Comparing the Stihl FS 91, 111, and 131

#stihl #stihltrimmers #lawncare

So you need a new Stihl trimmer but you’re overwhelmed by all of your options? We’ve got you! Josh at Carl’s Mower & Saw compares the Stihl FS 91, 111, and 131 trimmers side by side by side, so you can make the best choice for you, your pocketbook, and your property.

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[vice]

In my opinion, you have the BEST explanation online about the difference between all trimmers. I had a tough time to decide. Your explanation helped me to decide much easier. Thank you so much.

[bullpup]

I just bought a 91. In retrospect I wish I had gotten a 111. But, the 91 works. No question about it. I use it as a dedicated shrub cutter. I use a battery powered unit to hit the soft stuff. So far so good!

[luke]

Well, I appreciate this video. No offense to my local sales guys but they just couldn't give a straight answer between the 3. Now I know the 131 is what I need. Thanks!

[rjh]

Thank you for making the video. I was going to get a 131 but, after visiting my dealer and using a 91 I realized that for my usage around my house and cutting a fence line, a 91 was more than enough power. I did get a brush cutting blade and some extra string trimmer heads. So I can be ready to go. Thank you for explaining the difference in the 3 trimmers.

[michaelwright]

I have the 111 in the Kombi, love it! 4 acres of grass and jungle, 50/50... I use the 111 with the blower, trimmer, 12" pruning pole saw w/extension and brush blade. No issues here, it has just enough torque to do everything I want, the 131 would be to much for me, it is a torquey machine, fatiguing. I did try one at the shop before purchasing the 111. Just around the house, and for clearing brush and trimming branches with the pole saw, I would go with the 111, unless you are a big burly guy that is in great shape. The 131 is overkill for my needs, and my arms...

[lloyddean]

i have the fs111 with the bike handles for about 5 yrs now .. awesome and efficient as a whipper snipper around the yard .. put a blade on it and it becomes a hungry animal .. i absolutely love it

[goldog]

Great reviews, , I just bought the FS 111RX today and after seeing some of your reviews I'm happy with my decision, It can be a little overwhelming with so many models to choose from with sometimes minor differences, thanks for putting out these useful and informative videos, Stihl should be sending you some great perks

[pilot]

I've got the fs 111 with the bike handles, it has really good power and is light as well. Super efficient on fuel, and it came with a full professional stihl harness. I agree with you its the best all-rounder. 👌

[ChipLinck]

Great video. Gave me just the points I needed to consider. I've had an FS90R for 13ish years, and it is still going strong with normal maintenance. Never had an issue I needed to take it in for. It's easy to work on. It just doesn't have vibration reduction which is really starting to bother me. Plenty of power, even with the brush knife on an overgrown lot that had small weed trees, thorny bushes and other random thick growth. I even used it once on a branch that was as thick as both of my thumbs. So, I know the 91 will do well. At the same time, I plan to get some land in the country, and I know I'll be using the brush knife, or hitting thick growth more often. Decent jump in price from the 91 to the 111. Only twenty bucks from the 111 to the 131. I also looked at the 240, but it's a much bigger jump in price. Looks like the 131 is it. Still going to do more research, but my thought is the 131 should do it all, and faster than the 91, or 111. I'm not getting rid of the 90. So, if it turns out the 131 doesn't have as much finesse around delicate areas, I can switch units. I'm thinking it will be fine though. Even that old 90 can tear it up if you don't feather the controls, especially when you're doing vertical edging along a driveway/sidewalk. You have to learn control. Not like when I was a kid with a cheap corded trimmer with 2 speeds, on and off.

[stephenparchewski]

I’ve had a km130 for the last 13 years. It is very powerful for trimming grass, but I also use it for tilling with the tiller attachment. The only thing I don’t care for is its appetite for fuel.

After tweaking the carb (they are set too lean from factory), it starts the first pull every time, no matter how long it sits without use. Good machines, and yes, the km130/km131 has a lot more power than you realize until you start using it for trimming grass.

[disgruntledconservativevet]

I have a KM90R. It’s rated at 1.3 hp. I have most of the attachments because I have 2 KM units, but I just purchased a FS94R. I did that because of weight. I looked at the FS91R. I own 15 acres of mountain ground and Going up and down the mountain, I want as little weight as I can. Also I like the 2 stroke over the 4 mix engine. I’m not into adjusting valves, although I have owned my KM90R for a few years and have never had any problems with it.

[greenmarine]

Made a big mistake and purchased a hyper tough 2 years ago, started fine when cold, but after use or it ran out of gas I couldn't get it started again. This year I got so frustrated with it, I threw it on the driveway and put the pieces to the road. Video is pretty helpful and one thing is for sure I'm not cheeping out on lawn equipment ever again it just adds frustration especially on a nice weather Saturday when the last thing you want to do is mess with your equipment for 2 hours before it will start or run good.

[thecubanomackuno]

I can cut hay fields with my 91. If I'm having to just to soft trimming I have to throttle it to 60-70%. Thing has power

[merlin]

Great, thanks a lot! Greetings from Germany, Armin

[bobbystewart]

Question, what exactly is the difference between the 130 and 310 or their modern counterparts (131 and 311)? Is it just looks and weight or is there more to it?

[adamholbrook]

Thank you for breaking it down for us. I'm interesting in a 111.

[Borndoom]

Stihl related that the KM 111s and FS 111s are the most sold of the 3!

[L]

I know this is a couple years old, but can you offer some insight on the FS 311? It has the same engine as the FS 131, but wider path, I think a better included harness, better anti-vibe, and maybe a better gearbox and/or shaft?

I’ve got several acres and want the best experience… but there’s a $140 price difference ($670 vs $530). There is almost nothing online about the FS 311.

[joshmason]

Can you trim grass with the 91 at half throttle or does it have to be wide open? My current weed trimmer is supposed to be ran wide open. That’s what my dealer told me, so it don’t ruin the clutch.I already ruined one clutch under warranty. It’s an Efco, smaller homeowner version.

[erike]

Nice video but you forgot to
Mention the biggest maintenance on these trimmers which are the valve adjustments. Not a hard job by any means it maybe took me 40 minutes the first time and now I can do it in about 15 minutes. The valve adjustments need to be done about every 50-75 hours. You can notice it needs to get done when it becomes hard to start and the pull rope starts locking up in mid pull. If you don’t like working on gear these trimmers are probably not for you cause the valve job has to be done eventually. The valve kit with feeler gauge, cork gasket and crush washer costs about 10-15 bucks. Definitely something to consider but I do like these trimmers I’ve got a Km 131, Fs 131 bike, and fs 311 that I just got. These 4 mix trimmers do have a nice low sound though. My Fs 240 (regular 2 stroke) screams with higher rpm’s and I would say the 131 is noticeably more pleasant on the ears.