Stihl FS130 brush cutting (review)

[bmill]

  I bought a Stihl FS 130 Trimmer/Brush Cutter a while back and thought I'd post a quick review in case anybody was considering one. Bottom line is that I'm very pleased with the this unit. I've been using the chisel tooth blade and it cuts 2" plus brush easily. This model is powered by the newer 4 stroke, I'm very impressed with the torque. Starts easy and I get decent run time on a tank of fuel. I store it in a heated shed so I can't say how easy it starts if it gets cold soaked. I've got about 60 hrs on it so far.  This is the bicycle handle model and the controls are well thought out. Plenty of adjustments so it will fit about anybody. An added side benefit that I discovered by accident is that it works wonders for de-limbing downed medium sized cedar trees. We use the cedars for a variety of projects, works like a champ.

  About the only downside is the harness that comes with it. It takes a while to adjust it properly. I'm going to order a separate one for my wife as she uses it too. Too much hassle re-adjusting it for different people. The FS130 was a bit pricey, but it works great.

  I was going to buy a larger model but my dealer said this would do everything I wanted. First time he ever talked me into spending less money!

 

 

[SwampDonkey]

Get a Jonsered or Husky harness. Those Stihl brush cutter harnesses will rub the hide off ya if you use them enough. Feels like your in the ring with a wrestler with a full Neilson hold on ya. My crew uses the pro model FS550

[beenthere]

I've not found the Stihl harness to be a problem at all. Works great on my FS120, as does the FS120 (like the energizer bunny.........)

[SwampDonkey]

Well obviously you haven't used it (harness) enough.  Even the dealers here are not impressed by them. The saw itself is great, it's not part of the argument.

[ErikC]

  I use an FS250 and really like it. I don't mind wearing the harness, but rarely use it more than 1-2 days in a row. It is not easy to adjust, and gets twisted easily. I can see room for improvement. Plenty heavy duty though.


Erik

[SwampDonkey]

My new one (harness) I bought in 2007 is falling apart after 10 hectare of thinning. I had it into the dealer once for re riveting and the pad that used to be leather on the previous years is now plastic and just about warn to nothing, the foam stuffing is peeking out everywhere. My guys just get Jonersed and Husky harnesses when they replace the Stihl one. I'm getting a Jonsered harness this spring.

  I use an FS250 and really like it. I don't mind wearing the harness, but rarely use it more than 1-2 days in a row. It is not easy to adjust, and gets twisted easily. I can see room for improvement. Plenty heavy duty though.


Erik

How many were 8 hour days?

[beenthere]

...................... My guys just get Jonersed and Husky harnesses when they replace the Stihl one. I'm getting a Jonsered harness this spring.
.............

SD
In the spirit of the Forum, just tell us how good the Jonersed and Husky ones are.......

[COLD_IRON]

I used my FS130 today to clear an acre and a half of 5' tall grass and brush.  I got mine last year and it has worked flawlessly - lots of power and fairly light weight.  The vibration on the unit is also very low.

I haven't had any issues with the harness though.

[joe_indi]

  I'm going to order a separate one for my wife as she uses it too.   

Bmill,
You might find the Stihl "Comfort" harness more comfortable, especially for the wife.
Part No. 4134 710 9001.

The FS130 is torque y being a four stroke.In the Stihl brushcutter range, irrespective of two strokes and four strokes, I would place it between the FS 120 and FS 200.
But, the engine looks very much  like that of a Subaru Robin four stroke brushcutter.
Whether this is a coincidence or not I dont know.

Joe

 

[SwampDonkey]

...................... My guys just get Jonersed and Husky harnesses when they replace the Stihl one. I'm getting a Jonsered harness this spring.
.............

SD
In the spirit of the Forum, just tell us how good the Jonersed and Husky ones are.......

It has a much more rugged thigh pad were the harness clips to the saw. But, the Stihl harness has one major design thaw that may not be as much for the casual usual with a lighter weight saw. It's the tendency to pull the weight of the saw to one side, so it's not putting weight at your centre. It will give you back troubles that can be equated to the student coming and going to school with the weight of all those heavy books being carried to one side of his hip. The Jonsered and Husky put the weight on both shoulders and centres it. Also I find the nylon strap that joins to the thigh pad tears away on the Stihl.

cheers

[ErikC]

  How many were 8 hour days


 Actually they were full 8 hour days. I'm not fond of running those machines, and prefer to get it over with. Harness or not they're hard work.


