With that much to cut and terrain challenges the Stihl is probably worth it.
With that much to cut and terrain challenges the Stihl is probably worth it.
I'm on my 2nd ryobi in 15 years. Last one still worked but I wanted an electric one. No need for gas on my little yard.
I'm happier with the larger variety Ryobi than anything gas powered before. Not that heavy, balanced and starts when I ask it; unlike gas after it sits a while.
I went to the Stihl dealer today. Like a lawn guys toy store. They are also a J-D dealer.
Straight and curved shaft models, most are 27cc and reasonably priced.
They are sold out of the combi units (accessory capable) though. Salesman said could be two weeks or two months before they receive more. I really want edger capable.
There are edger only models at similar cost to the trimmers.
Bummer, much disappoint.
Regarding edging; I just do this
I'm not great at it but it keeps the sidewalk tidy.
fasted58 said:I went to the Stihl dealer today. Like a lawn guys toy store. They are also a J-D dealer.
Straight and curved shaft models, most are 27cc and reasonably priced.
They are sold out of the combi units (accessory capable) though. Salesman said could be two weeks or two months before they receive more. I really want edger capable.
There are edger only models at similar cost to the trimmers.
Bummer, much disappoint.
Depending on how serious you are about a KL- I might be able to get a head for one. I know a guy.
80V Dewalt. Lots of power, you can buy some 6ah or larger batteries.
I will admit though, the weed eater (which also has edger/blower attachments) is fairly heavy. But it does come with a strap.
Stihl. Period.
They're one of the few companies left that still makes their own stuff and has an actual presence with parts and service that will be around for decades. I have Stihl products dating back to the mid 80s, and parts are still available... but I rarely need them.
We have three acres and I have both a 40V Greenworks attachment capable trimmer for general maintenance and a cheap Amazon 31cc gas trimmer for when things get out of hand during rainy season.
When it comes to gas trimmers (really any kind of gas lawn equipment) I'll always recommend the same thing: Buy either the cheapest thing you can find and treat it as disposable, or the best pro-grade equipment on the market and keep it forever. Honestly my lawn equipment is a mix of those philosophies and I'd say the long terms costs of both approaches are remarkably similar.
That said, everyone recommendations for Stihl stuff on the high end are dead on. On the low end my $129 Amazon special is on its second season and runs better every time I use it even though I abuse the crap out of it. It's long since paid for its own usefulness and if it bursts into flames tomorrow I got way more than $129 of use out of it.
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
Agree fully, horses for courses ...
I have a 30 year old Husqvarna pro spec weed eater which is an absolute beast and works with string, a grass blade and a saw blade that I ground half the teeth out of. Too heavy for general use now I'm a bit older, ha ha, so using a Stihl 36 (40 US ) volt unit. No issues so far although it's lighter string doesn't last long as long as the Husky. Bump feed and the easiest string reload I've encountered though. We also have an 18v Makita for doing garden edges and stuff, telescoping and rotating shaft which is handy but the string is about the thickness of 5 amp fuse wire and has minimal life expectancy.
Battery or Gas, go Stihl.
Recently tried using a Kobalt 80v and it wasn't that great. The batteries are so finicky with those products that we sold it and use the money to buy a cheap Harbor Freight corded weed whip.
Now that thing has got some power! In fact, I'm so impressed by it's power and so disappointed with it's handling I might look for a more traditional balanced corded electric weed eater from Greenworks or Stihl.
The negatives reviews for those products come from the bad line winders, but nobody complains about the power.
I bought a Milwaukee string trimmer this spring because I didn't want yet another battery system in my garage. Made less sense that it sounds like, because none of my M18 batteries are big enough to run the trimmer for any length of time. But I did find a deal where the 6AH battery came with the trimmer at no extra cost. And I have yet another Milwaukee battery charger which came with the trimmer.
In reply to jwagner (Forum Supporter) :
Once you inhabit a battery family it makes sense to stay there! I have a 10" Stihl electric chainsaw to go with my weed eater and when / if my Briggs and Stratton lawnmower dies I'll strongly consider a matching lawn mower
The one thing I really like about the Husqvarna trimmer I have is that it's so easy to find attachments that fit.
Also, I realized this week that whenever I use the trimmer I typically burn through a full tank of fuel. That's the kind of use and abuse it sees.
I joined the Stihl family today. Details later.
jwagner (Forum Supporter) said:I bought a Milwaukee string trimmer this spring because I didn't want yet another battery system in my garage. Made less sense that it sounds like, because none of my M18 batteries are big enough to run the trimmer for any length of time. But I did find a deal where the 6AH battery came with the trimmer at no extra cost. And I have yet another Milwaukee battery charger which came with the trimmer.
I run the 12ah, 9ah, and 8ah batteries in the Milwaukee brush cutter and string trimmer to get solid run time. I will use a 5ah in a pinch if I have a small amount of work left, but they're really not a good fit. For the chainsaw, I'd say the 12ah are really the only battery that makes sense unless you're doing a tiny job.
I found a 28cc Husqvarna 330 LK at Lowes, regular price $299 on sale for $239. I was all hot about this until I read the reviews. Nothing outstanding but enough negative I had to wonder. Improper break-in or internet snipers? I passed on the sale.
I bought this https://www.stihlusa.com/products/trimmers-and-brushcutters/professional-trimmers/fs70rce/ for $299 at the local Stihl dealer yesterday. It's about mid-pack in the gas lineup. Primed and started on third pull. Moderate throttle per break-in. Cut around the house and garage for appearances. I likes it.
I'll get 89 octane and Stihl premix next week.
I like having Stihl service and parts a few miles away vs dealing with a box store. The staff at the dealer was great too, or maybe because it was after 4 pm on a Friday.
Thanks for all the recommendations guys, much appreciated.
I'm not ready for choosing a battery family yet. I'm still using corded tools. 
Someday though.
I approve this message.
Good choice.
I prefer the straight shaft units. I've never broken a curved shaft, but I have to think that a floppy spring shaft sucks up a fair amount of torque making the bend.
My only complaint with my current Echo straight shaft is that it is the wrong angle for my 6'1" height. Adjusting the strap to an ergonomic height means I have to crouch to make the head level. I'm either uncomfortable, or I'm trimming at a strange angle.
Edit to add: The Stihl setups aren't as finnicky as offshore generics. It certainly can't hurt to run fancy branded gas, but you don't really need it. I have used plain old 87 and good 2-stroke oil in mine for 30 years and it starts every spring.
I had a big bad-assed Stihl. 2 stroker. Bought the little orange bottles of oil right from the shop, mixed it up and it ran great year after year. Always started the second pull after going through the bulb press, choke, un choke ritual. But SWMBO said it was too heavy. She ordered a little yellow Dewalt toy from Amazon. I haven't bothered to pull the Stihl's rip chord now in almost 4 years now. I just grab that Dewalt, snap in a battery and go.
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