Lawn Equipment - STIHL

[RONWEN]

I'm very late to this party but I won't buy anything but Stihl  -- they are very highly engineered products and the quality is outstanding.

 

[Eli]

For any arborist work, I only climb with a Stihl. I learned on one, my Dad had one, so orange/black/white is a color combo that I get fond memories from.

Do you use the MS200t? I have the 192t but want to trade an 026 for a 200t them r nice!

No, I have the 192. I've used the 200, it has more goose if you need to let something go real fast. I think the 026 might be my next one. I don't really need it of course. I usually perv on the post hole auger when I go into the dealer nowadays......

 

[Steve R]

Fond memories of STIHL

It was Christmas and Mom gave Dad a STIHL chainsaw ... I must have been about 16...

We had opened gifts about 8am..... over a period of time... and getting near a late dinner time... and as Dad and I were reading about the STIHL and how awesome it was... we got a bit carried away.  I will never forget Mom's face as she rushed in to the dinning room just seconds after we fired up that Saw....Well heck it was about  -20 that day.... we couldn't go outside and to this..... Mom had other ideas...LOL God rest her soul.

Cheers,
Steve 

 

[kdzito]

Ah yes, the Stihl stuff.  I have a KM-90 with the blower, edger, and hedge trimmer attachments.  My string trimmer is the FS-55.  Excellent equipment which makes the yard look beautiful.  My dad has the back pack leaf blower and he just bought one of the professional string trimmer-brush cutter models. 

 

[Kodi Crescent]

Go with Shindaiwa.  Hard to find a dealer, but worth considering.

 

[Tinker]

Just came across this conversation.
i used to use Husky, but no longer need that good a saw.  Now use a small Echo with only a 12" blade.  Its best feature is it starts every time. 

Way back at the beginning of this thread, the man who started it was asking about pruning.  Many moons ago, I came across a paperback handbook at one of the landscaping supply stores.  That was back in 1981 when i first got into serious landscaping. 

Look for Sunset Pruning Handbook. It tells you how to prune in general, how to prune specific plants,  when best time to prune, it shows pics of how to prune and just about anything you want to know about pruning.  I often run into situations where a customer decides he/she is going to save money by doing their own pruning.  For some, i take the time to show them how and explain the damage they are doing to their shrubs and trees with improper proceedures or poor timing.  The smart ones listen and ask questions.  I will go to my supply store (even HD and Lowes still carries the booklet) and pick up a copy of the Sunset Pruning Handbook and give it to them.  Others just don't pay attention.  they think that any dummy can prune.  That is true if you include hacking as "pruning".  Sooner or later, they will end up replacing their shrubs or even trees.  Of course, if I was the one who tried to stear them in the right direction, they live by the old adage of "shoot the messenger." 

I am sure the OP has long since learned how and when to prune.  for any newbie who has the same questions, that Sunset book can answer a whole library full of questions.
Tinker

 

[spikfot]

I own a Stihl 088, it is a monster, never had problems w/ it. I've also owned Sachs/Dolmar and 4 Husqvarnas up to 71cc. The only reason I bought the 088 Stihl, was because they came in a package as the powerhead for my portable Logosol sawmill. For me, Stihl is a second choice, Husqvarna being first. I owned several Huskys and even a WR400cc dirt bike long before I moved to Sweden. I have nothing negative to say about Stihl, they are also good machines, the arguments between the 2 go back decades, as in Ford vs. Chevy, Volvo vs. SAAB, etc.
For the record, I'm a Ford, Volvo, Husqvarna guy.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I have the Stihl "Magnum" backpack blower - the big one.  We have a cottage with 3-1/2 acres and in the fall we get so many leaves it is not funny.  It takes about 4 hours to blow the property once, and the next day it will be carpeted again.

It is a powerful machine but there are a few things I dislike about it.  It badly needs a sternum strap to help distribute the weight, and I find the shoulder straps to be uncomfortable.  Also, the filler cap is very finicky to close for some reason.  This weekend I had to sit down and fiddle with it for 5 minutes to get it to seal properly.  I can't imagine emptying the gas tank each time on this machine without getting gas everywhere.

