This was AWESOME information! I work part time at Northern Tool and we are a STIHL dealer. The information you provided in less than 5 minutes is 20 times more training that I’ve received there! I feel more confident about answering customer’s questions now, because I was told the only difference between straight and curved was “personal preference “. Your video cleared it up for me, thank you!
I’ve got a curved shaft trimmer it’s a fs38 and I do both trimming and the edging I do is by flipping it on it’s side to trim a nice straight edge by going partial throttle and i use 2mm trimmer line and sometimes 2.4 mm line for thicker grass and weeds
Very well explained. Other reviewers compare two totally different line trimmers but you mentioned how much different they are whilst using the same motor. Thanks!
I have a 14 year old TroyBilt 29cc, 4 cycle , curved shaft trimmer. It does not lack power, but it is heavy, so it came with a shoulder harness. I am 6 ft tall and the length is fine for me.
I always wanted a straight shaft trimmer because I'm too tall...BUUUTT... when I finally got a Stihl KombiSystem blower & straight shaft trimmer, I found out that the darned trimmer turns backwards from every trimmer I've ever owned!!!! I've been butchering my yard with it and throwing all kinds of groovy things into my legs and face---really fast too. I hate it, I absolutely HATE it! I've tried for 3 full seasons to get used to it and I give up. Heck, I tried walking backwards, I even tried cutting left handed---boy was THAT a disaster?!?! You guys love'em, y'all can have'em. I'm going to Lowe's and buying me a cheap trimmer that turns clockwise. The blower works great (when you get used to using an 18 foot long leaf blower!). Oh yeah, the whole reason I watched this vid was to see for sure which direction the Stihl trimmers turn.... and you didn't even mention it.
You okay man? Could you not just turn around and then walk forward? And you could just google the spin rotation thing btw, there are answers and forums out there, hell stihl even addresses this in their trimmers FAQ. Virtually all straight trimmers turn counter-clockwise, this is because of the gearbox, they reverse the direction. I believe there are some out there that use and idler gear to make it spin clockwise though. I think its just a pain to design them to fit an idler gear because of how limited of space they have to work with in the gearbox, that's just my best guess though. And as far as the trimmer throwing debris into your legs and face more than it should, that sounds like a guard problem maybe. I've never felt that way about it.
@@JoeBlow-ub1us No. But thanks for your sincere concern. I had a "minor" tendon repair surgery 7 years ago that went MAJORLY wrong. The "He has a great reputation" surgeon wound up cutting the nerve that controls my right foot! Had to shut down my business and go home. Have spent $thousand$ out of pocket buying corrective shoes, insoles, braces, etc. that don't help at all. One of my passions used to be my yard---all of it! I can barely walk around my yard...period. The grass is very lush and thick making it difficult to balance and walking around it with a weed eater now is MORE than a challenge! Even the spots that used to seem perfectly level, don't feel level anymore. So ANY bit of help I can garner, no matter how seemingly small is a very great help indeed. Thanks again for your concern but the problem now is as "solved" as it's going to get. Oh yeah, almost forgot this nugget. The counter lady at the closest Stihl dealer told me over the phone that ALL Stihl trimmers turn the same direction---that really helped things for a couple of weeks! I called another Stihl dealer across the river and saw told that they had, in stock, a curved-shaft trimmer for my Combicut system for about $69 bucks and that for certain it turned opposite from my straight shaft. I didn't have to change brands!
@@roygaisser9230 ah I see, yea that sucks. But yea I was just asking sincerely, not sure if you were being sarcastic or not. Either way, best of luck to you.
I do lawn mowing as a side job. I personally can't stand curved shafts. A few reasons. I have minor back problems and being over 6 ft tall I tend to be hunched over using them. Also you can't get any attachments like blades for brush cutting with curved shafts and for me like the guy said they don't have much torque and their manuverability is better. In saying that my parents have a small yard with no deck or low hanging trees and my dads curved shaft is adequate for them, and maybe for people of smaller stature as well. But in my opinion for say 70 to 80% of people straight shaft is better
Im 5ft8 and the curved fs40 kills my back. Just bought a fs94 and the length of the strimmer is way better on my back plus the head is way better. I swapped the standard fs94 handle for the larger looped handle off my old fs40 and its even better. Id recommend a straight strimmer with an upgraded stihl loop handle if youre average height. Anyone over 5ft6 will have back problems with a curved using it for more than 5 minutes at a time. My friend has an fs91 but its too heavy for prolonged use and the fs94 is so light it's crazy. We don't use straps either because they get caught up in the van and make edging harder. Just loop handles so back friendly strimmers are a must.
I bought a used Stihl FS45C 12-15 years ago and still going strong. It came with precut head that use 8" trimmer line. I am tire of changing trimmer line and want to change to Autocut head. Does anyone has good recommend? Do I need to buy a bolt that hold new trimmer head? If yes, what is the size or part number?
So which is it. Is the curve shaft a Stihl Basically? Or is the straight shaft Stihl the Basically? Been looking around for a new Stihl, but can't find the Basically!
I just sold my fs 56rc. They don't come with them heads. The fs 56rc is nice got tons of power. But it's heavy I don't care what stihl says its a tank . And vibrates like a jack hammer I'm alot happier with my echo 2620
This was AWESOME information! I work part time at Northern Tool and we are a STIHL dealer. The information you provided in less than 5 minutes is 20 times more training that I’ve received there! I feel more confident about answering customer’s questions now, because I was told the only difference between straight and curved was “personal preference “. Your video cleared it up for me, thank you!
