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I was looking at the Stihl FS91 trimmer. Thats about my price limit...$300ish. So many people rave about Stihl. But now I am swayed toward Echo because I bought an Echo chainsaw and I am impressed with it. I have seen a lot of people swear that Echo is right up there with Stihl and as far as repair frequency Echo has a little better reputation. I am pretty much set on these two brands but can not decide. My biggest needs are ease and dependability of starting (painful shoulders). I also want enough power for thick weeds. I like the idea of a 4 stroke engine but I wonder if 4 stroke is really good in a trimmer. Any thoughts?

We sell Stihl where I work and the 4Mix engines are good engines. The biggest issue is the weight. The main thing to remember is to keep the valves adjusted. You still have to run mixed gas in the 4 Mix engines. If I were buying a new one it would be FS94. It is a 2 stroke and a great trimmer.

hlw49 said:

We sell Stihl where I work and the 4Mix engines are good engines. The biggest issue is the weight. The main thing to remember is to keep the valves adjusted. You still have to run mixed gas in the 4 Mix engines. If I were buying a new one it would be FS94. It is a 2 stroke and a great trimmer.

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I was told that the 94 was lighter than the 91 wgich is important but that price ($359?) is pretty steep for me.
BTW, what terminology do we use when we talk about 4 and 2 cycle engines vs 4 and 2 cycle fuel?

O work on both the Echo and Stihl trimmers. If I had a choice of the two OEM I would go with the Stihl as they hold up better over time. The only thing I don't like about the Stihl units is that Stihl is forcing us to buy complete carburetors when we have problems with one especially if a Zama is installed.

This is a policy of Stihl I don't like as most of the carburetors are easily repaired when parts are available but Stihl has a controlling interest in Zama now so Zama must bow down to Stihl decisions. I once could buy the repair kits through my Zama distributor. Now those Stihl only carburetor parts must be purchased thru Stihl which refuses to provide to the dealers so my dealer can't even get them now except for whole carburetors.

Maruyama. 5 year Commercial warranty. That says a lot. Commercial guys destroy some trimmers.

Echo also has a five year warranty. I’ve hand mine for over 7 years, beat the hell out of it and it’s never missed a beat.

I have a Tanaka TBC340 I bought in 2004 and have done nothing to it. but it finally refused to start last week. Need to get into it and see what the problem is.

Rivets said:

Echo also has a five year warranty. I’ve hand mine for over 7 years, beat the hell out of it and it’s never missed a beat.

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Echo is a 5 year homeowner warranty only. Huge difference between the commercial guys.

hlw49 said:

I have a Tanaka TBC340 I bought in 2004 and have done nothing to it. but it finally refused to start last week. Need to get into it and see what the problem is.

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New points and condenser. LOL

I work on both. They are both good and about the same to work on. If i have a choice it would be Stihl.

Ive worked on both...if you want the torque power to cut thru the heavy tall grass...hands down the stihl FS91R 4mix engine is the best choice...plus they are way more environmentally friendly because they dont allow up to 30% of raw gas to escape into the atmosphere...it does a complete burn like a regular 4 stroke engine...you can run it around 1/4 to 1/3 throttle and cut as well as 3/4 throttle of and echo with much more cut control...wont get away from you when edging like a higher reving 2 stroke needs to be at for similar torque cutting power...they are heavier by about a pound because of the overhead valve setup...the stihl 4mix engine still uses a 2 stroke gas mix...has ono oil sump to lube the engine...the 2 mix gas is circulated thru the engine to lubricate the puston bearings lifters valves and cam gear with compression release...

Hammermechanicman said:

I work on both. They are both good and about the same to work on. If i have a choice it would be Stihl.

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Go Battery and forget mixing fuel....r

RayMcD said:

Go Battery and forget mixing fuel....r

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technology isnt there...especially with thick or wet grass which happens with weather not cooperating...cant always choose ideal and have the battery last half as long or less...

slomo said:

New points and condenser. LOL

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It ain't that old

RayMcD said:

Go Battery and forget mixing fuel....r

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All depends on the application. Do you need a Prius or a truck? Not every situation is the same. I have 4 acres all bordered by farm land. I go through a couple tanks of gas with an FS80 when i trim. Battery doesn't work for me. My son has 1/4 acre in town. Battery works fine for him. One size doesn't fit all.

Thanks for all your input, you guys. I guess I'll be going to the store and handle them to see whats comfortable and weigh that along with the price.

StarTech said:

This is a policy of Stihl I don't like as most of the carburetors are easily repaired when parts are available but Stihl has a controlling interest in Zama now so Zama must bow down to Stihl decisions. I once could buy the repair kits through my Zama distributor. Now those Stihl only carburetor parts must be purchased thru Stihl which refuses to provide to the dealers so my dealer can't even get them now except for whole carburetors.

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The price for a carb doesn't seem so bad vs the hassle of rebuilding one to me. Probably different if your working on a lot of them.

skiman said:

Ive worked on both...if you want the torque power to cut thru the heavy tall grass...hands down the stihl FS91R 4mix engine is the best choice...plus they are way more environmentally friendly because they dont allow up to 30% of raw gas to escape into the atmosphere...it does a complete burn like a regular 4 stroke engine...you can run it around 1/4 to 1/3 throttle and cut as well as 3/4 throttle of and echo with much more cut control...wont get away from you when edging like a higher reving 2 stroke needs to be at for similar torque cutting power...they are heavier by about a pound because of the overhead valve setup...the stihl 4mix engine still uses a 2 stroke gas mix...has ono oil sump to lube the engine...the 2 mix gas is circulated thru the engine to lubricate the puston bearings lifters valves and cam gear with compression release...

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Good and useful info. Thanks.

sofasurfer said:

The price for a carb doesn't seem so bad vs the hassle of rebuilding one to me. Probably different if your working on a lot of them.

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there are aftermarket kits to rebuild the stihl carbs...ive also purchased the sftermarket carbs with very little issues...maybe 2 out of 100...

skiman said:

there are aftermarket kits to rebuild the stihl carbs...ive also purchased the sftermarket carbs with very little issues...maybe 2 out of 100...

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Oh wish there were more kits as I don't like replacing $100 carburetor just because I can't get a kit. Used to get kits under $15 to rebuild these. Yes older carb kits are available in aftermarket but not for the newer ones like the 4147/25 carburetor on the FS240.

StarTech said:

Oh wish there were more kits as I don't like replacing $100 carburetor just because I can't get a kit. Used to get kits under $15 to rebuild these. Yes older carb kits are available in aftermarket but not for the newer ones like the 4147/25 carburetor on the FS240.

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you're right that does suck but usually the newer one dont need replacing or rebuilding right away....thats just bad luck...

My biggest needs are ease and dependability of starting (painful shoulders). I also want enough power for thick weeds.

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It would probably help if people knew the size of the jobs you were going to do. If you are going to start it and wack for half an hour that is one type job. But say if you were going to run it 5 minutes on a job then let it sit two weeks, then do 10 minutes in the garden once a year that is another. I went for battery because my jobs are 3 minutes once a week. Someone with a large lot who is out a couple hours a month that would not work. I do knock down a 3' tall winter crop in a 25' x 15' garden two or three times in the spring, and the battery powered one is fine for that. But if I had an acre or two it would not be adequate. However with your bad shoulders a battery powered unit should be a consideration if the jobs are small. Make sure whatever you buy, parts are available. Some of the wackers these days the only way to repair them is to replace them.