Stihl KombiSystem "weedeater"? Opinions?

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Sid Post

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Oct 14, 1998
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Stihl KM 110

I am looking for a good gas powered yard tool for use here in Arizona. I don't have any grass in my yard but, a blower for dust and debris would be nice. A hedge trimmer is definitely needed to keep things under control since those native plants are going crazy right now with the sporadic rains.

Does anyone have experience with the Stihl Kombi "weedeater" line of tools? I want a good tool, not a cheap one. I'm defining good as one that is easy to start, doesn't require a lot of factory maintenance, doesn't vibrate excessively, and is easy to control with good ergonomics.

Is there a better line somewhere? Maybe Echo? Anything I buy needs to have parts and service available within a reasonable driving distance since I don't want to ship it several states away when I need a mechanic to work on it.
 
Several years ago I was in the market for a new string trimmer. So for several weeks as I drove around town whenever I saw a yard service working somewhere, I looked at what they were using. I did not take long to figure out that most of the pro's around my part of the woods anyway, use Shindaiwa.

I guess in any given area, the quality of dealers available to support a produce may influence what the local pro's use, but Wichita is big enough that we have all the major players in professional yard care products.

I would suggest a strait shaft in whatever brand you wind up with. By the way, I purchased a new Shindaiwa in 1996, and it is still starting and running great. Good luck.
http://www.shindaiwa.com/products/
 
I have no experience with the kombi system,but I own two Stihl string trimmers,FS45,FS250R.I also have a 20+ year old Stihl chain saw.

Stihl seems to have the 2 cycle gas tool thing perfected.All of mine are unused for months at a time every year and I never drain the tank or carburator or add Stabil to the fuel,by anyone's standards they get minimal maintenance yet fire up quickly and run like new when needed.
 
Buy a stihl! We've got a FS76 or something along those lines, its several years old and running strong. Has a lot of power without being too heavy, pretty good fuel economy and runs smooth. Very reliable and easy to operate.

I used a shindawa at work quite a bit last summer and didn't like it. Wasn't as heavy, and seemed pretty reliable. I can see where it might be the choice for a commercial mower who's going to do a lot of running around but not run it for extended periods of time. They're also cheaper, so you don't mind hauling them all over the place. Problem is it vibrated like a son of a gun and was loud as hell. Somehow, from the way it was designed I found myself bumping my arm into the hot motor alot. The sheild around the head wasn't very durable and broke in several places also. Wasn't nearly as nice a machine to run as the stihl.
Thats just my experience, I could be comparing the bottom of the barrel from shindawa to the top end of stihl. Another guy brought an echo in and it seemed like a good peice of equipment also, I'd have chosen it over the shindawa as well. But my first choice is stihl :cool:
 
I've got an Echo that is awful nice... but I think you will be pleased with Stihl makes a great product.

With the 2 cycles check out to see how many hours the engine will pass EPA inspection, some of the cheapies are in the 20 hour range! If memory serves the nice Echo's and Stihls are into the 200-300 hour range.

Big deal for me is all of the Lowes/Homedepot type places carry Echo, so I can get the spools and other junk... If you can, compare how the echo is to start with the Stihl, I'd guess the echo takes 5 pounds of pull to get it turning over... its nothing! Havent tried a stihl though, maybe once I burn this one up...


:D
 
I just spent the day using my Mother-in Law's new TroyBuilt String Trimmer. It has a 4 cycle engine! No muss, no fuss; pour in the unleaded and start working.

I was cutting the drainage ditch behind our house. It was completly overgrown with thick, heavy ditch weads. The 4 cycle motor never bogged down at all. I was very impressed to say the least. Up till now I've only used 2 cycle trimmers in the $100 range, and they all would bog down in that ditch.

Anyway, I hope this is useful to someone.
 
Hahahah, I had a STHL motor on my bike. :D

I'm not sure what model it was (it was missing most of it's plastics) but it was a 23cc and worked like a dream, until the crankshaft sheared off right between my legs. :rolleyes: Scared the **** out of me... :cool:
 
Check out what diameter line any given make and model is wound with, or designed for. The heavier line a trimmer can handle, the better.
 
John Frederick said:
I just spent the day using my Mother-in Law's new TroyBuilt String Trimmer. It has a 4 cycle engine! No muss, no fuss; pour in the unleaded and start working.

I was cutting the drainage ditch behind our house. It was completly overgrown with thick, heavy ditch weads. The 4 cycle motor never bogged down at all. I was very impressed to say the least. Up till now I've only used 2 cycle trimmers in the $100 range, and they all would bog down in that ditch.

Anyway, I hope this is useful to someone.
Click to expand...

Havent used the troybilt... but dont get the knock off that sears sells under the craftsman brand. Its not worth anything!

But if your really serious about this stuff get yourself a decent tractor and a bush hog running off the PTO! :D
 
As far as pull starting. My dad's old stihl isn't hard to pull. Stihl has a new easy start system though, its on their chainsaws anyway. Has some kind of a kickstarter in it that winds up when you pull the cord. Doesn't matter how slow you pull it, once you've pulled the cord all the way it kicks and is running :eek: :cool:
 
knzn said:
Several years ago I was in the market for a new string trimmer. So for several weeks as I drove around town whenever I saw a yard service working somewhere, I looked at what they were using. I did not take long to figure out that most of the pro's around my part of the woods anyway, use Shindaiwa.

I guess in any given area, the quality of dealers available to support a produce may influence what the local pro's use, but Wichita is big enough that we have all the major players in professional yard care products.

I would suggest a strait shaft in whatever brand you wind up with. By the way, I purchased a new Shindaiwa in 1996, and it is still starting and running great. Good luck.
http://www.shindaiwa.com/products/
Click to expand...

I`ll second the Shindaiwa. Powerful, well balanced, easy to start. I have the 230 model.
 
I bought a Stihl FS-110 last year. Not the Kombi, but the regular model with bike handles. Outfitted with a steel blade it will cut 2 inch maple saplings like a laser beam :eek:

It also does a great job with the regular attachments. I find that the 110 4-mix is quieter, vibrates less and doesn't smell like the regular models. It's also supposed to be more reliable than the conventional 2 strokes, but I haven't had mine long enough to be able to vouch for that.

Mine gets used extensively and works just great. Highly recommended.

Guy
 
I just purchased a Troy Built weed eater from Lowes. I knew nothing about these but ran into a fellow in the aisle that looked like he knew tools. I asked him his opinion and it turned out he was the head of the local parks dept. I bought what he recommended and it seems to be fine.

I had to do some "whacking" with neighbors on common area and mine ran for 45
minutes straight in high weeds without missing a beat. I was impressed!

I did go with straight shaft and this has the interchangable attachments. Next up is the edger attachment.

Win
 
Why do you guys recommend the straight shaft? Is there something bad about the curved style trimmers?

Mark
 
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