I’ve got a curved shaft trimmer it’s a fs38 and I do both trimming and the edging I do is by flipping it on it’s side to trim a nice straight edge by going partial throttle and i use 2mm trimmer line and sometimes 2.4 mm line for thicker grass and weeds
Very well explained. Other reviewers compare two totally different line trimmers but you mentioned how much different they are whilst using the same motor. Thanks!
I have a 14 year old TroyBilt 29cc, 4 cycle , curved shaft trimmer. It does not lack power, but it is heavy, so it came with a shoulder harness. I am 6 ft tall and the length is fine for me.
Cristal clear explanation, thanks!
I always wanted a straight shaft trimmer because I'm too tall...BUUUTT... when I finally got a Stihl KombiSystem blower & straight shaft trimmer, I found out that the darned trimmer turns backwards from every trimmer I've ever owned!!!! I've been butchering my yard with it and throwing all kinds of groovy things into my legs and face---really fast too. I hate it, I absolutely HATE it! I've tried for 3 full seasons to get used to it and I give up. Heck, I tried walking backwards, I even tried cutting left handed---boy was THAT a disaster?!?! You guys love'em, y'all can have'em. I'm going to Lowe's and buying me a cheap trimmer that turns clockwise. The blower works great (when you get used to using an 18 foot long leaf blower!). Oh yeah, the whole reason I watched this vid was to see for sure which direction the Stihl trimmers turn.... and you didn't even mention it.
You okay man? Could you not just turn around and then walk forward? And you could just google the spin rotation thing btw, there are answers and forums out there, hell stihl even addresses this in their trimmers FAQ. Virtually all straight trimmers turn counter-clockwise, this is because of the gearbox, they reverse the direction. I believe there are some out there that use and idler gear to make it spin clockwise though. I think its just a pain to design them to fit an idler gear because of how limited of space they have to work with in the gearbox, that's just my best guess though. And as far as the trimmer throwing debris into your legs and face more than it should, that sounds like a guard problem maybe. I've never felt that way about it.
@@JoeBlow-ub1us No. But thanks for your sincere concern. I had a "minor" tendon repair surgery 7 years ago that went MAJORLY wrong. The "He has a great reputation" surgeon wound up cutting the nerve that controls my right foot! Had to shut down my business and go home. Have spent $thousand$ out of pocket buying corrective shoes, insoles, braces, etc. that don't help at all. One of my passions used to be my yard---all of it! I can barely walk around my yard...period. The grass is very lush and thick making it difficult to balance and walking around it with a weed eater now is MORE than a challenge! Even the spots that used to seem perfectly level, don't feel level anymore. So ANY bit of help I can garner, no matter how seemingly small is a very great help indeed. Thanks again for your concern but the problem now is as "solved" as it's going to get. Oh yeah, almost forgot this nugget. The counter lady at the closest Stihl dealer told me over the phone that ALL Stihl trimmers turn the same direction---that really helped things for a couple of weeks! I called another Stihl dealer across the river and saw told that they had, in stock, a curved-shaft trimmer for my Combicut system for about $69 bucks and that for certain it turned opposite from my straight shaft. I didn't have to change brands!
@@roygaisser9230 ah I see, yea that sucks. But yea I was just asking sincerely, not sure if you were being sarcastic or not. Either way, best of luck to you.
@@roygaisser9230 Please tell me you sued the doctor for his mistake so hopefully you don't have to work as much.
I do lawn mowing as a side job. I personally can't stand curved shafts. A few reasons. I have minor back problems and being over 6 ft tall I tend to be hunched over using them. Also you can't get any attachments like blades for brush cutting with curved shafts and for me like the guy said they don't have much torque and their manuverability is better. In saying that my parents have a small yard with no deck or low hanging trees and my dads curved shaft is adequate for them, and maybe for people of smaller stature as well. But in my opinion for say 70 to 80% of people straight shaft is better
Im 5ft8 and the curved fs40 kills my back. Just bought a fs94 and the length of the strimmer is way better on my back plus the head is way better. I swapped the standard fs94 handle for the larger looped handle off my old fs40 and its even better. Id recommend a straight strimmer with an upgraded stihl loop handle if youre average height. Anyone over 5ft6 will have back problems with a curved using it for more than 5 minutes at a time. My friend has an fs91 but its too heavy for prolonged use and the fs94 is so light it's crazy. We don't use straps either because they get caught up in the van and make edging harder. Just loop handles so back friendly strimmers are a must.
I always thought the curve were just for edges and finishing touches
Do u realize that the gears are not magic?!?!? if it increases RPM it will reduce torque or vice versa...
That's correct. His explanation about torque was wrong...backwards.
I bought a used Stihl FS45C 12-15 years ago and still going strong. It came with precut head that use 8" trimmer line. I am tire of changing trimmer line and want to change to Autocut head. Does anyone has good recommend? Do I need to buy a bolt that hold new trimmer head? If yes, what is the size or part number?
So which is it. Is the curve shaft a Stihl Basically? Or is the straight shaft Stihl the Basically? Been looking around for a new Stihl, but can't find the Basically!
Great video thanks for sharing
Th is mate very very helpful info
best explanation so far. Another forgot all about the gear box. And yet he gets all the likes.
Thank you..Very helpful..
I find a curved shaft better for edging and working in confined spaces otherwise straight shaft everytime
Gear induction? Does it add speed or torque. A buffer? Terrible info.
I just sold my fs 56rc. They don't come with them heads. The fs 56rc is nice got tons of power. But it's heavy I don't care what stihl says its a tank . And vibrates like a jack hammer I'm alot happier with my echo 2620
Curved shaft has a cable and straight shaft has a rod
Both have cables... only commercial grade trimmers have steel rods..
Neither have rods.. they have a shaft.
STIHL F5 38 jaco
*motors* run on electricity. *engines* run on combustion.
Wouldn't own a curved shaft !!
Great information