Had too look em up as I’ve never heard of them. Seems like good reviews.
Weedeaters
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You ain’t bothering me. I knew making the post it would sound like I started to like the taste of penis. Truth is, they work. I took the plunge and I’m happy I did.
I'm here to say... Yes, the traditional saws and trimmers are workhorses and certainly have their place.... But I think some of you may be severely underestimating the power of today's lithium battery powered yard tools. And sorry, but the Kobalts and Ryobis and other big box store models aren't even on the same playing field. This sumbitch right here, the Stihl MSA 220-CB, has a 16" bar, uses a standard 3/8" PICCO chain, and will flat out scare you with it's ability. It will handle 95% of the tasks most property owners can throw at it. And if the battery can handle that kind of work load running a saw, a string trimmer on the other end would be a cake walk.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/battery-saws/msa220cb/
Fugg that mixing fuel / buying ethanol-free / pre-mix and replacing carburetors. Charge and go.
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/battery-saws/msa220cb/
Fugg that mixing fuel / buying ethanol-free / pre-mix and replacing carburetors. Charge and go.
Alright. I looked. We run 2 FS90, 2 FS94, 1 FS100, and one FS130. The go to was always the 90. My guys tend to like the 94s. I carry the 100/130. Mainly because they are heavier and the last ones taken. The 130 is a beast. The other three are all very similar in my opinion. If you have a good Stihl dealer and tell them what your objectives are, I would think they would steer you to the right one. Might even toss you a demo to try it before you buy it. Depends on how large a dealer I would think. I've never grown accustomed to the handlebars or even the strap. Always seem awkward or in the way. Personal preference thing. The 130 will drink gas! Also the heaviest we own, but there is always a downside to more power.
I will also add when I was a solo crew i was sold on the Redmax. Strong. Held up forever. Smooth as silk. The Stihl has NEVER held a candle to the Redmax on smoothness. BUT. . . with different employees running them they got tossed around more. String trimmer racks are hard on them cosmetically and after so many bounces on a rack mounted to a trailer they all tend to get a slight bow in the shafts. Although I believe it is more from beating the trimmer head on the ground to get string out. One time it was from a dumb twit who had it in the front loader of a tractor and wrapped it around a tree. That will also ruin a brand new trimmer. Redmax were more money at the time. I switched to Stihl knowing they would either be destroyed prior to wearing out. Honestly don't believe we have tossed a Redmax or Stihl due to wearing it out. Generally they are stolen, damaged by operator beyond repair, or sold simply to upgrade while we could still get something out of them.
I will also add when I was a solo crew i was sold on the Redmax. Strong. Held up forever. Smooth as silk. The Stihl has NEVER held a candle to the Redmax on smoothness. BUT. . . with different employees running them they got tossed around more. String trimmer racks are hard on them cosmetically and after so many bounces on a rack mounted to a trailer they all tend to get a slight bow in the shafts. Although I believe it is more from beating the trimmer head on the ground to get string out. One time it was from a dumb twit who had it in the front loader of a tractor and wrapped it around a tree. That will also ruin a brand new trimmer. Redmax were more money at the time. I switched to Stihl knowing they would either be destroyed prior to wearing out. Honestly don't believe we have tossed a Redmax or Stihl due to wearing it out. Generally they are stolen, damaged by operator beyond repair, or sold simply to upgrade while we could still get something out of them.
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My buddy has that saw and loves it. I used it last year while out at his place camping and I was impressed. Almost feels like a toy until you put it to a log.
I guarantee I'm underestimating battery powered tools. They have their place and their following but I also never have had these fuel/carb issues people encounter. Just me, my tool and fuel. Not me my tool an extra battery or 2 or a charger and generator or solar panel when there is a days worth of work ahead. I don't have to worry about it being charged or shortin out. Just fuel, air and spark.
I like Phil's idea on the demo Jesse.
I like Phil's idea on the demo Jesse.
I don’t think anyone will argue about a days work. I’m more talking about weekly use. Maintaining
Who wants to cut firewood and NOT smell like sweat, 2-cycle exhaust, and bar chain oil?!?
We use two FS110's (I believe they are very similar to the new 111's just an older model). If you have to restring even a moderate amount, take the stihl head off and buy an Echo Speedfeed 400 head for it. You can restring in about 3 minutes, just feed the string through and twist the head. Keep an extra length of string in the back pocket and we can cover some serious ground with trimmers without having to stop unless it's for fuel.
I also switched to premix fuel for my blowers, trimmers, and saws (all Stihl). It's costly, but I think well worth the investment. They all start on first or 2nd pull now that we've switched. We buy it buy the 5 gallon barrel and save $2.00 a gallon versus buying it by the gallon.
I also switched to premix fuel for my blowers, trimmers, and saws (all Stihl). It's costly, but I think well worth the investment. They all start on first or 2nd pull now that we've switched. We buy it buy the 5 gallon barrel and save $2.00 a gallon versus buying it by the gallon.
At our local dealer we pay $20.00 a gallon. I believe the 5 gallon can cut the cost to $17.00 a gallon but I would have to check. $85.00 range is what I'm thinking.
Our main commercial contract is mostly fences that get sprayed with round up, so we are only trimming our residential properties. 10 gallon will last us a season running it through both trimmers and our backpack blower.
Our main commercial contract is mostly fences that get sprayed with round up, so we are only trimming our residential properties. 10 gallon will last us a season running it through both trimmers and our backpack blower.
I run amsoil 2 stroke HP oil in my boat, have had great luck so far after 15 years of use. I also run that in my 2 stroke mixture with the same results. The husqvarna bought the farm but that thing was 20+ years old and when it got used, it got used and abused 
Talking about saws with 14” bars
. Topping and cleaning up those downed branches in the yard. Clearing paths and such. Not going out and cutting a cord of wood.
Buckmaster
Senior Member
Big boys play with 3/8” chains, chisel chains, and skip chains.Talking about saws with 14” bars
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I don't doubt the capability of battery powered equipment these days. not one little bit. when I, and probably several others, bought all of my power equipment this level of battery technology was not available to consumers. I'm talking 10--20 years ago. when all of my gasoline powered tools die, I will very likely replace them with battery operated, but these high end battery operated power tools like saws and trimmers are very, very expensive compared to their 2cycle counterparts. the friggin batteries and chargers cost as much as, or more than, the tools themselves. cost prohibitive for people who already own adequate, serviceable gas powered tools.
batteries and chargers don't last forever, either. it's hard to justify the cost of these things when I probably only feed ALL of my Stihl equipment combined less $25 worth of gas and oil every year.
now having said all of that, if I didn't own any power lawn equipment at all and needed chainsaw, trimmer, blower, hedge trimmer, etc., I would probably go for the battery powered stuff.
JOHNROHIO
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I’m not sure why I just read 3 pages on weed eaters guess I’m bored. Anyhow I have an echo that’s 21 yrs old. I’ve replaced 1 primer bulb and changed the plug once. 
Big_Holla
Senior Member
Starting to think I need to just get a new carb and gas lines for my Ryobi that hasn't ran in a couple years. Very sure it's fuel related. It has the interchangeable shaft/heads and have both the trimmer and brush cutter. Amazon had kits for pretty cheap so it might be worth a shot.
Dave thanks for putting up your rechargeable set-up on here. Definitely would like to have something like that but I'm a cheap bastard that never runs across deals like that.
Dave thanks for putting up your rechargeable set-up on here. Definitely would like to have something like that but I'm a cheap bastard that never runs across deals like that.