 

[tjbier]

I have the Stihl "Magnum" backpack blower - the big one.  We have a cottage with 3-1/2 acres and in the fall we get so many leaves it is not funny.  It takes about 4 hours to blow the property once, and the next day it will be carpeted again.

It is a powerful machine but there are a few things I dislike about it.  It badly needs a sternum strap to help distribute the weight, and I find the shoulder straps to be uncomfortable.  Also, the filler cap is very finicky to close for some reason.  This weekend I had to sit down and fiddle with it for 5 minutes to get it to seal properly.  I can't imagine emptying the gas tank each time on this machine without getting gas everywhere.

I just got a recall in the mail today for the flippy cap!lol.
On my KM90, going to take it in and get new flippy caps.  Call the dealer you bought it from if you havn't gotten a recall notice.

 

[GPowers]

Bought a Stihl power equipment chainsaw over 20 years ago. I bought the Stihl to replace a piece of c??p from old time retail store.

 

[awdriven]

When I saw this thread pop up again, I just remembered the recall too.

I have an FS90 and a BR600 - so if any of your equipment has the flippy gas cap and you haven't gotten a notice in the mail, I would call your dealer just to check and see if your machine needs the replacement cap.

That cap has been the one thing I haven't liked about both my Stihls. Maybe their distortion has been the root cause of my frustration with them, though - have to see.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

tjbier and awdriven - Great to know I wasn't the only one who was struggling with that cap ! I don't recall getting a notice, but I will definitely call my dealer.   It's really easy to flip the cap thinking it's sealed, only to find that now it really isn't, and spill fuel.

 

[awdriven]

My FS90 is worse than my BR600. The way I know it's not seated properly is if I close the flap, then lift it and pull - if it didn't latch properly, you can just pull the cap out without turning.

BTW - I switched to using the Stihl synthetic oil that comes in the white containers. It's low smoke and low odor compared to many other 2 stroke oils. I bought some Tanaka 2 stroke oil several months ago and it was terrible for its smell.  Stihl's conventional 2 stroke oil in the orange container was good too in terms of smell and performance.

 

[RDMuller]

Stihl is great.  Always buy where you can get service.  Stay out of the big box stores.  All small gas lawn and yard equipment needs occasionally service and parts

 

[allen r austin]

i have had 9 chain saws and 6 weed eaters
then i got Stihl
and they are still here
oh and i an a landscaper by trade
be on the lookout some "home owner" Stihl is made in china!!!!!
Allen

 

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

Can you guys describe or show a picture of this "flippy cap"?  I just bought a KM unit and have had no problems with the cap, but it could be described as a "flippy cap".  I'm wondering if the replacement is different or just improved.  If its the later I may already have the improved cap.  Thanks.

 

[robtonya]

The recall just came out. If you look on the bottom side of your gas cap and there is a real small letter "D", then it is a bad cap, if it is a letter "E" then it is a new cap. I just got back from getting my new cap for my weedeater.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I was at a Stihl dealer buying a chainsaw and asked about a recall on the filler cap for my BR600 Magnum blower.

They told me they thought it was a US-only recall.

 

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

The recall just came out. If you look on the bottom side of your gas cap and there is a real small letter "D", then it is a bad cap, if it is a letter "E" then it is a new cap. I just got back from getting my new cap for my weedeater.

Thanks Robert.  Took a minute to find it, but looks like I have the E which explains why I've had no issues. 

Just used the Kombi again with the roto-tiller attachment to plant some new grass.  Worked very well, but was a bit awkward due to its weight and its natural desire to "walk" as you use it.  All in all, much easier than doing it by hand.

 

[semenza]

The recall just came out. If you look on the bottom side of your gas cap and there is a real small letter "D", then it is a bad cap, if it is a letter "E" then it is a new cap. I just got back from getting my new cap for my weedeater.

Thanks Robert.  Took a minute to find it, but looks like I have the E which explains why I've had no issues. 

Just used the Kombi again with the roto-tiller attachment to plant some new grass.  Worked very well, but was a bit awkward due to its weight and its natural desire to "walk" as you use it.  All in all, much easier than doing it by hand.

Hi,

I had the filler cap on mine changed out today  took my dealer about two minutes.

I have been wondering about that rototiller attachment.

Seth