Erik

[SwampDonkey]

 

Nothing easy about thinning, that is for sure.  But, we enjoy it none-the-less.

[Stihl_Sam]

If you are going to buy a bigger model I would suggest you get the Stihl FS 450 Clearing saw I own one and it is fantastic but at the same time a bit pricey again its got alot of adjustments and you can buy it in the plain 2stroke or the new 4 mix 4 stroke engine the only problem I've had with it was the spark plug but by all means if you can afford it buy one they will go forever if looked after

[SwampDonkey]

Just a few words:

Any professional thinning saw lasts up to 2 years when thinning professionally, most are hurting after 100 ac of cutting. A lot of fellows buy new every season and keep last years saw for parts. Don't pay more than $350 for a used professional saw, you don't know how well it was looked after. I've seen guys over the years get stung for $500-600 and the saw calves within a couple weeks. You only get 90 day warrantee on Pro saws brand new, not even a season of cutting. Well Echo has or had 1 year on theirs. They are louder machines than Husky and Stihl.

[sawguy21]

  I'm going to order a separate one for my wife as she uses it too.   

Bmill,
You might find the Stihl "Comfort" harness more comfortable, especially for the wife.
Part No. 4134 710 9001.


Joe

 

The one complaint I have had is it is uncomfortable on hot days.

[crtreedude]

Just a few words:

Any professional thinning saw lasts up to 2 years when thinning professionally, most are hurting after 100 ha of cutting. A lot of fellows buy new every season and keep last years saw for parts. Don't pay more than $350 for a used professional saw, you don't know how well it was looked after. I've seen guys over the years get stung for $500-600 and the saw calves within a couple weeks. You only get 90 day warrantee on Pro saws brand new, not even a season of cutting. Well Echo has or had 1 year on theirs. They are louder machines than Husky and Stihl.

Swampy - that is interesting. We use Stihl saws pretty much everyday. And yes, they are 8 hour days - 5 days a week. Ours last considerably longer than 2 years it seems though and still work like new. One reason is probably that they don't cut a lot of brush, but grass. Secondly, every Saturday, without fail, they are taken apart, cleaned up like new and put back together. It makes a big difference. The workers are glad to take a couple of hours on Saturday and do it too - better than being back in the field I am sure.

[SwampDonkey]

Yup, cutting grass is a lot different than cutting trees and heavy brush. 

We clean our saw filters daily and sharpen on every tank, when taken apart they look like new when running Amzoil mix. The head/angle gear isn't suppose to be touched for a year with new grease. They changed the plug on the new saws so you have to find a special screw driver, there is no longer a square nut there. Too much grease and you ruin the seal.

[paulpieter]

Excellent discussion, very helpful, thank you.

-Pieter

[SwampDonkey]

This season has come to an end for 2009. I was using my two old FS550 saws, each have been used 3 seasons now. My newest one I used most all season, but I took out the drive shaft, two older angle gears, two handle bars and an inch off the corner of the brush guard. I also have to look at the power unit this winter as it was making a rattling noise, so I slapped on my old power unit this October to finish out the season and replaced the air and fuel filters. Worked like a new saw actually.   I tease the other fellas with other brands when I break a part, "too much horse power boys". What's hard on gears and drive shaft is big wood, beyond the size the saw was designed for. You can't treat a saw like a sythe and swing into a big stem without it eventually taking the drive out. Keep'm sharp, although near impossible in constant rocks. Can't flat file the blades much more than twice, too much hook from the round file will introduce too much resistance. You'd be surprised the difference between a tiny notch in the tooth verses a shape like a cat's claw. That little notch will cut brush way faster. A lot of bigger wood we got into had denser groupings of growth rings, making it harder to cut. Hardwood clumps are always hard on the guard, they will crack the corner by summer's end if your working the saw hard, rest assured.

[John Mc]

Swamp donkey -
Are you using the blades that look like a circular saw, or the ones that have chain saw chain wrapped around them? What do you see as the advantages of either? All I've used so far are the circular saw style.