String trimmers with solid shafts

[MarkB_MI]

My 30 year-old Stihl FS 85 is toast, and I'm shopping today for a replacement. The FS85 has a solid drive shaft, and it's my understanding that most of the mid-range trimmers use a flexible shaft even though the shaft is straight. Stihl specifically states that the FS91R has a solid shaft, but don't say one way or another for their other trimmers such as the FS94R, FS111R or FS131R. I often put a brush knife on my trimmer, and I'm concerned a flex shaft won't hold up to this abuse.

Does anyone know which mid-range trimmers have solid shafts? In addition to Stihl, I'd also consider Shindaiwa, RedMax and even Echo.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

You'd probably have to go to a commercial size. You can tell by just looking at them. Straight shaft tube and a gear case at the bottom will be a solid shaft. Curved tube is a flexible.

 

[WESnIL]

I have a straight shaft Echo and haven't looked back. I upgraded to .105 line from the standard .090 line and can use the same head. It's a beast.

 

[MarkB_MI]

You'd probably have to go to a commercial size. You can tell by just looking at them. Straight shaft tube and a gear case at the bottom will be a solid shaft. Curved tube is a flexible.

You'd probably have to go to a commercial size. You can tell by just looking at them. Straight shaft tube and a gear case at the bottom will be a solid shaft. Curved tube is a flexible.

Actually no. Many straight-shaft trimmers use a flexible shaft.

 

[MarkB_MI]

I have a straight shaft Echo and haven't looked back. I upgraded to .105 line from the standard .090 line and can use the same head. It's a beast.

I have a straight shaft Echo and haven't looked back. I upgraded to .105 line from the standard .090 line and can use the same head. It's a beast.

Model number? Do you know if it has a solid shaft? Have you used a brush knife on it?

 

[MarkB_MI]

I just found the answer for Echo on their web site. Only the SRM-410 has a solid shaft, all their other models use a flex shaft. The SRM-410 is an 18 pound monster, much heavier than even the Stihl FS131 (13 pounds). So Echo is out.

 

[Mule Meat]

Echo use to offer some two versions of the same model. I have an SRM 280S. The "S" means that it has a solid shaft while the SRM 280 did not. Only one or two models of ECHO have solid shafts now days.

A lot of people here use Echo trimmers with brush blades. I have not heard of anyone mention having problems with them. I think a cable shaft would take a shock load better than a solid one.

Hard to beat a 5 year homeowner warranty out of the box with no hoops to jump through. I will stick with Echo and continue giving the local Echo dealer my business..

 

[Jethrow]

My 30 year-old Stihl FS 85 is toast, and I'm shopping today for a replacement. The FS85 has a solid drive shaft, and it's my understanding that most of the mid-range trimmers use a flexible shaft even though the shaft is straight. Stihl specifically states that the FS91R has a solid shaft, but don't say one way or another for their other trimmers such as the FS94R, FS111R or FS131R. I often put a brush knife on my trimmer, and I'm concerned a flex shaft won't hold up to this abuse.

Does anyone know which mid-range trimmers have solid shafts? In addition to Stihl, I'd also consider Shindaiwa, RedMax and even Echo.

My Badger string trimmer has a solid shaft.

 

[Indiana Ken]

My 30 year-old Stihl FS 85 is toast, and I'm shopping today for a replacement. The FS85 has a solid drive shaft, and it's my understanding that most of the mid-range trimmers use a flexible shaft even though the shaft is straight. Stihl specifically states that the FS91R has a solid shaft, but don't say one way or another for their other trimmers such as the FS94R, FS111R or FS131R. I often put a brush knife on my trimmer, and I'm concerned a flex shaft won't hold up to this abuse.

Does anyone know which mid-range trimmers have solid shafts? In addition to Stihl, I'd also consider Shindaiwa, RedMax and even Echo.

I have have had good luck with Husqvarna. I have three of their chainsaws. I recently purchased a String trimmer but have not used it to date. Looking at their brochure they make a model 122XL Brushcutter; "easily clears high grass and brushwood. It is a straight shaft however does not state what is inside the tube. Whatever type of drive it would seem to be intended for use on brush. Good Luck

 

[Butch(OH)]

Most, if not all of the time you can tell a solid shaft drive trimmer just by looking at it. If the tube from the engine to head is curved it's obviously a flex shaft. If it's straight then it's likely a solid shaft. The choice for me is not the shaft material but how they handle. I do not like the way the curved shaft trimmers handle. I've run an FS110 for over 15 years, very satisfied in every way

 

[Watthour]

Ever consider a DR trimmer? A walkie brush hog? I have a Ryobi weed-whacker with a geared head and it has been very reliable for the past 20+ years. I also have a DR trimmer/mower for the heavier work, and with the steel cables on the drum it will clear some very large stems easily. I loaned it out many years ago and a relative nearly cut off the bottom of a wood fence with it.

