Product Review: Stihl FS-80 Trimmer

[rkbrown]

In addition to the Echo PB602 backpack blower that I picked up this weekend, I also bought a Stihl FS-80 trimmer. I have looked at the Shindiawa's, Echo's and Stihl's (I would have liked to look at the Redmax, but these other dealers were more convenient).

I got to use the new trimmer late Saturday afternoon. I was cutting for a customer that has ditches on both sides and in the front of their property. Therefore, a lot of trimming and a good test for this trimmer. The trimmer is well balanced and light. Stihl states that for brake-in purposes, you should not use the trimmer at more than 1/2 throttle for the first 3 tankfuls of fuel. This trimmer has plenty of power at 1/2 throttle or less and is very responsive. It did excellent work in the ditches as well other trimming tasks. It has a flex cable drive (this is what differentiates it from the FS-85 with its solid drive shaft) but has a lifetime warrenty on the flex cable.

The advantage of the FS-85 is that although it is not the multipurpose model, you can take off the head and add a hedgetrimmer head, a powerbroom head, or a pruning saw head. Stihl says you should use these only with the solid shaft. However, to upgrade the FS-80 to the FS-85 is just adding the solid shaft which costs about $20-25 and a bit of your labor.

At a price of $259, I am very satisfied with this trimmer and look forward to a great deal of service from it.

Rob
Taybritt Lawn and Landscape Services

[Bryan]

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Hi Rob,

I picked up a Stihl FC75 Stick Edger this season and I am Very happy with it. I was considering buying a stihl trimmer. I am parshall to the Shindowa trimmers, but there getting old and wore out and would like to try a stihl.

I have a redmax blower but have never tried there whips. Any experience with the Redmax whips? My Dealer offers RedMax, Shindowa, Stihl and hondas. But the hondas are junk! Heavy anyway..<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>
Most lco's around here all use the Shindowa.

Bryan (Push & Cut)

[Leone Lawn]

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shindowa everything baby

Leone Lawn

[Scaper-S2k]

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Don't go look at the Husqvarna line, you will cry. Definately don't try one out, you may take your Stihl and beat it on the ground. Seriously, Husky makes one heck of a line trimmer. Not many use them, but those that try them never go back to ANY other brand. Ask guys that run em, you'll see.

Don't Fear the Green!

[rkbrown]

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My post was not meant to start a brand war. There are many new people coming here seeking information about commercial equipment. My purpose in starting this thread was to give a critique and review of a piece of equipment that I purchased in hopes that it might help somebody seeking information about trimmers. I am not rah-rah about any particular brand. I look for the piece of equipment that meets my needs and budget regardless of brand name. I have appreciated it when other people have written about a new piece of equipment that they have purchased and was trying to do the same. I will certainly keep the forum posted if I have problems with this equipment. I believe that relaying our experience with the different brands and products is a valuable service to others.

Rob
Taybritt Lawn and Landscape Services

[GrassMaster]

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Hello:

It's just a Forum Where Folks Voice their Thoughts & Ideas in the Open for others Help and Learn. No More or No Less? But...

Over a Long Period of Time Scaper-S2k has Made Very Strong & Very Convincing Cases concerning Cabovers & Husky Trimmers.

So Strong if I was Still in the Business, I would Definatly Try them Both. Just Because of the Facts he has Stated in the Past. He Has an Excellent Business, A Beautiful Home & His Equipment Speaks for themselves.

Maybe one day he Will Post a Link to his Pictures here, They are Very Much Worth Looking at? I Promise You, He's a Perfectionist & Has Pride in Everything he Owns & Does!

I do Roll up my Water Hoses & that's about it? <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

<b>GrassMaster My Home Page
Members Click to PM Me or Click to E-Mail Me!</b>

[rkbrown]

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My last post was not meant to slam or offend anyone. I apologize if it came across that way. I was just hoping that the thread would not disintegrate into a brand war, but be constructive. Again, sorry if I offended.

Rob
Taybritt Lawn and Landscape Services

[Bryan]

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I've never seen a husky trimmer.
I will give it a good look. Always looking for better equipment.
I do like my Shindaiwa's !

Green is good !!

[zephyr]

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I need a new trimmer bad!!!! My Echo 230 was stolen last night and I have some lawns to do tomorrow. I was just going to buy a new echo but i think I will wake up early tomorrow morning and find out who sells the husky and look at them. Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any input on the echo 230?

[zephyr]

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I looked at the Husky trimmers today. The only problem is that over here, they are expensive. I looked at a residential grade not commercial grade b/c it was the only model left in stock and it had the 22cc engine but they sold it for 300$ originally and on sale for 260$. That is a lot considering I can get the Echo 260 with a 25cc engine for 260$ and it is a commercial grade trimmer. Husky may be nice but it is too expensive for me at this moment.

[Scaper-S2k]

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Go to Lowes, they carry them this year. As for size and model? Trust me, you can't compare that! Heck, a freakin' Ryobi has a 32cc engine but is worthless!

My favorite of all the newer models from Husky IS the 322L (residential model)Lowes has them for like $260 all the time. Trust me, it isn't residential. We mow all small commercial sites and the trimmers get used more than the mowers. I have many Husky models dating back many many years. The 322L is great and has been in my hands for 3 years with no problems. It gets worked, and I highly recommend it. I also have their 325lx model, but I prefer the 322l. Now one of the foreman prefers the 325.

Get that 322l, you'll love it. Take out that crap line they give you to start, put in some good Lesco lime green square .095 line and flip the handle backwards (not upside down), it feels better.

Trust me, it will chew up the Echo you speak of. I know, I have one of them too....it has been sitting for 6 years with no use, swear.

Don't Fear the Green!

[zephyr]

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Well I looked at the Husky today as well as the stihl and echo. The stihl may be a good trimmer but it was way heavy for me. The Husky looked nice, felt light and balanced, but it did not come with a commercial warranty. Lowe's over here does not carry them. I already looked. The best trimmer they carry is the cub cadet( that is scary ). It does have a 31cc engine and is listed as "commercial" but does not come with any type of commercial warranty which I find hillarious. I decided on the Echo 260 because of the warranty and the place i bought it here has much better service than the dealer with the husky. It was also harder for me to get accessories for the husky like manual feeders, blades etc.. They had to order everything and that aint cutting it. I went with the Echo and feel I will be happy with it.

[Zack]

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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
At a price of $259, I am very satisfied with this trimmer and look forward to a great deal of service from it.

Rob
Taybritt Lawn and Landscape Services
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

You should also look forward to alot of carb problems leading to hard starts and sudden stops. I have 3 Sthil FS 80's and all of them are a pain in the azz.
Your Echo 602, while short on power, is a solid reliable blower.

[zephyr]

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I agree with Zack on this one about the FS80. I looked at them yesterday and they felt extremely heavy. Also, after talking to several repair shops and people who use them, I heard the same things Zack mentioned about their starting problems. All of the people I talked to said that you had better run them every day if you want to be able to start them after a while. I know most people will run their equipment every day in the season but what happens when its winter and they may sit there for weeks?

[Marty]

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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Trust me, it will chew up the Echo you speak of. I know, I have one of them too....it has been sitting for 6 years with no use, swear.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

EH:

The Echo 260 that he speaks of has not even been out for 6 years. If memory serves you have a SRM 2100, which is nothing more than a 21.2 homeowner straight shaft with a commercial warranty. The 260 is a 25cc commercial unit that would compete with the likes of your Huskies. I doubt you have ever even had a 260 in your hands. I am not saying that your Huskies aren't great trimmers, simply that you are not comparing apples and apples.