Sthil FS 90

[Rio_Grande]

I am looking to buy a brush cutter weed eater. My local Sthil Dealer has the FS 90 in stock. It is rated to run the brushcutter blade. I know the old FS 85 had a good reputation, but I dont know anything about the fs90

I intend to use it in conjunction with my chain saw to cut the trails through my property for the quad runner. For 3 in and larger I have the chain saw.

The largest I expect to cut is 2in trees and brush like shrubs and briars, rose bushes and low brush. I will follow up later with the skid steer and grapple bucket to get the roots but I want to do an inital clearing so I can access parts of the property with the quad.

So based on those needs what do you think about the FS 90?

 

[beenthere]

For that cutting of brush/stems, I'd go to the model with the bicycle handles (may have them for the FS90) and use the chisel tooth blade (sharpen with round chainsaw file). Also, would get the shoulder harness as it is much, much easier on the back.

My stihl brush cutter has worked great for many years.

 

[Will_C]

I ran a blade on my FS 85, and it did a good job. I bought a FS 250 last summer to clear the perimeter of some property I have, and that is a beast with the blade! I use the blade that has teeth you sharpen with a chainsaw file.

I'll agree about the bike handles-the 250 has them and it is much easier to control with the blade.

Will

 

[Chilly807]

We have the FS 130 with bike handles. The 4-mix engine is pretty impressive, much quieter than a two-stroke, goes almost twice as long on the same amount of fuel, and has excellent torque. Very different exhaust sound.

If the dealer will let you demo both machines, I'd bet you'll like the FS 130.

It still uses mixed fuel, so no oil sump to run dry like the Honda trimmers.

Sean

 

[Rio_Grande]

Thanks for all the replies,
Will if you had the 85, we are talking same or close power,,, Would u say that that setup with the chisle tooth blad will easily cut repeditive,,, (hours of cutting) 2 inch tree starts, most ceadar but many hardwood starts? Do you think it would hold up?

Chilly same question for you on the fs 130,

They are balking on the demo because they dont already have them for demos. I thought about renting one but the smallest offered at the rental place was the 250 and I just cant lay out that kind of cash.

I am having a hard time concidering the 130 at 430.00

 

[Wacky]

I have both the 85 and 90. The 90 outperforms my 85, in fuel economy and power. You will have the power needed as for 2" saplings, you may want the saw blade, not saying the rough brush blade won't do it the saw blade is made for it and is quicker. I have used mine for everything, it will bog a little in heavy tall grass, like hay field length. Just remember, run it wide open and you will never have a problem, engine wise. My 85 is ready for a carb now, the brass nipples are starting to loosen from vibration, and sucking air. I own Stihl saws also. Will never buy anything else. :thumbsup: Good luck. Hope this helps.

The 90 also has the 4-mix engine.

 

[om21braz]

I can't speak for the newer series units, but I've run the FS85 with a blade (pruning trees) for 4 hours at a time. It is'nt as fast as some of the larger units, but never a problem. Just keep the blade sharp - just like a chainsaw, keep it out of the dirt for fewer touch-ups.

 

[HCJtractor]

Just curious but I do a tremendous amount of trail creating and maintaining. I use the Sthil Kombi with a chainsaw attachment with the little 12" blade. My Kombi motor is the FS 110 (I think) which is the next to the biggest size they make. I cut anything from 1" limbs to 6" trees, and rarely need my big saw. It is lightweight and works great, and a pleasure to use. I have about 6 miles of trails to keep open and this is my primary tool.

That being said, I have never used a brush cutting blade on a trimmer, but I can't see how it could compete with my saw, except maybe for briars or thick weeds. For places like that, I have the articulating hedgetrimmer type attachment for my Kombi, but I dont use that much, as I can get most of the ground level briars and tall grasses with my bushhog after I clear the limbs overhanging with my saw.

 

[6thgpSF]

I bought the FS-90 last yr with the handlebar and it's a heck of a machine,I recently bought the carbide tiped blade to cut brush with.can't speak about the other blade...russ

 

[Chilly807]

Just keep the blade sharp - just like a chainsaw, keep it out of the dirt for fewer touch-ups.

I agree about the blade being sharp, nothing short of a dedicated spacing saw has the grunt to handle a dull blade. I have two of the chainsaw type blades, I usually change out halfway through the day, whether it's dull or not. They sharpen easily, and cut like **** on wheels afterwards.

The 3 blade brush knife works really well on the 130, I use it on everything from heavy dry grass to mature goldenrod, briars, rose bushes (!) etc. The .095 cord is ok, but mature dry goldenrod snaps it quickly.

As for holding up, we've had exactly zero problems in the 4 years we've had the 130, same spark plug even. It's cleared several miles of fence line repeatedly, cut alders up to 3 inch, even mowed my acre plus of lawn for a year until we got some landscaping done. Landscaping isn't the right word, but it's better than it was anyway.

Whatever you get, get the bike handles and full shoulder harness, I can't imagine a full day without them.

