Has anyone had any experience with one of these units? I can't remember the model number of this machine, but it's the smallest model that can handle a saw blade instead of the usual trimmer string. I've got some briar and honeysuckle thickets and a couple Russian olive clumps that I can't get to with my bush hog. Plus some really thick popular sprouts I'd like to thin out. This looks like it might do the job. Anybody use one?
Not sure exactly which model you're thinking of.
I have the FS310, which my dealer said is the lowest end model that can be considered a true brush saw. Just because they have bicycle handlebars doesn't mean they have the heavy duty components to be a brush saw. If you compare the smaller models like the FS131 and 210, the difference is obvious, the bevel gearbox and shaft are MUCH larger on the true brush saws and that's where all the stress is.
With that said, I've been VERY unhappy with the quality of RECENT Stihl equipment I've bought. Please don't tell me about how great your grandpappy's Stihl from 1978 is, I'm talking about the Stihl stuff I've bought within the last 10 years. It's all been very low quality and all 3 pieces of Stihl equipment have FAILED such that they were unusable and required dealer service within months of purchase. The dealer service in itself was very poor.
Be aware that Stihl power equipment has a ZERO day warranty now. That's right, there is NO warranty on new Stihl power equipment if the problem is determined by the dealer to be a "fuel system problem". No proof is required and there is no appeal.
My FS310 would not start one day after 5 months of ownership. It went from working to stone dead in one weekend. I was using Stihl oil that has fuel stabilizer in it AND I was using non-ox gas. The problem was blamed by the dealer on "bad gas", but they couldn't tell me what was "bad" about it. And no, they did not save a sample of this "bad gas".
So my 5-month-old Stihl that was under "extended warranty" cost me $36 to have fixed. It should come as no surprise that suddenly every problem with a new Sthil is now a "fuel system problem". It will surprise no one to know that I continued to use rest of the 2 gallon can of this "bad gas" in my Husky equipment and my older Stihl saw with no issues whatsoever. So much for the bogus "bad gas" theory then.
Now let me here explain that I know vastly more about handheld power equipment than the average user. I'm worked 3 years as a small engine mechanic, I worked on logging crews during college, and my family heated with wood since I was 4. I have run a chainsaw for a day for ever hour most people have put on one. Had this brush cutter not been under warranty, I'd have dug into it and most likely fixed it myself in less time than it took the dealer to do so. I only took it in because my last Stihl product (a blower), had a complete carb failure after 5 hours of use. Cracked plastic wall inside the carb caused an air leak. It took the dealer over a month to get a new carb, aparently the carbs are now considered disposable.
Buyer beware when it comes to today's Stihl gear. After 25 years of Stihl ownership, I've bought my last one. Strongly suggest you look at quality brands like Echo and Husky, and avoid Stihl and Stihl dealers. They are coasting off of a reputation based on what they were 30 years ago, not what they are now.
Bought my first new Husky chainsaw last winter. It fired on the 2nd pull and hasn't missed a beat since. Solong, Stihl.
Grouse
