With the arrival of the warm season, owners of private houses or summer cottages are faced with the question of choosing a tool for regularly mowing the ever-growing grass.
The choice is often in favor of gasoline trimmers due to their mobility and fairly high power.
In particular, the German brand STIHL , as one of the leading manufacturers of various equipment, offers a line of gasoline trimmers of various capacities.
Quite light and ergonomic, they successfully cope with mowing lawn or weeds in areas of various sizes.
Some models are capable of defeating perennial weeds, small shrubs and even dry reeds.
Shtil brand petrol mowers
The history of STIHL goes back more than 90 years. It all started, like many now famous brands, with a small family production. At first, it was the production of components for washing and steam machines. Then, the famous Stihl saws appeared - first an electric saw, a little later a gasoline model. Every year, the design bureau developed a unique new product that occupied a worthy place in the market.
STIHL FS 131 brush cutter
Today's product range of the company is diverse: chainsaws and gas cutters, vacuum cleaners and cleaning equipment, height cutters and hedge trimmers, blowers and motor drills, lawn mowers and Shtil trimmers, electric trimmers and sprayers. Unique multi- and combi-systems, original instruments and multifunctional headsets have been developed.
About company
The company was founded in 1926 by German entrepreneur Andreas Stihl.
It was this man who began to think about how to make the work of woodworking industry workers easier, literally and figuratively. His company's engineers worked tirelessly to reduce not only the size of the equipment, but also its weight.
Thus, at the start of the company’s development, an electric saw appeared, which took a leading position in the market. Sales grew and spread to Europe, America and even Russia.
Constant work on improving not only technology, but also consumables led to the invention of automatic chain lubrication.
In 1950, Stihl chainsaws shrank to such a size that they could be operated by one person.
The year 1964 was marked by the invention of the anti-vibration system.
After another 4 years, the saws were equipped with an electric ignition module.
The following years were characterized by a significant breakthrough in the production of chain saws and an improvement in their technical characteristics.
In connection with the expansion of the agricultural machinery segment, the first FS 80 motor mower was created in 1977.
At the same time, an adapted lubricant for the gearbox was produced.
In 1992, Stihl bought out all the shares of the Austrian company VIKING and began expanding its range of garden equipment.
Chainsaws, car washes, vacuum cleaners, mowers and other equipment were distinguished not only by the use of innovative solutions, but also by quality, reliability and ease of operation.
Model range of Shtil manual lawn mowers
Stihl brush cutters are represented by several product categories: battery-powered and electric trimmers, lightweight and powerful gas trimmers, and brush cutters. Depending on the engine power, a STIHL brush cutter can mow soft and hard grass, cut wild thickets and thin trees, improve park and garden areas, and use equipment for landscape design, public utilities and forestry.
STIHL cordless brush cutters
Thanks to Stihl battery-powered brush cutters, you can mow the grass in the required area at any time. Depending on the need, in the group you can choose a compact unit for very light work and a more solid one. The youngest model in the family, the STIHL FSA 45 scythe, is capable of working with a string for 12 minutes, 20 minutes with a plastic knife.
Petrol mower STIHL FS 130
Petrol mower Shtil FS45
Petrol mower Shtil FS56
The new, powerful cordless brushcutter Shtihl FSA 130, which has already become popular, provides continuous operation of at least 420 minutes when working with the AR 3000 battery and the 260/2 coarse grass mowing blade. The weight of the model is only 4.5 kg.
The most popular model is the FSA 56 SET with a battery and charger, and the STIHL FSA 90 brush cutter. The big advantage of cordless scythes is their environmental friendliness, mobility, and almost silent operation. Thanks to the powerful brushless motor with electronic control system and 36 V battery, efficient mowing is ensured, especially in public areas where excessive noise and exhaust fumes are not desired.
Electric trimmers Stihl
Electric scythes are designed for mowing grass on small lawns, near flower beds, in hard-to-reach places, and trimming short, soft grass. Models of trimmers FSE 52, FSE 60 are perfect for finishing work where there are restrictions on noise levels.
STIHL FSA 52 brush cutter STIHL FSA 60 brush cutter
Lightweight household lawn mowers Shtil
Household brush cutters are the most common segment on the market. Consumers can choose any option they like with a power starting from 0.9 hp. up to 1.2 hp This group of STIHL petrol mowers is designed for summer cottages, tidying up tennis courts, lawns, and mowing grass in small areas. It is the ideal complement to a powerful lawn mower when working on larger areas.