 

[scootergmc]

I have a Husqvarna 525L straight shaft which I'm fairly certain has a solid metal shaft.

I also have an older Echo SRM-2100 straight shaft equipped with more of a cable type flexible shaft which is housed inside a liner.

 

[Mule Meat]

Most, if not all of the time you can tell a solid shaft drive trimmer just by looking at it. If the tube from the engine to head is curved it's obviously a flex shaft. If it's straight then it's likely a solid shaft.

That doesn't apply any longer. All but a couple of Echo straight shaft trimmers use cable. Most other brands are going the same route. Using flex cables instead of solid ones in all of their trimmers.

 

[Eman85]

Like you I have 2 Stihl trimmers and they are OLD. It would be hard for me to buy anything but a Stihl after the service they've given and I have a good dealer local.

 

[Dingo3]

Ever consider a DR trimmer? A walkie brush hog? I have a Ryobi weed-whacker with a geared head and it has been very reliable for the past 20+ years. I also have a DR trimmer/mower for the heavier work, and with the steel cables on the drum it will clear some very large stems easily. I loaned it out many years ago and a relative nearly cut off the bottom of a wood fence with it.

Those walk behind DR trimmers are great for fence rows. Mine has the tilt feature to angle the head towards the fence without getting the machine too close.

 

[Butch(OH)]

That doesn't apply any longer. All but a couple of Echo straight shaft trimmers use cable. Most other brands are going the same route. Using flex cables instead of solid ones in all of their trimmers.

Didn't know that, thanks

 

[runwoolf2]

My 30 year-old Stihl FS 85 is toast, and I'm shopping today for a replacement. The FS85 has a solid drive shaft, and it's my understanding that most of the mid-range trimmers use a flexible shaft even though the shaft is straight. Stihl specifically states that the FS91R has a solid shaft, but don't say one way or another for their other trimmers such as the FS94R, FS111R or FS131R. I often put a brush knife on my trimmer, and I'm concerned a flex shaft won't hold up to this abuse.

Does anyone know which mid-range trimmers have solid shafts? In addition to Stihl, I'd also consider Shindaiwa, RedMax and even Echo.

I have a fs90r that is close to 20 years old..lost compression, I am in the process of rebuilding. It saw very heavy use weed eating and as a pole saw. I also have another newer fs90r that is used in the same matter, does a great job. I would only buy stihl. Have stihl 362 chain saw..used and abused (10 years old) going great (did have to replace coil).

 

[Charles in Aus.]

My Echo straight , solid shaft brush cutter is close to 40 years old now .
I couldn't even guess at how many Hectares of Blackberry bushes and Wattle saplings it's cut down with the blade it's fitted with .
It still works as well as it ever did , I would hate to have to replace it ; especially if the only shaft options are flexible .

 

[MarkB_MI]

I found this chart (PDF) on the Stihl site that tells which heads are compatible with which trimmers. The FS91R, FS111R and FS131R can use a brush knife; I assume they all have solid shafts. The FS94R does not take a brush knife. I opted for the FS111R, which seemed a reasonable compromise between the power of the FS131R and the light weight of the FS91R. Interestingly, Stihl makes a lightweight version of the FS111R, the FS111RX. The lightweight version has a hollow driveshaft, a different gearhead and can't handle a brushcutter.

I didn't know the FS111R has a four-stroke engine, but that was obvious as soon as I started it. It sounds and feels totally different from the two-stroke trimmers I've used in the past. My old FS85 lasted thirty years, so I figure this trimmer should be the last one I buy.

As for the other brands, I think all the Shindaiwa trimmers have solid shafts, but they're a bit on the heavy side. On the other hand, the RedMax (Husqvarna) models seem to be a bit light. And, as I posted earlier, I eliminated Echo because they don't have any reasonably light trimmers with a solid shaft.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[MarkB_MI]

My Badger string trimmer has a solid shaft.

My Badger string trimmer has a solid shaft.

I'm not familiar with that brand. I'd be concerned about parts support.