Posted: 5/13/2017 8:25:12 AM EDT
| Does anyone have relevant experience....will be using on 17 acres. Is the KM 130R powerfull enough to be effective...will be using the pole cutter, trimmer and brushcutter attachments... |
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Great piece of equipment. We're right at two years with the trimmer and hedge trimmer on an extended pole. Work is much shorter than with our old trimmers due to power and reliability. Lock up is solid between the head and the components- much better than a previous one we had from Ryobi. No play, and easy to change out. Carb works in all positions too.
Use is typical suburban lot but with 8'+ hedges. |
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I agree with the previous comments. I also have an MS251 Chain Saw and blower vac. Switched to all Stihl years products a few years ago. Use the 50:1 pre blended fuel, drain the tank and run them dry if storing and be aware they run lean. Easy to flood with too much choke.
Jeff B. |
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For normal trimming over big yards and a small pasture, NO, big and powerful it is, but too heavy for that.
I like mine, but I grab a lightweight 20+ yr old echo for trimming that will last 2+ hours. For other work, yep it has a ton of torque and will do the job. If you are not gonna use the hedge trimming attachment, then I would get the biggest powerhead you wanna pay for. |
| I have the km90. They have a 2 stroke version which is lighter I believe. The 130 is really only needed to run the power broom. Other than that, my 90 will run a pole saw just fine. Get the 110. More power than the 90, lighter than the 130, more than you'll ever need. |
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I have a FS90 that is the perfect weight for me to use for a few hours at a time. Has as much power as the 230/235/240 Shindaiwas I used when I was a teenager, just quieter. I can only imagine that the KM130 is a powerhouse.
I also have a cheap 27cc Husqvarna trimmer that I got from Lowes and I use the 8 inch bar pole trimmer they sell, too. That trimmer head is fairly weak compared to the Stihl, and it has tons of power for branch trimming. Im going to go out on a limb here (nyuk) and say you dont need much power for a pole saw to work well. As with all pole saws and chainsaws, chain sharpness is more important than a few extra cc's. |
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Thanks everyone...pulled the trigger on the 131R...did a comparison on weight between the other power heads and really did not see a difference. Got the trimmer head for $50 off..$89 to $39, also got the pole saw and extender and the brushcutter. Very happy with purchase and sales guy said a 4 year warranty when I purchased a 6 pack of oil.
Also can add bicycle bars to the 131R? Forgot to ask the sales guy. |
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Quoted:
Thanks everyone...pulled the trigger on the 131R...did a comparison on weight between the other power heads and really did not see a difference. Got the trimmer head for $50 off..$89 to $39, also got the pole saw and extender and the brushcutter. Very happy with purchase and sales guy said a 4 year warranty when I purchased a 6 pack of oil. Also can add bicycle bars to the 131R? Forgot to ask the sales guy. 
It may work better for you than the bicycle bars. |
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I use the FS130 line trimmer with the KM attachments. It takes an extra 30 seconds to swap the heads but I'd rather have the solid shaft. We have a few of the KMs at work, no issues with them. The 130 is a mixed oil 4 stroke, it has huge balls. |
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I have a 130R. Bought it with a articulating hedge trimmer to use with the extended section. This was/is to cut a Poncirus trifoliata hedge. Cutting thumb diameter branches. (In some cases larger than gaps on the cutter, requiring extension to reach. There is plenty off ass in the machine. I have multiple heads. String trimmer, brush blade, circular saw blade and pole pruner (have not used yet. ) The engine is a beast. On the thicker stuff with the hedgtrmimmer it takes working through but it's more of a gap in the trimmer vs branch size than power issue. I'd buy with confidence. If small engine is the question Sthil is the answer. For the record, I'm a country boy for life. Lived and worked on large properties most of my life other than a few in college.
I plan on buying the tiller attachment this year or next to go between garden rows After I've planted. |
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Have same set up. Kombi pole saw with extension. It's great. Just run ethanol free gas in it. You can get tru fuel 50:1 at alot places.
I bought cultivator last year. Have edger, trimmer. Hedge trimmer and blower. All work well. I did get extra trim head. Just easier to change then reload string then refill later. |
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Pardon my ignorance, I have the FS130 and was unaware that you could use Kombi attachments. Do you just remove the trimmer head? Very interested in getting a pole saw attachment. Quoted:
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I use the FS130 line trimmer with the KM attachments. It takes an extra 30 seconds to swap the heads but I'd rather have the solid shaft. We have a few of the KMs at work, no issues with them. The 130 is a mixed oil 4 stroke, it has huge balls. |
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Quoted:
Thanks everyone...pulled the trigger on the 131R...did a comparison on weight between the other power heads and really did not see a difference. Got the trimmer head for $50 off..$89 to $39, also got the pole saw and extender and the brushcutter. Very happy with purchase and sales guy said a 4 year warranty when I purchased a 6 pack of oil. Also can add bicycle bars to the 131R? Forgot to ask the sales guy. |
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131 what in the fuck. I bought the 130R as that was the highest end my dealer had. I would have happily bought a 131. I'll happily pay for Sthil pro models. |
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I asked about the bicycle bars on my 130R and was told no. I think it's a Europe only thing. |
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Yes, before the Kombi system came out they sold the other heads as "gearbox attachments", same thing minus the shaft. Loosen two T27 screws and just swap heads. Most dealers don't carry them so I buy the Kombi attachments and pop the shaft off. |
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Bicycle bars are for brushcutting, we have them at work but not on anything as small as a 130. Until you get into the heavier blades I don't know how much they actually help vs making handling awkward for other jobs. The only time I regret the bike handles is edging and trying to get the string perpendicular to the ground. Other than that, the harness and bike handles allow me to use the thing all day without wearing me out. |
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I have the Kombi (just bought this Spring), and it's wonderful. It makes very short work of trimming around our pond. Before it took forever.
I need to pick-up one of the length extensions on eBay. I need a little extra length to reach down the bank, but the full length extension is a little too long (and heavy). Anybody got the Kombi shaft where they removed the head for their FS laying around!! 
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@Snow318 Did you order online or get from a local dealer? And what model do you have? Thanks. |
| Love my KM131R - was one of the first things I bought when we moved to our place. I now have the trimmer, articulating hedge trimmer, blower, and pole saw. The cultivator will be next to worrk weeds and in between rows in the garden. Something you might consider unless you like trimming - Glysophate. Buy the concentrate by the 2 gallon jugs and you can spray around lots of things to save yourself tons of time... |