AutoCut C mowing head (2-string)
Mowing heads AutoCut C5-2, AutoCut 25-2 with line, two-leaf polymer blades for mowing grass 230 mm are used as mowing accessories. Among the most popular models are Shtil FS 56, FS 38, FS 70 C-E lawn mowers. Available with straight or curved shaft. The petrol trimmer Shtil FS 55-R is designed with a round handle for convenient movement of the operator between bushes and trees.
Conclusions and results
Based on the results of our review, we found out that for a buyer with a small plot of land (5-7 acres) and a small budget, the FS 38 brush cutter is best suited. And for those who value economy and environmental friendliness, as well as more modern technologies, the FS 40 brush cutter is the best choice. Summer residents and gardeners Those with plots of more than 7 acres will choose FS 55 or FS 55C in 80% of cases, as it is equipped with a gearbox, a bicycle handle and a backpack strap, which will help cope with taller grass and tough growth on large volumes.
Professionals or utility workers will prefer the FS 120 and FS 250 gas-powered scythes as they have a powerful engine and are relatively inexpensive. They are also equipped with a rigid shaft for mounting all kinds of cutting and sawing accessories, and are suitable for large volumes of work. These trimmers can handle even small trees, bushes, and reeds.
For the most selective and demanding buyer, Stihl can offer petrol scythes with 2MIX and 4MIX technologies, with a multifunctional handle and a comfortable starting system, which meet the highest European standards. Such as FS 70 (for small volumes of work) and FS 131 (for large volumes of work).
We wish you successful shopping and many years of service with Stihl lawn mowers! Don't forget about free annual maintenance for Stihl lawn mowers!
Which is better - STIHL or Husqvarna
If we objectively analyze the reviews of the owners of Shtil and Husqvarna lawn mowers on different forums, we can draw a general conclusion that these models are approximately at the same technical level in terms of reliability. But, if we compare lawn mowers in terms of safety and convenience, some consumers prefer the Husqvarna brand .
Husqvarna 545Rx brush cutter
The guard on the Husqvarna brush cutter is larger in size, the engine is completely covered with plastic, the unit starts up more smoothly and picks up the required speed more smoothly. All components are optimally easy and quick to repair.
Calm starts worse, its sound is sharper, and the color of the plastic gets dirty. At the same time, Stihl lawn mowers use maintenance-free gearboxes that do not require additional lubrication. Husqvarnovsky must be lubricated, only then a long service life is guaranteed. The Stihl piston group can withstand a not very high-quality fuel mixture without breaking down.
Husqvarna 325Rx brush cutter
A big plus of STIHL trimmers is the ergonomic vibration-damping pads, which you can work with for a long time without discomfort. The fuel consumption of STIHL lawn mowers is 20% lower, and the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere is 70% less. They note that the always-on ignition on Husqvarna is , in fact, a serious disadvantage, based on safety precautions.
Trimmer design
At the heart of any lawn mower is the engine. produces models with two- and four-stroke engines - respectively designed for domestic and professional use. When choosing a particular unit, it is important to take into account that two-stroke power plants require the preparation of special fuel mixtures, but four-stroke equipment is more troublesome to maintain. Next, you should move on to the main working part of the Stihl lawn mower. The description of the cutting elements can be represented as follows: a combination of steel knives and disks or a reel with fishing line fixed at the end of the rod. The variety of functional organs is determined by the purpose of the models. Metal segments are more suitable for processing tough stems, thick grass and shrubs, and fishing line works well for neatly shaping an otherwise well-kept lawn.
Direct physical control of the tool is realized through the handle, the configuration of which also varies. Stihl designers design gasoline trimmers primarily with D- and T-shaped handles. The appropriate holder model should be selected based on individual ergonomic requirements.
Features of operation, maintenance
For each model of Shtil trimmer, the factory operating instructions provide detailed information about the design, principles and operating features of the unit. Strict adherence to the manufacturer's recommendations significantly extends the service life of hand mowers.
Petrol mowers Shtil
- Stihl brush cutters consume a fuel mixture of branded gasoline AI-92 and STIHL motor oil for two-stroke engines in a ratio of 50:1.
- There are several brands of branded oil; STIHL HP Ultra is considered the best. When using non-original engine oil, the fuel mixture is prepared in a ratio of 25:1.
- The prepared mixture should not be stored for a long time (no more than 1 month), unlike the original STIHL MotoMix fuel mixture, which retains its properties for up to 2 years.
- STIHL grease is used to lubricate the gear; inspection is carried out every 100 hours of operation. The air filter is usually changed annually.
- Sharpening of metal cutting tools is carried out as needed; usually, a few filing movements are sufficient.
Electric braids Shtil
There are no fuel problems when using electric mowers, however, specific precautions must be taken when working with power tools. A special cable lock prevents the STIHL electric trimmer from being unexpectedly disconnected from the network.
