted a little with the plan. Honda hrn vs Honda HRX for next weekend. Think it over! Let me know if you got anything! Thanks mace!
@@GarageGear "So let's compare these two Honda mowers." "Mower? I don't even know her!"
Sorry, that's all I got on this one... 😝
@@The_Mace we can run with this!
Crab grass seeds…. 🤣🤣🤣🥰
Shield on, voids entire warranty if removed. I work for a large dealer, only reason I know. Lol
Thanks for sharing this Mateo! Good info!
I love my stihl weed eater. I keep the guard on. I added a Darwin’s Grip to it. Major upgrade!!!
The joke about the reggae concert was funny 😂
Hey dorado! Might have to try that grip out! Had some help with that line lol! Appreciate you!
Guard off
Thanks for sharing
I love my stihl km131R but the best trimmer I got my go to is a shindaiwa M262 multi tool that I have the edger attachment to and hedge trimmers and same with the stihl for the edger attachment but go to is shindaiwa M262
Thanks for sharing
I have the same unit. Overall love it. Just don't touch the spark plug boot. The wire attaches to the boot with a miserable little friction tab and if you touch it there is no way it is going back together again. I love working with the tool. Can't get the bump head to work well to save my life. End up walking around the yard with a screw driver in my pocket to take the cover off and feed the line out manually.
Same thing with mine. A replacement bump head from Stihl had the same problem. Line melting and not feeding.
@@happycamper5900 I own a huge reel of Still Pro trimmer. I hear it dries out. Going to soak it overnight in a bucket to see if that improves life.
Thanks for sharing this!
I thought you were the Echo guy.
Just depewho is paying the bill that day. Lol
Hey YX! I did a survey a few months back and the winner was stihl for a new trimmer. Figured I’d give them a shot. Clearly there seems to be many more echo fans here though! Thanks for watching
I have a Husqvarna 130C it’s a curved shaft trimmer which is better for me because I’m not very tall. It has a 28cc engine and it’s pretty powerful. I took down very tall and thick grass with it and barely bogs. Only issue is it has a recall for magneto wiring possibly causing a fire….. this sthil does look like a very premium trimmer though.
Thanks for sharing this Matthew! Right Stihl does make some premium equipment.
Guard on... the knife in the guard keeps the string from becoming too long. Excessively long string will cause significant physical wear to the machine.... especially on the smaller trimmers. On that note, there is also such a thing as too much trimmer... I've got an FS130R and use it with string, brush blades, weed blades, edge redefiner, hard edger, and articulating hedge clipper heads. I swap heads, and guards for the task. it's not a combi. With string it's also too much machine for basic grass trimming... heavy and more often than not the engine is lugging when trimming grass. Something like the 70 is a reasonable choice... On the other end of the spectrum, I also use a Stihl battery trimmer and it's fine for trimming grass but nothing else. I prefer the 2 stroke and 4 mix professional level machines to the battery stuff...
Thanks for sharing this John! I agree with no knife your string gets really long at times
Man dude, I feel like I just hit the jack pot of a wealth of information. Your videos are awesome - I will be watching for advice and feed back. Thanks for your honest opinions. Shields up and on! LOL!
You got it Daniel! Thanks for being a cool fan!
I put the echo speed feed head on my fs70r. Great combination. This time is the same power and weight as the fs94r but less money.
Thanks for sharing char! Planning on doing this down the road!
Can't you make that handle on the shaft that spins go the "whole length" if you just slide the other grab handle toward the engine a inch or so?
You could do that!
I’ve had this trimmer for 2yrs now and put it through the ringer and it starts every time with no issues. I use it for professional use. And shield on. Those pebbles to the face hurt lol
Thanks for sharing this with the community luke!
Sharp edges JB. Rock on!!
Appreciate you regular Car guy! Have a good weekend!
Their saws and trimmers are hands down some of the best tool ever in my opinion.
The only knock is the chainsaw bar oil leak that seems to be a common thing but freakin reliable and well built stuff
Thanks for sharing PW! Have a great weekend bud!
Why would Joe-Blow homeowner pay $300+ for a grass trimmer??? 🤔
Some people like high end equipment that lasts! Cheap and cheerful doesn’t hold up!
How come we never see your backyard JB?
Hey chuck the pool takes up most of the back yard. We have some gardens around the back corner. Not much grass back there but I have used it for some videos in the past!
I owned that trimmer. I got it from the Co-op for $269.99. 4 years ago. I still have it. 4 years later the price went up to $319.99. 4 years ago it was $270 and 4 years later it cost $320.
Got it for a good price back then! 👍
@@GarageGear Yeah indeed
Shield on, eye safety is paramount.
You got it robb
Shield on thank you for the video
Thanks for watching liljoe!
OH Shit
@@alan-dr8uo thanks for watching
In my opinion it is not good
Thanks for sharing
@@GarageGear I think the 325l petol