Thread: Need advice on choosing a string trimmer

Ok, its time for me to finally get a string trimmer but I'm not sure what is best.

I really like the Stihl with the additional add-ons. I could definitely make use of an edger too. So right now I'm looking at the FS130 (bike handle) trimmer and the edger attachment for it.

Any pluses or minuses to that choice?

Any better options out there?

Or am I pretty solid in my decision?

Originally Posted by CountryBoy19

Ok, its time for me to finally get a string trimmer but I'm not sure what is best.

I really like the Stihl with the additional add-ons. I could definitely make use of an edger too. So right now I'm looking at the FS130 (bike handle) trimmer and the edger attachment for it.

Any pluses or minuses to that choice?

Any better options out there?

Or am I pretty solid in my decision?

You will NOT like the bike handle if you want to add attachments....

What will you be doing the most with it...

and if your main goal is to add attachments, get a KM, you will thank me later...

I have a Stihl FS55 bike handle trimmer. You have to wear a strap and actually hang the trimmer from a strap. You just guide it with the handle bars. Works nice after you get it all strapped on.

I also have a Stihl FS45 curved shaft trimmer that has the same engine as the FS55. It is a little on the twisty action situation as are most curved shaft trimmers.

My favorite is my Echo straight shaft trimmer with a "D" handle. It is made much like the Stihl 55R trimmer which I'm sure I would like as well as the echo.

As far as edging goes, I use a regular trimmer for edging. I just tilt it a little for the edging function. I have done this with My Homelite, Ryobi, and McCulloch trimmers both in straight shaft and curved shaft.

With the trimmers with attachments - the attachment situation makes them too heavy and unpleasant to use for any function.

I was over to a friend's house last week. He was having a garage sale. He does yard work and has several utility yard devices. I noticed he was selling his like new Echo edger. I was there a couple days ago and I noticed he had two Stihl FS55R's to replace an older FS45 and the edger that he sold in the sale. He says the Stihl pro version trimmers are too heavy. That he gets satisfactory service from the homeowner versions.

The Husqvarna trimmers are light, have no exposed wires, and good AV. The 326 and 327 models are the bee knees.

Originally Posted by RAMROD48

You will NOT like the bike handle if you want to add attachments....

What will you be doing the most with it...

and if your main goal is to add attachments, get a KM, you will thank me later...

I tell people if 75% of the time you want a string trimmer, but once in a while want an edger, hedge clipper etc. get the FS90, 110, 130

But if you want alot variety of tools get the kombi power heard.

The bike handle is only really good for doing trails, fence lines and other wide open spaces, not triming in the yard around trees and flower beds.

FS90r from a pawn shop works great for me. Autofeed head for trimming the grass and a 3 point blade for clearing weeds next to the barn. You won't be dissapointed with a FS90-130 model Stihl.

Originally Posted by RAMROD48

What will you be doing the most with it...

Well, right now I'll be doing about 70% trimming and 30% edging.

A couple years from now my wife and I hope to buy a large piece of property and build on it. If that comes to fruition then it will be more like 95% trimming and 5% or less edging.

I like the looks of the Kombi system but it's a little more expensive and a bit heavier IIRC. What are the benefits to it? Why does it matter if you change the tool at the tip of the shaft (standard string trimmer) or if you change it up closer to the engine?

The only benefit I can see is if you plan to add-on a pole saw or hedge-trimmer. I don't anticipate either of those, but I guess they aren't entirely out of the question either.

Originally Posted by TK POWER

The Husqvarna trimmers are light, have no exposed wires, and good AV. The 326 and 327 models are the bee knees.

Does the Husky offer extra attachment? I couldn't figure their website out. I definitely didn't see any extra attachments for their string trimmers or brush cutters.

For trimming your yard to clearing weeds i would start with a fs90 to maybe a 110. I have the fs90 and every year i clear a 1/2 mile of weeds along the river bank. When i buy a new trimmer it will be a fs110.

I have a FS110R and love it!! It has gobs of power, there isn't much that stands in its way. Any one of the three FS90,110, or 130 should do you fine. I like the loop handle myself, if I was just clearing I probably would have a bike version.

Originally Posted by CountryBoy19

Ok, its time for me to finally get a string trimmer but I'm not sure what is best.

I really like the Stihl with the additional add-ons. I could definitely make use of an edger too. So right now I'm looking at the FS130 (bike handle) trimmer and the edger attachment for it.

Any pluses or minuses to that choice?

Any better options out there?

Or am I pretty solid in my decision?

Sounds like a good idea to me. I have the Kombi Km90 with the polesaw, articulating hedgetrimmer, trimmer, and blower attachments.

What i'll probably do since i have all the attachments is eventually buy a km130 powerhead as a backup. Those attachments sure come in handy. How i lived without an articulating hedgetrimmer for years, i don't know.

Originally Posted by CountryBoy19

Well, right now I'll be doing about 70% trimming and 30% edging.

A couple years from now my wife and I hope to buy a large piece of property and build on it. If that comes to fruition then it will be more like 95% trimming and 5% or less edging.

I like the looks of the Kombi system but it's a little more expensive and a bit heavier IIRC. What are the benefits to it? Why does it matter if you change the tool at the tip of the shaft (standard string trimmer) or if you change it up closer to the engine?

The only benefit I can see is if you plan to add-on a pole saw or hedge-trimmer. I don't anticipate either of those, but I guess they aren't entirely out of the question either.



Does the Husky offer extra attachment? I couldn't figure their website out. I definitely didn't see any extra attachments for their string trimmers or brush cutters.

Hedgetrimmer, edger, pole saw, paddle sweeper, cultivator - all available. Just the head/attachment, or with a pole/boom for going on the attachment series trimmers.

Originally Posted by TK POWER

The Husqvarna trimmers are light, have no exposed wires, and good AV. The 326 and 327 models are the bee knees.

+1 on these Huskies. I do not use any attachments though.

I'm 6'4" and I find the bike handles are a better fit for me. For your application it is just a matter of what you prefer. I recently purchased a Shindaiwa C350 from a fella who purchased a Husqvarna 4-stroke technology. Nice looking unit. He claims it has more torque and runs quieter than the Shindaiwa.

Used edgers aren't all that spendy and probably most of them don't have many hours on them.

Originally Posted by alderman

I'm 6'4" and I find the bike handles are a better fit for me. For your application it is just a matter of what you prefer. I recently purchased a Shindaiwa C350 from a fella who purchased a Husqvarna 4-stroke technology. Nice looking unit. He claims it has more torque and runs quieter than the Shindaiwa.

Used edgers aren't all that spendy and probably most of them don't have many hours on them.

Shhhhhh..... Don't tell anyone but the Husqvarna 4-stroke unit is a Honda engine......

I love the Husqvarna trimmer with handle bars and a straight shaft. I use both string and metal cutting blades for brush cutting - it is simply the best machine I have ever used for trimming and light brush cutting. The harness makes it possible to run for hours without your arms going numb from exhaustion.