Stihl Toys...

[e9999]

what is it with this site?
isn't this supposed to be where people convince us to buy Cruisers...?

instead I find myself reading all these Home Improvement threads and buying Stihl toys like crazy...

I blame D'Animal! it's his fault! He knows too much about the stuff!

Now I gotta find myself a few acres of nasty weeds that I can try my newish FS110R on...


Tech content: this thing has the odd hybrid 4 stroke / 2mix engine. Interesting affair. Feels like it has enough torque for my needs. And not that shrilly loud like the 2 strokes.

I'm told I'll have to readjust the valves on it after 50 hrs or so, though. Should have less than that, but don't know for sure, it's used but not much used. Couldn't pass the deal. More mechanical stuff to play with. Yea!

Now to get rid of my other 2 weedwackers since they won't hold a candle to this one (hopefully).

 

[splitshot]

I look at them as a major infringement on my wheeling time lately..

 

[copasspupil]

Funny I just did the same thing last week. Sold an Echo 2100 for 115 bought a fs110 for 150. The echo served me well for about 10 years until 3 years ago then I have had issues ever since. Best part is that I bought it for 135 13 years ago. Not bad.

I have to agree with you that FS110 is a nice machine!

 

[D'Animal]

If you use the correct mix oil at the correct ratio, you may have to adjust the valves in about 8 years or 165 hours of variable throttle use.

 

[e9999]

If you use the correct mix oil at the correct ratio, you may have to adjust the valves in about 8 years or 165 hours of variable throttle use.

Good to know. I asked the local Dealer. He said the 110 should be brought in after 50 hrs for valve adjustment. Full of it, is he? Also good to know...

 

[D'Animal]

Read you owners manual.

It only needs adjusted once in it's lifetime if you run the correct mix oil at the correct ratio.

If you run crappy oil at a heavy ratio, you will carbon things up. You will "Play" with the valves often but in reality you are knocking the carbon off the valves.

 

[e9999]

well, coudn't resist, had to go out and wack some stuff... Kids will be kids...

man, this thing feels way more powerful than my old one -a 32cc Craftsman that did very well actually and still going strong after 20 yrs or so with only a minor carb intervention. You can feel the torque twisting the unit when you crank it up suddenly.

And to think I almost got a 130. Unfortunately gone before I talked to the Seller. Nothing is ever too big or powerful, right...?

 

[D'Animal]

You can take it back to the dealership and tell them you want the FS 130 since the FS 110 was not enough. It is called a 7 Day Satisfaction Guarantee.

Junk did this with his chain saw.

 

[e9999]

well, it's a used one. Seller had 4, 2 x 130 and 2 x 110. But had sold the 130s already.

Anyway, I'm happy, this thing is plenty powerful I think and I will likely get a pole saw attachment for it. I would have gone with the Kombi instead for the extra reach with the saw, had I found a used one, but I rarely see Stihl wackers for sale used, so I bought what I could for now. Got it for a decent price for the low hours. Dealer told me he sells more 110s than any other model/brand (?).

 

[Junk]

You can take it back to the dealership and tell them you want the FS 130 since the FS 110 was not enough. It is called a 7 Day Satisfaction Guarantee.

Junk did this with his chain saw.

Yup and the dealer didn't mind at all.

 

[KLF]

Question for D'Animal: why doesn't Stihl put the Easy2Start feature on more models? I need a new string trimmer, I really want one that will also take a blade for working brush, according to the catalog that puts me up into a "Pro" level model such as the FS90 or FS110. I have a blower that has the Easy2Start feature and I really like it (my wife needs this due to a bad shoulder), but none of the Pro models have it.

What's up with that? The lady at the dealership I was at yesterday couldn't answer that.

 

[D'Animal]

Sorry about your experience at the dealership.

Look at the FS 56 or the FS 70. They only come in the easy to start features. The FS 56 was new to the market in 2009 and the FS 70 is designed for the more commercial use type customer. The FS 70 is new to the 2010 line up.

The FS 55 is an older model and you can get it with the easy to start features. Several dealers still have these in inventory or can get them.

It is standard for STIHL to sell a new model side by side the older model for a few years.

 

[e9999]

how much easier can it get to start?
this 110 has started in 2 pulls every time I tried it so far. (knock on wood)

 

[D'Animal]

The Easy To Start units have a doble wound starter assy. It actually makes pulling the rope very easy.

Your FS 110 has a built in decompression detent on the camshaft that opens the exhaust valve for a mili second. If I disabled that, you would think the motor was seized or locked up.

 

[Junk]

If I disabled that, you would think it was a Husky.

fixed it

 

[e9999]

The Easy To Start units have a doble wound starter assy. It actually makes pulling the rope very easy.

Your FS 110 has a built in decompression detent on the camshaft that opens the exhaust valve for a mili second. If I disabled that, you would think the motor was seized or locked up.

what is opening that up and then closing it when it's running? Lack of / high pressure against a spring?

 

[KLF]

how much easier can it get to start?
this 110 has started in 2 pulls every time I tried it so far. (knock on wood)

When you have 50+ year old shoulders, you'll take every bit of help you can get. A 5 YO could start my blower, it's a really cool feature.

I looked at the FS56, nice unit. They didn't have any FS70s in stock. But neither of these units will take the brush knife blade (according to the catalog), and I'd still have to outfit them with a "barrier bar" (whatever that is) and a special deflector kit if I want to use a heavy grass blade. The FS70 is not available with a bike handle, which is also recommended for using a grass blade.

Still don't know why they won't put the Easy feature on the higher units.

 

[D'Animal]

Counter weight built into the camshaft pulls the detent into the closed position at a very low RPM.

what is opening that up and then closing it when it's running? Lack of / high pressure against a spring?

It is very Old School technology but has worked since the 1960's on almost every cast iron single cylinder Kohler and B&S engine.

 

[D'Animal]

I will get pics of the Barrier Bar for you.

When you have 50+ year old shoulders, you'll take every bit of help you can get. A 5 YO could start my blower, it's a really cool feature.

I looked at the FS56, nice unit. They didn't have any FS70s in stock. But neither of these units will take the brush knife blade (according to the catalog), and I'd still have to outfit them with a "barrier bar" (whatever that is) and a special deflector kit if I want to use a heavy grass blade. The FS70 is not available with a bike handle, which is also recommended for using a grass blade.

Still don't know why they won't put the Easy feature on the higher units.

 

[D'Animal]

KLF

You confused me until I checked my units. I found my FS 56R and FS 70R were Pre-Production Prototypes.

On the production models they use the FS 100 style Gear box and you are limited on using different guards/deflectors. With the "Swept D" style loop handle, there is no barrier bar available at this time. Both of these items limits you and what cutting attachments are recommended.

They also use a gearbox with a 35degree angle instead of the standard 30'ish degree angle that is pretty standard. The 35 degree angled gearbox makes the unit more comfortable to operate if the operator is 5' 10" or taller.