In this article we will take a look at one of the very popular trimmers on the market today, the Stihl FS 45 model. It has earned a reputation in recent years as one of the toughest and affordable trimmers you can get, but is there any truth in that reputation, or can you find something better for the price? And what features sets it apart from the rest?
Please read on for more info.
Is Stihl worth the money?
A huge part of buying a product comes down to whether it is a trustworthy brand or not, so many folks might be wandering if Stihl is a brand they should invest in. To help you decide we will add a very brief summary of Stihl’s history here so you can make up your own mind.
The company was formed in Germany in 1926, over 85 years ago. Their initial specialty was chainsaws, but they have branched out into other gardening tools such as leafblowers, trimmers, sprayers and various power tools. Over the years they have developed several patented technologies, and have always been at the forefront of garden technology development.
The first official Stihl trimmer was launched in 1980, so the company has over 35 years of product development in the trimmer market. All this experience has culminated in some fantastic trimmers over the years, including the Stihl FS 45 trimmer. As standard, all Stihl trimmers, chainsaws and pruners come with a two year warranty. Most other trimmers on the market only come with a 1 year warranty, so this should give you an idea of how much trust Stihl have in their products to be able to offer that type of warranty.
in 2009 the American Brands Association honored Stihl with being one of Americas biggest and most trusted brands, so that should give you an idea of how good they really are. Below we will talk about the actual product, and some of the many features it comes with.
What are the features of the Stihl FS 45 Trimmer?
The FS45 is one of the cheaper models currently on offer from Stihl, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a premium grade trimmer. It is part of their HomeScaper range, which is designed for homeowners who require moderate use of the trimmers to maintain their property. Note it is not designed for heavy duty usage, and if that is something you want, then you need to look in the ProScaper range from Stihl.
Weighing in at just 4.1kg with all the attachments, it is the lightest trimmer that Stihl has in their product range. The power output of the engine is 0.75 kW (1.01 bhp) which might not seem like much, but it is more than enough to tackle most garden jobs. The Stihl FS45 weed eater features a standard looped handle, which is ergonomically designed for some of those more time consuming trimming jobs you need to get done. It has a thumbscrew adjuster, so it is very easy to adjust the handle to your required height.
Starting the machine is a breeze thanks to the electronic ignition module. Since the starter is electronic it fires up reliably. The controls of the machine are all located on one spot, so you don’t need to mess around trying to find a switch at the bottom of the machine to get your desired setting! Stihl refer to this little innovation as the Multi Control Handle, and allows you to make quick and easy adjustments without any downtime.
If you only intend to use the machine every once in a while, then the included Purge Pump Primer is definitely something you need. Basically what this little feature does is adds extra fuel to the carburetor if you haven’t started the machine in a while, and helps you to get it started with less hassle.
The Stihl FS45C Model
You may also have seen the FS45C model, so what is the difference with this model? It includes all of the features of the base FS45 model, but also includes the Stihl patented Easy2Start system. This means a one pull start – the way this works is that the cord pull tightens a spring inside, which then springs into action to fire the ignition module.
This means no more yanking away at the cord until it starts. You can expect to pay around $30 more for this model.
Generally the base model doesn’t take more than a handful of pulls to start, even after a prolonged period without any use. So the Stihl FS45C is more of a luxury upgrade.
What accessories can you get for it?
You can also buy some accessories to compliment the FS 45. The Landscaper series protective gloves are a good investment, and provide great comfort and protection. If you want to drown out the sound of the trimmer you could look at getting some HP29 ear mufflers. These do a very good job of protecting your ears, and are very comfortable to wear over long periods of time.
Stihl also sell 2 cycle engine oil for the trimmer, and the great thing is that if you use the HP29 oil, they will double your warranty! Please note that this particular offer only applies to homeowners and not professional users, so keep this in mind if you decide to purchase a Stihl FS45 weed wacker as it is a great offer!
How much does it cost?
So what can you expect to pay for the FS45? The good news is the recommended retail price of this outstanding trimmer is only around $149. This is great value for money considering the multitude of features you get on the machine, and the unmatched 2 year warranty (or 4 years with the offer mentioned above).
You can find it on offer at most garden stores, but obviously they tend to be priced a little high at these types of places. Some of the bigger stores like Walmart also have them available, but don’t always keep them in stock unfortunately. Pricing isn’t bad at the bigger retail stores like Walmart, so that is certainly worth a look. There are also quite a few internet sites out there offering really good deals on the Stihl FS 45 units since they are such a popular model. So we also suggest looking online if you can’t find any locally for a decent price.
Summary
Remember that Stihl is a brand you can trust, and be sure to read the owners manual carefully so you can be aware of any potential maintenance that needs to be done on the machine. This trimmer should work well for minor maintenance, and is backed by a two year warranty. The FS 45 is a great trimmer, and it should provide you with many years of easy trimming!