The four stroke engine has excellent torque, very different from any 2 stroke I've ever run. You can cut at a lower speed if you want to, it doesn't have to be WFO to work well. I guess the difference is like running a 4 stroke thumper off-road compared to a two-stroke screamer. Same power, just more usable power in my opinion, anyway.

Am I biased? He** yes, the 130 has really impressed me.

Our's was about $600 taxes in four years ago, maybe longer than that.

Sean

 

[Rio_Grande]

First thanks everyone for the replies. I am feeling more comfortable that the 90 will fit my needs, as for the 130,,, well I have been known to buy bigger than I needed and it has benifited me greatly over the years.

I am going to stop buy tomorrow on the way out to my property and likely make the decision or not then.

HCJ I used my chain saw for a while to get to where I am now, but I got tired of bending over and throwing chains on the small stuff. My saw dosent do good against big old rose bushes or thorns my current trimmer just beats away at anything with a stem.. Really it comes down to bending down or over for a signifigant time, my back aint having it anymore. I will maintain the trails once established with a pull behind brush mower when it comes time for that.

If you want a good idea of what they can do go to u tube and type in fs250 some really impressive videos of people who use them for a living thinning trees.

 

[HCJtractor]

Hey Rio. The chainsaw i was talking about is on a pole like a weed trimmer, so you dont have to bend down. It has about a 4 ft. shaft. The Kombi system uses a standard Sthil motor available is about 4 or 5 sizes and has a connector at midshaft where you can add multiple implements. So one motor can power many different tools. I never throw chains (but they do dull fairly quickly, so I cycle 6 spares over a growing season) Its very light and balanced and requires no harness or even a strap. I can carry it all day and cut hundreds of saplings, limbs, small trees etc. Thats the easy part. The hard part is picking up all the debris. I have it down to a science. After dropping all this in the road or trail, I follow with my grapple and a box blade on the back, and collect it and make piles. I usually never even have to touch the stuff with my hands.

I will check out you referece on U tube. Never seen one of those used.

 

[Rio_Grande]

Well it took 3 months but I finally pulled the trigger on a FS90. Pretty impressed with it compared to what I had. I can definately recomend it to anyone looking for an entry level brush cutter.

 

[Topkicker]

If you want a good idea of what they can do go to u tube and type in fs250 some really impressive videos of people who use them for a living thinning trees.

I bought a FS250 last year. This thing is a beast. Love the handle bars for making wide swipes and the shoulder harness is very comfortable. I run this thing for several hours at a time. Very pleased with it to say the least. Don't think you can go wrong with a Stihl trimmer. There is nothing on the market to compare with their head design IMO. Have never had to untangle anything from it.

 

[thatguy]

Just curious - What is the cost for the chain saw pruner attachment for the FS90? I dont see prices listed on the dealers stihl website..

is this attachment the same as the Kombi stuff??

thanks
b

 

[WH401]

Just curious - What is the cost for the chain saw pruner attachment for the FS90? I dont see prices listed on the dealers stihl website..

is this attachment the same as the Kombi stuff??

thanks
b

I was quote $149 by the local dealer.

 

[Bedford24]

thatguy - the MSRP at Boone is $179.95 - with Cash there is a $10 discount.. I will check our site and let Stihl know the price for this was not there - Alot of my customers buy this attachment and mount it at an angle to cut small trees at ground level as well as limbs on a tree

 

[thatguy]

thatguy - the MSRP at Boone is $179.95 - with Cash there is a $10 discount.. I will check our site and let Stihl know the price for this was not there - Alot of my customers buy this attachment and mount it at an angle to cut small trees at ground level as well as limbs on a tree

Thanks.. I think 'santa' is going to bring me a FS90 (or similar) this year and I need to trim some trees because my ROPS hits them..

I thought about renting/buying one dedicated pole saw, and my neighbor refused to stand in the bucket of the tractor with a chainsaw as I raised him up (joking) - and then I just found out that there is a Stihl option to consider

thanks..
brian

 

[YesDeere]

Always had stihl trimmer. But have to borrow pruning saw and trimmers from a friend. Got the FS90 and don't have to borrow Sh#t. I will not use a straight 2 stroke stilhl trimmer again. If I have help they get to use my old FS76. Still runs good but the 4 mix is so much easier to operate. You don't have to wind it up to get results.

 

[weesa20]

Thanks.. I think 'santa' is going to bring me a FS90 (or similar) this year and I need to trim some trees because my ROPS hits them..

I thought about renting/buying one dedicated pole saw, and my neighbor refused to stand in the bucket of the tractor with a chainsaw as I raised him up (joking) - and then I just found out that there is a Stihl option to consider

thanks..
brian

Just picked up a FS90R and a fs250R- both used- plan to convert 250R to 250- with the attachments the dealers don't recommend the non "R" series because the handlebar actually gets in the when trying to use the attachments (as opposed to the loop handle or the loop barrier bar setup)- I think it can be done but will be more akward I think.