Cordless brush cutters
Shtil cordless brush cutters, depending on the model’s equipment, provide different operating modes without recharging - from 12 minutes (model FSA 45) to 420 minutes (model FSA 130). Mowers are produced in different configurations: with a 36 V battery and charger and without the specified equipment.
Charging time depends on the battery size and the type of charger. The special fast charger AL 300 charges the AP 160 battery in just 25 minutes, which ensures uninterrupted operation of the Stihl FSA 65 cordless brushcutter for approximately 1 hour.
Rating of Stihl trimmers 2022 07/08/2020 15:51
Gasoline trimmers are one of the most convenient tools for cutting grass. The Stihl brand offers a wide range of brush cutters. Its model range includes both economical units designed to work with small areas around the house, and professional trimmers. All gasoline scythes from a German manufacturer are reliable, easy to use and have a long service life. Stihl is constantly introducing new developments and new technologies to equip gasoline trimmers. They are aimed at improving the performance of the units and increasing the comfort of use. The Stihl anti-vibration system involves the installation of rubber buffers. They reduce the transmission of vibrations from the motors and the rotating head to the handle. The Ergo Start system allows you to start the gas trimmer effortlessly. It is implemented in the form of a special spring installed between the starting cable coil and the crankshaft. Stihl lawn mowers are equipped with high-performance gasoline engines. Some models are equipped with engines with 2MIX and 4MIX technologies with reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Starting this year, all petrol trimmers with straight shaft are equipped with a two-blade disc and a trimmer head, and also include safety glasses and a backpack belt.
First launch, run-in
All STIHL brush cutters are distinguished by high build quality, so they require minimal grinding in of components and rotating parts and mechanisms. When starting for the first time, give 5 minutes to warm up the engine.
! Prolonged operation or prolonged running-in of the Stihl lawn mower at idle speed is strictly prohibited. This mode for all Stihl lawn mowers with two-stroke, 2-MIX and 4-MIX engines leads to overheating of the device, incomplete combustion of the fuel mixture, increased formation of soot, and is fraught with serious damage and subsequent expensive non-warranty repairs.
The manufacturer recommends that during the first three refills of the fuel tank, load the lawn mower minimally, which is what the break-in process actually consists of. After 5-15 full tank refills, the scythe reaches full power.
Possible malfunctions, their elimination, repair
The great advantage of STIHL lawn mowers is their simple design, reliability, and durability. The effective operation of the trimmer largely depends on the owner. The manufacturer warns of the need to comply with the rules of safe, competent operation of the units:
- Installation of special protective devices on cutting attachments.
- The use of all cutting devices - mowing heads, metal and polymer cutting blades, strictly for their intended purpose.
- Increased risk of kickback when working with a saw blade in the black sector.
- Precautionary measures when working with hedge trimmers - a safe distance from the trees being cut.
- The saw blades should appear to be floating above the ground at a distance of approximately 20 cm from the surface.
- Compliance with the operating mode: for electric and household gasoline models, work/rest for 20 minutes, for professional ones - work for 50 minutes/rest for 10 minutes.
- Before long periods of inactivity or storage of the STIHL lawn mower, in order to avoid breakdowns, the fuel from the tank must be completely drained.
After using the Shtil manual lawn mower for a long time at full load, it is recommended to leave the engine idling for a few minutes. This measure will help avoid heat stagnation in the carburetor and ignition system and will reduce the load on drive parts, since excess heat will be removed by air flow.
Owners can fix the most common operating problems themselves:
- The engine stops at idle - perform the standard adjustment of the idle speed adjustment screw.
- The cutting tool moves at idle speed - turn the idle speed screw counterclockwise until the device stops, then make another 1/2-1 turn in the same direction.
- The engine often stalls - check and clean the fuel channel from contamination.
- When operating Shtil hedge trimmers in the cold season, do not forget to switch them to winter mode - install a set for pre-warming the air.
- If the engine does not operate satisfactorily with the carburetor adjusted correctly and the air filter cleaned, the muffler should be checked for coking.
Owner reviews
Sergey:
“I have had a powerful Stihl FS 450 hedge trimmer for 1.5 years. Works without problems. Expensive analogues were not even considered when purchasing, on the advice of a consultant in the store. I was convinced of the right choice more than once. According to familiar utility workers, they have had the same model for four years in operation, and the equipment is indestructible.”
Andrey:
“I was choosing between a Stil 55 and 120 model. I decided that it was better to add money and take a more powerful option. The 120th is still a universal brush cutter, has a rigid shaft, and a power of 1.3 kW.”
