Heads up-good replacement engine for Stihl polesaws, pole hedgcutters and combi units

[doobin]

Hi all,

 

I can now confirm that the Stihl FS-70RC (2-mix engine, proven over the last two years in Stihls big strimmers and smaller chainsaws/blowers) is a good replacement for the hated 4-mix engines and tiresd old school two strokes.

 

Power wise it's pretty much the same as the FS-90 or FS 85 at 0.9KW. Vibration is certainly no worse, probably better, and it has the automatic choke and single push on-off switch that the big 2-mix strimmers have. Nice.

 

The handle is semi integrated into the engine end, and is more ergonomic and throttle control much more precise. Like it. It also has ErgoStart, which looks like it might be handy when starting the engine at the top of a ladder.

 

It's the same fitting at the tool end for all the hedgecutters, polesaw heads etc. Only a flexi drive shaft so be careful. Or do as I have, and drop the engine onto a knackered engined 4-mix pole cutter or combi tool.

 

There is a slight cut away at the engine end of the drive shaft, I guess that's for keeping it from moving in the clamp. I've not bothered cutting the old FS-85 tube to fit and it doesn't seem to matter.

 

I'll update in a week or so after we've finished the contract I bought it for- a couple of kilometres of field hedging to knock back. If it's anything like as hassle free and reliable as the 2-mix engines in my FS-460s I shall be very pleased.

 

Hope this helps someone.

Edited September 12, 2013 by doobin

[tractorboy1]

Hi all,

 

I can now confirm that the Stihl FS-70RC (2-mix engine, proven over the last two years in Stihls big strimmers and smaller chainsaws/blowers) is a good replacement for the hated 4-mix engines and tiresd old school two strokes.

 

Power wise it's pretty much the same as the FS-90 or FS 85 at 0.9KW. Vibration is certainly no worse, probably better, and it has the automatic choke and single push on-off switch that the big 2-mix strimmers have. Nice.

 

The handle is semi integrated into the engine end, and is more ergonomic and throttle control much more precise. Like it. It also has ErgoStart, which looks like it might be handy when starting the engine at the top of a ladder.

 

It's the same fitting at the tool end for all the hedgecutters, polesaw heads etc. Only a flexi drive shaft so be careful. Or do as I have, and drop the engine onto a knackered engined 4-mix pole cutter or combi tool.

 

There is a slight cut away at the engine end of the drive shaft, I guess that's for keeping it from moving in the clamp. I've not bothered cutting the old FS-85 tube to fit and it doesn't seem to matter.

 

I'll update in a week or so after we've finished the contract I bought it for- a couple of kilometres of field hedging to knock back. If it's anything like as hassle free and reliable as the 2-mix engines in my FS-460s I shall be very pleased.

 

Hope this helps someone.

 

I thought by the title our good lord had gone into the garden machinery business.

[18 stoner]

I was hoping if I went to church for a few weeks I would get a free one!

[doobin]

If an Almighty mod could edit the title, I would be Eternally gratetful....

[treequip]

Hi all,

 

I can now confirm that the Stihl FS-70RC (2-mix engine, proven over the last two years in Stihls big strimmers and smaller chainsaws/blowers) is a good replacement for the hated 4-mix engines and tiresd old school two strokes.

 

Power wise it's pretty much the same as the FS-90 or FS 85 at 0.9KW. Vibration is certainly no worse, probably better, and it has the automatic choke and single push on-off switch that the big 2-mix strimmers have. Nice.

 

The handle is semi integrated into the engine end, and is more ergonomic and throttle control much more precise. Like it. It also has ErgoStart, which looks like it might be handy when starting the engine at the top of a ladder.

 

It's the same fitting at the tool end for all the hedgecutters, polesaw heads etc. Only a flexi drive shaft so be careful. Or do as I have, and drop the engine onto a knackered engined 4-mix pole cutter or combi tool.

 

There is a slight cut away at the engine end of the drive shaft, I guess that's for keeping it from moving in the clamp. I've not bothered cutting the old FS-85 tube to fit and it doesn't seem to matter.

 

I'll update in a week or so after we've finished the contract I bought it for- a couple of kilometres of field hedging to knock back. If it's anything like as hassle free and reliable as the 2-mix engines in my FS-460s I shall be very pleased.

 

Hope this helps someone.

 

What's up with the 4mix, I have used many and don't have a problem with them. Did I miss something?

[doobin]

What's up with the 4mix, I have used many and don't have a problem with them. Did I miss something?

 

Yes

 

It was a first attempt at meeting the EU emission standards, using a system of valves requiring frequent adjustment and prone to failure. After a year or so and many complaints Sthil said they wouldn't fail, so long as you used their super duper, arm and a leg fully synthetic two stroke oil. By then it was a bit late for people who had them fail in less than a year, including myself.

 

And then there's the horrible farty noise they make!

 

As described in the OP, there are also many ergonomic improvements to this new engine, which I believe make it an obvious choice to buy instead of a 4-mix FS-90.

[Stephen Blair]

I have never had any probs with the 4 mix, they just sound like a bust helicopter.

 

I think this thread needs the god title a little bit longer:biggrin:

[doobin]

I've just ordered an extendable shaft from the Stihl polesaw range. As the handle is now integrated into the engine, just two bolts to loosen and you can swap the whole shaft over with no messing about.

 

This one engine will do my polesawing, light strimming, hedgecutting and tilling for the next year. Once the warranty is up it will be reunited with it's still shiny original shaft and sold on eBay to some mug for 2/3rds of what I paid for it....

 

That's approximately £85 for a years hassle free, covered by warranty use of this engine to run all those Stihl attachments I already own.

[doobin]

Update.

 

It's proved more than man enough to run a 12" 1.1mm polesaw head. Only got stuck in the cut on big stuff a couple of times, easily done with a sharp chain on a polesaw.

 

It did come loose in the clamp. I copied the cut out in the tube from the flexi drive one that came with it, and that cured it. I then realised that I'd only tightened two out of four bolts on the integrated handle, so that was most likely the problem. Faultless today.

 

It's a joy to use in a MEWP, and the ErgoStart is handy in this instance.

 

I don't think you would need more power (FS130 levels for instance) on any Stihl combi tool, except for strimming. I have proper clearing saws for that however.

 

Will be interesting to see how it handles a telescopic shaft section. I can't see the extra shaft length causing too much extra drag, any thoughts?

[Eddy_t]

Update.

 

It's proved more than man enough to run a 12" 1.1mm polesaw head. Only got stuck in the cut on big stuff a couple of times, easily done with a sharp chain on a polesaw.

 

It did come loose in the clamp. I copied the cut out in the tube from the flexi drive one that came with it, and that cured it. I then realised that I'd only tightened two out of four bolts on the integrated handle, so that was most likely the problem. Faultless today.

 

It's a joy to use in a MEWP, and the ErgoStart is handy in this instance.

 

I don't think you would need more power (FS130 levels for instance) on any Stihl combi tool, except for strimming. I have proper clearing saws for that however.

 

Will be interesting to see how it handles a telescopic shaft section. I can't see the extra shaft length causing too much extra drag, any thoughts?

 

What's the cc, the HT75 was 25-27ish

 

 

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