Line Trimmer/Weed Eater Recommendations

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SprogTsar

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#270453 10-May-2020 13:37

My entry level Husqvarna weed eater has given up on me after moving from a small residential section to a 2 acre lifestyle block. I'm looking to replace it with a better quality unit but dont have a lot of experience with these sort of tools.

Currently I'm tossing up between the Sthil FS 55 & FS 85 series products but open to suggestions. I'm also not sure wether I'm better off to standard shaft grip or the bike handle grip.

It will be used for general grass/weed clearance, especially along fence and mulch lines and be operated for up to 2 hours at a time (although rarely that long).

Really appreciate any advice/recommendations?

TIA

snnet

1410 posts

Uber Geek

#2480543 10-May-2020 14:26

I'd get the bike handle grip - I just replaced my line trimmer with a Makita battery one ($450-odd from Loventools), it's great, but I'd say if you weren't doing it weekly it'd get too overgrown and you'd chew thru the batteries on a 2 acre block each time you used it. I have family on 40 acre farms and they generally spray as they need to spray the paddocks anyway. My neighbour who is a greenkeeper for a golf course uses the Stihl FS 85

wratterus

1687 posts

Uber Geek

#2480589 10-May-2020 14:37

I bought a fs45 just for a small section. Good value for money but is pretty basic and not that ergonomic. If buying again I would definitely get one with a straight shaft. If you're potentially using it for 2 hours, the bike handle grip and harness would be well worth it. I'd go for the fs85.

Edit - With the stihl gear, as long as you use their HP Ultra synthetic oil, and get it serviced each year, I think you get a 4 year warranty. Certainly used to be the case anyway. That oil smells amazing anyway so is worth using regardless haha.

A lot of people seem to complain about line trimmers running rough and not starting well. Probably cause most people putt them around and they never get a good blow out. I always make sure to give mine a full send for a bit before shutting it off, and always run fresh fuel. Never had an issue, starts 3 pulls with choke, 2 without every time without fault.

MattEast

277 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2480594 10-May-2020 14:53

Brought the Stihl FSA 65 Pro just before Christmas, can’t fault it. Lasts about 30 minutes on a charge, they are running a deal at the moment which gives you an upgraded battery for no extra cost, 100% longer run time. Don’t miss trying to start the old (cheap) 2-stroke model.

*Ah, just saw how long you need it to run, this one isn’t for you unless you get an extra battery.

Matt East

Ge0rge

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Lifetime subscriber

#2480613 10-May-2020 15:43

We have the FS85, along with my brother who also has one. Had ours 6 years, him probably ten. Both have been faultless. Definitely get the motorcycle-style grips, the D handle will drive you nuts.

FS85 will also run a steel blade as well as line, which can be very useful. It came with the tools to change it, and it's an easy quick job.

As above, give it a shot of compressed air when you're putting it away, good clean fuel and a service on occasion, and it will give you years of good service.

BlinkyBill

1443 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2480665 10-May-2020 16:21

I got an FSA 90 for my small farm, and also home. It is brilliant. Like Matt it lasts 30-40 minutes on a full battery, but I have two batteries. Handles all sorts of stuff, very high quality.

I also have a Stihl lawnmower and hedge trimmer, looking at chainsaw - the convenience of the battery is much better than petrol, and I figure 60-80 minutes earns enough for a beer anyway. Would recommend, especially if you need other battery tools.

davidcole

6038 posts

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#2480677 10-May-2020 16:51

I went shindawa for pole saw and pole hedge trimmer. Later on bought the line trimmer attachment.

Seems to be what a lot of tradies use. Been very happy with it. Bought it from a specialised mower/chainsaw place.

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SprogTsar

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2480692 10-May-2020 17:17

BlinkyBill:

I got an FSA 90 for my small farm, and also home. It is brilliant. Like Matt it lasts 30-40 minutes on a full battery, but I have two batteries. Handles all sorts of stuff, very high quality.

I also have a Stihl lawnmower and hedge trimmer, looking at chainsaw - the convenience of the battery is much better than petrol, and I figure 60-80 minutes earns enough for a beer anyway. Would recommend, especially if you need other battery tools.

I'm reluctant to go battery as I've seen a few people comment that they regret the decision. The FSA 90 looks like a beast but ouch for the price of the unit and 2 pro batteries I could by 2 FS 85's. Do you really think its worth it? Whats the maintenance schedule like?

Based on what I've read above I'm leaning towards the 85 over the 55 so far.

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MattEast

277 posts

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#2480696 10-May-2020 17:20

SprogTsar:

BlinkyBill:

I got an FSA 90 for my small farm, and also home. It is brilliant. Like Matt it lasts 30-40 minutes on a full battery, but I have two batteries. Handles all sorts of stuff, very high quality.

I also have a Stihl lawnmower and hedge trimmer, looking at chainsaw - the convenience of the battery is much better than petrol, and I figure 60-80 minutes earns enough for a beer anyway. Would recommend, especially if you need other battery tools.

I'm reluctant to go battery as I've seen a few people comment that they regret the decision. The FSA 90 looks like a beast but ouch for the price of the unit and 2 pro batteries I could by 2 FS 85's. Do you really think its worth it? Whats the maintenance schedule like?

Based on what I've read above I'm leaning towards the 85 over the 55 so far.

Aside from the usual replacing the line as it runs out, there are no scheduled maintenance requirements (at least no obvious ones in the manual)

Matt East

BlinkyBill

1443 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2480700 10-May-2020 17:32

SprogTsar:

BlinkyBill:

I got an FSA 90 for my small farm, and also home. It is brilliant. Like Matt it lasts 30-40 minutes on a full battery, but I have two batteries. Handles all sorts of stuff, very high quality.

I also have a Stihl lawnmower and hedge trimmer, looking at chainsaw - the convenience of the battery is much better than petrol, and I figure 60-80 minutes earns enough for a beer anyway. Would recommend, especially if you need other battery tools.

I'm reluctant to go battery as I've seen a few people comment that they regret the decision. The FSA 90 looks like a beast but ouch for the price of the unit and 2 pro batteries I could by 2 FS 85's. Do you really think its worth it? Whats the maintenance schedule like?

Based on what I've read above I'm leaning towards the 85 over the 55 so far.

No maintenance apart from the string. Yes it's a big hit one-off, but by the time you add other tools it becomes very cost effective (in my opinion). No more petrol mixing, or buying petrol or oil. If you have acres of land, you'll need other tools.

I used to have a stihl petrol trimmer (still do actually) and the 90 is much better all round, in my opinion. I think I got the 90 because of the handle - definitely don't get the silly round handle, the bullbars are better. I believe the 90 also came with the harness - bullbars and harness are essential for 90 minutes of work. Make sure you price those in.

gehenna

8520 posts

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#2480701 10-May-2020 17:41

I have the Ego electric. It's fantastic.

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#2481010 11-May-2020 11:13

SprogTsar:

.. a 2 acre lifestyle block.

get something semi-commercial. With a more powerfull motor that can drive the bigger diameter cutting blades.
Also, consider the weight, thats important if using it for hours.

My Shtil is 15-20 years old and still going strong. Its small motor/clutch cant cope with bigger cutting blades though
Ive now bought a generic Chinese Husqvarna copy, $200 with heaps of attatchments & extentions. It heaps more power, but is noticeably
heavier. I dont expect it to last 20 years.
The pole saw attatchmnet is really usefull for trimming high branches, as long as they arnt too thick .